Dubai Schools See Up to 40% Rise in Admissions; Waiting Lists Lengthen

Dubai schools are set to welcome unprecedented numbers of admissions just after Term 2, with most reporting increases of up to 40% compared with last year. The increase in student admission is because of an influx of professional families moving to Dubai and the reputation of the UAE as an emerging focal point for world-class education.

“Dubai and Abu Dhabi are turning into giant international education hubs and, therefore, the enrolments are increasing tremendously,” Glen Radojkovich, Director: Education, Taaleem, Dubai, pointed out. “For Term 2, we are seeing a 40% increase in enrolments compared to last year,” Radojkovich said.With the demand for the UK and IB curricula on the rise, schools are expanding to include new students and returning ones. Greenfield International School and Dubai British School Emirates Hills are maximizing class sizes to accommodate the increasing demand. New campuses that are on the cards include Dubai British School Mira, which is opening in 2025, and Harrow International Schools, which will open in 2026.

Admissions this academic year have drastically made it more competitive for admission in top schools. “Dr. Neil Hopkin, Director of Education, Fortes Education, said Sunmarke School and Regent International School have also been quite popular in terms of increased traffic this season. Admissions, according to a source close to the institution, have gone up by 30% after Sunmarke School was rated among the top IB schools in Dubai, coupled with Regent’s outstanding results in examinations,” he reported.

The flood of admissions has rendered it quite challenging to get through top schools. State Dr. Neil Hopkin, Director of Education at Fortes Education, said that Sunmarke School and Regent International School have also had quite a hike in interest. Increase in 30% Enrollments in Sunmarke School after ranking it as one of Dubai’s most popular IB schools, coupled with Regent’s excellent results in exam performance.

In this kind of competitive environment, it will be wise for parents to seek early application and thorough investigation of the schools. It will take research in curriculum offerings, values of the school, and how far a school is to make an informed decision. Otherwise, the managers would educate parents on maintaining the right class sizes so that they may have academic excellence, and they would believe there would be no increase in the size class once a child has joined. As demand for high-quality education continues to grow, early planning and proactive engagement with schools will become critical in securing a spot for future students.