British Schools in Abu Dhabi: 2026–27 Fees & ADEK Ratings

• Al Basma British School — Area: Al Bahyah
• Al Basma British School — Published annual tuition: AED 21,890–44,380
• Al Basma British School — Fee year: 2026–27
• Al Basma British School — ADEK Irtiqaa rating reported in latest sources reviewed: Very Good (school describes 'Very Good with Outstanding Features')
• Al Basma British School — Senior pathway to confirm: IGCSE and A-Level
• Merryland International School — Area: Mohammed Bin Zayed City/Mussafah
• Merryland International School — Published annual tuition: AED 26,200–46,620
• Merryland International School — Fee year: 2026–27
• Merryland International School — ADEK Irtiqaa rating reported in latest sources reviewed: Outstanding (2025–26 inspection, school announcement Jan 2026)
• Merryland International School — Senior pathway to confirm: Cambridge IGCSE and senior courses; verify current A-Level subjects
• Yasmina British Academy — Area: Khalifa City
• Yasmina British Academy — Published annual tuition: AED 49,740–67,270
• Yasmina British Academy — Fee year: 2026–27
• Yasmina British Academy — ADEK Irtiqaa rating reported in latest sources reviewed: Outstanding (2025–26 inspection)
• Yasmina British Academy — Senior pathway to confirm: IGCSE and A-Level
• Brighton College Abu Dhabi — Area: Bloom Gardens / near Khalifa Park
• Brighton College Abu Dhabi — Published annual tuition: AED 50,830–80,780
• Brighton College Abu Dhabi — Fee year: 2026–27
• Brighton College Abu Dhabi — ADEK Irtiqaa rating reported in latest sources reviewed: Very Good (2024–25 ADEK; separate BSO Outstanding)
• Brighton College Abu Dhabi — Senior pathway to confirm: GCSE/IGCSE and A-Level
• The British International School Abu Dhabi — Area: Zayed City
• The British International School Abu Dhabi — Published annual tuition: AED 54,204–76,952
• The British International School Abu Dhabi — Fee year: 2026–27
• The British International School Abu Dhabi — ADEK Irtiqaa rating reported in latest sources reviewed: Outstanding (2025–26 inspection, announced March 2026)
• The British International School Abu Dhabi — Senior pathway to confirm: IGCSE followed by IB Diploma/BTEC options
• Repton Abu Dhabi — Area: Al Reem Island
• Repton Abu Dhabi — Published annual tuition: AED 63,740–83,390
• Repton Abu Dhabi — Fee year: 2026–27
• Repton Abu Dhabi — ADEK Irtiqaa rating reported in latest sources reviewed: Outstanding (2025–26 inspection, announced Feb 2026)
• Repton Abu Dhabi — Senior pathway to confirm: GCSE/IGCSE and A-Level
• Cranleigh Abu Dhabi — Area: Saadiyat Island
• Cranleigh Abu Dhabi — Published annual tuition: AED 71,500–105,980
• Cranleigh Abu Dhabi — Fee year: 2026–27, ADEK-approved figures reproduced by school-data sources
• Cranleigh Abu Dhabi — ADEK Irtiqaa rating reported in latest sources reviewed: Outstanding (2025–26 inspection)
• Cranleigh Abu Dhabi — Senior pathway to confirm: IGCSE and A-Level/BTEC
• The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) — Area: Al Mushrif
• The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) — Published annual tuition: AED 45,560–74,560
• The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) — Fee year: 2025–26 only; 2026–27 fee not verified
• The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) — ADEK Irtiqaa rating reported in latest sources reviewed: Outstanding (previous published ADEK inspection)
• The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) — Senior pathway to confirm: GCSE/IGCSE and A-Level

How to read this table: Each range runs from the lowest to highest published tuition year group; it is not the fee for a particular child. The BSAK amount is deliberately labelled 2025–26 because the latest fee page found during this review had not been updated to a confirmed 2026–27 schedule. Ask BSAK for the current approved amount before comparing it with the other seven schools. For Cranleigh, confirm the latest campus-specific ADEK fee letter with admissions. School fees, ratings and places can change.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) uses the Irtiqaa inspection framework to assess school performance. Its published framework covers student achievement, personal and social development, teaching and assessment, curriculum, student care and support, and leadership. Ratings include Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable, Weak and Very Weak under the unified inspection framework. Schools also display a separate National Identity Mark, which is not the same as the academic Irtiqaa rating.

