Home Schooling Curriculum in the UAE: British, American or IB?

By Alfred Ouko, Founder · November 2026 · 7 min read · First published

The curriculum is the most important choice a UAE homeschooling family makes, because it decides which exams your child sits, which schools they can move back into, and how the Ministry of Education reads their certificates. Most families choose between three routes: British, American and IB. This guide compares them for families in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates.

Smartious for families in Dubai and the UAE

The British route: Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel

The most common choice in the UAE, because it matches the large number of British schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Children move through Primary and Lower Secondary to IGCSE at around 16 and AS and A-Level at 17 and 18. IGCSE and A-Level exams are sat as a private candidate at authorised centres such as the British Council in the UAE, and the certificates are the same as a school candidate's. For Grade 12 equivalency, the Ministry of Education's guide has asked for five IGCSE or GCSE passes and two AS Levels or one A-Level, not counting Arabic and Islamic Education.

The American route: K-12 with AP

The American curriculum runs from Kindergarten to Grade 12, with Advanced Placement (AP) courses in the later years. It suits families coming from an American school in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, and students aiming for US universities. AP exams are sat at authorised schools and test centres. Equivalency for an American high school diploma follows its own Ministry rules, so check the current requirements early.

The IB route

The IB Diploma suits families on diplomatic or corporate rotation who may move to an IB school in another country, and students who want breadth across six subjects plus the Extended Essay. It is demanding to deliver at home, so most families take it through a school or an online provider rather than teaching it themselves.

Arabic and Islamic Education

UAE schools teach Arabic, and Islamic Education for Muslim students, and some families want to keep both going at home, especially if a return to a UAE school is likely. Ask the school you may join what it will expect, because requirements differ by nationality and grade.

How to choose

Start from where your child is going next. If they may return to a British school in the UAE, stay British. If they are aiming for US universities, the American route with AP is the direct one. If the family moves every few years, choose the curriculum most widely taught in the places you are likely to live. And if you are not sure, choose the route that keeps the most doors open: for most UAE expatriate families, that is Cambridge or Pearson Edexcel through IGCSE and A-Level.

Teaching it, or having it taught

A curriculum is a plan; somebody still has to teach it. Parents can teach Primary themselves with good materials, but IGCSE and A-Level sciences, mathematics and languages need specialist teachers. That is where an online school comes in: Smartious teaches the British and American curricula live on UAE time, with fees from USD 423 a month for Primary (about AED 1,553), varying by curriculum and level.

Smartious in the UAE

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Choose the curriculum for where your child is going next, then plan the exams around it. Book an assessment and we will recommend the route that fits.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best home schooling curriculum in the UAE?

For most expatriate families, the British route (Cambridge or Pearson Edexcel through IGCSE and A-Level), because it matches UAE British schools and leads to Ministry equivalency. The American curriculum with AP suits families aiming for US universities.

Can a homeschooled child in the UAE get Grade 12 equivalency?

Yes, through their exam certificates. For the British route, the Ministry's guide has asked for five IGCSE or GCSE passes and two AS or one A-Level, not counting Arabic and Islamic Education. Check the current guide on moe.gov.ae.

Do homeschoolers in the UAE need to study Arabic?

It depends on nationality, grade and whether your child will return to a UAE school. Ask the school you may join, and the Ministry of Education, what will be required.

Next steps

What parents say

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