One of the UK’s leading independent schools is set to open two new campuses in the UAE, marking another major addition to the country’s fast-growing private education sector.
Epsom College, founded in Surrey in 1855, will launch Epsom College Abu Dhabi in September 2028, followed by Epsom College Dubai in September 2030. The two schools will be developed and operated in partnership with NEMA Education. Together, the organisations plan to create a new network of premium British curriculum schools across the Middle East.
For families considering British schools in the UAE, the announcement adds another high-profile name to a market already seeing strong interest from international school groups.
What Parents Need To Know
Both UAE campuses will be fully co-educational schools, serving pupils from Early Years through to Sixth Form.
Each school is expected to accommodate between 2,000 and 2,500 pupils at full capacity. They will offer a British curriculum pathway, culminating in GCSE and A Level qualifications. Planned tuition fees for Epsom College Abu Dhabi and Epsom College Dubai have not yet been announced.
The schools are expected to appeal to families seeking a through-school model, with one continuous education pathway from the early years to university preparation.
A Purpose-Built Campus In Abu Dhabi
Epsom College Abu Dhabi will be built on a purpose-designed site, with facilities planned to reflect the scale and breadth of Epsom College’s Surrey campus. The Abu Dhabi school is set to include a sports centre with a 50-metre swimming pool, gyms and a multi-purpose hall. Plans also include floodlit football pitches, cricket fields, tennis courts, basketball courts and netball courts.
Separate buildings are planned for Early Years and Primary pupils, Secondary pupils and shared facilities. These will include dining, music and drama spaces, with each area designed around the needs of different age groups.
A Growing British Education Market
The arrival of Epsom College adds to a wave of well-known British schools expanding into the UAE.
Harrow, King’s College School Wimbledon and Rugby School have also announced UAE campuses, reflecting continued demand for premium British education in Abu Dhabi and schools in Dubai.
For parents, this means more choice across the market. It also means greater competition among schools offering British curriculum pathways, strong pastoral care and broad co-curricular programmes.
Mark Lascelles, Head of Epsom College, said the UAE expansion marks an important moment for the school.
“This is a hugely exciting moment in the history of Epsom College. Since 1855, we have offered young people an outstanding British education rooted in academic excellence, exceptional pastoral care and a breadth of opportunity beyond the classroom. To bring that same education to families in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and beyond is a wonderful opportunity and one we are proud to take. We look forward to equipping young people with the knowledge, character and skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world.”
Building A UAE Education Pathway
Dr Ali Saeed bin Harmal Aldhaheri, Chairman and CEO of NEMA Education, said the partnership forms part of a wider vision for education in the UAE.
“This partnership with Epsom College, a globally esteemed institution of His Majesty King Charles III, is a cornerstone of our strategic vision to build a comprehensive, world-class educational ecosystem in the UAE. By bringing Epsom’s 170-year legacy of excellence to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, we are creating a seamless pathway of lifelong learning that spans from K-12 to higher education and beyond. We are proud to invest in our nation’s greatest asset, which is its people, and to solidify the UAE’s position as a leading international education hub.”
What This Means For UAE Families
For parents, the announcement is significant for three reasons.
Firstly, it brings another established British school brand into the UAE private school market. Secondly, it adds more future capacity in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where demand for high-quality school places remains strong. Thirdly, it gives families planning ahead another option to watch, especially those with younger children who may be entering school around 2028 or 2030.
However, parents will need to wait for further details on admissions, fees, campus locations and opening year group structure.
Until then, Epsom College’s UAE expansion points to one clear trend. The UAE continues to strengthen its position as a leading destination for international education, with British curriculum schools remaining a major part of that growth.
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