Revealed: Average private school fees in Abu Dhabi
School fees in the UAE capital range from Dhs2,200 to Dhs96,333 per annum
Average fees for private schools in Abu Dhabi have risen significantly in the last 10 years, although they vary widely based on the curriculum, according to a new report.
The report by online education guide Edarabia found that school fees in the UAE capital range from Dhs2,200 to Dhs96,333 ($600 to $26,300) per annum, excluding additional fees for admission, transportation, school uniforms, and books.
Several factors including location, curriculum (UK, US, CBSE, IB), academic track record and facilities impact the fee structure.
As of 2016, Abu Dhabi has 186 registered private schools including four SABIS schools, 27 Indian schools, 42 British schools, 45 American school, 49 Ministry of Education (MOE) schools and 19 others.
The schools have 236,000 students of different nationalities – with UAE nationals accounting for 24 per cent – and employ 11,959 teachers.
Overall, around 82 per cent of private school students are enrolled in private schools which offer “affordable” to “medium” fees, Edarabia said.
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The report also found that Abu Dhabi has seen a consistent growth in the number of new private schools, with 11 new institutions added in 2012-2013, 14 in 2013-2014, 11 in 2014-2015, nine in 2015-2016 and 10 in 2016-2017.
Looking ahead, the demand for schools is set to increase further.
Top 10 most expensive schools
(Based on fees for Grade 12/Year 13)
(Stats from Edarabia, based on schools that have publicly announced their fees)
1. Cranleigh Abu Dhabi School
Fees (per annum): Dhs96,333
Curriculum: British
2. American Community School (ACS), Abu Dhabi
Fees (per annum): Dhs78,300
Curriculum: American
3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi (BCAD)
Fees (per annum): Dhs74,100
Curriculum: British
4. Al Mamoura Academy
Fees (per annum): Dhs70,400
Curriculum: British, International Baccalaureate (IB)
5. GEMS American Academy, Abu Dhabi
Fees (per annum): Dhs70,100
Curriculum: American, International Baccalaureate (IB)
6. Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Girls
Fees (per annum): Dhs63,700
Curriculum: American
7. British International School, Abu Dhabi
Fees (per annum): Dhs63,200
Curriculum: British
8. Al Bateen School
Fees (per annum): Dhs62,844
Curriculum: British
9. British School Al Khubairat
Fees (per annum): Dhs62,300
Curriculum: British
10. West Yas Academy
Fees (per annum): Dhs61,500
Curriculum: American
Top 10 least expensive schools in Dubai
(Based on fees for Grade 12/Year 13)
(Stats from Edarabia, based on schools that have publicly announced their fees)
1. Iranian Private School
Fees (per annum): Dhs3,050
Curriculum: Iranian
2. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladish School
Fees (per annum): Dhs5,100
Curriculum: Bangladeshi
3. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Arab Pakistan Private School
Fees (per annum): Dhs5,800
Curriculum: Pakistani
4. The Model School
Fees (per annum): Dhs6,200
Curriculum: CBSE
5. Saint Joseph’s School
Fees (per annum): Dhs9,100
Curriculum: CBSE
6. Abu Dhabi Indian School
Fees (per annum): Dhs10,234
Curriculum: CBSE
7. Beit Al Maqdes International Private School
Fees (per annum): Dhs10,500
Curriculum: MOE
8. Sunrise English Private School
Fees (per annum): Dhs10,700
Curriculum: CBSE
9. Baraem Al Ain Private School
Fees (per annum): Dhs12,000
Curriculum: MOE
10. Al Manara Private School
Fees (per annum): Dhs12,700
Curriculum: Arabic, Islamic
The full list of schools with their tuition fees can be found here.
Also read: Revealed: Most and least expensive schools in Dubai