School Name
Dubai College
Category
Middle East Schools
Types
Senior school
Pupil type
Co-ed
Boarding-Day
Day
Curriculums
UK Curriculum
GCSE
IGCSE
A-Level
Pupil age range
11-18
Location
Dubai
Dubai College
Focus
Educating tomorrow’s leaders
Day fees 2025/26
$26,500-$30,000
Term dates
- Term 1: 25 August to 5 December
- Term 2: 5 January to 13 March 2026
- Term 3: 30 March to 3 July 2026
Ages
11-18
Pupil count
1,140
Spear’s Review
One of Dubai’s oldest English schools, Dubai College is well thought of throughout the region for the quality of its education. With 84 per cent of Sixth Form students in 2025 securing their first-choice universities, the school has cultivated a reputation for quite literally being the best in class.
The non-profit school champions children to become well-rounded individuals through its four central pillars: academics, sports, creativity and philanthropy. Its facilities, which are frequently refurbished and renovated, include drama studios, a swimming pool, a sports hall, fitness studios, tennis and netball courts, cricket pitches and a multi-use games area.
Dubai College alumni have gone to study at Cambridge, Oxford and Ivy League schools in the US.
Academics
In 2025:
- 95 per cent of (I)GCSE results were grades 7-9
- 75 per cent of A-Level results were A* or A
Head teacher
Tomas Duckling is the headmaster of Dubai College, bringing extensive leadership experience from various international schools. Before joining Dubai College, he was deputy head at Aiglon College in Switzerland and assistant head at Jerudong International School in Brunei. His background includes significant involvement in academic development and school management, with a particular focus on the International Baccalaureate programme.
University and college destinations
Graduates of Dubai College are regularly accepted into some of the world’s leading universities. In 2025, 4 per cent of the graduating class went on to study at Oxbridge, and 6 per cent continued their studies at Ivy League universities, including Columbia, Cornell, Princeton and Yale.
Admissions
The admissions process at Dubai College is highly selective, aiming to admit students who demonstrate academic potential and personal commitment to the school’s values. Prospective students typically apply for entry into Year 7, with assessments conducted to evaluate their academic ability in areas such as mathematics, English and reasoning. The school places a strong emphasis on academic performance – requiring school records and standardised test results – but also considers factors such as extracurricular involvement and personal character. Following the assessment, successful candidates are invited for an interview.
Accessibility
Dubai International Airport: 30 minutes
Location
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Rank: Top 100
Top 100 2025, Middle East Schools