27.08.2025
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What is it about? Education in Dubai is available for preschoolers, schoolchildren, and university students. The educational structure is similar to the Russian one: nurseries, kindergartens, schools, colleges, and higher educational institutions.
What to pay attention to? Children's education in schools is mandatory regardless of their parents' status. Those wishing to obtain higher education need to prepare English language proficiency documents, confirm their school grades, and provide additional documents upon request.
Many international students prefer to receive education in Dubai or other emirates. Studying in Dubai has the following advantages:
The educational process for young children in the UAE includes two levels:
In Dubai, there are no requirements mandating compulsory attendance at nurseries or kindergartens. Despite this, these institutions are popular among the local population. Compared to other countries, the percentage of attendance at children's institutions is significantly higher, reaching around 90%.
The cost of childcare and preparation for school in Dubai varies depending on the region, set of services, and duration of education. For a month, including meals, parents pay about $705 (64,500 roubles).
Dubai has many residents who are not citizens of the country (expatriates). Therefore, there is a developed network of international children's centres. Children under the age of 6 study according to British, American, Italian, and Indian programmes. There are some places where Russian language programmes are also implemented.
For enrolling Russian children in Dubai preschool institutions, parents must provide a set of documents:
In Dubai until 2001, children of expatriates could not count on studying in UAE public educational institutions. For this reason, private schools, distinguished by their high level of education, hold a dominant position in Dubai, which is an undisputed advantage. Nearly 90% of foreign students studied in branches of British and American prestigious private schools.
While parents make the decision about attending nurseries or kindergartens, school education is mandatory. This applies to both expatriates and UAE citizens. At the very least, one must complete the ninth grade. School education in Dubai, like in most countries worldwide, includes several stages:
Studying in Dubai for Russian applicants will be quite comfortable, as the principles of education in Dubai and Russian schools have much in common. The beginning of the school week in Dubai also falls on Monday, and children rest on Sundays. The educational period includes three terms.
The academic year begins on August 28th. Winter holidays start in December. January to March is the second term. Spring holidays begin in April and last for two weeks, then the third term begins. The academic year ends in late June.
To enrol in the first grade, one must pass examinations in two disciplines — English and mathematics. Additionally, a package of following documents is required:
To enrol in a Dubai public school, special registration is required. The following conditions must be met:
Upon completion of education, children take standardised computer testing — EmSAT. It includes three exams: mathematics, physics, and English. The test results are necessary for admission to university or college.
After completing eight years of schooling, pupils can continue their studies at a technical college in Dubai. There, students can gain in-depth knowledge in mathematics, natural sciences, and master specialities such as finance, medicine, and other important and interesting professions.
To become a college student, one must present the following set of documents:
There are about one hundred higher educational institutions in the UAE, most of which are located in Dubai and have different ratings.
Higher education in the UAE follows the Bologna system. This means that students are offered three degrees:
An important point should be considered: in the UAE, secondary education is completed after the 12th grade. Therefore, Russian applicants can enter university after completing the Foundation programme or after completing the first year at a university in Russia. If a child has received a certificate from a Dubai school, this is not required.
All universities in Dubai charge tuition fees. The amount varies from $10,000 (916,000 roubles) to $19,000 (1.7 million roubles) per year, depending on the university.
Education costs are partially compensated by scholarships. These can be requested when submitting documents to the higher educational institution. Applicants with high grades in their certificates can count on scholarships. The scholarship covers approximately 20–30% of tuition fees. Additional scholarships are available for sports achievements. Families sending more than one child to university can expect preferential conditions.
Dubai has almost no student dormitories. Applicants from other countries must find accommodation independently.
The class schedule depends on the specific educational institution. In most of them, lectures and practical classes begin at 8:30 AM and continue until 5 PM. However, no more than 5 hours are allocated directly for studying.
Students can devote the remaining time to personal life, self-development, and part-time work. According to Dubai legislation, university students can work up to 15 hours per week, and during holidays up to 40 hours per week.
Education for expatriate children at Dubai universities and schools is not free. Only paid education is available to them.
The tuition fee depends on the following factors:
Important! Schools offer a 10% discount to families who send at least two children to school, as well as for successful academic performance.
Studying at Dubai schools and universities requires additional financial investments, which include:
The level of requirements for admission to an educational institution depends on the chosen university and specialisation. To enter University of Birmingham Dubai for the Foundation programme, one needs 4/5 in the certificate.
This university is part of the elite Russell Group of universities. Additionally, one must pass the IELTS English language exam. The test result should be no less than 5.5.
