Abu Dhabi · British · fees published for 2026/27
Al Ain British Academy vs Merryland International School
Talem publishes every year group’s fee at both schools, so the honest comparison is the whole bill, not a range.
What each costs from FS1 to Year 13
Difference
AED 287,710
60% more at Al Ain British Academy
The two schools publish a different number of year groups (15 and 14), so the totals cover different spans. The per-year figures below are the like-for-like comparison.
Al Ain British Academy per year
AED 51,143
average across the ladder
Merryland International School per year
AED 34,245
average across the ladder
Compare by
How the gap opens up
Al Ain British AcademyMerryland International School
Cumulative tuition, one point per year group.
Year by year
Every figure below is the fee each school publishes for that year group.
| Year group | Al Ain British Academy | Merryland International School | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS1 | 42,320 | 25,850 | -16,470 |
| FS2 | 43,780 | 26,620 | -17,160 |
| Year 1 | 43,780 | 30,040 | -13,740 |
| Year 2 | 43,780 | 30,040 | -13,740 |
| Year 3 | 43,780 | 30,580 | -13,200 |
| Year 4 | 43,780 | 30,580 | -13,200 |
| Year 5 | 43,780 | 32,670 | -11,110 |
| Year 6 | 43,780 | 32,670 | -11,110 |
| Year 7 | 53,640 | 36,630 | -17,010 |
| Year 8 | 53,640 | 36,630 | -17,010 |
| Year 9 | 57,480 | 38,610 | -18,870 |
| Year 10 | 63,400 | 39,280 | -24,120 |
| Year 11 | 63,400 | 44,010 | -19,390 |
| Year 12 | 63,400 | 45,220 | -18,180 |
| Year 13 | 63,400 | - | - |
Side by side
| Al Ain British Academy | Merryland International School | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Al Ain, Abu Dhabi | Mussafah, Abu Dhabi |
| Curriculum | British | British |
| Inspection rating | Very Good (ADEK) | Outstanding (ADEK) |
| Tuition (per year) | AED 42,320 – 63,400 /yr | AED 25,850 – 45,220 /yr |
| Ages / years | 3 - 18 years | 4 - 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed | Mixed |
| Established | 2011 | 1978 |
| Facilities | Science LaboratoriesICT SuitesLibraryArt StudioMusic RoomAuditoriumSixth Form CentreFoundation Stage ClassroomsInteractive Smartboard ClassroomsTwo Swimming PoolsSports Hall & GymnasiumAstroturf Sports FieldPlaygrounds & CourtsSchool ClinicAccessibility FacilitiesSchool TransportInclusion Department | PlanetariumRobotic Development CentreMultipurpose Indoor StadiumTemperature-Controlled Indoor PoolBiology, Physics & Chemistry LabsICT SuitesLibraryEarly Learning Spaces75 Classrooms |
Al Ain British Academy vs Merryland International School at a glance
- Al Ain British Academy publishes annual fees from AED 42,320 to AED 63,400, against AED 25,850 to AED 45,220 at Merryland International School, which works out roughly 49% above Merryland International School across the fee range.
- Both teach the British curriculum.
- Al Ain British Academy starts younger, admitting from age 3 against age 4 at Merryland International School.
- Merryland International School is the longer-established of the two, founded in 1978, with Al Ain British Academy following in 2011.
- Location wise, Al Ain British Academy sits in Al Ain and Merryland International School in Mussafah, so the school run may decide it.
- Al Ain British Academy lists the larger facilities set on Talem, 17 against 9.