Abu Dhabi · British · fees published for 2026/27
Al Basma British School vs Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain
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 235,950
86% more at Al Basma British School
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 Basma British School per year
AED 34,041
average across the ladder
Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain per year
AED 19,619
average across the ladder
Compare by
How the gap opens up
Al Basma British SchoolAl Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain
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 Basma British School | Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS1 | 21,890 | 13,510 | -8,380 |
| FS2 | 24,110 | 14,660 | -9,450 |
| Year 1 | 26,610 | 16,830 | -9,780 |
| Year 2 | 27,840 | 17,390 | -10,450 |
| Year 3 | 31,030 | 17,930 | -13,100 |
| Year 4 | 32,940 | 18,510 | -14,430 |
| Year 5 | 32,940 | 19,190 | -13,750 |
| Year 6 | 34,200 | 19,530 | -14,670 |
| Year 7 | 35,550 | 21,000 | -14,550 |
| Year 8 | 36,800 | 21,580 | -15,220 |
| Year 9 | 38,040 | 22,260 | -15,780 |
| Year 10 | 39,280 | 23,300 | -15,980 |
| Year 11 | 41,880 | 23,640 | -18,240 |
| Year 12 | 43,130 | 25,340 | -17,790 |
| Year 13 | 44,380 | - | - |
Side by side
| Al Basma British School | Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Al Bahyah, Abu Dhabi | Al Ain, Abu Dhabi |
| Curriculum | British | British, American |
| Inspection rating | Very Good (ADEK) | Very Good (ADEK) |
| Tuition (per year) | AED 21,890 – 44,380 /yr | AED 13,510 – 25,340 /yr |
| Ages / years | 3 - 18 years | 3 - 17 years |
| Gender | Mixed | Mixed |
| Established | 1980 | 1989 |
| Facilities | 25m Swimming PoolSports HallScience LaboratoriesSTEM LabAI LabArt StudiosSeparate Primary & Secondary BuildingsMedical Clinic | Two LibrariesScience LaboratoriesComputer LabsInnovation RoomSAT/ACT/AP Test CenterShaded Playing AreasHealth ClinicCanteenLifts and RampsSchool Buses |
Al Basma British School vs Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain at a glance
- Al Basma British School publishes annual fees from AED 21,890 to AED 44,380, against AED 13,510 to AED 25,340 at Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain, which works out roughly 71% above Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain across the fee range.
- Both teach the British curriculum; Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain adds American.
- Both admit children from age 3, running through to 18 at the top end.
- Al Basma British School is the longer-established of the two, founded in 1980, with Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain following in 1989.
- Location wise, Al Basma British School sits in Al Bahyah and Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain in Al Ain, so the school run may decide it.