Nord Anglia International School Dubai

Academic Excellence at NAS Dubai

Nord Anglia International School Dubai has established a strong track record of academic performance across all three of its examination pathways: the IB Diploma Programme, Cambridge A-Levels, and Cambridge IGCSE.

IB Diploma Programme

In 2025, NAS Dubai students achieved an average IB score of 36 points, compared to the global average of 31. Notably, 15% of candidates scored 40 or above out of a maximum of 45 — a benchmark that reflects exceptional academic ability. Most significantly, the school achieved a 100% IB pass rate, a result that has been highlighted as a remarkable achievement by school leadership.

A-Level Results

At A-Level, the school achieved a 40% A–A rate* and a 91% A–C pass rate* in 2025 — both described as significantly above UK national averages. These results position NAS Dubai's sixth-form programme among the stronger performers in the Dubai international school landscape.

Cambridge IGCSE

At IGCSE level in 2025, 33% of grades were 9–8 (the highest category), 55% were 9–7, and 77% were 9–6. This demonstrates a broad base of high achievement across core and elective subject areas.

Teaching Philosophy

The school's academic strength is underpinned by a research-led, personalised teaching approach. Teachers are required to hold IB certification, and the school leverages Nord Anglia's global network to provide students with enriched learning experiences through partnerships with MIT (STEM enrichment), The Juilliard School (performing arts), and UNICEF (global citizenship projects).

University Destinations

Students from NAS Dubai have gone on to universities across the globe. The 2025 cohort included acceptances to Oxford and Cambridge, as well as leading US institutions such as the American University of Washington DC and Barnard College of Columbia University. The school's university guidance programme is a key element of the Sixth Form experience.

Campus and Facilities

NAS Dubai's purpose-built campus in Al Barsha 3 has been designed to support a large and diverse school community of over 3,186 students aged 3 to 18. The facilities are structured to cater to every stage of a student's education, from the earliest years through to Sixth Form.

Sports Facilities

The campus boasts an exceptional range of sports infrastructure:

• Full-sized professional rugby pitch — one of the few schools in Dubai with a dedicated rugby facility
• Full-sized football pitch
• Two 25-metre competition swimming pools — used for inter-school galas and competitive training
• Two 10-metre learner swimming pools — designed for younger students developing water confidence

These facilities support an extensive competitive and recreational sports programme that includes swimming, football, rugby, and more.

Academic Facilities

• 20+ advanced science laboratories — supporting IGCSE, A-Level and IB sciences
• Interactive technology in every classroom — ensuring a digitally integrated learning environment
• Innovation Hub and Design Engineering Labs — dedicated spaces for STEM-focused, project-based learning aligned with the school's MIT partnership

Arts and Performance

• Music suites with recording studio — enabling professional-standard music education
• 524-seat auditorium — a major venue for school productions and visiting performances
• Secondary Amphitheatre and Arena — an outdoor/indoor performance space for the secondary community

Community Spaces

• Bespoke Early Years Learning Centre — designed specifically for FS1–FS2 students aged 3–5, with age-appropriate indoor and outdoor learning areas
• Sixth Form Centre — a dedicated space for Year 12 and Year 13 students, supporting the transition to university-style independent learning
• Secondary Canteen — providing daily catering for the senior school community

Access

The school is located in Al Barsha 3 and is best accessed by car or school bus. GPS coordinates are 25.059916, 55.221470. There is no nearby metro station, and the school provides a bus service across Dubai.

A Diverse and Inclusive Community

NAS Dubai is one of Dubai's most internationally diverse schools, with students representing 98 nationalities across the school. This breadth of cultural representation is not simply a statistic — it is a defining feature of daily school life, shaping classroom discussions, co-curricular activities, and social interactions.

House System

To help students — especially new joiners — build a sense of belonging within this large and diverse community, the school operates a house system with four houses:

• Falcons
• Scorpions
• Vipers
• Leopards

The house system creates vertical connections across year groups, encouraging older students to mentor younger ones and fostering a spirit of healthy competition in sports, academic challenges and community events.

Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

NAS Dubai places significant emphasis on student wellbeing. The school maintains a formal Anti-Bullying Policy and an Inclusion Policy, both publicly available on the school's policies page. EAL (English as an Additional Language) support is provided across the school, making the school accessible to students who are developing their English proficiency upon joining.

Global Citizenship

As part of the Nord Anglia global network, NAS Dubai students participate in international collaboration projects, including UNICEF-supported global citizenship initiatives. These programmes encourage students to engage with world issues, develop empathy, and take action as responsible global citizens — values central to the school's mission.

Parent Community

The school serves primarily expatriate and international families based in Dubai, many of whom are on assignment from multinational corporations or diplomatic postings. The school's British curriculum framework and international accreditations make it a natural choice for globally mobile families seeking continuity of education.

Admissions at NAS Dubai

NAS Dubai describes itself as seeking academically ambitious students who are ready to thrive in a challenging, English-medium international environment. The school admits students from FS1 (age 3) through to Year 13 (age 18), subject to availability and assessment.

Application Process

The application process involves:

1. Submission of an online application with a non-refundable application fee of 525 AED
2. Enrolment confirmation fee of 5,000 AED payable after acceptance to secure a place
3. Review of previous school reports and academic records
4. Assessment appropriate to the year group being applied for

English Language Requirements

As all instruction is delivered in English, applicants are expected to have an appropriate level of English proficiency for their age group. The school provides EAL support for students who require additional language development once enrolled.

Teacher Quality

The school requires all teachers to hold IB certification, ensuring a consistently high standard of instruction across all programmes. With over 130 IB-certified teachers, the school can deliver the IB Diploma Programme alongside IGCSE and A-Levels.

Academic Calendar Entry Points

The school primarily admits students at the start of the academic year in September (Term 1), though mid-year entry is considered subject to availability. The trimester system runs with Term 2 from January to March and Term 3 from March to July.

Tuition Fees (AED)

Fees range from 69,625 AED per year for FS1/FS2 students to 105,288 AED per year for Year 12/13 students. These fees are set in accordance with the KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority) fee framework, which regulates school fee increases in Dubai.

Educational Philosophy

At the heart of NAS Dubai's educational philosophy is a commitment to unlocking each child's unique potential — not simply through academic achievement, but through the holistic development of character, creativity, and global awareness.

The Nord Anglia Difference

As part of Nord Anglia Education's global network of over 80 premium international schools, NAS Dubai benefits from world-class partnerships that enrich the curriculum beyond what any single school could offer:

• MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology): STEM-focused enrichment activities and design thinking projects integrated into the curriculum through the Innovation Hub and Design Engineering Labs
• The Juilliard School: Performing arts expertise informing music and drama education, supporting students who wish to pursue creative careers at the highest level
• UNICEF: Global citizenship projects that connect students with real-world humanitarian issues, developing empathy and social responsibility

Personalised Learning

The school believes that every child has a different pathway to success. Teachers are trained to adapt their instruction to individual learning needs, and the breadth of curriculum options — from UK National Curriculum in the early years to IGCSE, A-Level and IB DP in secondary — ensures that students can find the academic route best suited to their strengths and ambitions.

Character and Citizenship

Beyond academic results, NAS Dubai explicitly aims to develop students into compassionate and responsible global citizens. This is reflected in the school's pastoral structures (house system, wellbeing support), its global citizenship curriculum (PSHE, Theory of Knowledge), and its community service initiatives.

British International Framework

The school operates within a British international educational framework, providing a structured, high-expectation environment that prepares students for leading universities worldwide — from Oxbridge and Russell Group institutions to Ivy League and top US liberal arts colleges.