Dubai to get 25 new private schools, universities and early childhood centres

More than 11,700 school seats to be added in the emirate

Dubai will have six new schools, 16 early childhood centres and three new international universities. Pawan Singh / The National

Dubai’s private education sector is to add 25 new institutions during the 2025-26 academic year.

They comprise 16 early childhood centres, six schools and three new international universities, adding more than 11,700 new school seats and more than 2,400 new enrollees at early childhood centres.

Five UK curriculum schools – Gems Education School of Research and Innovation in Sports City, Victory Heights Primary School in City of Arabia, Dubai British School Mira, Dubai English Speaking School in Academic City, and Al Fanar School in Nad Al Sheba – and one French curriculum school, the Lycee Français International School in Mudon, will be created.

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The early childhood centres will include 11 offering the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, three offering the Creative Curriculum, one Montessori and one Maple Bear curriculum.

KHDA director general Aisha Miran said: “Dubai’s private education sector continues to grow in scale, quality and diversity. “The new schools, early childhood centres and international universities opening this year demonstrate strong investor confidence in our city and align with the Education 33 strategy to ensure high-quality education for every learner at every stage.

“By welcoming trusted operators and innovative models into more communities, we are creating new opportunities for our learners to thrive, while supporting Dubai’s long-term economic and social aspirations.”

New higher education choices will include the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, which has a business and management programme ranked 27th globally in the QS World University Rankings by subject, as well as the American University of Beirut from Lebanon, ranked 237th globally in the QS World University Rankings, and Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences from Saudi Arabia.

Dubai’s private education sector comprises 331 early childhood centres, 233 schools and 44 higher education institutions.

The addition of the American University of Beirut is of particular historical importance.

Why AUB's arrival is so significant

In 1862, American missionaries in Lebanon and Syria, under the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, founded a college of higher learning that would include medical training. It was felt that the college should have an American educational character, should be administered independently from the mission and should be maintained by its own.

The college opened with its first class of 16 students on December 3, 1866. The university has been looking for innovative ways to expand, in the aftermath of the financial crisis in Lebanon, including opening campuses abroad.

The American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo (AUB Mediterraneo) was opened in Cyprus in September 4, 2024. AUB has an active alumni in the UAE and its arrival in the Emirates is arguably a watershed moment in the history of one of the world's most prestigious educational institutions.