At a glance
Brighton College Abu Dhabi opened in 2011 as the first overseas campus that the English independent school Brighton College brought to the United Arab Emirates, operated locally by its UAE partner. It is an all through school for boys and girls, running from Nursery and the Foundation Stage to the sixth form on a single campus in Bloom Gardens. The College was rated Outstanding across all standards by British Schools Overseas in 2024 and Very Good by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge in its 2024/25 inspection round. Set it against the wider market of international schools in Abu Dhabi through our city hub.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | British curriculum, IGCSE, A Level |
| Stages | Foundation Stage to Year 13 (ages 3 to 18) |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Accreditation | Outstanding under British Schools Overseas (2024); Very Good by ADEK (2024/25); member of COBIS and the British Schools in the Middle East group |
| Fee band | Premium (see the Abu Dhabi fees guide) |
| Campus area | Bloom Gardens, Al Muntazah, adjacent to Khalifa Park |
Curriculum and academics
Brighton College Abu Dhabi follows the National Curriculum for England across the full age range, from the Early Years Foundation Stage through Key Stages 1 to 3, then IGCSE in Years 10 and 11 and a two year A Level sixth form. The College describes its programme as the Brighton College curriculum, an adapted English model that keeps the academic rigour of a leading British independent school while reflecting the culture of the UAE. The pre prep, prep and senior phases each have their own identity, which gives younger children a settled start and older pupils a clear sense of progression. A Levels are read directly by selective universities in the United Kingdom, North America, Australia and across the Gulf, and the College reports a strong record of Russell Group and international university offers. The dual external oversight from British Schools Overseas and ADEK is a useful signal for families who prioritise inspected quality. Ask the College for its most recent IGCSE and A Level results and university destinations for the fullest picture, since we do not republish unverified outcome figures.
Brighton College Abu Dhabi fees
Brighton College Abu Dhabi fees sit in the premium band for the capital, in line with the other top rated British schools. Published annual tuition for 2025/26 runs from roughly AED 50,830 in the Foundation Stage to about AED 80,780 at the top of the sixth form, rising by year group, and the school revises this schedule each year. 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 deposit, examination entry fees in the senior years, uniform and optional transport. Instalment plans are available, which helps families spread the premium cost across the three terms.
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Admissions
Admission runs on a rolling basis across the academic year, which starts in late August. As an Outstanding rated, central school the Foundation Stage, Year 7 and the sixth form are the most competitive entry points, and waiting lists form well ahead of time, so families relocating to Abu Dhabi should register as early as a place is foreseeable. Assessment is age appropriate: a settling or play based 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 or GCSE grades, with subject specific requirements for the most demanding A Level courses.
Location and who goes there
The campus is in Bloom Gardens, part of the Al Muntazah district adjacent to Khalifa Park, a central location that is well placed for families living across the inner city and the eastern suburbs. The College draws a broad community of more than seventy nationalities, with a large Emirati cohort alongside British, other European, Arab and North American families, many of whom choose central Abu Dhabi for the short commute. Sister Brighton College campuses operate elsewhere in the UAE, so families moving within the country can often keep continuity of curriculum. 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 Brighton College Abu Dhabi, 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 Brighton College Abu Dhabi fees?
Brighton College Abu Dhabi fees sit in the premium band for the capital. Published annual tuition for 2025/26 runs from roughly AED 50,830 in the Foundation Stage to about AED 80,780 in the sixth form. Budget separately for registration, a deposit, examination entry, uniform and optional transport.
Is Brighton College Abu Dhabi a good school?
Brighton College Abu Dhabi was rated Outstanding across all standards by British Schools Overseas in 2024 and Very Good by ADEK in its 2024/25 inspection. Whether it suits your child depends on budget, stage and proximity to the Bloom Gardens area.
What curriculum does Brighton College Abu Dhabi follow?
It follows the British curriculum, based on the National Curriculum for England, leading to IGCSE in Years 10 and 11 and A Levels in the sixth form, as part of the Brighton College family of schools.
When do Brighton College Abu Dhabi applications open?
Admission is rolling across the academic year, which starts in late August, but the Foundation Stage, Year 7 and the sixth form are competitive and waiting lists form early, so register as soon as a place is foreseeable.
Where is Brighton College Abu Dhabi located?
The school is on a single campus in the Bloom Gardens community, part of the Al Muntazah district, adjacent to Khalifa Park in central Abu Dhabi.
