International Schools in United Arab Emirates
Compare 271 international schools in United Arab Emirates. Filter by curriculum, fees (average AED 22,484), location, and more to find the right international school now.
Edited by Aziza Francienne · B2C Marketing Manager
- Schools listed
- 271
- Curricula
- 31
- Average annual fee
- AED 22,484
- Fee range
- AED 340 – 85,976
More school facts
- Most common curriculum
- British Curriculum (97 schools)
- Average school size
- 1,990 pupils
- Largest by enrolment
- Far Eastern Private School – Al Abar Campus
- Oldest
- Iranian Salman Farsi Boys School (1957)
- With boarding
- 1
About international schools in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates offers a range of international schools for expat families, with options spanning British, IB, American, and other curricula. Families relocating here will find schools at various price points, from affordable to premium institutions with world-class facilities.
View by curriculum (7)
View by curriculum
120 international schools in Dubai
See all 120 →56 international schools in Abu Dhabi
See all 56 →51 international schools in Sharjah
See all 51 →
14 international schools in Ras Al Khaimah
See all 14 →12 international schools in Ajman
See all 12 →8 international schools in Fujairah
See all 8 →7 international schools in Al Ain
See all 7 →3 international schools in Umm Al Quwain
See all 3 →Choosing an international school in United Arab Emirates
Curricula
There are 271 international schools in United Arab Emirates covering 31 curricula. The most widely offered are British Curriculum (97), American Curriculum (83), CBSE Curriculum (45), Advanced Placement (AP) (27), Cambridge IGCSE (27). If your child may move countries again, an internationally-portable curriculum (IB, or Cambridge/British) keeps options open; if you're likely to settle, a curriculum matching your home or target university system can be the better fit.
Fees & what they cover
Annual tuition across United Arab Emirates runs from about AED 340 to AED 85,976, averaging roughly AED 22,484. Budget for one-off costs on top — application and enrolment fees, a refundable deposit, uniform, transport and exams.
Admissions & timing
Sought-after schools in United Arab Emirates run waiting lists, so apply early — ideally a term or two ahead. Most admissions involve an application, prior school reports and an assessment or interview, with entry points often tied to the school year. Each school's profile shows term dates, open days and how to enquire.
Boarding
1 of the 271 schools offer boarding — useful if you're relocating or want weekly or full boarding.
How doris stays impartial
doris lists every international school in United Arab Emirates we can find — not only those that pay. We take no placement fees and sell no rankings or "top school" spots, so the schools above aren't ordered by who paid most. Details come from the schools' own information and public sources, and you can compare any of them side by side.