Secondary education in the UAE follows six years of primary school and three years of lower secondary school, making up the country's 12‑year education system. It is divided into two cycles: Cycle 2 (lower secondary, grades 5–8) and Cycle 3 (upper secondary, grades 9–12).
Education is compulsory until age 18 for UAE citizens under federal law. For expatriate children, the rules depend on the policies of the specific emirate, so it's not uniform across the country.
Students can choose between different types of schools: public schools — Arabic medium of instruction with the national curriculum — and private and international schools offering British (IGCSE/A‑Level), American (High School Diploma/AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Indian (CBSE), and other curricula. Upon completion, students receive a secondary school certificate or an international qualification, depending on the type of school.
The UAE education system is known for its strong international orientation, multicultural environment, and rapid development in line with national innovation goals.
The UAE has positioned itself as a regional higher education hub, attracting students from across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The country has several types of institutions: public federal universities — UAE University, Khalifa University, Zayed University; private universities; and international branch campuses from the UK, the US, Australia, and India. In total, there are 148 higher education institutions — 103 licensed and 45 in free economic zones.
66 higher education institutions admitted 57,035 students in the 2024/2025 academic year — 13% more than the previous year and the highest figure in a decade. The number of international students in the UAE grew by 29%. In Dubai's private universities, international students now account for 35% of the student body, with some universities aiming to increase this share to 50% by 2033.
In 2025, the UAE strengthened its position in global rankings: Khalifa University rose 30 places to 846th (top 4%), UAE University climbed 91 places to 1,022nd (top 4.8%), and the University of Sharjah jumped 161 places to 1,092nd (top 5.1%). In the QS World University Rankings: Arab Region 2025, the UAE is represented by 14 institutions — 3 in the top 10, 6 in the top 20, and 10 in the top 50. The UAE dominates the internationalisation category, with 8 universities in the top 10 for the share of international faculty and 6 for the share of international students. Eight Emirati universities entered the top 160 of the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2025.
UAE universities are particularly strong in business, finance, hospitality management, engineering, architecture, aviation, oil and gas, and emerging technologies.
The UAE offers a growing number of short‑term programmes — academic summer schools and English language courses.
In 2025, summer language camps for children and teenagers in Dubai offered intensive English tuition combined with creative and sports activities. In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) organised summer camps in arts, sports, STEM, Arabic language, and artificial intelligence. The Mohammed bin Rashid Islamic Culture Centre in Dubai ran an intensive summer Arabic course for non‑native speakers.
Summer programmes in the UAE combine academic study with immersion in one of the world's fastest‑growing business and innovation environments.
If you're considering the UAE for your child — we'll help you navigate every stage, from choosing a school and programme type to document preparation and visa application. Get in touch — we'll tell you where to start.