Dubai Distinguished Students Programme 2025-2026

About the Programme

This programme stems from Dubai Social Agenda 33 and is a collaborative effort between the government and private sectors. The programme aims to provide high quality educational opportunities for outstanding Emirati students. To this end, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Knowledge Fund Establishment have signed a series of agreements with a group of elite private schools that offer a diverse range of internationally recognised curricula.

The programme aims to support Emirati students in all stages of their education, focusing on students who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to continuing their educational journey. The scholarship covers 50% of the tuition fees for students attending schools rated “Good” or better, with the remaining 50% to be covered by their parent or legal guardian.

Our Mission

Empowering the next generation of Emirati leaders by providing access to high-quality educational opportunities to outstanding students, in collaboration with the best private schools in the emirate of Dubai.

Registration and Enrolment Terms
Registration is extended until March 25, 2025 The applicant must: Be a UAE national and a holder of a family book issued by the Emirate of Dubai. At the time of enrolment in the programme for the next academic year 2025-2026, the student should be enrolled in Grade 1 /Year 2 and not above Grade 10/Year 11, or equivalent grades in other applied curriculums in Dubai. The student's age and grade level must be in accordance with the school's enrolment policies, as approved by KHDA. Not have been previously terminated from a government scholarship programme. Not choose the same school (or school group) he/she is currently enrolled in. Pass the admission interviews and placement tests on due dates set by the candidate school. Pass all the screening and selection stages conducted by the programme based on the set enrolment criteria, along with the availability of seats allocated for the current cycle. Respond in a timely manner to all communication via email through all registration and enrolment stages. Successfully attach all required documents to the application and provide all required information accurately. The submitted documents must be original copies. Comply with all the terms mentioned above, and other future responsibilities or commitments required by the programme later. Meet the following academic and behavioural criteria: - Demonstration of sustained academic excellence over the past three years (for Grade 3/Year 4 and above students), consistently achieving scores at or above the designated minimum in the table below. - Students following other curricula or using different grading systems must provide evidence from the school indicating that the student has achieved a grade equivalent to at least 90% (for Grade 3/Year 4 and above students), This should demonstrate that the student is mastering or exceeding the curriculum expectations. - Demonstrate good conduct by providing a letter of recommendation from the school where the student is currently registered for the academic year.

Registration and Enrolment Terms

Registration is extended until March 25, 2025

The applicant must:

Be a UAE national and a holder of a family book issued by the Emirate of Dubai.
At the time of enrolment in the programme for the next academic year 2025-2026, the student should be enrolled in Grade 1 /Year 2 and not above Grade 10/Year 11, or equivalent grades in other applied curriculums in Dubai.
The student's age and grade level must be in accordance with the school's enrolment policies, as approved by KHDA.
Not have been previously terminated from a government scholarship programme.
Not choose the same school (or school group) he/she is currently enrolled in.
Pass the admission interviews and placement tests on due dates set by the candidate school.
Pass all the screening and selection stages conducted by the programme based on the set enrolment criteria, along with the availability of seats allocated for the current cycle.
Respond in a timely manner to all communication via email through all registration and enrolment stages.
Successfully attach all required documents to the application and provide all required information accurately.
The submitted documents must be original copies.
Comply with all the terms mentioned above, and other future responsibilities or commitments required by the programme later.
Meet the following academic and behavioural criteria:
- - Demonstration of sustained academic excellence over the past three years (for Grade 3/Year 4 and above students), consistently achieving scores at or above the designated minimum in the table below.
- - Students following other curricula or using different grading systems must provide evidence from the school indicating that the student has achieved a grade equivalent to at least 90% (for Grade 3/Year 4 and above students), This should demonstrate that the student is mastering or exceeding the curriculum expectations.
- - Demonstrate good conduct by providing a letter of recommendation from the school where the student is currently registered for the academic year.

Curriculum	Minimum Requirement
MOE	90% or A-
US	90% or A-
UK	6 or B
IB	5

Required Documents
Family book issued by the emirate of Dubai. Valid UAE passport. Valid Emirates ID. Detailed salary certificate of the legal financial guardian’s income source. Letter from workplace regarding education allowance for both parents (with details of whether any of them receive an education allowance and the amount of the education allowance if applicable). Certificate of retirement of the legal financial guardian (if applicable). Passport size photo of the student. Student report cards for the last three academic years. A certified medical report stating if the applicant is a child of determination. Custody letter from court for guardians (if applicable). A letter of recommendation from the school where the student is currently registered for the academic year. Any other documents requested.

Required Documents

Family book issued by the emirate of Dubai.
Valid UAE passport.
Valid Emirates ID.
Detailed salary certificate of the legal financial guardian’s income source.
Letter from workplace regarding education allowance for both parents (with details of whether any of them receive an education allowance and the amount of the education allowance if applicable).
Certificate of retirement of the legal financial guardian (if applicable).
Passport size photo of the student.
Student report cards for the last three academic years.
A certified medical report stating if the applicant is a child of determination.
Custody letter from court for guardians (if applicable).
A letter of recommendation from the school where the student is currently registered for the academic year.
Any other documents requested.

School Name	Grades	Curriculum	Area
Collegiate International School	Grade 4 - Grade 9	US/IB	Umm Suqeim 2
Dubai International Academy, Al Barsha	Grade 4 - Grade 9	International Baccalaureate	Al Barsha First
Raffles International Academy	Year 5 - Year 1 0	UK	Umm Suqeim 2
Uptown International School	Grade 1 - Grade 10	International Baccalaureate	Mirdif
American Academy for Girls	Grade 1 - Grade 10	US	Al Mizhar First
Jumeirah Baccalaureate School	Grades 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10	International Baccalaureate	Jumeira First
Dar Al Marefa	Grades 6, 7, 8 and 9	International Baccalaureate	Al Khawaneej 1
Dubai Heights Academy	Year 5 - Year 10	UK	Al Barsha Second
Raffles World Academy	Grade 4 - Grade 9	International Baccalaureate	Umm Suqeim Third
Deira International School	Year 5 - Year 10	UK	Dubai Festival City
Universal American School	Grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9	US	Dubai Festival City
Emirates International School	Year 10	UK/IB	Umm Suqeim 1
Al Khaleej International School	Grade 4 - Grade 9	US	Al Warqa 4
Cambridge International School	Year 5 - Year 10	UK	Al Twar First
Dubai American Academy	Grade 4 - Grade 9	US	Al Barsha South 1
GEMS First Point School	Year 5 - Year 10	UK	Dubai Land
GEMS Founders Al Mizhar	Year 5 - Year 10	UK	Al Mizhar 1
GEMS Founders School	Year 5 - Year 10	UK	Al Barsha 2
GEMS International School Al Khail	Grade 4 - Grade 9	International Baccalaureate	Al Khail
GEMS World Academy	Grade 4 - Grade 9	International Baccalaureate	Al Barsha 1
Jumeirah College	Year 5 - Year 10	UK	Al Safa First
GEMS Metropole	Year 5 - Year 10	UK	Motor City
Royal Dubai School	Year 5 - Year 10	UK	Mirdif
GEMS Wellington Al Khail	Year 5 - Year 10	UK	Al Khail
GEMS Wellington International School	Year 5 - Year 10	UK/IB	Al Sufouh 1
GEMS Wellington Silicon Oasis	Year 5 - Year 10	UK	Dubai Silicon Oasis
North London Collegiate School	Grade 4	International Baccalaureate	Al Meydan
Arcadia British School	Grades 8 and Grade 9	UK	Jabal Ali First

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Dubai Distinguished Students Programme 2025-2026

About the Programme

Our Mission

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