The Guide
Mon, 15 June 2026

Cities / Dubai / GEMS Cambridge International School - Dubai (CIS)

GEMS Cambridge International School - Dubai (CIS)

GEMS-run British-curriculum school in Al Twar, founded 1983, with around 2,800 pupils from Foundation Stage to Year 13.

GEMS Cambridge International School - Dubai (CIS) campus
GEMS Cambridge International School - Dubai (CIS), Al Twar. Photograph · School

Curriculum
British
Fees, annual
AED 24k–37k
Ages
4 to 18
Pupils
Est. 2,800
Founded
1983

The school serves Dubai's international community through the British curriculum system, which typically prepares students for IGCSE and A-Level qualifications. This positions it within the UAE's competitive international education sector alongside established institutions serving expatriate and local families seeking internationally recognized British qualifications.

Without detailed information about the school's campus location, facilities, student demographics, academic outcomes, or fee structure, families considering this institution would benefit from direct engagement with school administrators. The limited online presence suggests prospective parents should arrange campus visits and meetings to properly evaluate the school's educational approach, teaching quality, and suitability for their children's needs.

Strengths

  • British curriculum pathway leading to internationally recognized qualifications
  • Located in Dubai's established international education market
  • Serves diverse expatriate and local communities

Considerations

  • Limited public information available about facilities and programs
  • School details require direct contact for verification
  • Campus visits recommended to assess suitability

Annual fees

Year level Age Fee
FS 3 AED 23,795
Years 1-2 5 AED 27,041
Years 3-4 7 AED 28,122
Years 5-6 9 AED 29,204
Years 7-9 11 AED 32,448
Years 10-11 14 AED 34,612
Years 12-13 16 AED 36,775

One-time fees

Item Age Fee
Application Fee AED 525


  • KHDA has rated the school Good for thirteen consecutive years, with multiple Outstanding features and a Very Good rating for wellbeing in the 2023-24 inspection. Health, safety and child protection are flagged as strengths.
  • A parents survey records 4.sharply negative across roughly 230 to 240 parent responses, with 93 percent recommendation, 87 percent satisfied with academic performance and 88 percent who have never considered switching. All sit above UAE averages.
  • Inclusion is the strongest secondary theme. Provision for students of determination is rated Very Good, and parents single out the support culture and responsive leadership.
  • One alumna of fifteen years said it was an excellent school with great teachers and a record of strong results, citing an A* in CAIE Computer Science. Other ex-students and parents were more guarded; one student described complex study and one commenter alleged failures in AQA chemistry, biology and physics, though without supporting context.
  • Value sits at the heart of the positive case. Fees of around AED 23,800 to 36,800 are mid-market for a UK-curriculum Dubai school, and 74 percent of parents say fees represent good value.
  • Areas for development flagged by inspectors are challenge in Islamic Education and Arabic, and a stronger digital learning strategy.

Positives

  • Inspection record. Thirteen consecutive Good ratings; Very Good wellbeing and Outstanding features in 2023-24.
  • Parent satisfaction. 4.sharply negative across 230+ responses with 93 percent recommendation, all above UAE averages.
  • Inclusion and support. Very Good provision for students of determination; supportive teaching culture.
  • Value for fees. Mid-market fees considered good value by 74 percent of parents.

Considerations

  • Areas for development. Inspectors flag Islamic Education and Arabic challenge and the digital learning strategy.

Leadership

Stephen Brecken

Stephen Brecken has served as CEO & Principal of GEMS Cambridge International School – Dubai since summer 2022, after joining GEMS Education in 2017 and leading The Cambridge High School – Abu Dhabi as Principal.

Accreditations

  • Council of International Schools 01

  • A* / A at A Level 2024 52%

Al Twar 1, near Al Twar Library, Dubai , United Arab Emirates

School website