Skip to Content
Dubai Government Logo KHDA Logo KHDA Logo

FAQs about Dubai Distinguished Students Programme

  1. What is the Dubai Distinguished Students Programme?
    The Programme aims to support Emirati students at various levels of education, who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to continuing their educational career.
  2. Who is eligible to apply for the Programme?
    This Programme is open to academically distinguished UAE nationals who hold an Emirati family book.
  3. What are the costs covered by the scholarship?
    The scholarship covers 50% of the tuition fees in schools rated good and better, with the remaining 50% to be covered by the parents. The scholarship does not include school uniforms, school transportation, books, extra-curricular activities, and/or any other additional costs.
  4. Where can I get information about when to register for the Programme and is there a specific date?
    Registration for the Programme for the academic year 2026-2027 will be open from March 31 to April 14, 2026. More information can be found on the Programme page on the KHDA website .
  5. What are the stages of study covered by the Programme?
    The Programme covers school education from Grade 1/Year 2 (or equivalent in other curricula applied in Dubai) until graduation from school. The Programme does not cover university or vocational education.
  6. Can more than one sibling from the same family enrol in the Programme?
    Yes.
  7. Can students enrol in the Programme at the same school (group of schools) where they study, if they are included in the group of schools participating in the Programme?
    No, unless they are currently studying at one of the schools under the Innoventures Education Group, the Emirates International School or the North London Collegiate School.
  8. What are the conditions and requirements for enrolling in the Programme?
    Information about the registration and other requirements can be found on the Programme page on the KHDA website.
  9. Is passing the CAT4 exam a prerequisite for admission to the Programme?
    Yes.
  10. Does applying early increase my chances of being accepted first?
    No, but it is important that the application is complete to ensure that it is included.
  11. Will I be contacted if the submitted application is missing some details?
    No, the student's parent must ensure that all the requirements are successfully attached, and the information is validated before submitting the application, as the electronic system automatically excludes any incomplete applications when the registration closes.
  12. I am facing some technical issues to complete my application, what should I do?
    Please contact DDSP@khda.gov.ae.  
  13. Why was my son/daughter not accepted, even though he met all the required requirements?
    Due to high turnout and limited seating, the candidates with the highest scores in the required tests and interviews are selected.
  14. If a parent pays the registration fee for a school outside the Programme, and then their child is accepted into the Programme, can they get a refund of the registration fee they paid?
    This is outside the scope of the Programme and is subject to the refund policies of the UAE’s educational authorities and the Ministry of Education.
  15. What support can be expected from the school to help parents and students adapt to the new environment in the first year of enrolment?
    The school should provide the necessary support to ensure that the student enrolled through the Programme adapts to the new school environment. The Programme team will oversee this process to ensure that the student adjusts quickly.
  16. Can a student transfer to another school (change of school) after joining the Programme?
    Yes, subject to the following conditions:
    1. A student is entitled to transfer to another school only once during the period of enrolment in the Programme.
    2. The student must have completed at least one academic year at the school before applying for a transfer.
    3. The student can transfer to another school on the list of schools participating in the Programme.
    4. The transfer will not take place during the academic year.
    5. The student's most recent assessment must be at least "meets expectations" to enable the school transfer.
    6. Provided a seat from the Programme at the school to which he wishes to transfer is available.
    7. The transfer process of a student to another school is subject to the terms and conditions of admission and registration in private schools in Dubai, issued by KHDA, in addition to the student passing the admission requirements for the new school.

    The transfer request must be submitted during the academic year, with the reasons explained in the customised form, and sent via email to DDSP@khda.gov.ae. If approved, the transfer will take place in the following academic year.

  17. What is ‘Excellence’ as referred to in the Programme?

    By ‘Excellence’ we mean the student who excels in the registration stage of the Programme, as the student:

    • Achieves academic performance that meets the required criteria in the Programme, according to the grade schedule for each curriculum over the past three years.
       
      Required Grades Curriculum

      90% or A-

      		 Ministerial Platform

      90% or A-

      		 American Curriculum

      6 or B

      		 British Curriculum

      5

      		 International Baccalaureate Curriculum
    • Scores high on placement tests conducted by participating schools
    • Scores high in interviews and other evaluations.

    We mean the distinguished student after joining the Programme, as the student who:

    • Continues to excel academically, receiving an assessment of "beyond expectations".
    • Actively participates in classroom and extra-curricular activities.
    • Participates in school Programmes/activities that develop students' skills and talents.
    • Maintains good conduct and attendance rate of at least 95% and adheres to the rules and regulations of the school.
  18. What are the cases in which the Programme is dismissed?
    Dismissal from the Programme is done in several cases, including:
    • Violation of any of the conditions of the "Guardian's Commitment and Undertaking Document" that the parent signs with the Programme annually.
    • Failure to achieve the expected academic level.
    • The attendance rate should be less than 95%, without providing an official excuse.
    • Failure to comply with the school's rules and policies contained in the "Parent-School Contract".
    • Violation of the school code of conduct.
  19. Does the Programme monitor the student's academic and behavioural performance?
    Yes, schools provide detailed reports on each student, and the Programme team studies these reports and develops the appropriate final assessment.
  20. What are the final academic performance rankings of students approved by the Programme?
    The final performance results are categorised under the following levels:
    • Exceeds expectations
    • Meets expectations
    • Below expectations
  21. What factors are the Programme based on in developing the final evaluation of the continuing student in the Programme?
    Schools provide detailed reports on each student at the end of the school year, and the Programme team studies the reports and analyses the results to develop final assessments. The following shall be considered:
    • The student's academic performance in the periodic assessments conducted by the school.
    • The student's results in the international assessments organised by the school (if any).
    • The student's performance in the classroom and extra-curricular activities, according to the school's report.
    • The student's commitment to the principles of general conduct and the school's rules and regulations.
    • Student attendance and absence rate.
    • Comparing all factors and data in the current academic year with the previous year and monitoring the extent of improvement (for students who have been enrolled in the Programme for more than a year).
    • The achievement of the student enrolled in the Programme at the end of the academic year, compared to the achievement expected of any other student in the school according to the criteria set by the school.
  22. What level is the student expected to achieve to ensure that he or she continues to enrol in the Programme?
    Each student enrolled in the Programme is expected to achieve a level of "meets expectations" or "exceeds expectations" by the end of their first year of enrolment to ensure that they continue in the Programme.
  23. 23. Will the student be dismissed from the Programme if the student obtains a result "below expectations" during the period of enrolment in the Programme?
    Yes.
  24. What are the financial obligations the parent will bear if they are dismissed from the Programme at the end of the academic year, whether by the Programme's decision or at the parent's request to withdraw the student?
    These financial obligations are determined according to the parent and school contract involved in the Programme, as well as the registration and refund policy issued by the KHDA.
  25. If my application is rejected in the current cycle of the Programme, can I reapply in the next cycle?
    Yes.
  26. Can a parent enrol a student in any school after exiting the Programme for any reason?
    Yes, the parent is expected to enrol the student in a school that provides "quality" education and above, as stipulated in the "Parent's Commitment and Undertaking Document" that the parent signs annually. The student can also continue at the same school, provided the parent pays the full tuition fees.
  27. What is a student's parents' commitment and pledge document?
    It is a document that specifies the conditions and obligations that fall on the student's parent and the student who has been accepted into the Programme, and that the parent and the student pledge to abide by throughout the period of enrolment in the Programme. If the parent or student violates any of these terms and conditions, the Programme has the right to take any of the actions specified in the document, including dismissal from the Programme.
Related Links
Page last updated 31 March 2026