International schools in Dubai
183 international schools in Dubai. Every number comes from what schools publish and from official sources.
Talk to SamThis city at a glance
Living
Each item shows its source and the date we checked it. Check the source again before you move.
Housing and rent
Annual rent: 3-bed apartments AED 243,000-260,000
dubizzle's H1 2026 report gives average annual rents for three-bedroom apartments of AED 243,000 in Dubai Marina and AED 260,000 in Dubai Hills Estate; two-bedroom apartments ranged from AED 113,000 (JVC) to AED 164,000 (Dubai Hills), and three-bedroom villas in Arabian Ranches 3 averaged AED 170,000.
- 3-bed apartments AED 243,000-260,000/year
- 2-bed AED 113,000-164,000/year
- 3-bed villa (Arabian Ranches 3) AED 170,000/year
Source:dubizzleDataChecked 2026-10-30
Safety
All of the UAE, including Dubai, is under a level-3 advisory
Korea's foreign ministry raised the whole UAE from a special advisory to level 3 (leave / do not travel) from 19:00 KST on 2026-03-08 because of the Middle East situation, and the country page (checked 2026-10-30) still shows level 3 nationwide. Level 3 means Koreans are asked to cancel or postpone visits. Safety notices continued in October 2026, so check the latest notice before any move.
- Whole UAE at level 3 since 2026-03-08
- Visits should be cancelled or postponed
- Check the latest notice
Source:외교부 해외안전여행Official sourceChecked 2026-10-30
Schooling
Education: KHDA inspection ratings in six bands
Dubai's private schools are inspected by the KHDA and rated Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable, Weak or Very Weak. In 2023-24, 209 schools were inspected and 81% of students attended schools rated Good or better (77% the year before). As of 2026-10-30 our directory lists 184 schools in this city (still growing).
- Six inspection bands
- 81% of students in Good+ schools (2023-24)
Source:Knowledge and Human Development Authority (Dubai)Official sourceChecked 2026-10-30
Family life and climate
Climate: warmest-month high 40.6°C, coolest-month low 13.7°C
Normals from National Center of Meteorology (UAE) on the WMO World Weather Information Service (1974-1991): the warmest month (Jul) averages a high of 40.6°C, the coolest (Jan) a low of 13.7°C, and yearly rainfall is about 94 mm. These are older normals and may differ from today's climate. Rain is rare: under 100 mm a year.
- Jul average high 40.6°C
- Jan average low 13.7°C
- About 94 mm of rain a year
Source:World Meteorological Organization (World Weather Information Service)Official sourceChecked 2026-10-30
Airport and travel
Airport link: Dubai Metro Red Line
Dubai Airports says Terminals 1 and 3 have Red Line metro stations, running 05:00-midnight Monday-Thursday and Saturday, 05:00-01:00 on Friday and 08:00-midnight on Sunday (holiday hours vary). Korea's level-3 advisory for the UAE is in force, so check safety notices first.
- Red Line at T1 and T3
- Sunday service from 08:00
Source:Dubai AirportsOfficial sourceChecked 2026-10-30
Private tutoring
Tutoring: private tutors need a government work permit
Gulf News reports that in 2023 the UAE education ministry and MoHRE introduced a Private Teacher Work Permit to regulate private tutoring outside schools. Teachers, employees, university students and students aged 15-18 can apply free of charge, and the permit lasts two years; ask tutors whether they hold one.
- Tutor permit since 2023
- Free, valid two years
- Ask to see the permit
Source:Gulf NewsDataChecked 2026-10-30
Prices and living conditions in United Arab Emirates
Price examples
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hamburger (McDonald's Big Mac) · Set menu | US$9.5 |
| Bibimbap · 1 serving | US$19.7 |
| Korean set meal (baekban) · 1 serving | US$11.4 |
| Shin Ramyun · 5 Packs | US$9.34 |
| Coffee (Starbucks Tall Americano) · 1 cup | US$4.35 |
| Bottled water (supermarket, lowest price) · 500ml | US$0.27 |
| Coca-Cola (supermarket, lowest price) · 500ml | US$1.03 |
| City bus fare (Dubai standard) · Base fare (single-trip ticket) | US$0.82 |
| Metro fare (Dubai) · Base fare (single-trip ticket) | US$0.82 |
| Taxi fare (Dubai) · Minimum fare | US$3.2 |
Local prices surveyed by KOTRA trade offices, in US dollars. They vary by city and shop. Source: KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency), data.go.kr · 2026-11-01
Living conditions
- People using safe drinking water
- 100%
- 2022
- Tuberculosis cases
- 0.63
- per 100,000 people · 2024
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea, data.go.kr
In numbers
Yearly tuition range
AED 4,177 – AED 144K
≈ USD 1,137 – ≈ USD 39.1K
Based on 164 schools that publish fees · latest fee year 2028-29
Reference rate (2026-11-02) · Actual transfer rates depend on your bank's or provider's rate and fees.
Lowest to highest amount in the school currency. Fees vary by grade and programme, so check the grade-by-grade fees on each school page.