If you choose Heriot-Watt University for bachelor's studies, the requirements will be stricter. In this case, you need 5/5 in the certificate, and for English language test results (IELTS), you must obtain no less than 6.0 points. The applicant's previous education system matters. You may need to complete the Foundation programme first.
Different requirements also apply for those who have decided to continue their studies in Dubai for a master's degree. One of the conditions is successful completion of a bachelor's degree.
The bachelor's diploma must not only have high grades but also match the master's programme direction. However, in Dubai, there are also educational institutions that allow admission to certain programmes with a non-specialised diploma.
To enter a bachelor's programme, it is necessary to prepare a set of following documents:
To enter a master's programme, the following documents are required:
Universities usually do not conduct internal entrance examinations. However, when applying to faculties with technical or economic focus, they may request data on test results in exact sciences, such as mathematics. For creative specialities, they may request a portfolio with examples of the applicant's work.
Applicants must be proficient not only in the primary language of instruction but also know the language of other mandatory courses included in the programme. For example, knowledge of Arabic may be required when applying to Khalifa University. It should also be noted that study in certain faculties at Dubai universities is only available to UAE citizens.
List of documents required when transferring from Russian universities:
Regarding application deadlines, it should be noted that studies at Dubai universities can begin in January, May, or September. The admission and visa process takes about 3–4 months. Document submission should be planned six months before the start of the educational process. The educational institution acts as the visa guarantor. Obtaining it will take from 2 weeks to a month.
It should be noted that some university admission committees stop accepting applications 30 days before the start of the academic process despite having available places.
There are two options for submitting documents for a student visa — from Russia and from the UAE. In the second case, the applicant can come to Dubai as a tourist and, while in the UAE territory, apply for a visa.
A student visa will be required for admission to an educational institution. It is necessary to prepare a package of documents. It includes:
When submitting an application, you must pay a visa fee. The cost is about three thousand dirhams per application, while the deposit is about one thousand dirhams. You will also need to pay for a medical examination.
To submit documents for a visa, you can use online services that require registration. It should be noted that documents will be reviewed within 20 working days.
A student visa does not give the right to work in Dubai. To work legally, one should, for example, purchase real estate.
The work ban with a student visa does not apply to students who, after obtaining permission, take part-time jobs. There are about 4,500 firms that allow students to combine study and work in Dubai.
Among them are Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Internet City, and several other organisations and centres. In Dubai, there are also companies that cooperate with universities. Students aged 15 to 18 can work no more than 6 hours per day.
Working on holidays, at night, and overtime is prohibited. Hourly pay is about 15–30 dirhams. Per month, a student can earn 600–1,300 USD.
To obtain work permission, one should contact the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). On the organisation's website, you will be asked to fill out a form. The service can be provided by the Tas'heel service centre.
A diploma from any UAE university gives the right to work in the Arab Emirates. A special visa for employment is not required. This means that students should try to find work in advance while their entry permit remains valid. Otherwise, they will have to look for suitable vacancies remotely or by obtaining a tourist visa first.
Before starting work, the employee undergoes an interview and concludes a preliminary agreement with the company. The employer prepares an employment agreement giving the right to cross the border or change status if the foreigner is in the country. After this it is necessary to undergo a medical examination and obtain a residence visa for a period of one to three years with the right of extension.
Studying in Dubai opens up opportunities for Russians, Belarusians, and applicants from other countries to achieve a high level of professionalism. Graduates can find work in prestigious UAE companies and receive decent salaries. To ensure a successful relocation process, it is recommended to use the services of experienced lawyers.
In Dubai, there are schools and universities with various educational programmes, and it is possible to choose a budget-friendly option for studying. Here is a brief overview of the best and most popular schools in Dubai:
List of prestigious higher educational institutions in Dubai, popular in 2025:
In the UAE, parents have the right to educate their children at home. For this, they must be registered with the education department of the emirate where they reside. Schoolchildren are provided with educational materials, students must take exams at the end of each semester.
For emigrants, such requirements do not exist. Reasons for switching to homeschooling vary from financial problems to fear of being ridiculed.
Living costs in the Emirates are significantly higher than in other Middle Eastern countries. Monthly rental accommodation will cost one thousand dollars. Some universities have dormitories, however, room fees are the same as for rental accommodation. Generally, students prefer to rent accommodation. Food and entertainment are paid for separately.
UAE citizens can receive free education in public educational institutions. In private schools and universities, education is paid for all categories of students, both foreigners and native residents. High academic performance gives foreign students the right to receive a scholarship.
