Schools in Abu Dhabi now have the authority to withhold certificates until outstanding fees are settled.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Education has established a clear and structured process for the equivalency of high school certificates issued by private schools following foreign curricula. This process ensures that the Ministry authenticates and recognizes only certificates from vetted, accredited curricula with verifiable documents, safeguarding educational standards for students transitioning into the UAE education system or professional pathways.
**Eligible Curricula**
The Ministry has identified 14 specific foreign curricula eligible for equivalency of Grade 12 certificates from private schools in the UAE. Students can view tailored documentation requirements by selecting their curriculum on the Ministry's website.
**Required Documents**
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Graduation certificate (high school certificate) and transcripts for the last three academic years. - These documents must be attested by local UAE education authorities depending on the emirate: - Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) - Dubai: Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) - Sharjah: Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA)
If issued in languages other than Arabic or English, documents must be submitted with certified legal translations. Certificates from distance learning or open education systems are not eligible for equivalency.
For Muslim students, Islamic Education must have been studied, and for Arab students, the Arabic Language must have been studied during the last three academic years.
**Additional Application Details and Process**
Applicants start by getting their academic certificates attested through a process involving:
1. The Education Ministry or HRD in the issuing country 2. The UAE Embassy/Consulate in that country 3. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
The documents, along with a copy of passport, UAE visa if available, and proof of accreditation of the foreign institution, are uploaded on the Ministry of Education’s official portal during application. The application fee is AED 50, with the processing time typically around five working days.
Applicants must submit all documents within seven days after the application or risk closure after three contact attempts by the Ministry.
Schools must publish a clear, transparent, and fair fee policy on their websites, respect parents' rights to a reasonable payment plan without imposing punitive penalties, and publish and share detailed payment schedules on their websites. Schools are prohibited from contacting students directly regarding unpaid fees.
Online schooling can help diverse learners thrive, and tuition fees must be divided into three or more equal installments. The UAE has also launched a survey to assess the quality of public schools.
Sources: [1] UAE Ministry of Education [2] Khaleej Times [3] Gulf News
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), several foreign curricula are recognized for equivalency of Grade 12 certificates from private schools, including curricula focused on news, business, education, education-and-self-development, and learning. Students can verify their curriculum's requirements on the UAE Ministry of Education's website.
To apply for certificate equivalency, applicants must submit the necessary documents, such as attested graduation certificates, transcripts, and legal translations if needed, along with their passport, UAE visa (if available), and proof of accreditation of the foreign institution on the Ministry of Education’s official portal. Additionally, Muslim students must have studied Islamic Education, and Arab students must have studied Arabic during the last three academic years.
