Dubai International School Fees 2026–2027 by KHDA Grade
Dubai international school fees for 2026–27 range from AED 25,000 to AED 100,000 per year. KHDA Outstanding schools charge AED 65,000–100,000, Very Good schools AED 40,000–65,000, and Good schools AED 25,000–45,000. These figures cover tuition only — transport, uniforms and activities are charged separately.
Fee Bands by KHDA Grade
| KHDA Grade | No. of Schools | Annual Fee Range | USD equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding ⭐⭐⭐ | ~23 schools | AED 65,000–100,000 | ~USD 17,700–27,200 |
| Very Good ⭐⭐ | ~72 schools | AED 40,000–65,000 | ~USD 10,900–17,700 |
| Good ⭐ | ~64 schools | AED 25,000–45,000 | ~USD 6,800–12,200 |
| Acceptable | ~30 schools | AED 15,000–30,000 | ~USD 4,100–8,200 |
Dubai School Fees by Curriculum 2026
| Curriculum | Annual Fee Range | Example Schools |
|---|---|---|
| IB (Diploma + MYP + PYP) | AED 60,000–100,000 | Dubai International Academy, GEMS World Academy, Nord Anglia |
| British (IGCSE / A-Level) top | AED 45,000–95,000 | JESS, Repton, GEMS Wellington, Kings School, Safa British |
| American (AP / Common Core) | AED 50,000–85,000 | GEMS Dubai American Academy (DAA) |
| British (mid-tier) | AED 25,000–50,000 | DESS, DESC, Dubai British School, Horizon |
| Indian (CBSE / ICSE) | AED 10,000–25,000 | Indian High School, GEMS Modern Academy |
Dubai School Fees 2026–27: 15-School Comparison Table
The table below compares Dubai's most sought-after international schools by curriculum, KHDA grade and annual fee range. USD figures use the fixed AED/USD peg (1 USD = 3.67 AED).
| School | Curriculum | KHDA Grade | Annual (AED) | ≈ USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEMS Wellington International | British (IGCSE/A-Level) | Outstanding | 55,000–82,000 | 15,000–22,300 |
| GEMS World Academy | IB (PYP/MYP/DP) | Outstanding | 75,000–110,000 | 20,400–29,900 |
| Dubai International Academy | IB (Full Continuum) | Outstanding | 80,000–95,000 | 21,800–25,800 |
| Nord Anglia International School | British / IB | Outstanding | 70,000–95,000 | 19,000–25,800 |
| Jumeira Baccalaureate School | IB (PYP/MYP/DP) | Outstanding | 65,000–85,000 | 17,700–23,100 |
| Dubai American Academy | American (AP) | Outstanding | 60,000–85,000 | 16,300–23,100 |
| King's School Dubai | British (IGCSE/A-Level) | Outstanding | 52,000–78,000 | 14,100–21,200 |
| Repton School Dubai | British (IGCSE/A-Level) | Outstanding | 50,000–80,000 | 13,600–21,800 |
| Sunmarke School | British (IGCSE/A-Level) | Outstanding | 38,000–60,000 | 10,300–16,300 |
| American School of Dubai | American (AP/Common Core) | Good | 55,000–78,000 | 15,000–21,200 |
| Hartland International School | British (IGCSE) | Good | 35,000–55,000 | 9,500–15,000 |
| GEMS FirstPoint School | British (IGCSE) | Good | 30,000–48,000 | 8,200–13,100 |
| Horizon English School | British (IGCSE) | Good | 25,000–40,000 | 6,800–10,900 |
| GEMS Modern Academy | Indian (CBSE) | Outstanding | 18,000–27,000 | 4,900–7,300 |
| Delhi Private School | Indian (CBSE) | Good | 15,000–22,000 | 4,100–6,000 |
KHDA Annual Fee Increase Rules — What Families Need to Know
One of Dubai's most parent-friendly features is the KHDA fee regulation system. Each year, KHDA publishes the maximum permitted fee increase for every private school, calculated using an inflation-linked formula tied directly to the school's most recent inspection performance score.
| KHDA Grade | Typical Permitted Increase | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding | 3–5% (KHDA formula-dependent) | Higher performance earns higher increase entitlement |
| Very Good | 2–4% | Moderate entitlement |
| Good | 0–2% | Limited or no increase |
| Acceptable / Weak | No increase / mandatory reduction possible | Underperformance triggers a fee freeze |
The practical implication: a family enrolling in an Outstanding school paying AED 80,000/year today can plan for a realistic range of AED 84,000–88,000 in year three. This predictability is structurally different from markets where private school fees track annual inflation without a ceiling.
How to Read a KHDA Fee Permit
A KHDA fee permit is the official document specifying the maximum tuition a Dubai private school may charge per year group for the upcoming academic year. Checking it before enrolment is best practice — school websites are not always updated in real time.
Where to find it: Go to khda.gov.ae → School Search → select the school → click the Fees tab. The permit lists maximum annual fees by year group and is updated at the start of each academic cycle.
What to look for:
- Year-group fees: Foundation (KG1), Years 1–6, Years 7–9 and Years 10–13 each carry different fee levels. Confirm which year group your child will enter.
- Maximum vs actual: Schools may charge less than the permitted maximum but never more. Some schools apply a small discount — always verify with the admissions office.
- Year-on-year comparison: Compare last year's permit with the current one to calculate the actual increase applied.
- Extras not on the permit: Activity fees, lab fees or technology levies may not appear on the permit. Ask the school to itemise all additional charges before signing.
Hidden Costs: What Is Not Included in School Fees?
Real annual total for an Outstanding school: AED 80,000–115,000. For a Good school: AED 30,000–55,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do international schools cost in Dubai?
In 2026–27, annual tuition ranges from AED 25,000 to AED 100,000 (approximately USD 6,800–27,200). KHDA Outstanding schools charge AED 65,000–100,000; Good schools charge AED 25,000–45,000. Transport, uniforms and activities are charged separately.
How much do IB schools cost in Dubai?
IB curriculum schools in Dubai charge AED 60,000–100,000 per year. KHDA Outstanding IB schools (Dubai International Academy, GEMS World Academy, Nord Anglia) sit in the AED 75,000–100,000 band.
Do Dubai school fees increase every year?
Yes, but KHDA regulates and caps the annual increase. The permitted rate is linked to the school's inspection performance score. This makes Dubai fees far more predictable than private school fees in Turkey, which have risen 40–70% annually in recent years.
What is not included in Dubai school fees?
Transport (AED 6,000–9,000/year), uniforms (AED 800–1,500), textbooks (AED 1,000–2,500), clubs and activities (AED 3,000–6,000) and school trips are typically not included. The real annual cost is 20–30% above the headline tuition figure.
What are the cheapest international schools in Dubai?
The most affordable international schools in Dubai include Delhi Private School (AED 15,000–22,000/year, CBSE), GEMS Modern Academy (AED 18,000–27,000, CBSE, Outstanding), Horizon English School (AED 25,000–40,000, British) and GEMS FirstPoint School (AED 30,000–48,000, British). All are KHDA-inspected, meaning quality is transparently monitored despite the lower price point.
How do I check a Dubai school's KHDA fee permit?
Go to khda.gov.ae, use the School Search tool, select the school and click the Fees tab. The fee permit shows the maximum annual tuition KHDA has authorised for each year group. This is the authoritative document — more reliable than the school's website, which may not reflect the most recent approved figures. Always check the fee permit before signing an enrolment contract.
Which schools realistically fit your budget?
Fee bands are one input — your child's academic profile, EAL needs and waiting list timing all affect which schools are actually reachable. Let's build a realistic shortlist together.
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