Living in Dubai – think about schooling before buying properties in Dubai
The standard of education in Dubai is generally very high and caters for children from various nationalities and backgrounds. Before committing to any properties in Dubai you must think about how the move will affect your family. This is especially true if you have children, and you must consider schooling and how this will impact upon their ability to adapt to living in Dubai.
Pre-school and primary education in Dubai
The system of education in Dubai, and throughout the UAE, was established following independence in 1971. Four to five-year-olds attend nursery before moving on to primary school, where they will remain until the age of 11.
The younger the child is, the easier they will find it to adapt to education in Dubai. The majority of expatriate children living in Dubai attend one of over 80 private schools throughout the UAE. Primary schools teaching the British curriculum are among the most popular in Dubai. These tend to have the longest waiting lists and highest fees, something you must consider before looking at properties in Dubai.
Preparatory and secondary education in Dubai
After completing primary education in Dubai, children then spend three years at a preparatory school. Thereafter, 15-17-year-olds living in Dubai then attend secondary schools.
Parents buying properties in Dubai, and enrolling their children in a Dubai school will most likely have to attend a face-to-face interview. Their children must sit a basic test to assess their educational ability.
Education in Dubai can be very expensive although some better-paid employees can sometimes negotiate the payment of school fees as part of their remuneration package. The majority must, however, consider education in Dubai to be an extra cost of living in Dubai and budget accordingly.
The majority of schools in Dubai teach children from around 8am to 1.30 or 2.30pm, Wednesday to Saturday and close in July and August for summer holidays.
Further and higher education in Dubai
Until recently, the standard and availability of higher and further education in Dubai was limited. In many cases, parents who had bought properties in Dubai opted to send their children home for university or college. This is beginning to change with the development of the Knowledge Village and close links with overseas universities. There is also the British University in Dubai which will be of interest to UK nationals considering living in Dubai.
There are also a number of vocational colleges for pupils who wish to follow a specific career path.
If you are worried about the impact living in Dubai will have on your children, you should be aware the standard of education in Dubai is high. Fee-paying, English-speaking schools are the most popular option for UK parents who have bought properties in Dubai but you should always take the cost of this option into consideration.
