How much does school cost in Dubai in 2026-27?
Last checked against KHDA on 1 November 2026.
Dubai private school fees are not rising in 2026-27: KHDA confirmed the freeze on 22 May 2026. Across 200 private schools, the median starting fee is AED 24,977 a year and the average is AED 29,911, and 68% of schools start under AED 40,000. Fees then rise with each year group, and extras such as transport and uniform come on top.
What is confirmed for 2026-27
KHDA confirmed on 22 May 2026 that "there will be no increase in school fees for private schools in the emirate for the 2026-27 academic year", under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. The decision followed approval of Dubai's second economic incentives package, valued at AED 1.5 billion. The announcement refers to school fees. It does not mention uniforms, transport, trips or other extras, so check those with the school. What happens in 2027-28 has not been decided.
Dubai school fees at a glance
A starting fee is the tuition for a school's youngest year group, after any discount the school publishes on its KHDA fact sheet. These figures come from our Dubai School Fees Index 2026.
| Measure (starting fees, 2026-27) | Figure |
|---|---|
| Schools in the index | 200 |
| Median starting fee | AED 24,977 |
| Average starting fee | AED 29,911 |
| Lowest starting fee | AED 2,859 (Crescent English School) |
| Highest starting fee | AED 97,415 (Dubai College) |
| Schools starting under AED 40,000 | 136 (68%) |
| Schools starting AED 40,000 to 80,000 | 60 (30%) |
| Schools starting over AED 80,000 | 4 (2%) |
Fees by curriculum
IB schools have the highest average starting fee and Indian (CBSE) schools the lowest. Each school appears in one group only, so GEMS Modern Academy, which teaches CBSE and IB, sits with IB here. To shortlist by budget, use our fees by curriculum and budget pages: for example, 42 British schools start under AED 40,000 and 31 Indian (CBSE) schools start under AED 20,000.
| Curriculum (schools) | Average starting fee |
|---|---|
| IB (20) | AED 45,637 |
| French (6) | AED 37,829 |
| British (87) | AED 37,151 |
| American (37) | AED 27,637 |
| Other (17) | AED 13,540 |
| Indian (CBSE) (33) | AED 10,836 |
Fees by KHDA rating
Higher rated schools cost more on average, but the ranges overlap, and our best value list shows Outstanding and Very Good schools with lower fees. Most ratings date from KHDA's 2023-24 inspections, because KHDA paused inspections for 2025-26 and resumes quality assurance visits in 2026-27.
| KHDA rating (schools) | Average starting fee |
|---|---|
| Outstanding (23) | AED 52,538 |
| Very Good (48) | AED 40,060 |
| Good (82) | AED 24,468 |
| Acceptable (46) | AED 16,620 |
Fees rise by year group
The starting fee is the cheapest year. Senior years cost more, so budget for the full journey, not the first year. Below are the lowest and highest published annual tuition fees at four schools, from KHDA fact sheets. At Springdales the highest fee is for Years 10 and 11 of its British stream; its highest CBSE fee is AED 32,960 in Grade 12. Check your child's exact year group on the school's KHDA fact sheet.
| School | Lowest | Highest |
|---|---|---|
| Crescent English School (Indian CBSE) | AED 2,859 | AED 10,374 |
| Springdales School (Indian CBSE, with a British stream) | AED 14,534 | AED 46,350 |
| Raffles World Academy (IB) | AED 33,544 | AED 93,922 |
| North London Collegiate School Dubai (IB) | AED 91,735 | AED 143,681 |
What the fee includes and what it does not
Every school has a KHDA fees fact sheet for each year group. Here is the 2026-27 sheet for KG 1 at Crescent English School. The true first year cost can be well above the tuition line. Other extras to ask about include trips, meals, devices and exam fees.
| Line | AED |
|---|---|
| Tuition | 2,859 |
| Mandatory fee: activities | 616 |
| Mandatory fee: computer and library | 616 |
| Total fees | 4,091 |
| Uniform (required supply, not in total) | 600 to 2,000 |
| Books (required supply, not in total) | 600 to 2,000 |
| Transport (optional, not in total) | 4,100 to 8,000 |
| Application fee (new students) | 500 |
Deposits, discounts and refunds
The fact sheets we checked list an enrolment fee of up to 10% of tuition for new students and a re-enrolment fee of up to 5% of tuition or AED 500, whichever is higher. Both are deducted from first term fees. The sheets describe them as non refundable, but under KHDA's refund policy effective 23 March 2026 these deposits are refundable if you give at least 60 calendar days' notice. Discounts appear on the fact sheet: for example, the 2026-27 Grade 9 sheet for North London Collegiate School Dubai lists sibling discounts of 5%, 10% and 15%, a 5% corporate discount and an early payment discount of up to 6.5%.
How to budget, step by step
First, shortlist by curriculum and budget. Second, open each school's KHDA fact sheet for your child's year group and use Total fees, not tuition. Third, add required supplies and any optional services you will use, such as transport. Fourth, check the highest year group fee if your child will stay to the end. Finally, confirm discounts and the deposit terms in writing with admissions.
Frequently asked questions
Are Dubai school fees going up in 2026-27?
No. KHDA confirmed on 22 May 2026 that there will be no increase in private school fees in Dubai for the 2026-27 academic year.
What is the average school fee in Dubai in 2026-27?
The average starting fee across 200 Dubai private schools is AED 29,911 a year, and the median is AED 24,977. Senior year groups cost more.
What is the cheapest school fee in Dubai?
The lowest published starting fee is AED 2,859 a year, at Crescent English School (KG 1 tuition, 2026-27).
Which curriculum is most expensive in Dubai?
IB schools have the highest average starting fee, AED 45,637. Indian (CBSE) schools are the most affordable, averaging AED 10,836.
Does the fee freeze cover transport and uniforms?
The KHDA announcement refers to school fees only and does not mention extras such as transport or uniforms. Check those charges with the school.
What is included in Dubai school fees?
The KHDA fact sheet total is tuition plus mandatory fees such as activities. Uniform, books and transport are listed separately and are not in the total.
Do Dubai school fees rise by year group?
Yes. The starting fee covers the youngest year group. At North London Collegiate School Dubai, for example, published tuition runs from AED 91,735 to AED 143,681.
Do higher-rated schools cost more?
On average, yes. KHDA Outstanding schools average AED 52,538 in starting fees, against AED 16,620 for Acceptable schools.
Related pages
- Dubai School Fees Index 2026
- Fees by curriculum and budget
- How to read a KHDA fee fact sheet
- School fee extras explained
- KHDA fee refunds
- Best value schools
- How KHDA ratings work
- CBSE schools in Dubai
Sources
- KHDA: Dubai freezes private school fees for 2026-27 (22 May 2026), checked 1 November 2026
- Dubai Media Office: KHDA confirms no fee increase (22 May 2026), checked 1 November 2026
- KHDA fact sheet: Crescent English School, KG 1, 2026-27, checked 1 November 2026
- KHDA fact sheet: North London Collegiate School Dubai, Grade 9, 2026-27, checked 1 November 2026
- KHDA directory: Springdales School fees, checked 1 November 2026
- KHDA: School Registration and Refund Policy FAQs (effective 23 March 2026), checked 1 November 2026
- KHDA: pause on school inspections for 2025-26 (16 May 2025), checked 1 November 2026