British, American or IB: choosing a curriculum in Dubai
The three most popular curricula in Dubai side by side: what each is built for, how pupils are assessed, how long the early years last, which diploma comes out at the end and who each one suits.
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Three curricula compared: British, American and IB
Every line in a Dubai school ranking names a curriculum — the programme the school teaches. Of the city’s seventeen, three are the most popular: British, American and international (IB). Choosing between them is the main decision a family makes before choosing a particular school, because switching from one system to another in the upper years is difficult.
In a nutshell
- British — built around strong academic knowledge and measurable results.
- American — built around soft skills: teamwork, self-presentation, creative freedom.
- IB — tries to combine the two: high academic demands plus communication, languages and independence.
The British curriculum
It rests on continuous assessment: children regularly sit national tests in maths and English — reading, spelling, grammar and punctuation. The system’s aim is to find a child’s strengths and get the best possible result from them. In the upper years a pupil chooses four subjects to study in depth and sit exams in, and leaves with A-levels.
Who it suits: a child with no particular pull towards foreign languages (the second language here is more of an introduction), a child with a clear bent for the sciences or the humanities, and a family on a tighter budget — a good British school is usually cheaper than a good IB school, because the programme needs fewer staff and less development. More in British schools in Dubai.
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The American curriculum
The core subjects are English, public speaking, maths, history and geography, surrounded by a great deal of extracurricular activity. The main aim is to uncover a child’s talents, develop communication and give creative freedom. Of the three systems it is considered the most relaxed: knowledge matters, but it is not pushed as hard as in the British system. Pupils leave with an American High School Diploma; some schools let them take the IB Diploma for the final two years. More in American schools in Dubai.
IB — the International Baccalaureate
The system was created in Geneva in 1968 to bring schools around the world onto a single programme and make entry to international universities easier. Its idea is “glocal”: respect for every culture while keeping your own. The aim is international-mindedness, breadth of outlook, creativity and tolerance. Knowledge is assessed not only through tests but through individual and group projects, essays and presentations. More in IB schools in Dubai.
Side by side
| British | American | IB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | academic knowledge | soft skills, talents | knowledge + skills |
| Early years | 2 years (FS1, FS2) | 3 years (Pre-KG, KG1, KG2) | 3 years (Pre-KG, KG1, KG2) |
| How pupils are assessed | tests and exams | tests | projects, essays, exams |
| Second foreign language | introductory | depends on the school | to working level |
| Leaving diploma | A-level | High School Diploma | IB Diploma |
| Cost | usually below IB | depends on the school | usually higher |
Hybrids
The boundaries between the systems are blurred. Many British schools offer a choice between A-levels and the IB Diploma for the final two years — which is why Nord Anglia and JESS, for example, appear in world rankings of IB schools while remaining British. Some British schools, such as Hartland, borrow the IB’s project-based approach. Dwight describes itself as an IB school with an American accent, and the Australian AIS is in essence close to the IB.
The biggest practical difference shows in the final years. How the IB Diploma compares with A-levels for university entry is the subject of a separate guide, IB Diploma vs A-levels.
The full “Schools in Dubai” series
- Schools in Dubai: how the system works
- KHDA school ratings in Dubai: how to read them
- Getting into a Dubai school: the five steps
- School documents in the UAE: attestation and the transfer certificate
- Dubai school fees and how to pay less
- The school day in Dubai and the costs on top of fees
- The Dubai school year, holidays and starting age
- IB Diploma vs A-levels: what each gives a school leaver
- British schools in Dubai: twelve strong options
- American schools in Dubai
- IB schools in Dubai: seven international-curriculum schools
- Dubai school entrance assessments and the CAT4 test
- The Dubai school tour: what to ask and what to watch for
- A child with no English at a Dubai school
- School first, home second: where to live near a Dubai school
The essentials
The most common questions on the subject, answered briefly. Figures come with the period they refer to — rates, visa thresholds and yields do not stand still.
How does the British curriculum differ from the American one?
The British curriculum is geared to academic knowledge and regular testing and leads to A-levels. The American one is geared to soft skills and talents, is considered more relaxed and leads to a High School Diploma.
What is the IB?
The International Baccalaureate, a programme created in Geneva in 1968. It combines high academic demands with project work, languages and independence, and leads to the IB Diploma.
What does “British/IB” mean in a school’s description?
The curriculum is British, but for the final two years pupils can choose the IB Diploma instead of A-levels.
How long are the early years?
Two years at a British school (FS1, FS2); three at American and IB schools (Pre-KG, KG1, KG2).
Which curriculum is the most popular in Dubai?
The British curriculum — about 65% of the private-school market.
This material is provided for information purposes and does not constitute individual investment advice. Property returns depend on many factors and are not guaranteed.