Dubai’s 2025 Education Boom: New Schools, Global Universities, and 11,700+ Seats Added

KHDA Drives Strategic Growth: Six New Schools and Three Universities to Open in Dubai

Dubai has announced a major expansion in its private education sector, reinforcing its reputation as a global centre for high-quality learning. The initiative, spearheaded by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), will see 25 new educational institutions commence operations in the 2025–26 academic year, collectively offering over 14,000 additional seats for children and young adults. This strategic move has been positioned as a response to the emirate’s growing population and evolving educational needs.

KHDA, which has served as Dubai’s official regulatory body for private education since 2006, has played a pivotal role in shaping the emirate’s learning landscape. Through a comprehensive framework of licensing, inspection, and institutional support, it has consistently ensured that educational providers uphold rigorous standards in teaching, well-being, and governance, while also fostering innovation and inclusivity. Among its key initiatives are school inspection reports, curriculum guidance, and digital parent contracts, tools designed to empower families, educators, and investors in co-creating a globally competitive education ecosystem. The announcement, made on 24 August ahead of the new academic year, confirmed that the expansion would include 16 early childhood centres, six schools, and three universities. This development has been interpreted as a clear reflection of Dubai’s sustained commitment to educational excellence and accessibility.

Authorities have indicated that the expansion aligns closely with the emirate’s long-term social and economic goals under the Education 33 Strategy (E33). Launched by Dubai’s Crown Prince and led by KHDA, E33 is a ten-year plan aimed at transforming education across all levels, from early childhood to higher education. The strategy shifts the focus from institutions to learners, intending to deliver inclusive, high-quality, and future-ready education that empowers Emiratis and supports Dubai’s global ambitions. E33 also seeks to expand access to affordable schooling, strengthen lifelong learning, and embed innovation, wellbeing, and future skills into the education system. It has been positioned as a key pillar of both the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Social Agenda 33. By 2033, the strategy aims to achieve 90% parental satisfaction, create 49,000 new affordable school seats, recruit 3,000 Emirati teachers, increase education tourism tenfold, and establish global universities within Dubai.

KHDA has confirmed that the new institutions will collectively add over 11,700 school seats, while nurseries will accommodate more than 2,400 children. Most nurseries are expected to adopt the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, while others offer models such as Montessori, Creative Curriculum, and Maple Bear. This pedagogical diversity is intended to provide parents with a broader spectrum of early childhood philosophies, ranging from play-based learning and inquiry-led approaches to bilingual immersion and structured developmental frameworks. A comparative guide to these models has been made available on KHDA’s digital platforms to support informed parental decision-making. For school-aged learners, KHDA has highlighted the opening of five UK curriculum schools and one French curriculum school. These include GEMS School of Research and Innovation in Sports City, Dubai British School Mira, Victory Heights Primary School in the City of Arabia, and Lycée Français International School in Mudon.

These additions are seen as part of Dubai’s commitment to curriculum diversity and international standards, offering families access to globally recognised education pathways. Both the UK and French curricula are noted for their academic rigour, progression routes to top universities, and multilingual competencies. From an infrastructure perspective, the development of 25 new institutions is expected to require substantial investment in construction, procurement, and community planning. This presents opportunities for contractors, suppliers, and service providers, particularly in educational architecture, ICT integration, and sustainable design. Dubai’s higher education sector is also set to expand, with several leading international institutions establishing a presence in the city. Officials have confirmed that the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), ranked 27th globally in business and management studies, will open a campus in Dubai.

The American University of Beirut (AUB), placed 237th worldwide, and Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences from Saudi Arabia are also expected to join the emirate’s academic landscape. These institutions are anticipated to enhance Dubai’s global academic standing, attract regional and international students, and foster research-industry linkages across sectors such as healthcare, business, and public policy. Their presence further supports Dubai’s ambition to become a regional hub for student mobility and transnational education.

Commenting on the development, KHDA’s Director General, Aisha Miran, stated that Dubai’s private education sector continues to grow in terms of scale, quality, and diversity. She noted that the expansion reflects strong investor confidence and aligns with the goals of the E33 Strategy. By welcoming trusted operators across more communities, Dubai is said to be creating fresh opportunities for learners to succeed while supporting its broader socio-economic vision.

With this expansion, Dubai now hosts 331 early childhood centres, 233 schools, and 44 higher education institutions. Parents have been informed that a complete list of private education options, including curriculum details, fee structures, and inspection ratings, is accessible via the KHDA website and mobile application. To further support families navigating these choices, KHDA has introduced enhanced digital tools, including curriculum comparison tables, admissions calendars, and location-based search filters. These resources are designed to improve transparency, accessibility, and parental engagement throughout the education lifecycle. This strategic expansion underscores Dubai’s unwavering commitment to educational innovation, inclusivity, and global competitiveness.

Editor’s Note

Dubai’s latest expansion in private education reflects both ambition and foresight, firmly reinforcing its global reputation as a centre for high-quality learning. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced the opening of 25 new educational institutions in the 2025–26 academic year, bringing more than 14,000 additional seats for learners across all stages. This initiative not only responds to the emirate’s growing population and evolving needs but also advances the broader objectives of the Education 33 Strategy (E33), Dubai’s ten-year roadmap to transform education. The expansion is comprehensive in scope. It includes 16 early childhood centres, six schools, and three universities, thereby strengthening the city’s educational infrastructure from foundation years to higher education. Parents will benefit from diverse options, ranging from nurseries adopting EYFS, Montessori, Creative Curriculum, and Maple Bear models to new schools offering UK and French curricula. Such variety reflects Dubai’s continued commitment to curriculum diversity, academic excellence, and globally recognised pathways for progression. Equally significant is the entry of prestigious higher education institutions such as the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, the American University of Beirut, and Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences. Their arrival is expected to elevate Dubai’s academic standing, foster innovation, and attract international talent, while reinforcing its role as a hub for research and student mobility in the region. KHDA has underscored that this growth aligns directly with Dubai’s long-term socio-economic goals, integrating education with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Social Agenda 33. The emphasis on accessibility, innovation, and inclusivity, through digital tools, curriculum comparisons, and transparent inspection frameworks, further ensures that families are empowered to make informed choices.

Skoobuzz underlines that this expansion demonstrates more than the creation of new institutions; it signals Dubai’s resolve to provide high-quality, future-ready education for every learner, while strengthening its position as a global benchmark for innovation and inclusivity in the education sector.