Revealed: 10 of the most expensive schools in Dubai

There are several factors, as well as certain requirements, for schools to implement a tuition hike, which the UAE’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) ultimately regulates.

In Dubai, the statistics authority releases an annual Education Cost Index (ECI) to determine the allowable fee increases for schools. The index measures costs of running a school, including salaries, rent, and utilities, and this academic year, it has been set at -1.01 percent.

This meant Dubai private schools were not allowed to implement any fee increases.

Aside from the ECI, the schools are also subject to a fee framework developed by the KHDA, which outlines eligibility requirements for raising tuition.

Performance plays a huge factor in this framework. The Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB), a unit established by the KHDA, is in charge of rating schools – from “Very Weak” to “Outstanding.”

As of 2019, there are 209 private schools in Dubai, according to education portal Edarabia.

Here’s a list of the most expensive schools in Dubai as of 2022:

North London Collegiate School Dubai

DSIB rating: Good

Fees: For AY2022-23 ranges from AED 66,400 for Pre-KG to AED 106,600 for Grade 12

The NLCS Dubai is one of the top-performing schools in Dubai offering the PYP, MYP and IB Diploma Programmes.

Located in Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum City, the school says it focuses on preparing students for “challenges of a world in which borders are fading, in which international mindedness and compassion are essential,” according to its website.

For the academic year 2022-23, Fees for Pre-KG is at AED66,400 and for Grade 12 is at AED106,600.

GEMS World Academy

DSIB rating: Very Good

Fees: Up to AED114,128

Located in Dubai’s Al Barsha South, this school describes itself as an “international academy for young world citizens.” It first opened in 2008, and has since grown to a community of 1,700 pupils from over 90 nationalities.

Fees of nursery start at AED40,000, while Year 11 and 12 students pay up to AED114,128.

Dwight School Dubai

DSIB: Acceptable

Fees: Up to 99,500

Dwight School Dubai is the newest school in the Dwight global network, which has campuses in New York, London, Seoul, Shanghai. On its website, it says the school ignites a “spark of genius in every child.”

Pre-K fees start at AED58,500, which goes up to AED99,500 for Grade 12.

Swiss International Scientific School Dubai

DSIB rating: Good

Fees: Up to AED99,000

The Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai is a bilingual baccalaureate school that only opened in 2015. It offers bilingual programs in French and German, as well as an English program with foreign languages.

Day school fees for Year 12 students go up to AED99,000.

Dubai College

DSIB rating: Outstanding

Fees: Up to AED98,070

Located in Al Sufouh, Dubai College (DC) is one of the most selective British schools in the emirate. It is also one of the oldest schools in Dubai, founded in 1978. It caters to Years 7 to 13.

Fees for Years 12 and 13 are AED32,690 per term, with three terms in one school year.

King’s School Al Barsha

DSIB rating: Outstanding

Fees: up to AED97,798

The school in Al Barsha South first opened in 2014. It has since grown to a community of more than 2400 students from Years FS1 to Year 13.

Fees for FS1 start at AED53,622, while Year 11 to 13 students pay up to AED97,798.

Nord Anglia International School Dubai

DSIB rating: Very good

Fees: up to AED95,946

NAS Dubai is part of the Nord Anglia group based in London. Students of NAS Dubai have access to the group’s partnerships with prestigious universities including Juilliard, MIT, and King’s College London.

Fees range from AED63,447 to AED95,946.

Repton School Dubai

DSIB rating: Outstanding

Fees: Up to AED95,000

Repton has three branches in the UAE. The one in Nad Al Sheba Dubai has consistently received an “Outstanding” rating between 2014 and 2020.

Fees for Years 12 and 13 cost up to AED95,000.

Jumeirah English Speaking School

DSIB rating: Outstanding

Fees: Up to AED93,852

One of the oldest schools in Dubai, JESS Jumeirah is one of the top-performing British schools in Dubai. Along with its other branch in Arabian Ranches, the school has been getting an “Outstanding” mark from the DSIB since 2010.

Fees start at 41,829 for FS1 pupils, while Years 12 and 13 pay up to AED93,852.

Jumeirah College

DSIB rating: Outstanding

Fees: Up to AED91,235

This school boasts of a nine-year “Outstanding” rating from DSIB, as well as globally ranked A level results. Established in 1999, it is part of the GEMS Education group, which has a sprawling network of private schools in the emirate.

Jumeirah College only caters to Years 7 to 13, with fees starting at AED72,988 to AED91,235.