Dubai · Ib · fees published for 2026/27
Dubai International Academy vs GEMS Dubai American 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 KG 1 to Year 13
Difference
AED 315,120
34% more at GEMS Dubai American 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.
Dubai International Academy per year
AED 62,457
average across the ladder
GEMS Dubai American Academy per year
AED 89,426
average across the ladder
Compare by
How the gap opens up
Dubai International AcademyGEMS Dubai American 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 | GEMS Dubai American Academy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KG 1 | 44,979 | 66,185 | +21,206 |
| KG 2 | 50,726 | 66,185 | +15,459 |
| Year 1 | 51,202 | 93,300 | +42,098 |
| Year 2 | 57,983 | 93,300 | +35,317 |
| Year 3 | 57,983 | 93,300 | +35,317 |
| Year 4 | 57,983 | 93,300 | +35,317 |
| Year 5 | 57,983 | 93,300 | +35,317 |
| Year 6 | 57,983 | 93,300 | +35,317 |
| Year 7 | 65,224 | 93,300 | +28,076 |
| Year 8 | 65,224 | 93,300 | +28,076 |
| Year 9 | 65,224 | 93,300 | +28,076 |
| Year 10 | 72,482 | 93,300 | +20,818 |
| Year 11 | 72,482 | 93,300 | +20,818 |
| Year 12 | 79,696 | 93,300 | +13,604 |
| Year 13 | 79,696 | - | - |
Side by side
| Dubai International Academy | GEMS Dubai American Academy | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Emirates Hills, Dubai | Al Barsha, Dubai |
| Curriculum | IB | American, IB |
| Inspection rating | Outstanding (KHDA) | Outstanding (KHDA) |
| Tuition (per year) | AED 44,979 – 79,696 /yr | AED 66,185 – 93,300 /yr |
| Ages / years | 3 - 18 years | 4 - 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed | Mixed |
| Established | 2005 | 1998 |
| Facilities | Networked LibraryScience LaboratoriesComputer LabsRobotics LabDesign & Technology LabsMusic RoomsMusic Technology RoomArt StudiosDance StudioDrama StudioLanguage Learning RoomsSwimming PoolsIndoor GymnasiaBasketball CourtsTennis CourtsOutdoor Playing FieldKG Movement Room | 50m Olympic Swimming PoolLearner PoolTwo GymnasiumsFitness Suite & Indoor TrackIndoor Golf Simulator400m Running TrackThree Soccer PitchesBaseball DiamondRooftop Tennis Courts565-Seat AuditoriumTwo Black Box TheatresArt Studios & CeramicsPhotography DarkroomTV Studio & Radio SuiteMusic Rooms & Recording StudioTen Science LaboratoriesCenter of Excellence in AI and RoboticsTechnology SuitesLibrary & Achievement CenterArabic Language RoomsWISE CenterHealth ClinicDining & Cafes |
Dubai International Academy vs GEMS Dubai American Academy at a glance
- Dubai International Academy publishes annual fees from AED 44,979 to AED 79,696, against AED 66,185 to AED 93,300 at GEMS Dubai American Academy, which works out roughly 22% below GEMS Dubai American Academy across the fee range.
- For KG 1, Dubai International Academy charges AED 44,979 and GEMS Dubai American Academy AED 66,185, so Dubai International Academy saves AED 21,206 a year at that stage.
- Both teach the IB curriculum; GEMS Dubai American Academy adds American.
- Dubai International Academy starts younger, admitting from age 3 against age 4 at GEMS Dubai American Academy.
- GEMS Dubai American Academy is the longer-established of the two, founded in 1998, with Dubai International Academy following in 2005.
- Location wise, Dubai International Academy sits in Emirates Hills and GEMS Dubai American Academy in Al Barsha, so the school run may decide it.