A guide to the United Arab Emirates education system and how your credentials compare to US standards for immigration, university admissions, and employment.
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Apply Now →The United Arab Emirates operates a 12-year system of education with children starting school at age 6. Education is compulsory for all children from ages 6 to 18 (Grades 1–12). The federal Ministry of Education (MOE) supervises education in the smaller northern emirates, while the larger emirates have their own regulatory authorities: Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and Abu Dhabi's Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK). The academic year runs from September to June in public schools, consisting of three semesters totaling 180 instructional days.
The UAE hosts a highly diverse expatriate population, and its schools include public schools following the national curriculum (Arabic medium) and a large number of private schools following British, American, Indian (CBSE), and other international curricula.
Covers Arabic language, Islamic Education, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, English, Arts, and Physical Education. Arabic is the primary language of instruction in public schools. Six hours of instruction per day.
Students continue a broad curriculum with increased academic depth. English instruction is significantly expanded. School lasts six hours per day at this level.
Students specialize in Science or Literary streams. School lasts six hours per day. After completing Grade 12, students in public schools and private schools following the national curriculum sit for a nationwide external examination. Successful candidates are awarded the General Secondary Education Certificate (Tawjihiyya or Thanawiyya Al-A'ama).
The UAE is home to universities including UAE University, American University of Sharjah, and numerous international branch campuses (NYU Abu Dhabi, Sorbonne Abu Dhabi, Heriot-Watt Dubai). Bachelor's degrees typically take 4 years. Master's degrees are 1–2 years. The UAE has positioned itself as a regional hub for higher education.
| Grade Scale (%) | Description | US Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 90 – 100 | Excellent (Mumtaz) | A |
| 80 – 89 | Very Good (Jayyid Jiddan) | B+ |
| 70 – 79 | Good (Jayyid) | B |
| 60 – 69 | Accepted (Maqbool) | C |
| 0 – 59 | Fail (Rasib) | F |
A formal credential evaluation is required for US university admissions, employment-based immigration petitions (H-1B, EB-1A, EB2-NIW, O-1, L-1), and professional licensing.
Documents issued in Arabic must be accompanied by certified English translations. Many UAE documents from international schools are issued in English.