United Arab Emirates, Dubai
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Raffles International School is a British curriculum school in Umm Suqeim, Dubai, serving around 1,340 students from almost 100 nationalities. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.6:1, the school delivers IGCSEs, A-Levels and BTEC pathways from FS1 to Year 13. It achieves 42% of GCSE grades at A or above and 100% university acceptance for Year 13 students. The 315,000 sq ft campus overlooks the Burj Al Arab.
Al Baghla Street, Umm Suqeim Third, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Raffles International School has 1,340 pupils, typical class sizes of 12, instruction in English.
Raffles International School is located in Dubai, in the Umm Suqeim 3 district opposite the Burj Al Arab on Al Baghla Street. The campus sits in a residential, coastal area near the beach with direct road access via Umm Suqeim Road. The area is served by private transport and taxi services, facilitating access from central Dubai.
The school runs Nursery through Year 13. The early years follow an EYFS pathway, while the Primary and Secondary curricula align with the English National Curriculum, leading to GCSE/IGCSE options, and the Sixth Form (Years 12–13) offers A-Level or BTEC pathways.
The school is co-educational. It operates as a day school.
RIS represents students from more than 80 nationalities. The most common nationalities and the local-to-international pupil ratio are not publicly disclosed.
RIS provides English as a Second Language support and is described as fully inclusive, with provisions to accommodate different learning needs and styles.
The curriculum follows the English National Curriculum and UAE MOE Arabic and Islamic Education; RIS is accredited by UK bodies including the British Schools Overseas (BSO) and British Schools in the Middle East (BSME).
There is no explicit religious affiliation. UAE Arabic and Islamic Education are included as part of the UAE curriculum requirements, not as a school denomination.
School timings are 7:30 am to 3:00 pm from Monday to Thursday, and 7:30 am to 12:00 pm on Fridays.
A bus service is provided by Arab Falcon Bus Rental LLC. Buses are equipped with seat belts, and safety procedures are followed for the collection and delivery of students to and from RIS.
Annual tuition at Raffles International School ranges from AED 34,055 to AED 86,815 for 2026/27.
Raffles International School teaches British Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.
Raffles International School Dubai follows the National Curriculum for England across all year groups, with Early Years (Nursery, FS1 and FS2) taught under the UK EYFS framework. The Primary years (Years 1–6) use the England NC, supplemented by the UAE Ministry of Education for Arabic and Islamic Education; from Year 3 Mandarin or French are available, Arabic is mandatory from Foundation, and EAL support starts from Year 1. In Secondary (Years 7–11), students continue the England NC at KS3 leading to GCSE/IGCSE options, with English, Mathematics and Science compulsory and Arabic required for Arab students; a wide range of electives is offered, including Art & Design, Business Studies, Computer Science, Economics, French, ICT, Mandarin, Music, PE, Spanish and various BTEC Level 2 subjects. Sixth Form (Years 12–13) provides 3–4 A Levels or a single BTEC Level 3 option, both over two years, with the possibility to take the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). The GCSE/IGCSE approach emphasises learner-centred, enquiry-based learning to prepare students for higher education and international opportunities.
RIS Dubai admissions intake is primarily in September, but spaces may be available throughout the year depending on capacity. To begin the process, complete the Online Application Form. An assessment/interview for FS1 to Year 13 is conducted 9:00 am to 11:00 am, Monday to Thursday, by appointment only. There is a non-refundable AED 525 assessment fee payable on the day of the assessment. After the assessment, a senior academic team member reviews the results and prior school reports; a formal offer letter is issued within 2 working days and is valid for five days from receipt. If no place is available at the time of application, the child is placed on a waiting list and notified when a place becomes available. The Admissions Office is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm on site.
The ACES Scholarship Programme provides merit-based scholarships across three categories: Sports, Academic and Co-curricular, and Emirati Distinction. It is open to students from Year 5 to Year 13 for the next academic year and is awarded as a percentage of KHDA approved annual school fees, up to 20%. The closing date for applications is July 1 each year, and successful applicants are informed at the start of term one of the following academic year. The scholarship may include tailored internships, targeted academic mentorship, personalized performance pathways, and student leadership opportunities.
If there are no places available, the student is placed on a waiting list and notified when a place becomes available.
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