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Best 20 International Schools in United Arab Emirates

International Education in United Arab Emirates

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Below, we have compiled the top 20 international schools in United Arab Emirates according to our users. However, there are another 231 schools to choose from in the country. You can find the best international school for your child by personalising your results. Just fill in your search criteria, and we will calculate a personal score for every international school in the city of your choosing based on your requirements.

Recommended Schools

Nord Anglia International School Abu Dhabi

Part of the Nord Anglia Education family of premium international schools, NAS Abu Dhabi offers a learning experience designed for the future where your child will achieve more than they ever imagined possible.
City
Abu Dhabi
Curriculum
British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 65,000
to: Dirham 95,000

The Arbor School

An ecological school in Dubai based on the National curriculum for England.
City
Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman
Curriculum
British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 49,500
to: Dirham 90,250

The British International School Abu Dhabi

Part of the Nord Anglia family, The British International School Abu Dhabi offers a transformational education in a warm, inclusive community, empowering every student to excel, embrace global opportunities, and shape their future.
City
Abu Dhabi
Curriculum
British, IB
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 54,204
to: Dirham 76,952
Reviews
(11 reviews)

Nord Anglia International School Dubai

At NAS Dubai, success is more than achieving outstanding exam results. We go beyond traditional education to offer transformative learning experiences to help students develop skills needed to thrive in a changing world.
City
Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman
Curriculum
British, IB
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 69,625
to: Dirham 105,288
Reviews
(1 review)

Best 20 International Schools in United Arab Emirates

Out of a total of 251 International Schools in United Arab Emirates.

Based on the aggregated preferences of our users in the last 30 days.

The Spanish School of Abu Dhabi

Founded on the basis of strong cultural relations between Spain and the UAE, the Spanish School of Abu Dhabi is committed to providing quality education based on the Spanish curriculum.
Presently, SSAD is offering Nursery to Grade 5.
City
Abu Dhabi
Curriculum
Spanish
Language of instruction
Spanish
Ages
3 to 14
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 26,875
to: Dirham 29,175

Newlands School

Newlands School Dubai enables every child to achieve their potential. Students gain an excellent quality British education in a values-based, internationally-minded environment so that they may understand, contribute to, and succeed in an ever-developing and competitive world.
Our vision is for the school to provide:
-opportunity and challenge
-a commitment to continuous improvement
-a route to university and lifelong learning
City
Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman
Curriculum
British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 21,372
to: Dirham 40,072
Reviews
(1 review)

German International School Sharjah

The school is situated in a lush green compound. As it is a small school the atmosphere is very friendly and people care for each other. The teachers support all students so they can reach their best results.
City
Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman
Curriculum
IB, German
Languages of instruction
English, German
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 20,950
to: Dirham 49,800

Oaktree Primary School

Small classes with intimate student teacher relationships, community engagement and happy and engaged students.
City
Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman
Curriculum
British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 11
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 18,518
to: Dirham 31,106

Ajyal International School

Ajyal International School commits to:
- Offering students an education that is meaningful and relevant to their personal, academic, and social life using the Significant Learning Model;
- Providing active learning experiences, avoiding rote learning;
- Using means of assessment that are educative in nature (assessment for learning), qualitative and quantitative, standardised, frequent, performance–based (criterion and standards) and involving self-assessment;
- Aligning its teaching and assessment activities to Significant Learning Outcomes by a process referred to as backward design;
- Collecting wide-ranging performance data to continuously improve learning and teaching, curriculum provision, and institutional efficacy;
- Using technology to enhance learning, and not just to facilitate teaching;
- Providing continuous professional development to all our staff; and
- Adhering to the highest standards of student physical safety, health and personal well-being.
City
Abu Dhabi
Curriculum
British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 24,104
to: Dirham 43,192
Reviews
(1 review)

American Gulf School

Holistic IB Education
City
Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman
Curriculum
American, IB
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 35,540
to: Dirham 75,440
Reviews
(2 reviews)

Good Will Children Private School

Good Will Children Private School L.L.C. is a recognized Cambridge International School teaching Cambridge Core subjects in English (as a second language), Math, Science and ICT.
This internationally respected curriculum is now taught in 150 countries across the world and culminates in the International General Certificate of Secondary Education, AS and A level certification recognized by universities worldwide.
City
Abu Dhabi
Curriculum
British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
4 to 14
Yearly fees - 2026/2027
from: Dirham 19,800
to: Dirham 211,250

Collegiate International School

Collegiate International School is a community school providing a warm and caring atmosphere, for happy students and families .we empower our students with a holistic, rigorous and international education for success in an ever changing world.
City
Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman
Curriculum
IB, American
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 39,478
to: Dirham 70,630

