Dubai private education is growing again, with 26 new institutions opening and thousands of extra places becoming available for students.
DUBAI: Parents in Dubai will have even more choices when it comes to their children’s education. A total of 26 new private education institutions are opening during the 2026-27 academic year, bringing new nurseries, schools and universities to different parts of the city.
The new openings include 17 early childhood centres, seven private schools and two international higher education institutions. The seven schools will add 16,846 new places, while the early childhood centres will provide more than 1,700 extra seats. For families, the growth in Dubai private education simply means more options when deciding where and how their children study.
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There is plenty of variety too. Four of the new schools will follow the UK curriculum, while three will offer the International Baccalaureate. Some famous British school names are also coming to Dubai, including Harrow International School Dubai, Queen Elizabeth’s School Dubai Sports City and Rugby School Dubai. Over the past three years, Dubai has already added 21 new private schools, while student enrolment has grown by 3.1%.
Parents with younger children will also have more choices close to home. The 17 new early childhood centres will offer different programmes, including the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage, Montessori, Ontario, French and Indian curricula. Dubai has seen 87 new early childhood centres open over the past three years, with enrolment rising by 2.6%.
There is good news for university students as well. The American University of Beirut is opening a Dubai campus in September 2026. Peking University HSBC Business School will follow with MBA and EMBA programmes starting in January 2027. Higher education is growing particularly quickly in the city, with student enrolment rising by 29% over the past three years.
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Dubai is attracting more teachers too. The number of teachers working in private education has increased by 17.5% over the last three academic years. Across nurseries, schools and universities, the sector has recorded annual growth of 4.6% during that period.
Aisha Miran, Director General of KHDA, said the continued growth shows the trust families, students, teachers and investors have in Dubai as an education destination.
The expansion in Dubai private education is also part of the city’s Education 33 Strategy, which aims to give students more choices, bring leading international institutions to Dubai and prepare young people with useful skills for their future.
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For parents, the biggest change is more choice. With thousands of new places opening across schools and nurseries, families could find it easier to choose an option that suits their child’s curriculum, location and learning needs.
