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Start with our international schools in Abu Dhabi directory to see every school by curriculum and stage. The schools below are widely recognised as sitting in the city's lower fee band, well below the premium British and IB schools, while still teaching recognised curricula. We do not quote a single fee figure on this page because tuition changes every year and is reviewed by the emirate's regulator, ADEK, so the live bands live in our dedicated guide instead. This is a shortlist to research, not a ranking.
For the numbers, our international school fees in Abu Dhabi guide sets out current bands by school and stage, and the wider fees hub lets you compare cities. Treat the schools below as a starting point and always request a current fee schedule for your child's exact year group.
The shortlist
GEMS Founders School Abu Dhabi
GEMS Founders School Abu Dhabi, in Masdar City, teaches the National Curriculum for England and is built around the GEMS group's value model, which keeps fees toward the lower end of the British school market in the city. Its scale and a sustainability-focused enrichment programme make it a strong option for families who want a recognised British curriculum without premium pricing. Confirm the current fee for your child's year before applying.
The International School of Choueifat Abu Dhabi
The International School of Choueifat Abu Dhabi, on Yas Island, is part of the long established SABIS network and runs a bespoke programme alongside Cambridge IGCSE, AS and A-levels and Advanced Placement pathways. As a large, non-selective and co-educational school it keeps per-pupil fees comparatively low while offering examined routes through to university entry, which suits families wanting an affordable through-school with recognised qualifications.
Sunrise English Private School
Sunrise English Private School is a long running British curriculum school in Abu Dhabi that sits in the budget band of the city's international schools. It is a practical shortlist entry for families who want an English-medium education following a recognised curriculum at a fee level well below the premium schools. As with every school here, check the latest ADEK inspection outcome where available and confirm the current fee schedule.
How we chose
We included only schools we could confirm operate in Abu Dhabi, teach a recognised curriculum and are consistently described as sitting in the lower fee band relative to the city's premium schools. We did not rank them, score them or attach ratings, and we deliberately avoid printing fee figures that move every year and are subject to ADEK review. A lower fee does not have to mean lower quality, but it does make visiting, checking the most recent inspection outcome and reading the full cost schedule more important, so treat this as a research list rather than a verdict.
Find a school that fits your budget
Tell us your budget, your child's stage and your preferred curriculum and the school finder returns a matched Abu Dhabi shortlist.
Start the school finderFees and next steps
Headline tuition is only part of the cost. Budget for registration and application fees, uniform, transport, books and examination entry, which together can add meaningfully to the figure a school advertises. For current bands by school and stage, see our international school fees in Abu Dhabi guide, compare across cities on the fees hub, then use the school finder to shortlist. You can also compare related shortlists for sixth form and the best schools for university preparation in Abu Dhabi.
Common questions
Schools such as GEMS Founders School Abu Dhabi, The International School of Choueifat Abu Dhabi and Sunrise English Private School sit in the lower fee band while teaching recognised British, SABIS or other international curricula. Fees are reviewed annually by ADEK, so check the current figure for your child's year group before you apply.
Tuition in the budget band is well below the premium British and IB schools, but exact figures change every year and are reviewed by ADEK, so we do not quote a single number that dates quickly. See our international school fees in Abu Dhabi guide for current bands by school and stage.
Not necessarily. Lower fee schools are often larger, newer or run by groups with economies of scale, and many teach the same recognised curricula and external examinations as pricier schools. Visit, check the most recent ADEK inspection outcome where available, and judge each school on fit rather than fee alone.
Yes. Budget for registration and application fees, uniform, transport, books and examination entry, which can add meaningfully to the headline tuition. Confirm the full schedule in writing and use our fees hub to compare the all-in cost across schools.
Use our fees hub and the international school fees in Abu Dhabi guide to see bands by stage, then shortlist with the school finder and request a current fee schedule from each school. Because ADEK reviews increases each year, always confirm the figure for the exact year your child will join.