Dubai · Ib · fees published for 2026/27
Dubai International Academy Al Barsha vs Universal American 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 Pre-KG to Grade 12
Difference
AED 9,603
1% more at Universal American School
Compare by
How the gap opens up
Dubai International Academy Al BarshaUniversal American 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 | Dubai International Academy Al Barsha | Universal American School | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-KG | 47,807 | 40,377 | -7,430 |
| KG1 | 53,582 | 43,745 | -9,837 |
| KG2 | 56,237 | 49,602 | -6,635 |
| Grade 1 | 62,163 | 63,077 | +914 |
| Grade 2 | 62,163 | 63,077 | +914 |
| Grade 3 | 62,608 | 66,113 | +3,505 |
| Grade 4 | 62,608 | 66,113 | +3,505 |
| Grade 5 | 62,608 | 73,419 | +10,811 |
| Grade 6 | 70,635 | 73,419 | +2,784 |
| Grade 7 | 70,635 | 73,419 | +2,784 |
| Grade 8 | 70,635 | 73,419 | +2,784 |
| Grade 9 | 78,170 | 82,925 | +4,755 |
| Grade 10 | 78,170 | 82,925 | +4,755 |
| Grade 11 | 84,928 | 82,925 | -2,003 |
| Grade 12 | 84,928 | 82,925 | -2,003 |
Side by side
| Dubai International Academy Al Barsha | Universal American School | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Al Barsha, Dubai | Dubai Festival City, Dubai |
| Curriculum | IB | American, IB |
| Inspection rating | Very Good (KHDA) | Very Good (KHDA) |
| Tuition (per year) | AED 47,807 – 84,928 /yr | AED 40,377 – 82,925 /yr |
| Ages / years | 3 - 18 years | 3 - 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed | Mixed |
| Established | 2018 | 2005 |
| Facilities | 3 Olympic Swimming Pools400-Seat AuditoriumFull-Size Astroturf PitchRunning Track2 Indoor Sports HallsTennis CourtsBasketball CourtsCricket NetsScience LabsDT LabsComputer LabsArt RoomsDrama StudiosMusic RoomsLibraryGreenhouseSolar Panels | Olympic-Size TrackSwimming PoolMulti-Sport GymnasiumNatural Grass Football PitchScience LaboratoriesICT SuitesDual LibrariesBlack Box TheatreRecording StudioArt & Ceramics StudiosPerforming Arts CentreMusic RoomsLanguage CentreMulti-Purpose HallCafeteriaMedical Clinic |
Dubai International Academy Al Barsha vs Universal American School at a glance
- Dubai International Academy Al Barsha publishes annual fees from AED 47,807 to AED 84,928, against AED 40,377 to AED 82,925 at Universal American School, putting the two schools in a broadly similar fee band.
- For Pre-KG, Dubai International Academy Al Barsha charges AED 47,807 and Universal American School AED 40,377, so Universal American School saves AED 7,430 a year at that stage.
- Both teach the IB curriculum; Universal American School adds American.
- Both admit children from age 3, running through to 18 at the top end.
- Universal American School is the longer-established of the two, founded in 2005, with Dubai International Academy Al Barsha following in 2018.
- Location wise, Dubai International Academy Al Barsha sits in Al Barsha and Universal American School in Dubai Festival City, so the school run may decide it.