New research from Bonas MacFarlane and the Independent Schools Show reveals rising interest in British boarding schools, as families across the UAE reassess their children’s educational futures.
Enquiries from UAE-based families to leading British independent schools have increased by 15% compared with September 2025, according to a new survey conducted ahead of the Independent Schools Show’s return to Abu Dhabi and Dubai this November.
The research, which gathered insights from leading UK boarding schools, also found that school visits and assessments have risen by 12%, while the number of pupils from UAE-based families attending participating schools has increased by 16%.
Behind these figures lies a notable change in parental priorities.
While academic achievement and university preparation remain important, schools report that regional geopolitical uncertainty is prompting some families to reconsider the timing of their children’s move to the UK.
One school described parents as:
“Definitely bringing plans forward and wanting places ASAP. Parents stressed and quite hard work, as they are under pressure and needing to make fast decisions at short notice.”
The findings suggest that, for some families, British boarding is moving from a longer-term aspiration to a more immediate consideration.
Stability and pastoral care move up the agenda
The survey found that pastoral care and stability have become particularly important considerations for UAE-based parents this year.
As one school observed:
“Pastoral care and stability particularly important this year. Good academic standards always highly valued.”
British boarding schools have traditionally attracted international families through their academic reputation, extracurricular opportunities and established pathways to leading universities.
Increasingly, however, parents are also asking questions about the everyday experience of boarding: how children settle, the support available outside the classroom, the structure of weekends and the strength of the school community.
For families living thousands of miles away, confidence in a school’s pastoral provision can be just as important as its examination results.
Who is choosing British boarding?
The survey reveals that British boarding schools continue to attract a genuinely international mix of families living in the UAE.
British, North American, Chinese and Australian families were among the most commonly represented nationalities identified by participating schools.
The most popular entry points were 11+ and 13+, when children typically move into senior schools, although sixth-form entry at 16+ remains another important option.
Participating schools reported an average of approximately six to fifteen boarders from UAE-based families.
These findings reflect the increasingly international character of the UAE itself, where families often approach education as a journey spanning several countries.
For some, British boarding provides continuity with a familiar education system. For others, it offers an opportunity to develop independence, broaden friendships and prepare for university life abroad.
Dubai’s schools are stronger than ever. So why consider the UK?
The growing interest in British boarding comes against a backdrop of remarkable expansion in the UAE’s own education sector.
Dubai’s private-school population increased from approximately 287,000 pupils in 2021/22 to more than 387,000 in 2024/25, according to education-sector data.
The emirate now offers an extensive choice of international schools, including highly regarded British and International Baccalaureate institutions.
Indeed, the improving quality of local education means that many families no longer see British boarding as an automatic next step.
Instead, the decision is increasingly about what a particular school can offer an individual child.
The UK’s boarding schools can provide a distinctive combination of academic opportunity, sport, music, drama, independence and residential community life.
For some children, that environment can be transformative. For others, remaining at an excellent school in Dubai or Abu Dhabi may be the better decision.
The challenge for parents is understanding the differences.
What does the university data tell us?
Research by Independent Schools Show Insights offers another perspective on the educational choices facing UAE families.
In the 2024 admissions cycle, 14 students domiciled in the UAE were accepted by Oxford and Cambridge combined.
Oxford accepted seven UAE-domiciled applicants, while Cambridge accepted a further seven.
The figures also highlight an important distinction between nationality and residence. Oxford’s published data records just one acceptance of a UAE national across the four admissions cycles from 2021 to 2024.
Cambridge does not publish equivalent nationality figures in the dataset examined.
International Baccalaureate results provide a different perspective.
Across the six years from 2020 to 2025, UAE schools appeared an average of 4.2 times annually in the global top 100 IB school rankings, compared with 22.2 appearances for UK schools.
In 2025, North London Collegiate School Dubai was the UAE’s sole representative in the top 100, ranking joint 48th globally.
These figures should be interpreted carefully. University admissions depend on many factors, including the number of applicants, their individual circumstances and the subjects they choose. IB league tables likewise represent only one measure of educational quality.
Nevertheless, they underline the importance of looking beyond a school’s reputation and examining its actual outcomes.
Parents should ask not simply where a school sends its highest-achieving pupils, but how effectively it supports children with different abilities, ambitions and interests.
Why choosing the right school matters more than ever
For families considering British boarding, the range of schools can be difficult to navigate.
The most academically selective schools are not necessarily the best fit for every child. Equally, a school with a less prominent international reputation may offer exceptional teaching, pastoral care and opportunities beyond the classroom.
Parents should consider the school’s academic approach, boarding arrangements, weekend activities, international community and the support offered to pupils joining from overseas.
Timing is also important.
Entry at 11+, 13+ and 16+ involves different admissions processes, and some schools require applications several years in advance.
However, places can sometimes become available outside the usual admissions timetable, particularly when families need to make decisions at shorter notice.
At Bonas MacFarlane, our education consultants work with families to identify schools that match each child’s abilities, personality and ambitions, helping parents navigate admissions, assessments and school visits.
With uncertainty encouraging some families to accelerate their plans, independent advice can be particularly valuable.
Meet British schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai this November
Families considering their options will have an opportunity to meet leading British independent schools when the Independent Schools Show returns to the UAE in November.
The events take place in:
Abu Dhabi — Thursday 19 November 2026
Africa Lounge, Al Maryah Island
Dubai — Saturday 21 November 2026
Sheraton Mall of the Emirates
The Independent Schools Show brings together schools, Headteachers and education specialists, giving parents the opportunity to explore British education, compare different schools and ask questions directly.
Whether a family is considering boarding at 11+, 13+ or sixth form, or simply beginning to explore what British education might offer, the events provide an opportunity to make informed decisions without committing to a particular route.
For parents feeling pressure to make decisions quickly, meeting several schools in one place can be especially useful.
The message from this year’s research is clear: more UAE families are exploring British boarding, and some are making decisions sooner than originally planned.
But choosing a school should never be a decision driven by urgency alone.
The right school is not necessarily the most famous or academically selective. It is the school where an individual child will be happy, supported and able to thrive.
Bonas MacFarlane provides independent education consultancy and school placement advice to families in the UK and internationally. Its consultants help parents identify and secure places at schools suited to their children’s individual needs.
The Independent Schools Show takes place in Abu Dhabi on 19 November and Dubai on 21 November 2026.