Which Exam Boards Do Dubai Schools Use? GCSE, IGCSE, A-Level & IB
British-curriculum schools in Dubai mostly use a mix of UK GCSE boards (AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR) and international IGCSE boards (Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel International), and the board often changes from subject to subject within one school. IB schools follow the IB MYP, Diploma or Career-related Programme instead. Check your child's options booklet to confirm.
Last checked: November 2026
Boards can change by year and subject — confirm with the school.
- 18schools checked
- 9publish boards per subject
- 3name boards, not per subject
- 2IB World Schools
Exam boards at 18 Dubai schools
Each row is based on what the school itself publishes: options booklets, sixth form prospectuses and curriculum pages. Where a school does not list boards by subject, we say so and link its own page rather than guess. Schools are grouped by how much board detail they publish, not ranked.
This page is an independent guide. Improve ME Institute is not affiliated with any school listed.
Scroll sideways to see every column.
| School | Area | Ages 14–16 | Ages 16–18 | Exam boards | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai British School Emirates HillsSubject detail | Emirates Hills | International GCSE, GCSE, BTEC Level 2 | A Level, BTEC Level 3 | Per-subject boards published Mostly Pearson Edexcel International GCSE; Edexcel GCSE for arts, business, music and PE; AQA GCSE for drama, media and psychology. | DBS Emirates Hills GCSE Options Booklet 2026–2027 (PDF)(opens in a new tab) |
| GEMS Wellington International SchoolSubject detail | Al Sufouh | GCSE, International GCSE, BTEC Level 2 | IB Diploma, IB Career-related Programme, A Level | Per-subject boards published Three boards: Pearson Edexcel (English, maths, humanities, languages), AQA (sciences, D&T, food, media) and Cambridge (computer science, business, Latin). | GEMS WIS KS4 Curriculum Information Booklet 2026–2028 (PDF)(opens in a new tab) |
| DESS College (Dubai English Speaking College)Subject detail | Dubai Academic City | GCSE, International GCSE, BTEC Level 2 | A Level, BTEC, RSL, EPQ | Per-subject boards published Five boards at GCSE: Pearson Edexcel, AQA, OxfordAQA, Cambridge and Pearson BTEC. Sixth form mixes Edexcel, AQA, OxfordAQA and Cambridge. | DESS College GCSE Options 2026 (PDF)(opens in a new tab) |
| Jebel Ali SchoolSubject detail | Damac Hills | GCSE, International GCSE, BTEC Level 2 | A Level, BTEC, EPQ | Per-subject boards published Pearson Edexcel International GCSE for English, maths and humanities; Edexcel GCSE for sciences and creative subjects; AQA GCSE for languages, computing, drama, music and psychology. | JAS Key Stage 4 Options Booklet 2027–28 (PDF)(opens in a new tab) |
| Safa British SchoolSubject detail | Al Safa | International GCSE, GCSE, BTEC Level 2 | A Level | Per-subject boards published Mostly Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (several modular); Edexcel GCSE for arts, PE and psychology; Cambridge IGCSE for first-language Arabic, D&T and food. | Safa British School Key Stage 4 Options Booklet 2026–2028 (PDF)(opens in a new tab) |
| GEMS Founders School – Al BarshaSubject detail | Al Barsha South | International GCSE, GCSE, BTEC | International A Level, A Level, BTEC | Per-subject boards published Pearson Edexcel International GCSE for core and most option subjects; Edexcel GCSE for arts, music and PE; AQA GCSE for computer science, drama, food and psychology. | GFS IGCSE, AS/A Level and BTEC entry booklet 2026–2027 (PDF)(opens in a new tab) |
| GEMS Cambridge International School DubaiSubject detail | Al Garhoud | Cambridge IGCSE, Edexcel International GCSE, GCSE | A Level | Per-subject boards published Mostly Cambridge IGCSE; Pearson Edexcel International GCSE offered for maths (Higher), business and English as a second language; Edexcel GCSE for French, PE and psychology. | GEMS CIS Year 10 Curriculum Handbook 2025–2026 (PDF)(opens in a new tab) |
| Repton School DubaiSubject detail | Nad Al Sheba | GCSE | A Level, BTEC, IB Diploma, EPQ | Per-subject boards published A Level boards published per subject: mainly Pearson Edexcel, with Cambridge International for six subjects and OxfordAQA for psychology. GCSE boards not published online. | Repton Dubai GCSE page(opens in a new tab) |
| Hartland International SchoolSubject detail | Sobha Hartland, MBR City | GCSE, International GCSE | A Level, International A Level, BTEC, EPQ | Per-subject boards published A Level boards published per subject: a near-even split between AQA and Pearson Edexcel. The GCSE options booklet text does not name boards. | Hartland Sixth Form Subject Options Booklet 2026–2028 (PDF)(opens in a new tab) |
| Jumeirah CollegeSubject detail | Al Safa | GCSE | A Level, International A Level, BTEC | Boards named, not per subject Sixth form uses Pearson Edexcel (including International A Levels), AQA and Cambridge, plus Pearson BTEC. GCSE boards are in the school's GCSE options material. | Jumeirah College Sixth Form Prospectus, Admissions 2027 (PDF)(opens in a new tab) |
| Dubai Heights AcademySubject detail | Al Barsha South | GCSE, International GCSE, ASDAN | A Level, BTEC | Boards named, not per subject The school says its Key Stage 4 GCSEs and IGCSEs are through Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge International. Per-subject boards are in its KS4 options booklet. | Dubai Heights Academy secondary page(opens in a new tab) |
