New Dubai schools for 2026/27: Harrow, Rugby and Queen Elizabeth’s — seven schools, 16,846 places and what it means for districts
Dubai is opening 26 new private education institutions for the 2026/27 academic year, including seven schools with 16,846 places: four British-curriculum and three IB. Among them are campuses of Harrow, Rugby School and Queen Elizabeth’s School. Where they are, and why a school decides the district.
Dubai is opening 26 new private education institutions for the 2026/27 academic year. Seven of them are schools with 16,846 places: four follow the British curriculum and three the IB. The newcomers include Dubai campuses of Harrow, Rugby School and Queen Elizabeth’s School. The figures come from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
How many new schools are opening in Dubai in 2026/27?
Seven schools. In total, KHDA announced 26 new private institutions for the year:
| Type | Number | Places |
|---|---|---|
| Schools | 7 | 16,846 |
| Nurseries and early childhood centres | 17 | more than 1,700 |
| International university campuses | 2 | — |
Of the seven schools, four teach the British curriculum and three the International Baccalaureate (IB).
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Which British schools have opened in Dubai?
KHDA highlights three well-known names:
- Harrow International School Dubai — a campus of one of England’s oldest schools, on a plot along Hessa Street; it starts with the younger year groups and grows year by year;
- Rugby School Dubai — a campus of the 450-year-old school in Nad Al Sheba, on a site previously used by another British school;
- Queen Elizabeth’s School Dubai Sports City — a branch of the London grammar school in Dubai Sports City; unlike the original, it is co-educational and non-selective.
Why does a new school affect the choice of district?
Families with children pick the school first and the home second, close to it. A campus with a strong brand therefore supports rental and purchase demand in the communities around it. How to weigh this is set out in Dubai schools: KHDA ratings and choosing a district.
The three new campuses sit in different parts of the city, each with its own school belt:
- Nad Al Sheba — villas and townhouses in a green district next to Meydan; see the Nad Al Sheba page;
- Dubai Sports City — apartments and townhouses among sports academies; see Dubai Sports City: academies and schools as a rental anchor;
- Hessa Street — the road between JVC and Al Barsha South; see the JVC page.
Do the new schools have a KHDA rating?
No. A new school opens without a rating: inspectors usually assess it in its second or third year. Until then, parents judge it by brand, curriculum, teachers and how it fills its classes.
What else is opening besides schools?
Two universities. The American University of Beirut opens its Dubai campus in September 2026. Peking University HSBC Business School launches MBA and EMBA programmes in Dubai in January 2027.
How fast is Dubai’s private education growing?
According to KHDA, over the last three academic years Dubai added 21 private schools, 87 early childhood centres and 11 higher education institutions. Private school enrolment grew by 3.1%, university enrolment by 29% and the number of educators by 17.5%.
The growth sits within the Education 33 strategy, tied to Dubai’s D33 economic agenda: more choice for families and more strong international schools.
What does this mean for a property buyer?
Three practical takeaways:
- buying to live with children, check which schools families from that community actually use and the rush-hour drive;
- buying to let, look at nearby schools — families rent for years and move out less often;
- rely on schools that have opened, not announcements: campus opening dates depend on KHDA approval.
For a Russian curriculum, see Russian-curriculum schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Frequently asked questions
How many new schools are opening in Dubai in 2026?
Seven private schools with 16,846 places for the 2026/27 academic year. KHDA announced 26 new institutions in total, including 17 nurseries and two universities.
Where is Rugby School Dubai?
In Nad Al Sheba. The school took over a campus previously used by another British school.
Where is Queen Elizabeth’s School in Dubai?
In Dubai Sports City. The Dubai branch is co-educational and admits children without selection, unlike the London school.
Do the new schools have a KHDA rating?
Not yet. New schools are usually inspected in their second or third year.
How a school shapes prices and demand in a district — in Dubai schools and choosing a district.
Video on this topic
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