Curriculum Differences in UAE & Indian Schools: A Parent’s Guide

Category: Global Topics

Compare CBSE, ICSE, IB, British & UAE curriculums to make the right choice.

The choice of curriculum is a major decision for many Indians who have moved to the UAE. They can choose to stick with the familiar CBSE or ICSE Indian syllabus, explore the IB or British curriculum or the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) curriculum. The choice impacts not just a child's daily learning experience, but also future higher education opportunities--whether in India, the UAE, or abroad.

Understanding Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah is essential, especially in cities such as UAE vs Indian school curriculum, which host hundreds of Indian schools. The guide provides parents with a detailed breakdown of curriculum differences in UAE and Indian schools. It also includes admission tips and helps them compare schools.

Understanding Curriculum in UAE

Over 3.5 million Indian expatriates in the UAE, which is one of India's largest Indian populations outside India. This demand led to the creation of a variety of Indian curriculum schools in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates.

These common worries are often shared by parents:

• Can my child adapt to India if I return?
• Is the UAE education system able to prepare students for exams such as JEE and NEET?
• What is the difference between CBSE vs IB curriculum in UAE?
• The academic year for UAE is the same as that of India.

To answer these questions, you must understand the difference between Indian and UAE education, including academic structure, subject choice, grading system, language requirements and curricular choices.

Popular Curriculums for Indian Families living in UAE

1. CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education),

• Origin: India's national curriculum.
• Style of Teaching: Focus on Science, Mathematics, theorems, and preparation for board exams.
• Why Popular In UAE : Consistency for Students Moving Between India And UAE is recognized in Indian Competitive Exams.
• Example in UAE
  • Indian High School in Dubai
  • Delhi private school, Sharjah

2. ICSE is the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education

• Source: Indian Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations.
• Style of Teaching: Focus on language, arts and sciences, with a balanced focus. Promotes analytical skills.
• Example in UAE
  • GEMS Academy in Dubai Offers ICSE & iB, Fees AED 28,646 - AED 52,427, KHDA rating: Outstanding

3. IB (International Baccalaureate).

• Source: Switzerland. Adopted globally.
• Teaching style: concept-based learning and independent research.
• Why Indian parents choose it: Perfect for students aiming to attend universities in the US, UK, Canada or Australia.

4. UAE Ministry of Education Curriculum

• Origin : Curriculum set up by the UAE Government.
• Subjects include Arabic and Islamic Studies.
• What is a strong integration of UAE culture? It's good for long-term residents in the UAE.

5. British Curriculum

• Origin is a UK IGCSE/A-levels.

• Importance for Indians: Subject selection is flexible and widely accepted for university admissions around the world.

   

UAE vs Indian Curriculum: Quick Comparison

Differences between the Key Curriculum in detail

1. The Language requirements

• Indian Curriculum in UAE Schools still requires Arabic up to grade 8.
• Students of Islamic faith are required to study Arabic in the UAE Ministry of Education and Islamic Studies .

2. Teaching Methodology

• CBSE & ICSE : Exam-focused and structured with a solid academic base.
• IB : Encourages inquiry-based research, presentations and presentations.
• UAE National Curriculum: Combining local heritage and modern subjects

3. Subject Availability

• CBSE: Limited elective flexibility, strong Science/Commerce/Arts streams.
• The ICSE now offers more subjects related to arts and humanities.
• The IB offers a wide range of options.

4. Assessing Styles

• In India, the emphasis is on summative tests.

• IB and UAE National Systems focus on continual assessment.

   

Academic Years, Exams and Grading

Differences in Academic Years

• India: April-March
• UAE CBSE Schools April to March (with some holiday adjustments)
• UAE National curriculum schools: September-June
• IB schools: September-June

Exam Systems

• CBSE/ICSE : mid-term exams, final board examinations, and pre-board examinations.
• The IB is a combination of internal assessments and external moderators.
• UAE MOE: continuous assessment and final evaluations at the end of each year.

Grading System

• CBSE: Percentage-based (e.g., 90%+)
• ICSE: Marks + grades (A, B, C)
• UAE MoE: scale A-E

• IB: 1-7 points per subject

   

Pros and Cons of Indian students in UAE

CBSE

1. Most schools offer affordable fees
2. Global perspective is less important

ICSE

1. Strong humanities and language education
2. A balanced academic schedule and extra-curricular activities
3. Fewer ICSE Schools in UAE

IB

1. Promotes independent learning
2. Increased fees

UAE MoE Curriculum

1. Strong cultural integration
2. Ideal for long-term families
3. Limitation of relevance to Indian competitive exams

City-Wise Examples of Indian Curriculum Schools the UAE

Dubai

• Indian High School, CBSE (AED 552 - AED 10 465) and KHDA ("Very Good")
• GEMS Modern Academy - ICSE & IB - AED 28,646 - AED 52,427 KHDA Outstanding

Abu Dhabi

• Abu Dhabi Indian school – CBSE (AED 5,200 - AED 10,200), ADEK “Very good”
• Sunrise English Private School - CBSE, AED 7,500-AED 13,000, ADEK "Good"

Sharjah

• Our own English high school, CBSE, AED 6,00-AED 12,00, SPEA "Very good"

• Sharjah Indian School - CBSE, AED 4,200-AED 8,000, SPEA "Good"

   

How to Choose the Right Curriculum 

• Identify higher education goals.
• Check KHDA, ADEK, or SPEA ratings.
• Budget and location are important factors.

• Ask about the teaching methods in schools.

   

Admission Tips for Indian Parents in UAE

• You can apply between January - February for April intake.
• Transfer certificates and marking sheets should be kept ready.
• Check with your school's registrar if there are any seats available for mid-year transfers.

Parents can refer to the UAE Ministry of Education official website for updated curriculum guidelines, school inspection reports, and admission regulations.

FAQs

What is the difference between Indian and UAE curriculum?
Indian Curriculum is India-centric and exam-focused, while UAE Curriculum integrates Arabic culture and continuous assessment.

Which is better for Indian students in UAE: CBSE or IB?
CBSE will be the most suitable for students returning to India. IB is for students aspiring to global universities.

Do UAE schools follow the CBSE syllabus?
Many Indian schools in the UAE adhere to CBSE and adapt it for local requirements.

How is the grading system different in UAE schools?
UAE Schools use letter grades, whereas CBSE schools use percentages.

Is the academic year in UAE the same as in India?
CBSE in UAE follows a similar calendar April-March; UAE MoE, IB Schools use September-June.

Conclusion

The choice between Indian and UAE curriculum is based on the learning style of your child, future plans for higher education, and long-term goals set by you and your family. The strengths of both systems are different, but what matters is that they fit your child.

Through Skoodos parents can compare and select the best schools from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. This will help them make an informed decision for their children's education.