Looking at schools in Academic City Dubai? The area is best known as the city’s university hub, but it’s also home to some well-regarded schools and a nursery. Families can choose between British, German, French and UAE Ministry of Education curricula, all within a short drive of each other.
The main Academic City schools are Dubai English Speaking School (DESS) Academic City, DESS College, German International School Dubai, Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Islamic Institute and Blossom Nursery Academic City. Annual fees range from free (at the Islamic Institute) to just over AED 90,000 for Sixth Form at DESS College. This guide covers each one, with fees, KHDA ratings and contact details, plus where to rent nearby.
- Academic City schools
- List of schools in Academic City Dubai
- Where to live near Academic City schools
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions
Academic City schools
Here’s a quick comparison of the schools in Academic City before we look at each one in detail.
| School | Curriculum | Grades/ages | KHDA rating | Annual fees (AED) |
| DESS Academic City | British | FS1 to Year 6 (ages 3 to 11) | Not yet rated (opened 2025) | 55,250 to 63,750 |
| DESS College | British | Year 7 to Year 13 (ages 11 to 18) | Outstanding | 84,326 to 90,633 |
| German International School Dubai | German | Pre-primary to Grade 12 | Very Good | 38,760 to 73,227 |
| Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou | French | Grade 1 to Grade 12 | Very Good | 36,920 to 50,700 |
| Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Islamic Institute | UAE Ministry of Education | Grade 5 to Grade 12 | Good | Free |
| Blossom Nursery Academic City | British EYFS | 45 days to FS2 | Not applicable | Contact the nursery |
List of schools in Academic City Dubai
Each school below starts with a short overview, followed by the details parents usually ask about first.
1. Dubai English Speaking School Academic City (DESS Academic City)
Dubai English Speaking School is the oldest British school in Dubai, founded in 1963. Its newest campus, DESS Academic City, opened in September 2025 as a purpose-built primary school next to DESS College. It follows the English National Curriculum, with a play-based Foundation Stage based on the UK EYFS framework and a strong focus on maths, literacy and science.
DESS is a not-for-profit group, so any surplus goes back into its schools. If you’re comparing options for a younger child, the Dubai English Speaking School Academic City campus gives you a clear route into DESS College on the same site later on.
- Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum)
- Grades: FS1 to Year 6 (ages 3 to 11)
- KHDA rating: Not yet rated, as the school opened in 2025
- Annual fees (2026-27): AED 65,000 for FS1 and AED 75,000 for FS2 to Year 6.
- Location: Dubai Academic City
- Phone: 04 614 6999
- Website: dess.sch.ae
2. Dubai English Speaking School College (DESS College)
DESS College, formerly known as Dubai English Speaking College (DESC), is the secondary school of the DESS family. It opened in Academic City in 2005 and added a purpose-built Sixth Form building in 2017. Students follow the English National Curriculum through GCSEs and A Levels.
The school has been rated Outstanding by KHDA in every inspection since 2012-2013, which makes it one of the most consistent performers among Academic City schools. For more British options across the city, see our guide to the best British schools in Dubai.
- Curriculum: British (GCSE and A Level)
- Grades: Year 7 to Year 13 (ages 11 to 18)
- KHDA rating: Outstanding (2023-2024)
- Annual fees (2026-27): AED 84,326 for Years 7 to 11 and AED 90,633 for Sixth Form
- Location: Dubai Academic City
- Phone: 04 360 4866
- Website: dess.sch.ae
3. German International School Dubai
German International School Dubai is the German school Academic City families usually have in mind. It moved into its purpose-built Academic City campus in September 2015 and now teaches more than 1,000 students from kindergarten to graduation. Lessons follow the Thuringian curriculum and are taught in German, while many students also become fluent in English and Arabic.
Graduates can earn the German International Abitur, as well as the Hauptschulabschluss and the Mittlerer Schulabschluss. The school is recognised as an official German school abroad, so it’s a natural fit for families who may return to Germany or want a German university pathway.
- Curriculum: German
- Grades: Pre-primary to Grade 12
- KHDA rating: Very Good (2023-2024)
- Annual fees: AED 38,760 (pre-primary and KG1) to AED 73,227 (Grades 11 and 12)
- Location: Dubai Academic City
- Phone: 04 456 2718
- Email: info@germanschool.ae
- Website: germanschool.ae
4. Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou
Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou (LFIGP) is one of Dubai’s best-known French schools, and its Academic City campus is the largest of its sites. The campus has an elementary school and a secondary school, and it also houses the administrative hub for all LFIGP campuses. Students follow the French national curriculum, with language options including English, Arabic, German and Spanish.
