Home Schooling in Abu Dhabi: ADEK, Curriculum, Fees and How to Start

By Alfred Ouko, Founder · November 2026 · 8 min read · First published

Home schooling in Abu Dhabi has grown with the capital itself. Families in Khalifa City, Al Reem, Yas, Saadiyat and Mohammed Bin Zayed City face long drives, waiting lists and premium fees, and many have moved to an online school that keeps their child on a British or American route. This guide explains what ADEK regulates, which families it suits, how exams and recognition work, and what to check before you start.

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What ADEK regulates

ADEK, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, licenses and inspects private schools in the emirate. It does not license online schools based outside the UAE, and it has not set out a registration route for expatriate families who home-school. That is why the qualification, not the provider, is what protects your child's options. Smartious does not claim ADEK approval. Check the current position with ADEK for your family before you start.

Expatriate and Emirati families

Expatriate families in Abu Dhabi commonly home-school through an international online programme, and press reports and official statements have said homeschooling is not prohibited for expatriates. Emirati families are subject to compulsory schooling rules, with Arabic, Islamic Education and social studies requirements, and should speak to ADEK or the Ministry of Education before choosing home schooling.

Choosing a curriculum

Most Abu Dhabi families choose the British route, Cambridge or Pearson Edexcel through IGCSE and A-Level, because it matches the British schools in the capital and leads to Ministry equivalency. Families aiming for American universities, or coming from an American school, choose the American curriculum with AP. The IB Diploma suits families on diplomatic or corporate rotation who may move to an IB school next.

Exams and equivalency

Students sit Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel exams as private candidates at authorised centres such as the British Council in the UAE, and receive the same certificates as school candidates. Entry deadlines fall months before each series, so plan the year around them. 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. Read the current guide on moe.gov.ae before subjects are chosen.

A school day without the commute

Live classes run on Gulf Standard Time, inside the normal UAE school day, in small groups with the same subject teachers all term. For a family in Khalifa City or on Yas Island, the drive to a school on the main island can take an hour each way at peak time; online, the school day starts at the desk at home, and the afternoon is free for sport, the beach or the club.

Fees

Smartious fees start from USD 423 a month for Primary, about AED 1,553 at the fixed dirham rate, payable termly, and vary by curriculum and level. Corporate education allowances often accept our termly invoices; check your employer's policy.

Moving back into an Abu Dhabi school

Schools decide admission and placement themselves and often run their own assessment. Keep reports, attendance records and exam certificates, ask the school you hope to join what it needs, and check whether your child will need equivalency for the grades studied online. We provide the reports, attendance records and transcripts schools ask for.

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Read next

Home schooling in Abu Dhabi works well for expatriate families who plan the route: curriculum, exams, and what the next school or university will ask for. Book an assessment and we will set it out for your child.

Frequently asked questions

Is home schooling allowed in Abu Dhabi?

Expatriate families commonly home-school with an international online programme, and homeschooling has been described as not prohibited for expatriates. ADEK regulates private schools, not online schools abroad. Emirati families should ask ADEK or the Ministry of Education first.

Does ADEK approve online schools?

ADEK licenses schools in Abu Dhabi. It does not license online schools based outside the UAE. Smartious does not claim ADEK approval.

Where do Abu Dhabi home-schooled students sit IGCSE exams?

As private candidates at authorised centres such as the British Council in the UAE. Entry deadlines fall months before each series.

How much does home schooling cost in Abu Dhabi?

Smartious starts from USD 423 a month for Primary (about AED 1,553), payable termly; fees vary by curriculum and level.

Next steps

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