If you are planning to reside with your family in the UAE, your biggest concern should be the school admission of your child. But being properly informed about the right school and the exact admission procedures can help you make the entire process a smooth affair. Dubai private schools at a glance
There are 173 private schools in Dubai, according to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
Academic calendar
For Indian, Pakistani and Japanese curriculum schools, the academic year is from April to March. For all other curricula, it begins in September and ends in June or July.
Indian schools have different schedules. Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Indian Certificate for Secondary Education (ICSE) follow academic year from April to March.
Getting admission
In the UAE, the academic year starts in September and runs till June. However for Indian and Pakistani curriculum schools, the academic year starts in April. Parents need to mandatorily enroll their kids to school starting from Grade 1.
Age criteria
Students seeking admission to private schools in the UAE will have to complete four years of age, according to guidelines issued by education authorities. Schools which start their academic year in September will be allowed to enrol students who complete the age of four by December 31. These schools will be expected to follow the rule starting this year itself. Other students going to Indian curriculum schools which start in April will have to complete four years by July 31 of the admission year.
Requirements: Residence visa, Birth certificate, Sponsor's passport and visa copy, Medical records, Transfer certificate (if coming from overseas or another Emirate).
Getting admission higher than Grade 1
All schools will have to complete the admission formalities with KHDA. Families transferring to the UAE are required to provide a 'Transfer Certificate' from their children's current school.
For admission to Dubai's private schools at a level higher than Grade 1, it is necessary to present proof of your child's previous schooling.
The certificate must be typed on the school's official letterhead paper, and must be signed and stamped by the issuing school. The certificate must be original.
The certificate should confirm the details of the child's attendance - the date and year group/grade s/he started at the school, the date and year group/grade at which the child finished at the school, and, if, at the end of the academic year, whether the child has been promoted to the next year group/grade.
All certificates, including those from abroad, must be presented in either Arabic or English. If originals are in other languages, they should be translated and the translations authenticated by a legal translator.
The Transfer Certificate has a validity of only 30 days. Parents are advised to ensure that they start the process for the child's sponsor to obtain his visa and Emirates ID ahead of the child's arrival in order to ensure the minimum delay.
For students coming from other countries, the transfer certificate must be attested by:
The Ministry of Education.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The UAE Consulate [if no consulate, then any other Arab country's embassy or consulate] From the country which the pupil is leaving.
For students coming from GCC
Students coming from any GCC countries (Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi), the Transfer Certificate need only be attested by The Ministry of Education of that country.
Southern Hemisphere schools
For students coming from United Kingdom, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA, the Transfer Certificate only needs the school stamp and signature of the Head of School.
Moving from a 12-year curriculum to a 13-year curriculum
This will often depend on the age of your child at the time of transfer and on their previous schooling.
Transfer school within Dubai
If you are transferring within Dubai, you will need a Transfer Certificate. If you are leaving Dubai, you may need a 'student leaving certificate' to prove the years of study in school in Dubai. In both cases, your child's school can provide you with these certificates, as well as ensure they are verified by KHDA.
Some private schools will require your child to participate in a skills analysis exercise to understand where your child should be placed. You may also need to submit some supporting documents, particularly if transferring from a school from abroad and/or a different curriculum.
The types of documents you may be asked to submit include:
Transcript or evidence of attending school, specifying the curriculum, from the previous academic year. (Attested if required)
Birth Certificate (Attested if required)
Emirates ID (or copy of Emirates ID Application if in progress)
Passport and Residency visa copies
Recent passport size photograph of the student (Coloured with white background)
Vaccination Cards for KG-Grade 2 students
Dubai school fees can range between Dh12,000 and Dh64,000
5 cheapest areas for schools:
1. Deira : Dh12,733
2. Al Qusais/ Muhaisnah: Dh15,652
3. Al Karama: Dh15,895
4. Mirdif/ Al Rashidiya: 30,731
5. Al Quoz: 32,996
5 costliest areas for schools:
1. Nad Al Sheba: Dh64,093
2. Springs/Meadows/ Greens: Dh59,307
3. Jumeirah Village Circle: Dh58,910
4. Arabian Ranches: Dh58,409
5. Umm Suqeim: Dh55,175
School fees in other locations:
Discovery Gardens/ Jebel Ali: Dh41,189]
Bur Dubai: Dh34,999
Jumeirah: Dh42,017
Motor City: Dh41,711
DIP/ Green Community: Dh41,712
Dubai Silicon Oasis/ Academic City: Dh47,827
Al Barsha: Dh54,285
Dubai Sports City: Dh53,947
Al Sufouh: Dh40,820
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