ADEK introduced school performance plaques at private school entrances so families can check ratings during a visit. Review the official ADEK explanation of school performance plaques and Irtiqaa and ask each school for its latest complete inspection report.

Do not confuse regulators: KHDA regulates private schools in Dubai; ADEK is the relevant authority for Abu Dhabi. A British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspection can provide additional evidence, but its grade should not be substituted for the ADEK rating.

1. Al Basma British School — lower published tuition in this shortlist

Al Basma's 2026–27 fee schedule starts at AED 21,890 (FS1) and reaches AED 44,380 (Year 13). The school is in Al Bahyah and advertises a British curriculum with IGCSE and A-Level options. It describes its ADEK status as Very Good with Outstanding Features.

Ask admissions: Which IGCSE and A-Level subjects are actually running for your child's entry year? The published annual transport fee is AED 5,000, so families using the bus should budget beyond tuition.

2. Merryland International School — comparatively moderate fees and an Outstanding announcement

Merryland's 2026–27 published schedule runs from AED 26,200 (FS2) to AED 46,620 (Year 13). The school announced in January 2026 that its 2025–26 ADEK inspection had again awarded Outstanding. It follows a Cambridge-oriented school pathway.

Ask admissions: Confirm the current senior qualification and subject availability, the Ministry of Education book charges and the actual amount payable for your child's year group. The school's fee schedule separates some textbook costs.

3. Yasmina British Academy — Khalifa City and a full British pathway

Yasmina publishes AED 49,740 for FS1/FS2–Year 1 and AED 67,270 for Years 10–13 for 2026–27. It is an option for families prioritising Khalifa City and an IGCSE-to-A-Level route. Its recent ADEK inspection is reported as Outstanding.

Ask admissions: Which examination boards are used for the subjects your child plans to take, and are all advertised sixth-form options available to the incoming cohort? Its published tuition excludes uniforms, transport, examination fees and some activities.

4. Brighton College Abu Dhabi — established premium British curriculum

Brighton College's 2026–27 published tuition is AED 50,830 for FS1, AED 68,560 for Years 6–9, and AED 80,780 for Years 10–13. The school is near Khalifa Park in the Bloom Gardens area and offers a British academic pathway through sixth form.

Rating distinction: Its ADEK Irtiqaa outcome is reported as Very Good, while its separate BSO inspection is Outstanding. These are different inspection systems and should be labelled separately.

5. The British International School Abu Dhabi — British secondary followed by IB options

BIS Abu Dhabi publishes 2026–27 tuition of AED 54,204 (Nursery), AED 69,881 (Years 6–11) and AED 76,952 (Years 12–13). It announced another Outstanding ADEK outcome in March 2026.

Critical curriculum question: Despite the school's British name, its senior options include the IB Diploma rather than assuming a standard A-Level route. This matters for families who want a specific post-16 qualification. The school also states that examination fees are separate from tuition.

6. Repton Abu Dhabi — Al Reem Island and British senior study

Repton's 2026–27 tuition starts at AED 63,740 in the earliest years and reaches AED 83,390 in Years 12–13. It announced an Outstanding ADEK inspection outcome in February 2026. The school operates campuses on Al Reem Island and offers a British curriculum through senior study.

Ask admissions: Confirm the child's campus, A-Level subject combinations, bus provision and the published AED 750 book fee for FS1–Year 2, which is separate from tuition.

7. Cranleigh Abu Dhabi — Saadiyat Island and a high-fee British option

The 2026–27 ADEK-approved fee figures reproduced by school-data sources start at AED 71,500 and reach AED 105,980 in Years 10–13. Cranleigh's reported ADEK rating is Outstanding for the 2025–26 inspection cycle.

