Dubai · Ib · fees published for 2026/27
GEMS World Academy - Dubai 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 451,360
44% more at GEMS World Academy - Dubai
Compare by
How the gap opens up
GEMS World Academy - DubaiUniversal 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 | GEMS World Academy - Dubai | Universal American School | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-KG | 71,113 | 40,377 | -30,736 |
| KG1 | 71,113 | 43,745 | -27,368 |
| KG2 | 88,960 | 49,602 | -39,358 |
| Grade 1 | 88,960 | 63,077 | -25,883 |
| Grade 2 | 88,960 | 63,077 | -25,883 |
| Grade 3 | 88,960 | 66,113 | -22,847 |
| Grade 4 | 88,960 | 66,113 | -22,847 |
| Grade 5 | 102,378 | 73,419 | -28,959 |
| Grade 6 | 102,378 | 73,419 | -28,959 |
| Grade 7 | 102,378 | 73,419 | -28,959 |
| Grade 8 | 102,378 | 73,419 | -28,959 |
| Grade 9 | 112,709 | 82,925 | -29,784 |
| Grade 10 | 112,709 | 82,925 | -29,784 |
| Grade 11 | 123,442 | 82,925 | -40,517 |
| Grade 12 | 123,442 | 82,925 | -40,517 |
Side by side
| GEMS World Academy - Dubai | Universal American School | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Al Barsha South, Dubai | Dubai Festival City, Dubai |
| Curriculum | IB | American, IB |
| Inspection rating | Very Good (KHDA) | Very Good (KHDA) |
| Tuition (per year) | AED 71,113 – 123,442 /yr | AED 40,377 – 82,925 /yr |
| Ages / years | 2 - 18 years | 3 - 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed | Mixed |
| Established | 2008 | 2005 |
| Facilities | 112 ClassroomsScience LaboratoriesDesign Technology & IT Labs3D PlanetariumLibraryArt RoomsMakers SpaceMusic Practice RoomsMusic Recording StudioBlack Box TheatreThe Language InstituteEntrepreneurship IncubatorSustainability CentresOlympic-sized Swimming PoolFour-Court Sports Hall400m Athletics TrackAstroturf Sports FieldTennis CourtsPadel CourtBasketball CourtCricket NetsFitness StudioRock Climbing Wall600+ Seat AuditoriumCafeteriaParent LoungeAtrium & Courtyard Play AreaSenior School Campus | Olympic-Size TrackSwimming PoolMulti-Sport GymnasiumNatural Grass Football PitchScience LaboratoriesICT SuitesDual LibrariesBlack Box TheatreRecording StudioArt & Ceramics StudiosPerforming Arts CentreMusic RoomsLanguage CentreMulti-Purpose HallCafeteriaMedical Clinic |
GEMS World Academy - Dubai vs Universal American School at a glance
- GEMS World Academy - Dubai publishes annual fees from AED 71,113 to AED 123,442, against AED 40,377 to AED 82,925 at Universal American School, which works out roughly 58% above Universal American School across the fee range.
- For Pre-KG, GEMS World Academy - Dubai charges AED 71,113 and Universal American School AED 40,377, so Universal American School saves AED 30,736 a year at that stage.
- Both teach the IB curriculum; Universal American School adds American.
- GEMS World Academy - Dubai starts younger, admitting from age 2 against age 3 at Universal American School.
- Universal American School is the longer-established of the two, founded in 2005, with GEMS World Academy - Dubai following in 2008.
- Location wise, GEMS World Academy - Dubai sits in Al Barsha South and Universal American School in Dubai Festival City, so the school run may decide it.