Curriculum mix
- British (IGCSE/A Level)94 · 51%
- IB36 · 20%
- American (AP)31 · 17%
- French8 · 4%
- German1 · 1%
- Japanese / Chinese / Taiwanese1 · 1%
A school that runs several curricula is counted for each.
| schools | % | |
|---|---|---|
| British (IGCSE/A Level) | 94 | 55% |
| IB | 36 | 21% |
| American (AP) | 31 | 18% |
| French | 8 | 5% |
| German | 1 | 1% |
| Japanese / Chinese / Taiwanese | 1 | 1% |
| Montessori / alternative | 1 | 1% |
Source: our data · checked 2026-11-03
| schools | % | |
|---|---|---|
| British (IGCSE/A Level) | 94 | 55% |
| IB | 36 | 21% |
| American (AP) | 31 | 18% |
| French | 8 | 5% |
| German | 1 | 1% |
| Japanese / Chinese / Taiwanese | 1 | 1% |
| Montessori / alternative | 1 | 1% |
Source: our data · checked 2026-11-03
| schools | n |
|---|---|
| AED 0 – AED 11.1K | 15 |
| AED 11.1K – AED 22.2K | 35 |
| AED 22.2K – AED 33.3K | 27 |
| AED 33.3K – AED 44.4K | 29 |
| AED 44.4K – AED 55.6K | 35 |
| AED 55.6K – AED 66.7K | 13 |
| AED 66.7K – AED 77.8K | 5 |
| AED 77.8K – AED 88.9K | 3 |
| AED 88.9K – AED 100K | 2 |
Source: our data · checked 2026-11-03 · Reference rate (2026-11-02)
| date | events |
|---|---|
| 2026-11-04 | 1 |
| 2026-11-05 | 1 |
| 2026-11-06 | 1 |
| 2026-11-11 | 1 |
| 2027-01-31 | 1 |
Source: our data · checked 2026-11-03
Schools with the most complete information
Al Diyafah High SchoolBritish (IGCSE/A Level) · Ages 3–18From AED 9,506 a year
Al Ittihad Private School, Al MamzarAmerican (AP)From AED 18.6K a year
Al Mawakeb SchoolAmerican (AP) · Ages 4–18
Al Salam Private SchoolBritish (IGCSE/A Level) · Ages 2–17From AED 14.3K a year
Arcadia British SchoolBritish (IGCSE/A Level) · Ages 3–18From AED 67.7K a year- Dubai British School Emirates HillsBritish (IGCSE/A Level) · Ages 3–18From AED 53K a year
- Dubai CollegeBritish (IGCSE/A Level) · Ages 11–18From AED 97.4K a year
- Dubai Heights AcademyBritish (IGCSE/A Level) · Ages 3–18From AED 48.7K a year
Map
Pins with a dashed ring show an approximate location.
Upcoming info sessions and open days
Dates confirmed on each school's own page. Check the school page again before attending.
- Nov4WedInfo session17:30 GST (local time)
Sixth Form Open Evening
North London Collegiate School DubaiDubaiChecked 2026-10-29
Check on the school's page - Nov5Thu
- Nov6FriOpen dayOn campus09:30 GST (local time)
Open Day at Fairgreen at the Sustainable City
Fairgreen International SchoolDubaiFairgreen International School, The Sustainable City, DubaiChecked 2026-10-29
Check on the school's page - Nov11WedOpen dayOn campus10:00 GST (local time)
Dunecrest Open House
Dunecrest American SchoolDubaiChecked 2026-10-29
Check on the school's page - Jan31SunApplication deadlineAll day
Application Deadline for Grades 1-12
American School of DubaiDubaiChecked 2026-10-29
Check on the school's page
Guides and sources for United Arab Emirates
- Dubai schools: how to read KHDA ratingsA guide for parents comparing Dubai private schools: what KHDA's six-level ratings mean, how they link to fee increases, and how they differ from UK BSO accreditation. Treat a rating as a starting point and confirm the latest results and costs with official sources and the school.
- Assignment Family Visa Basics: Official Guidance for Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, China and the UAEFor parents preparing an overseas posting and looking at schools, this piece summarises how official bodies in Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, China and the UAE describe family accompaniment. Vietnam and the Philippines are not covered by our source notes and must be checked directly.
- What school accreditation (CIS, WASC, NEASC, Cognia, BSO) tells youAccreditation means a school meets an outside body's standards and is reviewed regularly. Methods and cycles differ, so check both the status and the latest report.
Dubai KHDA school inspections: a six-level scale
Official sourceKnowledge and Human Development Authority (Dubai)Checked 2026-10-29
Dubai private school fee increases are tied to KHDA approval and ratings
Official sourceKnowledge and Human Development Authority (Dubai)Checked 2026-10-29
UAE family residence: sponsorship from AED 4,000 a month
Official sourceThe Official Portal of the UAE GovernmentChecked 2026-10-29
Always confirm your own situation with the official authority or an immigration professional
AI panel discussions
The AI panel is a fictional panel built from parents' public experiences and official sources · not a review of any school
- AI panelA staff family arriving in Dubai with a 4-year-old: how do we check the school?Let me set up a situation to think through. A staff family is about to arrive at the Dubai office with a 4-year-old. The employee asks the HR manager, "Which school is good?" The company is wary of recommending a school, but it doesn't want the family to struggle alone either. So today we'll hear how families in Dubai and HR people check licensing and accreditation before choosing a school.
- AI panelReturning from Dubai to Korea: preparing documents and grade placementLet's think through this situation. A family in Dubai with a child in upper primary is preparing to return to Korea next spring. The school follows the British system, so the year numbers differ from Korea, and they are unsure which grade the child will join. They also don't know how to prepare the overseas school documents. Let's hear experiences on three points: documents, grade placement and school choice.
- AI panelChoosing a school within a company education allowanceFor expat families, the company's education allowance is often the starting point. But costs beyond tuition can surprise families who thought they were within the limit. Let's hear how people did the maths.
Local partners
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