Dubai · Ib · fees published for 2026/27
Dubai International Academy Al Barsha vs GEMS Modern Academy
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 Pre-KG to Grade 12
Difference
AED 313,646
45% more at Dubai International Academy Al Barsha
GEMS Modern Academy also offers the IB Diploma in its final years, which takes the whole journey to AED 728,571. The figures above take the cheaper route.
Compare by
How the gap opens up
Dubai International Academy Al BarshaGEMS Modern Academy
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 | Dubai International Academy Al Barsha | GEMS Modern Academy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-KG | 47,807 | 30,983 | -16,824 |
| KG1 | 53,582 | 38,246 | -15,336 |
| KG2 | 56,237 | 38,246 | -17,991 |
| Grade 1 | 62,163 | 43,311 | -18,852 |
| Grade 2 | 62,163 | 43,311 | -18,852 |
| Grade 3 | 62,608 | 45,670 | -16,938 |
| Grade 4 | 62,608 | 45,670 | -16,938 |
| Grade 5 | 62,608 | 48,173 | -14,435 |
| Grade 6 | 70,635 | 48,173 | -22,462 |
| Grade 7 | 70,635 | 48,173 | -22,462 |
| Grade 8 | 70,635 | 48,173 | -22,462 |
| Grade 9 | 78,170 | 51,345 | -26,825 |
| Grade 10 | 78,170 | 51,345 | -26,825 |
| Grade 11 | 84,928 | 56,706 | -28,222 |
| Grade 12 | 84,928 | 56,706 | -28,222 |
Side by side
| Dubai International Academy Al Barsha | GEMS Modern Academy | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Al Barsha, Dubai | Nad Al Sheba, Dubai |
| Curriculum | IB | Indian CISCE, IB |
| Inspection rating | Very Good (KHDA) | Outstanding (KHDA) |
| Tuition (per year) | AED 47,807 – 84,928 /yr | AED 30,983 – 73,876 /yr |
| Ages / years | 3 - 18 years | 3 - 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed | Mixed |
| Established | 2018 | 1986 |
| Facilities | 3 Olympic Swimming Pools400-Seat AuditoriumFull-Size Astroturf PitchRunning Track2 Indoor Sports HallsTennis CourtsBasketball CourtsCricket NetsScience LabsDT LabsComputer LabsArt RoomsDrama StudiosMusic RoomsLibraryGreenhouseSolar Panels | Two 25m Swimming Pools8-Lane Synthetic TrackFour Basketball CourtsTwo Football FieldsCricket PitchFive Floodlit Cricket NetsThree Tennis CourtsVolleyball CourtMultipurpose Sports HallGymCycling & Roller Skating TrackSTEM LabBudhayana – The Spark LabFive ICT SuitesSenior LibraryPrimary Learning CentreDiscovery CentreIB LoungeLearning CorridorsAuditoriumMusic RoomsDance StudioMeditation GardenSensorial GardenPlanter's Patch |
Dubai International Academy Al Barsha vs GEMS Modern Academy at a glance
- Dubai International Academy Al Barsha publishes annual fees from AED 47,807 to AED 84,928, against AED 30,983 to AED 73,876 at GEMS Modern Academy, which works out roughly 27% above GEMS Modern Academy across the fee range.
- For Pre-KG, Dubai International Academy Al Barsha charges AED 47,807 and GEMS Modern Academy AED 30,983, so GEMS Modern Academy saves AED 16,824 a year at that stage.
- Both teach the IB curriculum; GEMS Modern Academy adds Indian CISCE.
- Both admit children from age 3, running through to 18 at the top end.
- GEMS Modern Academy is the longer-established of the two, founded in 1986, with Dubai International Academy Al Barsha following in 2018.
- Location wise, Dubai International Academy Al Barsha sits in Al Barsha and GEMS Modern Academy in Nad Al Sheba, so the school run may decide it.