Dubai’s private education sector is entering another phase of expansion, with 26 new institutions set to open in 2026-27, adding 16,846 school places and more than 1,700 early childhood places. The expansion comes as the sector records 4.6% annual growth and its private education workforce has grown 17.5% over the past three academic years.
- Dubai’s private education expansion
- Capacity expansion comes alongside workforce growth
- Three-year expansion across Dubai’s education market
- International institutions deepen Dubai’s education offering
- UK and IB curricula drive new school capacity
- Education expansion supports Dubai’s Education 33 strategy
Dubai is set for another expansion of its private education sector in the 2026-27 academic year, with 26 new institutions planned across early childhood education, schools and higher education.
The new institutions include 17 early childhood centres (ECCs), seven private schools and two international higher education institutions. Together, the new schools will add 16,846 places, while the ECCs will create more than 1,700 additional places.
The numbers point to a continued expansion in both the capacity and scale of Dubai’s private education market. Across early childhood education, schools and higher education, the sector recorded 4.6% annual growth over the past three academic years.
Dubai’s private education expansion
| Key indicator | Latest figure |
|---|---|
| New private education institutions in 2026-27 | 26 |
| New private schools | 7 |
| New school places | 16,846 |
| New early childhood centres | 17 |
| New ECC places | 1,700+ |
| New higher education institutions | 2 |
| Private education sector annual growth | 4.6% |
| Teacher workforce growth over three years | 17.5% |
Capacity expansion comes alongside workforce growth
The expansion is not limited to physical education capacity.
The number of teachers working in Dubai’s private education sector has increased by 17.5% over the past three academic years, providing a workforce dimension to the sector’s growth.
For the education market, the simultaneous increase in institutions, student capacity and teaching professionals provides a broader picture of the sector’s expansion.
The latest openings also build on a three-year growth trajectory.
Dubai’s private school sector added 21 schools over the past three years, while enrolment increased by 3.1%. During the same period, 87 new early childhood centres opened, with enrolment growing by 2.6%.
The higher education segment has expanded even faster, with 11 new institutions opening over the past three years and enrolment increasing by 29%.
Three-year expansion across Dubai’s education market
| Education segment | New institutions in three years | Enrolment growth |
|---|---|---|
| Private schools | 21 | 3.1% |
| Early childhood centres | 87 | 2.6% |
| Higher education | 11 | 29% |
International institutions deepen Dubai’s education offering
The latest expansion also has an international dimension, with two higher education institutions set to establish or expand their presence in Dubai.
The American University of Beirut’s Dubai campus is scheduled to open in September 2026.
Meanwhile, Peking University HSBC Business School will launch MBA and EMBA programmes in Dubai in January 2027. The institution is ranked 47th globally in QS rankings, according to the source.
The arrival of the two institutions adds to Dubai’s growing international higher education presence, following the opening of 11 new higher education institutions over the past three years.
UK and IB curricula drive new school capacity
The seven new private schools will further diversify Dubai’s school offering. Four will offer the UK curriculum, while three will offer the International Baccalaureate.
The new openings include Dubai campuses of British schools such as Harrow International School Dubai, Queen Elizabeth’s School Dubai Sports City and Rugby School Dubai.
Meanwhile, the 17 new ECCs will offer a range of curricula, including the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage, Montessori, Ontario, French and Indian programmes.
This gives families additional options across both school and early childhood education as Dubai continues to expand its private education ecosystem.
Education expansion supports Dubai’s Education 33 strategy
The latest pipeline of institutions is aligned with the Education 33 Strategy, which aims to widen choice, attract international institutions and equip learners with the knowledge, skills and values required for the future.
Aisha Miran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), said the continued growth of Dubai’s private education sector reflects the confidence of learners, families, educators and investors in the emirate as a destination for high-quality education.
The expansion comes against a broader backdrop of growth across Dubai’s education market: 26 new institutions in the coming academic year, 16,846 additional school places, a 17.5% increase in the teaching workforce over three years and a 4.6% annual growth rate across the private education sector.
Taken together, the figures show an education market expanding across capacity, workforce, institutional choice and international participation, rather than through new school openings alone.
