At a glance
Al Basma British School opened on its current purpose built campus in Al Bahia in 2014, growing from earlier roots as an English medium school in the emirate. It now teaches just over 1,500 pupils drawn from more than fifty nationalities, which places it among the larger British schools in the northern districts of the capital. You can set it in context against the wider market of international schools in Abu Dhabi through our city hub.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | British curriculum, Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, A Level |
| Stages | Foundation Stage to Year 13 (ages 3 to 18) |
| Founded | 2014 on its current Al Bahia campus |
| Accreditation | Rated Very Good by ADEK; inspected under the British Schools Overseas framework |
| Fee band | Value to mid (see the Abu Dhabi fees guide) |
| Campus area | Al Bahia, behind Deerfields Mall, northern Abu Dhabi |
Curriculum and academics
Al Basma follows the National Curriculum for England across the full age range. The early years run the Foundation Stage, followed by Key Stages 1 to 3, then Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE in Years 10 and 11 and a two year A Level sixth form in Years 12 and 13. Pupils leave with IGCSEs and A Levels that universities in the United Kingdom, North America, Australia and across the Gulf read directly. The school pairs the academic core with the Arabic, Islamic education and UAE social studies that the Ministry of Education requires of every school in the emirate. As an established British curriculum school it carries the external scrutiny of the British Schools Overseas inspection regime, which is a deeper layer of oversight than many newer schools in the city hold.
Al Basma British School fees
Al Basma British School fees sit in the value to mid band for the capital, below the premium British names such as Cranleigh and Brighton College but in line with other well established neighbourhood schools. Annual tuition rises by year group, with the sixth form the most expensive stage. We do not print a single headline figure here because the school revises its schedule each year and publishes the current rates to applicants, and you can sense check the band against our guide to international school fees in Abu Dhabi. Beyond tuition, budget for a registration or assessment fee, a seat reservation fee, books and uniform, and optional bus charges for families living outside Al Bahia. A sibling discount is offered, which matters for larger families.
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Admissions
Admission runs on a rolling basis across the academic year, which starts in late August or early September. Foundation Stage and the first secondary year groups fill earliest, so families relocating to the northern districts are advised to register as soon as a place is foreseeable. Assessment is age appropriate: informal observation and a settling session for the youngest children, and curriculum based assessment in English and mathematics, with school reports and references, for older applicants. Sixth form entry is conditional on IGCSE grades. The school asks for previous school records and may interview the family before confirming a place.
Location and who goes there
The campus sits in Al Bahia in the north of Abu Dhabi, behind Deerfields Mall on Al Houri Street, convenient for families in Al Bahia, Al Raha, Bani Yas and the northern coastal communities. The site is purpose built, with science laboratories, sports facilities and dedicated early years space. The community is genuinely international, with British, Arab, South Asian, African and other expatriate families well represented, reflecting the broad residential mix of the northern emirate. For the wider picture of where families settle across the capital, return to the Abu Dhabi city hub.
Reviews
No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish parent reviews only once they are verified. If your child attends or has attended Al Basma British School, you can submit a review to help other relocating families. We never display a star rating without real, checked reviews behind it.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Al Basma British School fees?
Al Basma British School fees sit in the value to mid tier for Abu Dhabi, with tuition rising by year group and the sixth form the most expensive stage. The school revises fees annually and publishes current rates to applicants. Budget separately for registration, a seat reservation fee, books, uniform and optional bus charges. A sibling discount is available.
Is Al Basma British School a good school?
Al Basma holds a Very Good rating from ADEK and is inspected under the British Schools Overseas framework, which is a strong external record for a neighbourhood British school. Whether it suits your child depends on stage, budget and how close you live to the Al Bahia campus.
What curriculum does Al Basma British School follow?
It follows the National Curriculum for England, with Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE in Years 10 and 11 and A Levels in the sixth form, alongside the Arabic, Islamic education and UAE social studies required across the emirate.
When do Al Basma British School applications open?
Admission is rolling across the August to June academic year, but the early years and lower secondary fill earliest, so register as soon as a place is foreseeable. Sixth form entry depends on IGCSE results.
Where is Al Basma British School located?
The school is in Al Bahia in the north of Abu Dhabi, behind Deerfields Mall on Al Houri Street, serving the northern coastal and suburban communities.
