GEMS Cambridge International School Abu Dhabi

At a glance

Where a detail is not officially published we mark it clearly rather than guess. Always confirm current figures with the school.

Curriculum and academics

GEMS Cambridge International School Abu Dhabi delivers the National Curriculum for England enriched with Cambridge programmes, running from the early years to Year 13, with pupils sitting Cambridge IGCSE at Key Stage 4 and Cambridge AS and A Level in the Sixth Form. English is the language of instruction, and the school combines the English framework with the UAE required subjects such as Arabic, Islamic studies and moral education.

Opened in 2013, the school has grown into one of the largest British schools in the emirate by enrolment, serving several thousand pupils across a broad range of nationalities. That scale gives the school a wide subject choice at IGCSE and A Level and a settled senior pathway, while the value fee band keeps a full British education within reach of many relocating families.

As a value tier through school, GEMS Cambridge draws families who want a complete British route from the early years to A Level without premium fees. Parents comparing this school often also look at the other affordable British options in the emirate and the best international schools in Abu Dhabi guide, as well as the wider British schools in Abu Dhabi shortlist.

GEMS Cambridge International School Abu Dhabi fees

Tuition at GEMS Cambridge International School Abu Dhabi sits in the value band of the market and rises with the year group, so Foundation Stage places sit lower in the band and Sixth Form places higher. Schools in the emirate publish an approved schedule through ADEK, the education regulator, so families should take the definitive 2026/27 figures from the school itself.

As with most Abu Dhabi schools, tuition is billed on top of registration and other charges, so the headline figure is only part of the annual cost. Our guide to international school fees in Abu Dhabi explains the bands, and the Abu Dhabi secondary fees page lines up senior figures across the market for context.

• Tuition 2026/27: value band for the Abu Dhabi market, rising with the year group; confirm the ADEK approved schedule.
• Registration and deposit: charged separately; confirm the amounts and refund terms with the school.
• Extras: uniform, transport, meals, trips and some activities are usually billed in addition; exam entry fees may apply in the senior years.
• Context: compare against the Abu Dhabi primary fees and secondary fees bands before you commit.

Admissions

The main intake follows the start of the school year in late summer, and applicants sit age appropriate assessments in English and mathematics. As a large and affordable British through school it is a popular choice, so families should apply well ahead of their preferred start date and confirm current requirements and any waiting lists with admissions.

Relocating families should ask directly about entry points at each stage, the assessment process, and the availability of places in the year group they need. Confirming these details early helps parents judge whether the school fits their child's stage and their budget.

Location and who goes there

GEMS Cambridge International School Abu Dhabi sits in Baniyas East, an established residential district on the mainland, near communities such as Mohammed Bin Zayed City and Shakhbout City. That location suits families living across the southern mainland suburbs, and school transport extends the reach further, so parents should map the daily commute and check the available bus routes before they apply.

The community is a large, diverse international mix drawn by the affordable Cambridge route and the convenient mainland location. Many families comparing this school also look at the other British schools in the emirate, so our Abu Dhabi city guide shows how the options line up on curriculum, stage and fee band.

Reviews

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Frequently asked questions