Education System of UAE : Universities and Institutions
Education System in UAE: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made significant changes in developing a comprehensive and dynamic education system. The well structured and developed UAE education system structure caters to the needs of its growing population and aligns with its vision for the future.
Today the UAE aims to offer high quality education to everyone in the country for overall growth and development of the nation. This article provides an overview of the education system in UAE, its structure, the importance of education in the country, and more.
Structure of Education System in UAE
The UAE education system is structured into four main stages, namely kindergarten, primary, preparatory, and secondary education. This well structured education system ensures a well-rounded development of children right from childhood.
The table below presents the details of the UAE education system:
|
Structure of Education System in UAE |
||||
|
Educational Stage |
Grades |
Ages |
Duration |
Focus |
|
Kindergarten (KG) |
LN-KG |
4-5 years |
2 years |
Early childhood development, socialisation, basic literacy, and numeracy skills. |
|
Primary Education |
1-6 |
6-11 years |
6 years |
Core subjects such as Arabic, English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Development of fundamental reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. |
|
Preparatory Stage |
7-9 |
12-14 years |
3 years |
Further exploration of core subjects while introducing specialised tracks like Humanities, Science, and Technology. |
|
Secondary Education |
10-12 |
15-17 years |
3 years |
In-depth study of chosen subjects within streams, preparing students for higher education or vocational training. |
Public Schools in the UAE
Public or government schools in the UAE are managed by the government. These schools are entirely funded by the state. The aim of public schools is to offer free education to UAE national children.
Classes in UAE public schools are conducted in a gender-segregated format. Moreover,these schools follow an Arabic curriculum, with English taught as a second language. Both primary and secondary education in public schools are free and mandatory for all students, regardless of gender.
Private Schools in UAE
Private schools in the UAE are available to both UAE national students and expatriate residents. These schools offer 15 different curricula, including Indian, British, American, International Baccalaureate (IB), UAE Ministry of Education, Russian, Iranian, Japanese, French, Filipino, Pakistani, SABIS, German, IAT, and Canadian. The most popular curricula among private schools in the UAE are American, British, Ministry of Education, and Indian – CBSE, which together serve nearly 90% of the student population.
Arabic language classes are mandatory across all curricula in UAE. Private school education is widely adopted by Emirati families. Over 50% of Emirati students in UAE attend private schools with various curricula.
CBSE-Based Education System in the UAE
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), is an esteemed educational board known for its rigorous academic standards. It is widely recognized and preferred among the Indian expatriate community in the UAE. With 79 CBSE-affiliated schools across the UAE, CBSE provides a robust educational framework for students from grade 1 through 12.
Here’s an overview of the CBSE-based education system in the UAE, including details on examinations and their significance:
|
CBSE-Based Education System in the UAE |
|
|
Aspect |
Details |
|
Education Board |
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
|
Affiliated Schools in UAE |
79 |
|
Major Examinations Conducted
|
AISSE (All India Secondary School Examination) for grade 10 |
|
AISSCE (All India Senior School Certificate Examination) for grade 12 |
|
|
Examination Timing |
AISSE: March and April |
|
AISSE (Grade 10)
|
Subjects: English, a Language (Native or Foreign), Sciences, Mathematics, Social Sciences |
|
Total Marks: 500 (100 marks per subject) |
|
|
Certificates Awarded: Completion Certificate, Marksheet, and Migration Certificate |
|
|
AISSCE (Grade 12) |
Subject: Stream Specific (Science, maths, Arts, Commerce) |
|
Purpose: Higher qualification exam, scores are considered by universities for admission |
|
UAE Education Statistics
The UAE has shown impressive growth and investment in the education sector. The table below presents the notable statistics of UAE education system:
|
UAE Education Statistics |
|
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Projected increase in the number of schools |
From 1258 in 2022 to 1308 in2027 |
|
Projected growth of K-12 education market by 2030 |
USD 94.7 billion |
|
Compound annual growth rate of K-12 education market |
31.6% CAGR |
|
Rise in student enrollment |
1.1 million by 2027 |
Top Colleges Offering Higher Education in UAE
Higher education in the UAE is offered through both public and private sectors. Many Emirati students benefit from free higher education at public universities. Students in the UAE have the opportunity to pursue Bachelor’s degrees, Associate’s degrees, vocational courses, Master’s degrees, or Doctoral degrees.
Notable universities in the UAE include the following:
|
Top Colleges in UAE |
|
|
College |
Location |
|
Dubai School of Government |
Dubai |
|
Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) |
Various campuses across the UAE |
|
Emirates Aviation University (EAU) |
Dubai |
|
Dubai College of Tourism |
Dubai |
|
Ras Al Khaimah Medical & Health Sciences University (RAKMHSU) |
Ras Al Khaimah |
|
Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) |
Dubai |
|
College of Islamic and Arabic Studies |
Dubai |
|
Dubai Medical College |
Dubai |
|
Abu Dhabi School of Management |
Abu Dhabi |
|
Abu Dhabi Polytechnic |
Abu Dhabi |
Importance of Education in UAE
Education is a cornerstone of the UAE's national development strategy, as emphasised by the UAE Vision 2021. The following points elaborate on the importance of education in UAE:
-
The government aims to create a first-rate education system that equips students with the skills necessary to thrive in a knowledge-based economy.
-
It nurtures childrens’ creativity and improves their problem solving skills.
-
Education promotes critical thinking, innovation, and the use of technology in teaching and learning processes.
-
High quality education teaches children to embrace various cultures and develop a mindset to appreciate and value diversity.
Education System in UAE FAQs
Q1. What is the education board in the UAE?
Ans. The education board in the UAE is the Ministry of Education (MoE).
Q2. Which is the first operating school of UAE?
Ans. The first school of the UAE is Ibn Khalaf, which was established in 1903 at Abu Dhabi.
Q3. When does UAE academic year start?
Ans. UAE academic year starts in September and continues till June.