Citizens School

Citizens School provides a learning experience that focuses on the whole growth of a learner and is built around each child’s unique requirements, giving them the choices to explore themes, expand interests and determine the routes that they want to go on. A Place to be Inspired,
Empowered, and Thrive
Citizens School is at the forefront of modern education, utilising a personalised approach to learning that inspires curiosity and innovation. Our learners are encouraged to ask questions, think critically, and explore real-world challenges. We believe this approach promotes a creative mindset, expanding the horizons of learning and igniting a lifelong passion for knowledge.
City
Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman
Curriculum
British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 14
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 40,500
to: Dirham 80,000

Virginia International Private School

We aim to produce life-long learners who are innovative and creative, highly competitive in the modern economy and who are champions of UAE culture and heritage. We are a lead school in the United Arab Emirates, developing all learners for successful participation in Society and in the global economy.
City
Abu Dhabi
Curriculum
American
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2026/2027
from: Dirham 27,880
to: Dirham 45,230

Hartland International School

Hartland is a school where you want to be; as a pupil, a teacher, and as a parent; a place of learning and discovery, a place of creative thinkers and problem solvers, a place of laughter and friendship, a place where each child gets the individual attention that they deserve.
City
Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman
Curriculum
British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 48,781
to: Dirham 83,803

International Concept for Education

Our school identity embodies a commitment to bilingual French rigor and an international mindset. We prioritize the transfer of language-based skills while fostering a growth mindset among our students. With a focus on maintaining a human-scale environment, where everyone knows and welcomes each other, we prioritize student voice and foster excellent partnerships with families. Our community involvement extends to support internships that allow students to explore the international world in collaboration with local businesses. Additionally, we provide career counseling, organize job fairs for students, and offer international school trips and competition tournaments. Going beyond curricular norms, ICE integrates non-traditional subjects to support the development of cross-curricular skills and learning strategies.
City
Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman
Curriculum
French, IB
Languages of instruction
English, French
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 46,350
to: Dirham 84,460

American International School in Abu Dhabi

The American International School in Abu Dhabi is celebrating its 25th anniversary, having been established in 1995 to provide local and expatriate residents of Abu Dhabi with high quality American education, based on American standards and an international curriculum. AISA received its first accreditation in October 1997 from the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA), and in January 2010 was accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS). AISA offers education from Kindergarten to Grade 12. It was the first school to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma in the UAE and later became the first school in Abu Dhabi to be authorized to offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). In keeping with local regulations, the Secondary School is gender segregated.
City
Abu Dhabi
Curriculum
IB, American
Language of instruction
English
Ages
4 to 18
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 32,950
to: Dirham 59,900
Reviews
(1 review)

Star International School Al Twar

Star International School Al Twar is a bespoke English Curriculum school in the heart of Al Twar. It is very much a family school, with teachers, SLT, TAs, Admin and site staff all working alongside parents and the wider community to offer its children the best opportunities it possibly can.
City
Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman
Curriculum
British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 21,520
to: Dirham 46,140

Crown American Private School

Crown American Private School is an American curriculum school founded in 2005 and is welcoming students from Kindergarten up to Grade 12.
City
Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman
Curriculum
American
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 14,100
to: Dirham 31,400

Abu Dhabi International School

Abu Dhabi International School is a truly international school that educates students from over 70 nationalities in a familial, friendly, fun yet disciplined environment. The international flavor our school provides is also reflected in the diversity of its academic programs. AIS provides the opportunity for its students to graduate with an American program, the British (IGCSE and A-Levels) program or the International Baccalaureate Programme and join top tier institutions worldwide, such as Harvard, Stanford, Cambridge and the Sorbonne of France as well as regional universities in Lebanon, Egypt and the UAE.
City
Abu Dhabi
Curriculum
IB, American, British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2026/2027
from: Dirham 26,275
to: Dirham 50,350

BC Academy International School

We are a future-focused school that prioritizes practical, hands-on learning, from robotics to real-world building, to develop students with exceptional character and a lifelong love for learning. With our multilingual robotic dog mascot leading the way, we combine cutting-edge technology with high academic standards to ensure every student is prepared for success at the world’s top universities.
City
Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman
Curriculum
British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
5 to 12
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 50,000
to: Dirham 60,000

Al Najah Private School

Al Najah Private School was founded in 1987 as a private international school from K-12 with the aim of providing the most comprehensive British curriculum as a college preparatory education to students of all nationalities.
City
Abu Dhabi
Curriculum
IB, British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
4 to 18
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 15,560
to: Dirham 34,400