Facilities at the secondary school include a swimming pool, gymnasiums, sports fields, an auditorium, performance halls and art workshops, along with a documentation centre holding more than 28,000 documents. Compare it with other options in our guide to the best French schools in Dubai.
- Curriculum: French
- Grades: Grade 1 to Grade 12
- KHDA rating: Very Good (2023-2024)
- Annual fees: AED 36,920 (Grades 1 to 5), AED 46,695 (Grades 6 to 9), and AED 50,700 (Grades 10 to 12)
- Location: Al Rowaiyah First, Dubai Academic City
- Phone: 04 326 0026
- Website: lfigp.org
5. Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Islamic Institute
Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Islamic Institute focuses on Sharia sciences and Arabic for Emirati students, alongside core subjects such as English, maths, science and IT. Established in 2002 under the direction of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, it opened its headquarters in Dubai Academic City in 2013.
The institute follows the UAE Ministry of Education curriculum and offers free education. It falls under the Office of the Ruler of Dubai, while KHDA oversees its academic side. Read more in our guide to Islamic schools in Dubai.
- Curriculum: UAE Ministry of Education, with a focus on Sharia sciences
- Grades: Grade 5 to Grade 12
- KHDA rating: Good (2023-2024)
- Annual fees: Free
- Location: Al Rowaiyah First, Dubai Academic City
- Phone: 04 368 8532
- Email: g_director@rid.ae
- Website: rid.ae
6. Blossom Nursery Academic City
Blossom Nursery Academic City is the area’s early years option, run by Blossom Nursery & Preschool, part of the Babilou Family group. It follows the British EYFS framework, blended with ideas from Reggio Emilia, Emmi Pikler and Montessori. Classes are English-led, with French and Arabic sessions built into the week.
The nursery has natural-style classrooms, an infant sleep room, an indoor gym, a music room and a library corner. Outside, children have a mud kitchen, a vegetable garden, a sandpit and a climbing structure. Parents can choose two, three or five days a week, and meals are planned with a nutritionist.
- Curriculum: British EYFS
- Ages: From 45 days old to FS2
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, with optional early drop-off from 7:30am
- Annual fees: Available on request from the nursery
- Location: Ground floor, Block 12, Academic City, near KHDA and the British University in Dubai
- Phone: 800 6877379 (WhatsApp: 055 687 7379)
- Website: theblossomnursery.com
Where to live near Academic City schools
Academic City itself has only a small number of homes, mostly villas and townhouses, so many families look at the communities around it. Dubai Silicon Oasis, International City, Dubai Land Residence Complex and Liwan are all close by. You can start with properties for rent in Academic City or get a feel for the area through the Academic City Area Insights page.
- Dubai Silicon Oasis: A popular choice for families, with a wide mix of apartments. Browse apartments for rent in Dubai Silicon Oasis or read the Dubai Silicon Oasis Area Insights.
- International City: Generally a more budget-friendly option. See apartments for rent in International City.
Want to know more about life in the area? Read our guide to living in Dubai Academic City, or explore other communities in Dubai near schools.
Key Takeaways
- The main schools in Academic City Dubai cover British, German, French and UAE Ministry of Education curricula.
- DESS College is the top-rated option, with an Outstanding KHDA rating, while German International School Dubai and Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou are both rated Very Good.
- DESS Academic City, the newest of the Academic City schools, opened in 2025 for children aged 3 to 11.
- Fees range from free at Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Islamic Institute to AED 90,633 for Sixth Form at DESS College.
- Blossom Nursery Academic City takes children from 45 days old to FS2.
- Homes in Academic City are limited, so many families rent in nearby Dubai Silicon Oasis or International City.
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Academic City Dubai include DESS Academic City, DESS College, German International School Dubai, Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou and Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Islamic Institute. Blossom Nursery Academic City serves younger children.
DESS College has the highest KHDA rating among Academic City schools. It has been rated outstanding in every inspection since 2012-2013.
Yes. Dubai English Speaking School has two schools in Academic City: DESS Academic City for ages 3 to 11 and DESS College for ages 11 to 18.
For 2026-27, fees are AED 55,250 for FS1 and AED 63,750 for FS2 to Year 6, including a 15% introductory discount. Full fees of AED 65,000 and AED 75,000 apply from September 2027.
Yes. German International School Dubai is in Academic City. It teaches the German curriculum from pre-primary to Grade 12 and is rated Very Good by KHDA.
The Academic City campus covers Grade 1 to Grade 12, with an elementary and a secondary school. It is rated Very Good by KHDA.
Yes. The institute offers free education from Grade 5 to Grade 12 and follows the UAE Ministry of Education curriculum.
Yes. Blossom Nursery Academic City follows the British EYFS framework and takes children from 45 days old to FS2, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm.