Ask admissions: Obtain the current fee letter for the specific campus and year group, and confirm any campus transition plans, transport and examination charges. The headline range is particularly wide between early years and sixth form.

8. The British School Al Khubairat — established British school; confirm updated fees

BSAK's latest accessible official fee page in this review listed 2025–26 tuition from AED 45,560 to AED 74,560. It is an established British school in Al Mushrif with an Outstanding ADEK inspection history and a sixth-form A-Level pathway.

Data gap: A confirmed 2026–27 tuition schedule was not located in the school's fee page reviewed on 24 October 2026. Request it directly; do not treat the 2025–26 figures as current-year fees.

Many Abu Dhabi schools teach the English National Curriculum through Key Stages 3 and 4, then offer GCSE or IGCSE qualifications around Year 11. The post-16 route can differ. A family moving between schools should confirm whether Year 12–13 offers A-Levels, International A-Levels, IB Diploma, BTEC or a combination.

Before transferring a Year 10 or Year 11 student, ask for the exact exam board and subject codes. Moving from Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 to Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A 4MA1 may require different paper practice even when the main mathematical concepts overlap.

A school that advertises AED 55,000 tuition may still charge separately for transport, uniforms, examinations, optional activities, meals and some learning resources. A useful budget comparison for two shortlisted schools is:

Annual family cost = year-group tuition + transport + expected exams + uniforms + other compulsory charges − confirmed discounts

Registration or re-registration deposits may be credited against tuition rather than charged on top; confirm the school's policy to avoid double-counting. Check how term payments are scheduled and whether a school has a waiting list for the desired year group.

1. What is the latest ADEK Irtiqaa rating, inspection year and main improvement recommendation?
2. Which IGCSE/GCSE exam boards does the school use for Maths, English and Sciences?
3. Which Year 12–13 qualifications and subjects actually ran in the previous academic year?
4. What is the approved 2026–27 tuition for my child's exact year, plus mandatory extras?
5. What are the admissions assessment, language support and waiting-list arrangements?
6. How are students with learning differences supported, and are any services separately charged?
7. What are the commute, bus-route and school-day implications for our home location?

A new school may teach familiar subjects through a different board or pace. Families needing additional help can use online tutors in Abu Dhabi to find curriculum-matched support. For a child moving into Year 10 or 11, IGCSE Mathematics tutoring can focus on the exact board and tier. Families preparing for sixth form can explore A-Level tutoring options.

Combo Tutors Academy is an independent online tutoring provider, not an admissions representative or an affiliate of the schools in this guide. Its Abu Dhabi starting rate is advertised from AED 55/hour, with a free 30-minute trial for new students; tutor and subject availability should be confirmed.

Who regulates British schools in Abu Dhabi?

ADEK regulates Abu Dhabi private schools. KHDA is Dubai's regulator and should not be used to label Abu Dhabi inspection ratings.

Which British school is the cheapest on this shortlist?

By published 2026–27 starting tuition, Al Basma has the lowest starting figure shown here at AED 21,890 for FS1. This does not establish the cheapest option for every year group or every school in Abu Dhabi.

Does every British school offer A-Levels?

No. Confirm the senior pathway. For example, BIS Abu Dhabi offers the IB Diploma among its post-16 options.

Are school inspection ratings the same as exam results?

No. ADEK Irtiqaa considers several standards. A school's overall rating is not a direct substitute for subject-level GCSE, IGCSE or A-Level outcomes.

Are the fees listed per term or per year?

The comparison table shows annual tuition. Schools may collect the amount in term instalments and charge additional costs.

Can tutoring help a student who changes exam boards?

It can help identify specification differences and target unfamiliar question formats, but the student should first confirm the exact school entry route.

Shortlist two or three schools that fit your child's year, budget, commute and post-16 goals. Request the current ADEK report and the approved fee for the exact year group before paying an admissions deposit. If the student needs help adapting to an IGCSE or A-Level course, book a free 30-minute Combo tutor trial after confirming the school's board and syllabus.

Research reviewed 24 October 2026. Fee years and rating cycles are labelled to avoid presenting older information as current. This is an editorial parent guide, not a school partnership or admissions endorsement.