Cities / Dubai / Arab Unity School
Arab Unity School
A long-established British curriculum school in Al Mizhar, founded by the Al Taher family in 1975, that has held a clear value-for-money position in Dubai for almost fifty years.
In brief
A long-established British curriculum school in Al Mizhar, founded by the Al Taher family in 1975, that has held a clear value-for-money position in Dubai for almost fifty years.
AUS teaches over 3,500 students from FS2 to Year 13 on the English National Curriculum, with Cambridge IGCSE and A Levels. Annual fees run from roughly AED 6,500 to AED 10,800, putting it among the most affordable full British schools in the city. The current KHDA rating is Acceptable, with stronger sub-ratings in secondary and post-16 maths and science and an Outstanding for personal development at post-16.
Families describe a warm, multinational community of more than 40 nationalities and stable leadership under Arwa A. Taher. A-Level outcomes have improved and graduates head to UK, Canadian and Australian universities. Teacher turnover has been reported around 21 percent, which reflects the budget tier. The school is a sensible choice for parents who want a settled British pathway without premium-tier fees, rather than a top-of-the-rankings flagship.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FS2 | 4 | AED 8,462 |
| Year 1 | 5 | AED 9,220 |
| Year 2 | 6 | AED 9,713 |
| Year 3 | 7 | AED 10,047 |
| Year 4 | 8 | AED 10,485 |
| Year 5 | 9 | AED 10,851 |
| Year 6 | 10 | AED 10,864 |
| Year 7 | 11 | AED 11,206 |
| Year 8 | 12 | AED 11,809 |
| Year 9 | 13 | AED 12,558 |
| Year 10 | 14 | AED 13,122 |
| Year 11 | 15 | AED 12,066 |
| Year 12 | 16 | AED 12,810 |
| Year 13 | 17 | AED 12,308 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Registration | AED 50 | |
| Registration (new students) | AED 300 |
Reviews
- Fee level is the throughline. Parents consistently flag the school as one of the most affordable British-curriculum options in Dubai, located in Al Mizhar near Mirdif and Rashidiya.
- Current students describe the school in everyday terms, with several saying they attend or know the school well. Accounts read as neutral-to-positive on day-to-day experience.
- KHDA has rated the school Acceptable for thirteen consecutive inspection cycles since 2009. Parent surveys filed alongside the inspection were thin in volume and middling in score, with strengths in safeguarding and Post-16 curriculum design and weaker results in Foundation Stage and Primary teaching.
- Staff turnover sits around 21% by recent inspection data, described as stabilised under newer leadership but high enough that parents notice it.
- Facilities and large class sizes draw repeated comment. The school does not compete on facilities with Dubai's premium tier and parents who choose it appear to do so on price and continuity rather than amenities.
Positives
- Affordability. Repeatedly cited as one of Dubai's cheaper British-curriculum schools; main reason parents choose it.
- Safeguarding and Post-16. Very Good for safeguarding across phases and for Post-16 curriculum design.
Considerations
- KHDA rating stagnation. Acceptable for thirteen consecutive inspection cycles, with weak primary teaching.
- Staff turnover. Around 21% turnover at the most recent inspection, described as stabilising.
- Facilities and class sizes. Older facilities and large classes flagged as the trade-off for the low fee.
- Student community. Current students on UAETeenagers describe the school in matter-of-fact, generally positive terms.