Same Cambridge results. A fraction of the Al Basma fees.

Science practicals at Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level are assessed through a combination of written practical papers and coursework portfolios, both of which DIS supports fully. Cambridge's own assessment structure means a significant portion of the science grade comes from written papers that test practical skills, experimental design, and data analysis rather than requiring a physical laboratory. DIS teachers guide students through these components with structured online sessions, virtual simulations where appropriate, and detailed written guidance. For components that require hands-on investigation, DIS provides clear guidance on supervised home-based experiments using accessible materials, in line with Cambridge's own guidance for independent candidates.

Yes. Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level certificates are internationally standardised qualifications recognised by universities in the UAE, the UK, the US, and across the GCC. The certificate itself does not indicate how or where lessons were delivered. UAE institutions including those in Abu Dhabi assess applications based on subject grades and predicted grades, not on whether a student attended a physical campus. DIS students follow the same Cambridge syllabus, sit the same external papers, and receive the same certificate as students at any other Cambridge-curriculum school.

DIS students in the UAE sit their Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level exams at the British Council Dubai, which is an approved Cambridge exam centre. Students register as independent candidates through the exam centre directly. DIS provides full guidance on the registration process, subject entry deadlines, and what to expect on exam day. It is worth noting that DIS is not itself a Cambridge registered centre; the exam centre relationship is between the student and the British Council.

Every DIS lesson is live. There are no pre-recorded video libraries substituting for teaching. Students log on at a scheduled time, a qualified teacher opens the class, cameras are on, and the lesson runs on the Cambridge syllabus in real time. Classes run Monday to Friday on Gulf Standard Time, mirroring a standard school week. Lessons are also recorded within the platform so students can review a session they attended, but the primary teaching is always live and interactive.

DIS has over 100 teachers, all postgraduate-qualified and GCC-based. Many hold PGCE qualifications or equivalent Cambridge-recognised teacher training. Teachers are subject specialists, meaning a Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry class is taught by a Chemistry specialist, not a generalist. All teachers are employed by DIS, not contracted as freelance tutors. Their qualifications are equivalent to those you would expect at a ADEK-regulated campus school in Abu Dhabi.

DIS runs a Monday to Friday timetable on Gulf Standard Time, which means lessons are scheduled in alignment with the UAE school week. For Abu Dhabi families, this means no time-zone adjustment and no early-morning or late-evening lessons. The timetable mirrors a standard school day, with registration, subject periods, breaks, and a defined end to the school day. Parents and students access the full timetable through the DIS dashboard and can see scheduled lessons, upcoming assignments, and teacher messages in one place.

Cambridge IGCSE at DIS costs AED 500 per month. Cambridge A-Level costs AED 800 per month. Both fees cover all subjects, live lessons, postgraduate-qualified teachers, the parent and student dashboard, resource library, assignment tracking, and direct teacher messaging. There are no per-subject add-ons, no facility fees, and no annual registration charges beyond the standard enrolment process. Families can cancel with one month's notice. For context, that is AED 6,000 per year at IGCSE level, compared to AED 60,060 per year at Al Basma British School for the same year group.

Yes. DIS accepts mid-year enrolments and has a structured onboarding process for students transferring from other schools, including Al Basma. On enquiry, the DIS team reviews the student's current year group, subjects studied, and progress to date, then maps them onto the appropriate point in the DIS timetable. Most Cambridge syllabus topics are broadly sequenced in the same order across schools, so the transition is generally straightforward. A short academic placement conversation helps the team confirm the right starting point before the first live lesson.

Cambridge's own assessment framework for IGCSE and A-Level sciences is designed to be accessible for independent candidates and students outside traditional laboratory settings. The practical component is examined through Paper 3 (practical paper) and through Alternative to Practical papers, both of which are written assessments testing experimental reasoning and data skills. DIS prepares students thoroughly for these papers through dedicated sessions, past paper practice, and structured experimental write-ups. For Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, the majority of marks come from written papers where laboratory access is not required.

A Cambridge IGCSE or A-Level qualification from DIS is the same qualification a student would hold from any other Cambridge-curriculum school. If a family decides to return to a campus school, the student's Cambridge grades, predicted grades, and academic record transfer in the same way as any other school transfer. DIS provides formal documentation of the student's progress, subjects studied, and predicted grades on request. Universities and schools assess Cambridge results by subject and grade, not by the name of the institution that delivered the teaching.

DIS classes run in small groups of 4 to 6 students per live session. Students interact directly with the teacher and with each other during every lesson. Over the course of a term, students build familiarity with a consistent peer group across their subjects. DIS does not replicate a school campus, and it is honest about that. What it does provide is purposeful academic interaction in small groups and, because the school day ends at a sensible time with no commute, genuine afternoon time for in-person social activities, sport, and community involvement in Abu Dhabi.

DIS lessons run through a browser-based platform and require no specialist software installation. A laptop or desktop computer with a webcam and microphone is recommended. A tablet can work for most lessons but is less suitable for subjects requiring detailed written work or diagrams. A stable broadband connection of at least 10 Mbps is sufficient for live video lessons. DIS provides a platform walkthrough and technical support at onboarding. Most Abu Dhabi home internet connections comfortably exceed the minimum requirement.