Abu Dhabi · British · fees published for 2026/27
Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain 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 FS2 to Year 13
Difference
AED 204,760
75% more at Merryland International School
Compare by
How the gap opens up
Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al AinMerryland 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 Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain | Merryland International School | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS2 | 13,510 | 25,850 | +12,340 |
| Year 1 | 14,660 | 26,620 | +11,960 |
| Year 2 | 16,830 | 30,040 | +13,210 |
| Year 3 | 17,390 | 30,040 | +12,650 |
| Year 4 | 17,930 | 30,580 | +12,650 |
| Year 5 | 18,510 | 30,580 | +12,070 |
| Year 6 | 19,190 | 32,670 | +13,480 |
| Year 7 | 19,530 | 32,670 | +13,140 |
| Year 8 | 21,000 | 36,630 | +15,630 |
| Year 9 | 21,580 | 36,630 | +15,050 |
| Year 10 | 22,260 | 38,610 | +16,350 |
| Year 11 | 23,300 | 39,280 | +15,980 |
| Year 12 | 23,640 | 44,010 | +20,370 |
| Year 13 | 25,340 | 45,220 | +19,880 |
Side by side
| Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain | Merryland International School | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Al Ain, Abu Dhabi | Mussafah, Abu Dhabi |
| Curriculum | British, American | British |
| Inspection rating | Very Good (ADEK) | Outstanding (ADEK) |
| Tuition (per year) | AED 13,510 – 25,340 /yr | AED 25,850 – 45,220 /yr |
| Ages / years | 3 - 17 years | 4 - 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed | Mixed |
| Established | 1989 | 1978 |
| Facilities | Two LibrariesScience LaboratoriesComputer LabsInnovation RoomSAT/ACT/AP Test CenterShaded Playing AreasHealth ClinicCanteenLifts and RampsSchool Buses | PlanetariumRobotic Development CentreMultipurpose Indoor StadiumTemperature-Controlled Indoor PoolBiology, Physics & Chemistry LabsICT SuitesLibraryEarly Learning Spaces75 Classrooms |
Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain vs Merryland International School at a glance
- Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain publishes annual fees from AED 13,510 to AED 25,340, against AED 25,850 to AED 45,220 at Merryland International School, which works out roughly 45% below Merryland International School across the fee range.
- Both teach the British curriculum; Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain additionally offers American.
- Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain 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 Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain following in 1989.
- Location wise, Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain sits in Al Ain and Merryland International School in Mussafah, so the school run may decide it.