International School Fees in the UAE 2025–26: What to Budget at Every Level
A clear 2025–26 breakdown of international school fees in the UAE by stage and curriculum, plus the hidden extras and how KHDA fee caps work.
You found a school you love. Then you saw the fee fact sheet and felt your stomach drop. School fees are one of the biggest costs of family life in the UAE, and the published tuition is rarely the whole story.
Here is what to budget for 2025–26, level by level, so there are no surprises.
Tuition by stage (2025–26 benchmarks)
These are broad ranges across mainstream British and American curriculum schools in the UAE. Indian CBSE schools sit well below; ultra-premium schools sit above.
| Stage | Typical annual range |
|---|---|
| Foundation / FS1–FS2 (ages 3–5) | AED 25,000 – 60,000 |
| Primary (Years 1–6 / Grades 1–5) | AED 35,000 – 75,000 |
| Secondary (Years 7–11 / Grades 6–10) | AED 45,000 – 90,000 |
| Sixth Form / IB Diploma (Years 12–13) | AED 55,000 – 110,000 |
Indian CBSE schools can start from around AED 12,000–25,000 a year, which is why they remain the most affordable mainstream option.
How fee increases are capped
In Dubai, the KHDA caps how much schools can raise fees each year using the Education Cost Index. For 2025–26, most schools were limited to around a 2.35% increase. The full performance-linked system has been affected by the pause in routine inspections, so check your school's official fee fact sheet for its exact approved figure — KHDA ratings explained covers how ratings normally link to fee caps. Abu Dhabi (ADEK) and Sharjah (SPEA) operate their own frameworks.
The extras parents forget
Tuition is only part of it. Budget for these too:
- Registration / KHDA fee — a small non-refundable charge on enrolment.
- Application and assessment fee — roughly AED 500–1,000 per school.
- Seat-securing deposit — often AED 5,000–10,000 to confirm an offer.
- Capital or building fee — a one-off AED 5,000–25,000 at many premium schools.
- Transport — around AED 8,000–14,000 a year, route-dependent.
- Uniform, books and devices — AED 2,500–6,000 in the first year.
- Learning support (EAL or SEN) — AED 8,000–16,000 a year if recommended.
Added up, the extras can be the equivalent of an extra term's tuition in year one.
Ways to bring the cost down
- Pay annually. Many schools offer a 2–5% discount for paying the full year up front.
- Sibling discounts. Often increase with each additional child.
- Look at Good-rated schools. A well-run school rated Good can deliver excellent results for far less than an Outstanding-rated premium school.
- Compare fee bands before you visit. It is easier to stay disciplined before you fall for a campus — use the school fee calculator and browse UAE schools by fee ceiling.
Your next step
Compare fee bands across schools in your area on SchoolFinder before you shortlist — add two or three options to Compare to review totals side by side. Then read KHDA ratings explained to see why a higher fee does not always mean a better fit for your child. Relocating from Bahrain? Our guide to comparing school fees in Bahrain follows the same approach.
Fees and caps change every year. Always confirm current figures on the school's official fee fact sheet before applying.