Cost of Schools Dubai

Costs of Schools in Dubai – A comprehensive look at the costs across Dubai and a comparison between regions.

Off Plan Dubai helps investors enter the UAE property market every month; some invest from afar, while others live closer to the action. Some plan on moving immediately, while others plan to move in the near or distant future. Some never.

However, a primary consideration is how the schools in the UAE compare to those in other regions, as well as the associated costs.

I’ve put an interactive table on your screen showing indicative annual tuition ranges by curriculum and stage for 2025/26 (FS1/Pre-K, Year 6/Grade 5, Year 10/Grade 9, Year 13/Grade 12). The ranges come from GEMS’ network fee guide and line up well with what you’ll see across the market.  We refer to KHDA throughout the post: Knowledge and Human Development Authority.

What the ranges look like (2025/26)

  • British: roughly AED 8.7k – 98.5k from FS1 to Year 13. 

  • IB/American: roughly AED 23k – 117.6k from FS1/PK to Grade 12 (IB years skew high at DP level). 

  • Indian (CBSE/ICSE): roughly AED 9.8k – 54k from KG to Grade 12 (widest value spread; strong “good/very good” options at lower fees). 

Concrete examples (to anchor the ranges):

  • Deira International School (British/IB, Outstanding): AED 44,616 (FS1) to AED 89,889 (Year 13), 2025/26. 

  • Dubai English Speaking College (British): AED 84,326 (Y7–Y11) and AED 90,633 (Sixth Form). 

  • Dubai British School – Jumeirah Park (British): AED 64,160 (Y1) to AED 83,015 (Y13). 

  • KHDA directory links every school’s official “School Fees Fact Sheet” (one-page, all charges listed). Use this to confirm any school’s exact line-items before enrolling. 

2025/26 fee movement (why some numbers nudged up)

  • For 2025–26, KHDA set the Education Cost Index (ECI) at 2.35%, which is the cap many for-profit schools can apply for fee increases this year. Expect most “premium” schools to have moved modestly within that cap. 

What adds to tuition (and where to check):

Besides base tuition, families typically face:

  • Application/registration (often ~AED 500), transport, uniforms, books, technology, exam fees (IGCSE/IB/A-level), activities/trips, and sometimes SEN/EAL support. All of these must appear on the KHDA School Fees Fact Sheet—use that document as the single source of truth. 

How to choose by value (quick heuristics):

  • First, consider curriculum fit (UK vs IB vs US vs Indian); then compare KHDA ratings and outcomes (GCSE/IB results) per dirham of tuition.

  • For substantial value at lower fees, short-list Indian curriculum schools or “good/very good” UK schools; for IB DP or UK Sixth-Form excellence, budget for the upper bands. Use the KHDA directory to scan ratings and open each school’s Fees Fact Sheet directly. 

In Dubai, location has a significant impact on the fees of the school you wish to attend.

Location in Dubai really does influence school fees—not just because of which schools are nearby, but also due to catchment zones, local demand, and perceived prestige. Let’s compare Emirates Hills and Dubai Hills Estate area schools to give you a clearer picture:

Emirates Hills

Dubai International Academy (DIA), Emirates Hills

  • Curriculum: IB (KG1–Year 13)

  • Annual tuition: AED 42,832–77,866 per year for 2024–25; average around AED 59,500 

Dubai British School (DBS), Emirates Hills

  • Curriculum: British (FS1–Year 13)

  • Annual tuition: FS1/FS2 approx. AED 51,809 (2024-25), increasing from AED 50,496 (2023-24)

  • Higher grades (Year 12–13): AED 77,715 in 2024-25

  • External sources estimate fees for Year 1–Year 13 between AED 53,027–79,541 (2025/26)

Other nearby options

  • Emirates International School, Meadows (IB): around AED 27,000–74,000 annually, depending on age group

Summary (Emirates Hills corridor):

  • IB schools (e.g., DIA): AED 43k–78k

  • British schools (e.g., DBS): AED 52k–78k+

  • Schools nearby with Indian/IB options: a mix ranging from AED 27k to 74k, adding value for perhaps more modest fees.

Dubai Hills Estate Area

This area doesn’t host large international schools, yet, like Emirates Hills, but it’s proximate to several Indian-curriculum and value-focused schools.

GEMS New Millennium School, Dubai Hills Estate

  • Curriculum: British & Indian (all-through)

  • Annual tuition: approx. AED 27,000

  • Rating: “Very Good” by KHDA

Other Indian schools nearby:

  • Springdales School (Al Quoz): AED 26,500 (Good)

  • Dewvale School (Al Quoz): AED 15,000 (newer school)

These schools are more budget-friendly, especially for families leaning toward the Indian curriculum.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Prestige & curriculum drive higher fees—Emirates Hills is home to top-rated “Outstanding” IB and British schools mid-to-high in the AED 40k–80k range.

  2. Dubai Hills Estate offers excellent value—particularly with Indian/British curriculum options under AED 30k, though KHDA ratings may range from Good to Very Good.

  3. No one-size-fits-all—if budget is a priority and an Indian curriculum is acceptable, Dubai Hills may suit. But for award-winning IB/British education and premium facilities, Emirates Hills commands a premium.

Dubai School Fee comparison

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