German International School Abu Dhabi

German International School Abu Dhabi is a German international school in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates certified as an excellent German abroad school by the German government.
City
Abu Dhabi
Curriculum
German
Language of instruction
German
Ages
4 to 18
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 37,570
to: Dirham 56,600

GEMS Cambridge International School Abu Dhabi

GEMS Cambridge International School (GCIS) – Abu Dhabi, is a thoroughly modern school which takes an equally modern approach to education. Located just off the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Road in Al Mafraq, Adu Dhabi, this British curriculum school delivers an exceptional standard of education to children at foundation stage all the way through to Year 13, from age 3-18.
The GCIS – Abu Dhabi, is an international school with a real difference, providing children from all over the world with invaluable opportunities to realise their full potential academically, socially and personally.
City
Abu Dhabi
Curriculum
British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2025/2026
from: Dirham 23,060
to: Dirham 40,340
Reviews
(15 reviews)
231 other schools in United Arab Emirates ⇨

Find the Best International School in United Arab Emirates FOR YOU!

Other lists of best international schools in United Arab Emirates

20 Best IB International Schools in United Arab Emirates 20 Best American International Schools in United Arab Emirates 20 Best British International Schools in United Arab Emirates 20 Best Indian International Schools in United Arab Emirates

Summary

What are the best international schools in United Arab Emirates?

  1. The Spanish School of Abu Dhabi
  2. Newlands School
  3. German International School Sharjah
  4. Oaktree Primary School
  5. Ajyal International School
  6. American Gulf School
  7. Good Will Children Private School
  8. Collegiate International School
  9. Citizens School
  10. Virginia International Private School
  11. Hartland International School
  12. International Concept for Education
  13. American International School in Abu Dhabi
  14. Star International School Al Twar
  15. Crown American Private School
  16. Abu Dhabi International School
  17. BC Academy International School
  18. Al Najah Private School
  19. German International School Abu Dhabi
  20. GEMS Cambridge International School Abu Dhabi

Find your International School

How Many International Schools are there in United Arab Emirates?

There are 251 international schools in United Arab Emirates. See them all

What are the most popular curriculums in United Arab Emirates?
Curriculum International schools
British 148  
American 61  
IB 52  
Indian 19  
UAE 8  
Other 28  

Additionally, there are 3 boarding schools in United Arab Emirates.

What are the most popular languages of instruction?
Language International schools
English 246  
French 6  
German 3  
Arabic 2  
Spanish 1  

Among these, there are 5 bilingual schools in United Arab Emirates.

How Much do International Schools cost in United Arab Emirates?

The average price of international schools in United Arab Emirates is Dirham 49,692. (*)

Price for 12 y.o.
Min. price Dirham 6,000
Avg. price Dirham 49,692
Max. price Dirham 134,000
Price for 12 y.o. Number of international schools
Dirham 6,000 to Dirham 17,999 17  
Dirham 18,000 to Dirham 29,999 43  
Dirham 30,000 to Dirham 41,999 52  
Dirham 42,000 to Dirham 53,999 24  
Dirham 54,000 to Dirham 65,999 44  
Dirham 66,000 to Dirham 77,999 29  
Dirham 78,000 to Dirham 89,999 21  
Dirham 90,000 to Dirham 101,999 9  
Dirham 102,000 to Dirham 113,999 3  
Dirham 114,000 to Dirham 125,999 1  
Dirham 126,000 to Dirham 137,999 1  

(*) The price for one year of fees for a 12 year old (or the closest age to 12 available in the school), excluding one-time fees at enrolment.

How Big are Class Sizes in United Arab Emirates?

The average class size of international schools in United Arab Emirates is 22.5 students.

Class Size Number of international schools
10 to 14 2  
15 to 19 11  
20 to 24 56  
25 to 29 33  
30 to 34 2  
35 to 39 1  

How big are the schools in United Arab Emirates (in number of students)?

The average size, in number of students, of international schools in United Arab Emirates is 1585 students.

Number of students Number of international schools
50 to 449 15  
450 to 849 35  
850 to 1,249 39  
1,250 to 1,649 32  
1,650 to 2,049 29  
2,050 to 2,449 12  
2,450 to 2,849 8  
2,850 to 3,249 5  
3,250 to 3,649 4  
3,650 to 4,049 4  
4,050 to 4,449 1  
4,450 to 4,849 2  
4,850 to 5,249 2  
5,250 to 5,649 1  
5,650 to 6,049 0  
6,050 to 6,449 1  
6,450 to 6,849 1  

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International Schools Database

The International School Database is a one-stop shop for finding, researching and comparing schools in cities across the world.

Each school's listing includes full contact details, school policies, nationality information, extra-curricular activities, and much more. Everything you need to know is all under one roof, so you can make an informed decision on the best school for your children.

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