British Curriculum
British curriculum schools follow the English National Curriculum, leading to IGCSE and A-Level qualifications. Compare schools across the UAE by fees, inspection rating and reviews below.
174 schools across the UAE teach a British curriculum: 100 in Dubai, 35 in Abu Dhabi, 23 in Sharjah, 7 in Ajman, 6 in Ras Al Khaimah and 3 in Fujairah. They follow the National Curriculum for England through to IGCSE and most continue to A-level, though a number offer the IB Diploma alongside it in the sixth form. The range inside that one label is far wider than its reputation suggests: published fees run from AED 4,528 to AED 161,000 a year, and 28 schools hold Outstanding against 43 at Very Good. The curriculum on the sign tells a parent very little about either price or inspection outcome.
The two ends make the point. English Language Private School in Dubai, open since 1978, has the lowest British-curriculum fee in the country at AED 4,528 to AED 11,888, and is rated Acceptable. GEMS School of Research and Innovation has the highest at AED 116,000 to AED 161,000, and opened in 2025 so it carries no rating yet. About twenty-five times separates their starting fees, on the same curriculum.
The long-established Dubai schools cluster at the top band. Dubai English Speaking School in Oud Metha is the oldest British school in this list, open since 1963, Outstanding, at AED 43,084 to AED 53,320. Dubai College in Al Sufouh followed in 1978, Outstanding, at AED 97,415 to AED 110,305, and Jumeirah College in Al Safa opened in 1999, also Outstanding, at AED 78,946 to AED 98,681.
Newer campuses hold the same grade. Dubai British School Emirates Hills opened in 2005 at AED 53,027 to AED 79,541 and Dubai British School Jumeirah Park in 2015 at AED 64,160 to AED 83,015, both Outstanding. And the curriculum is not a Dubai-only option: it reaches five emirates beyond Dubai in this list, including Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
All 175 institutions
Fees at a glance
| School | Curriculum | Annual fees from | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEMS School of Research and Innovation | British | AED 116,000 | Not Rated |
| GEMS Al Barsha National School | British | AED 40,000 | Acceptable |
| Yasmina British Academy | British | AED 49,740 | Outstanding |
| GEMS Wellington Academy - Silicon Oasis | British | AED 40,340 | Very Good |
| GEMS Wesgreen International School | British | AED 23,545 | Good |
| Wales International School | British | AED 24,160 | Good |
| GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi | IB | AED 55,420 | Very Good |
| Victory Heights Primary School | British | AED 40,138 | Outstanding |
| Victory Heights Primary School - City of Arabia | British | AED 40,000 | Not Rated |
| Victoria English School | British | AED 22,984 | Good |
Fees shown are annual starting tuition from official school fee schedules; ratings come from KHDA, ADEK, SPEA and other regulator publications. Updated 2026.
Frequently asked questions
- How many British schools are there in the UAE?
- Talem lists 175 British curriculum schools across the UAE, teaching the English National Curriculum through IGCSE and A-Level.
- What is the British curriculum?
- The British curriculum follows the English National Curriculum, with Key Stages leading to IGCSE exams around age 16 and A-Levels around age 18.
- Which are the best British schools in the UAE?
- The strongest British schools tend to hold Outstanding or Very Good KHDA ratings. See the Top British Schools collection, or sort this list by rating.