Providing another beacon of progress for Dubai’s world class education hub, DESS Academic City will open even more opportunities for children to start their Learning for Life journey in an environment that ensures they are not only well-versed in their studies but also nurtured in their creative, social, and emotional capacities.

About DESSC

Having a primary and secondary footprint in such a prime spot in Academic City will give us the space we need for additional growth and expansion in the future. Our DESS site at Oud Metha cannot offer this flexibility. Recent masterplan developments have featured a huge investment in the road network around Academic City/Silicon Oasis and show this part of Dubai will support our future growth needs.

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Though a fresh new learning environment with modern facilities and lots of space, DESS Academic City will never become a 3-18 ‘through-school giant’. Instead, it will extend the DESSC family to three standalone schools each with their own entrance/exit points and all playing a role in making sure our next 60 years are as successful and achievement packed as the first 60, which we have been so proud to celebrate recently.

As we move through the various preparatory processes towards the start of construction, timelines and deadlines will be confirmed in good time for you to make the best choice for your child/children and family. Updates will be frequent and meaningful, and more information will be added to this page when it is available.

Thank you for your interest in DESS Academic City

You will require soft copies of the following documents for each child (pdf format), to upload within the application form.

  • Birth Certificate
  • Passport Copy
  • Recent Passport Style Photograph
  • Most recent End of Year Academic Report
  • Most recent Term/Mid-Year Academic Report
  • A CAT 4 assessment within the last 12 months (if available)
  • Emirates Identity Card (if available)
  • UAE Visa (if available)
  • Reports from outside agencies (Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Educational Psychologist, etc., if applicable)

Points to note

  • When there are two parents/guardians, the email address MUST be a different email address for each parent/guardian.
  • You can add multiple applicants if you are applying for siblings in Years 1-6. Click on “add new applicant” button after completing the information for each applicant. Only press submit when you have finished adding all applicant details. If you are applying for siblings in Foundation Stage, please complete the Foundation Stage application form.
  • On successful submission of the online Application Form, an email will be sent to the primary contact acknowledging receipt of the application. Our Admissions team will then be in touch with you to provide details of the Next Steps in our application process relevant to your application.
  • If you are applying for a place in Year 4 - Year 6 and you have completed a CAT 4 assessment within the last 12 months, please submit this in support of your application. Those applicants that submit a CAT 4 will not be required to attend a Taster Session.
    • Local Applicants - If you have not completed a CAT 4 assessment within the last 12 months, you will be required to attend a Taster Session.
    • Overseas - If you have not completed a CAT 4 assessment within the last 12 months, we would request contact details for a member of staff in your current school whom we can liaise with directly to request a reference and work samples.
  • If there are no places available once the application process has been completed and DESS Academic City, Headteacher, Neil Brinicombe, has approved your application, you will be placed on our Waitlist, which we review on a daily basis.
  • Successful applicants will receive an offer letter and terms of acceptance by email. To secure the place, we must be in receipt of all required documentation, accompanied by a non-refundable acceptance fee payment of AED 4000 within 7 days of the offer date.
  • Your acceptance fee (AED 4000) will be deducted from your first term fees. 
  • On submission of an online application, you are declaring that ALL information provided is correct. Failure to disclose important information may result in your application being withdrawn.
  • Admission is at the discretion of the school.

If you have any issues completing the online form, please contact admissions@dessc.sch.ae or telephone +971 (0) 4 360 4866 for assistance.