

The French curriculum holds a unique position in the UAE’s educational landscape. Offered by select schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it serves the Francophone community and families who value the rigorous, academically demanding French education system.
Set by the French Ministry of Education, it is a highly structured, centralised system with national standards and a national diploma – the Baccalauréat. Schools abroad operate under AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad) or MLF (Mission Laïque Française), ensuring identical standards to schools in France. The language of instruction is primarily French, though many UAE schools offer bilingual sections with enhanced English.
| Level | Ages | Classes | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maternelle (Preschool) | 3 – 6 | PS, MS, GS | Socialisation, language, motor skills, early literacy through play |
| École Élémentaire | 6 – 11 | CP to CM2 | French, mathematics, sciences, history-geography, arts, PE |
| Collège | 11 – 15 | 6ème to 3ème | Broad curriculum, second language, Brevet at end of 3ème |
| Lycée | 15 – 18 | Seconde to Terminale | Specialisation, philosophy, Baccalauréat examination |
After Seconde, students choose specialisation subjects. Under the reformed system, students select three specialities in Première and continue two into Terminale. All students study philosophy in Terminale – a distinctive feature of French education. The Baccalauréat combines continuous assessment (40%) and final examinations (60%).
The Baccalauréat is internationally recognised: accepted by UK universities through UCAS, by US universities alongside SAT scores, and by institutions across Europe, Canada, and Australia. Some schools offer the OIB (Option Internationale du Baccalauréat) with enhanced English instruction, strengthening applications to anglophone universities.
| Category | Annual Fees (AED) | Typical Profile |
|---|---|---|
| AEFE/MLF Schools | 20,000 – 50,000 | Government-supported, strong results |
| Private French Schools | 40,000 – 80,000 | Independent, bilingual sections, modern facilities |