Dubai · Ib · fees published for 2026/27
Dubai International Academy 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 KG 1 to Year 13
Difference
AED 242,619
35% more at Dubai International Academy
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 AcademyGEMS 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 | GEMS Modern Academy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KG 1 | 44,979 | 30,983 | -13,996 |
| KG 2 | 50,726 | 38,246 | -12,480 |
| Year 1 | 51,202 | 38,246 | -12,956 |
| Year 2 | 57,983 | 43,311 | -14,672 |
| Year 3 | 57,983 | 43,311 | -14,672 |
| Year 4 | 57,983 | 45,670 | -12,313 |
| Year 5 | 57,983 | 45,670 | -12,313 |
| Year 6 | 57,983 | 48,173 | -9,810 |
| Year 7 | 65,224 | 48,173 | -17,051 |
| Year 8 | 65,224 | 48,173 | -17,051 |
| Year 9 | 65,224 | 48,173 | -17,051 |
| Year 10 | 72,482 | 51,345 | -21,137 |
| Year 11 | 72,482 | 51,345 | -21,137 |
| Year 12 | 79,696 | 56,706 | -22,990 |
| Year 13 | 79,696 | 56,706 | -22,990 |
Side by side
| Dubai International Academy | GEMS Modern Academy | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Emirates Hills, Dubai | Nad Al Sheba, Dubai |
| Curriculum | IB | Indian CISCE, IB |
| Inspection rating | Outstanding (KHDA) | Outstanding (KHDA) |
| Tuition (per year) | AED 44,979 – 79,696 /yr | AED 30,983 – 73,876 /yr |
| Ages / years | 3 - 18 years | 3 - 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed | Mixed |
| Established | 2005 | 1986 |
| Facilities | Networked LibraryScience LaboratoriesComputer LabsRobotics LabDesign & Technology LabsMusic RoomsMusic Technology RoomArt StudiosDance StudioDrama StudioLanguage Learning RoomsSwimming PoolsIndoor GymnasiaBasketball CourtsTennis CourtsOutdoor Playing FieldKG Movement Room | 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 vs GEMS Modern Academy at a glance
- Dubai International Academy publishes annual fees from AED 44,979 to AED 79,696, against AED 30,983 to AED 73,876 at GEMS Modern Academy, which works out roughly 19% above GEMS Modern Academy across the fee range.
- For KG 1, Dubai International Academy charges AED 44,979 and GEMS Modern Academy AED 38,246, so GEMS Modern Academy saves AED 6,733 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 following in 2005.
- Location wise, Dubai International Academy sits in Emirates Hills and GEMS Modern Academy in Nad Al Sheba, so the school run may decide it.