Dubai is set for a major expansion in private education, with 26 new institutions expected to open during the 2026-27 academic year.
The expansion will include seven schools, 17 early childhood centres (ECCs) and two higher education institutions. Together, the new schools will create 16,846 additional student places across the emirate.
The move will give families more education choices. It will also support Dubai’s wider ambition to become a leading global education hub.
Seven new Dubai schools to add 16,846 places
Seven private schools will open in Dubai during the 2026-27 academic year.
Four of the new schools will follow the UK curriculum. The other three will offer the International Baccalaureate (IB).
The new openings include campuses of established British institutions. These are Harrow International School Dubai, Queen Elizabeth’s School Dubai Sports City and Rugby School Dubai.
The expansion comes after strong growth in Dubai’s private school sector.
Over the past three years, 21 new schools have opened in the emirate. At the same time, private school enrolment has risen by 3.1%.
Dubai to expand early childhood education
Dubai will also add 17 new early childhood centres, creating more than 1,700 additional places.
The centres will offer several international curricula. These include the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Montessori, Ontario, French and Indian curricula.
This growth will give families more options for early learning. It will also increase access to education closer to where families live.
Over the past three years, Dubai has opened 87 new early childhood centres. Enrolment in the sector has grown by 2.6% during the same period.
Education sector attracts more teachers
The expansion is also supporting workforce growth across Dubai’s private education sector.
The number of teachers working in the sector has increased by 17.5% over the past three academic years.
The rise reflects continued investment by education providers. It also points to growing demand for teaching and education professionals as more institutions open.
Private education across early childhood, schools and higher education has recorded 4.6% annual growth over the past three academic years.
American University of Beirut and Peking University expand in Dubai
Dubai’s higher education sector will also welcome two internationally recognised institutions.
The American University of Beirut is scheduled to open its Dubai campus in September 2026.
Meanwhile, Peking University HSBC Business School will launch its MBA and EMBA programmes in January 2027.
The business school is ranked 47th globally in the QS rankings, according to the announcement.
The new institutions will further strengthen Dubai’s higher education and research ecosystem.
In the past three years, 11 new higher education institutions have opened in the emirate. Enrolment has also increased by 29% during that period.
Education 33 Strategy drives expansion
The latest expansion forms part of Dubai’s Education 33 Strategy.
The strategy aims to increase access to high-quality education. It also seeks to attract international institutions and develop talent for the future.
Aisha Miran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), said the continued growth reflects the confidence of learners, families, educators and investors in Dubai’s education sector.
“Every new early childhood centre, school and higher education institution expands opportunities for learners at every stage of their educational journey.”
Miran also said the Education 33 Strategy will help create an education ecosystem with greater choice and stronger access to world-class institutions.
The expansion supports Dubai’s wider economic and social priorities under the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.
What the expansion means for Dubai’s education sector
The arrival of 26 new institutions will increase education capacity across multiple levels. For families, it means more choices in schools and early learning. For education professionals, it could also create further demand for teachers and other skilled roles.
Meanwhile, the arrival of global universities will broaden Dubai’s higher education offering. It will also strengthen the emirate’s position as an international destination for students, educators and investors.
With continued growth in enrolment and new institutions, Dubai’s private education sector is expected to remain an important part of the emirate’s economic and workforce development agenda.
