Same Cambridge curriculum. A fraction of the fees.

Science practicals at Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level are assessed through a combination of written alternative-to-practical papers and teacher-assessed components, depending on the specific Cambridge syllabus. Cambridge offers an Alternative to Practical (ATP) paper for subjects including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics — this paper tests practical skills, experimental design, and data analysis through written questions and does not require a physical laboratory. DIS teachers prepare students thoroughly for these papers within the live class timetable. Students who require a fully practical component for certain Cambridge pathways can discuss options with the DIS academic team directly. The written alternative pathway is widely used by Cambridge schools internationally and is accepted by universities in the UK, the US, and the GCC.

Yes. Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level qualifications are awarded by Cambridge Assessment International Education and are recognised by universities in the UAE, including those regulated by the UAE Ministry of Education and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. The qualification itself is independent of whether the student attended a physical campus or studied with an online British school. UAE universities assess applicants on the basis of their Cambridge results, predicted grades, and academic references — all of which DIS provides in the standard format. If you are applying to a specific UAE institution, we recommend confirming their entry requirements directly, as each university sets its own admission criteria.

DIS students in the UAE sit their Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level examinations at approved Cambridge exam centres. The British Council Dubai is among the approved centres where students can register to sit their papers. DIS is not itself a Cambridge registered centre, so students arrange their exam registration through an approved centre. The DIS academic team guides families through this process well in advance of the exam session. Exam centre fees are separate from DIS tuition fees and are paid directly to the centre. Most DIS families in the UAE find this straightforward, as the British Council Dubai is a well-established centre with a clear registration process.

All DIS teachers are postgraduate-qualified and GCC-based. DIS employs more than 100 instructors across the Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level subject range, with qualifications including PGCE, QTS, and subject-specific postgraduate degrees. Teachers are based in the Gulf region, which means they teach on Gulf Standard Time and are available to students and parents during normal school hours. Every live lesson is delivered by a qualified subject teacher, not a teaching assistant or automated system. DIS teachers also mark assignments, provide written feedback through the platform, and issue predicted grades and academic references for university applications.

DIS operates on a fixed Monday to Friday timetable aligned to Gulf Standard Time. This means live classes run during the standard GCC school day, and the schedule is consistent week to week. Students log into the DIS platform at their scheduled lesson times, attend live classes with their teacher and classmates, and access recorded lesson materials and resources through the same platform. The fixed timetable means families can plan around the school day in the same way they would with a physical school, without the commute. Parents can view their child's full weekly schedule through the parent dashboard at any time.

The monthly fee for Cambridge IGCSE at DIS is AED 500 per month. This covers all Cambridge IGCSE subjects — there are no per-subject charges and no additional fees for the core curriculum. At ten academic months per year, the annual cost is AED 6,000. For Cambridge A-Level, the monthly fee is AED 800, which also covers all A-Level subjects. These are the published fees for the 2025 to 2026 academic cycle. There are no registration fees or hidden administration costs beyond the monthly tuition. Exam centre fees, where applicable, are paid separately and directly to the exam centre.

Yes. DIS accepts mid-year enrolments throughout the academic year. There is no requirement to start in September. The DIS academic team will assess where a student is in their Cambridge syllabus and place them into the appropriate point in the live class schedule. For students partway through a Cambridge IGCSE or A-Level course, the team will review prior learning and ensure continuity. Mid-year starts are common at DIS, particularly for families who have relocated within the GCC or are moving from a physical school after a difficult term. Contact us to discuss your child's specific year group and subject set.

Cambridge IGCSE science subjects offer an Alternative to Practical (ATP) examination paper, which assesses the same practical skills, experimental technique, and data interpretation that a laboratory session would cover — through structured written questions. DIS teachers dedicate specific lesson time to practical skills within the live class schedule. Students learn experimental design, how to read and interpret data sets, how to identify sources of error, and how to answer the structured practical questions that appear in Cambridge ATP papers. This pathway is used by Cambridge schools in many countries and is fully accepted by universities. For students who want supplementary hands-on experience, local science enrichment centres in the UAE can provide additional laboratory sessions.

Live class sizes at DIS run at 4 to 6 students per session. This is considerably smaller than the typical Cambridge IGCSE class at a physical British curriculum school in the UAE, where class sizes often run between 24 and 28 students. The smaller group means every student interacts directly with the teacher in every lesson. Teachers can identify misunderstandings quickly, provide real-time correction, and give individual feedback within the lesson itself. Students can ask questions without waiting, and the teacher knows each student's specific progress. This level of direct teacher contact is one of the most consistent differences parents notice when their child moves to DIS.

Transferring back to a physical school after a period with DIS is straightforward from an academic standpoint. DIS issues transcripts, predicted grades, and academic references that align with standard British curriculum formats. Physical schools assessing a transfer student from DIS will receive documentation that is consistent with what they would expect from any other Cambridge school. The Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level syllabus is the same regardless of where it was taught, so there is no gap in curriculum coverage. DIS can also provide teacher reports and assessment records to support the transfer process. We recommend notifying the DIS academic team as early as possible so that documentation can be prepared in good time.

DIS lessons are delivered through a live video classroom platform that runs on any modern laptop, desktop, or tablet. Students need a stable broadband connection — a minimum of 10 Mbps download speed is sufficient for live video lessons. A webcam and headset are recommended for the best classroom experience. The DIS platform is browser-based and does not require specialist software installation. Most families in the UAE find that their existing home broadband connection is more than adequate. Parents and students both access the platform through a web browser, and the parent dashboard works on mobile devices. The DIS onboarding team provides a full technical setup walkthrough before a student's first live lesson.

Yes. Cambridge A-Level results from DIS are accepted by universities in the UK, the United States, Australia, Europe, and across the GCC. The A-Level qualification is awarded by Cambridge Assessment International Education and carries the same academic weight regardless of whether the student attended a physical school or an online British school. DIS provides UCAS personal statement support, predicted grades, and academic references in the standard UCAS format. For US applications via Common App, DIS issues the equivalent school report and teacher evaluation forms. The delivery model does not affect university recognition — what universities assess is the Cambridge qualification, the grades, and the academic reference.