| The English College, DubaiSubject detail | Al Safa | GCSE, International GCSE | A Level, BTEC | Boards named, not per subject The school says Key Stage 4 students sit GCSEs through AQA and Pearson. Per-subject boards are not listed on its website. | The English College secondary school page(opens in a new tab) |
| Dubai CollegeSubject detail | Al Sufouh | GCSE | A Level | Mixed — see school options booklet Mixed — see school options booklet (published as an online flipbook). | Dubai College curriculum page(opens in a new tab) |
| Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)Subject detail | Arabian Ranches (secondary) | GCSE | IB programme, BTEC Plus programme | Mixed — see school options booklet Mixed — see school options booklet. Sixth form follows the IB or BTEC Plus pathway. | JESS secondary and sixth form page(opens in a new tab) |
| Brighton College DubaiSubject detail | Al Barsha South | GCSE | A Level, BTEC | Mixed — see school options booklet Not published on the school website — ask the school for its options booklet. | Brighton College Dubai senior school page(opens in a new tab) |
| Nord Anglia International School DubaiSubject detail | Al Barsha South | IGCSE | A Level, IB Diploma, BTEC | Mixed — see school options booklet Not published on the school website — ask the school for its options booklet. | NAS Dubai secondary page(opens in a new tab) |
| Dubai International Academy Emirates HillsSubject detail | Emirates Hills | IB MYP | IB Diploma, IB Career-related Programme | IB programmes IB school: MYP to Year 11, then IB Diploma or IB Career-related Programme. No GCSE board applies. | Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills website(opens in a new tab) |
| Raffles World AcademySubject detail | Umm Suqeim | IB MYP | IB Diploma, IB Career-related Programme | IB programmes IB school: MYP in Grades 6–10, then IB Diploma or IB Career-related Programme. No GCSE board applies. | Raffles World Academy website(opens in a new tab) |
Last checked November 2026. Booklet years are shown in the subject detail below; some schools had not yet published the next year’s booklet when we checked. Boards can change by year and subject — confirm with the school.
What the booklets show
- Every school that publishes per-subject boards mixes them. Not one of the 9 uses a single board for every subject.
- Pearson Edexcel International GCSE is the most common choice for English and maths. Dubai British School Emirates Hills, GEMS Wellington International, DESS College, Jebel Ali School, Safa British School and GEMS Founders all list Pearson Edexcel International GCSE for English Language. GEMS Cambridge International School is the exception, using Cambridge IGCSE for most subjects.
- AQA tends to appear for specific subjects. Drama (8261), psychology (8182), media studies (8572), food (8585) and computer science (8525) are the AQA GCSEs that recur across booklets.
- OCR is rare. DESS College lists OCR among its examination boards, but none of the seven Key Stage 4 booklets we read assigns an OCR specification to a subject.
- Sixth forms mix UK and international A Levels. Hartland splits A Levels between AQA and Pearson Edexcel; GEMS Founders uses mainly Pearson Edexcel International A Levels; Repton uses Cambridge International for six A Level subjects.
School-by-school board detail
Subjects are grouped by board as the school lists them, with specification codes where the school prints them. A subject not shown here may still be offered; check the source booklet.
Dubai British School Emirates Hills
Emirates Hills
- Ages 14–16
- International GCSE, GCSE, BTEC Level 2
- Ages 16–18
- A Level, BTEC Level 3
Years 10–11 (GCSE Options Booklet 2026–2027)
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE
English Language (4EA1); English Literature (4ET1); Mathematics (4MA1); Biology (4BI1), Chemistry (4CH1), Physics (4PH1); Computer Science (4CP0); French (4FR1); Geography (4GE1); History (4HI1); Spanish (4SP1)
Pearson Edexcel GCSE
Art and Design (1AD0); Business (1BS0); Music (1MU0); Physical Education (1PE0)
AQA GCSE
Drama (8261); Media Studies (8572); Psychology (8182)
Pearson BTEC International Level 2
Business; IT
GEMS Wellington International School
Al Sufouh
- Ages 14–16
- GCSE, International GCSE, BTEC Level 2
- Ages 16–18
- IB Diploma, IB Career-related Programme, A Level
Years 10–11 (KS4 Curriculum Information Booklet 2026–2028)
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE
English Language; English Literature; Mathematics; Further Pure Mathematics; Art & Design (Fine Art); Economics; Geography; History; French, German, Spanish
Pearson Edexcel GCSE
Arabic B (second language); Drama; Music; Photography; Physical Education; Psychology
AQA GCSE
Combined Science: Trilogy; Biology, Chemistry, Physics (triple); Design and Technology; Food Preparation and Nutrition; Media Studies
Cambridge IGCSE
Arabic A (first language); Business Studies; Computer Science; Enterprise; Latin
Pearson BTEC (Level 2)
Applied Science (International Level 2); Business; Creative Media Production; Travel and Tourism
Years 12–13
The booklet lists four post-16 pathways: IB Diploma Programme, IB Career-related Programme, a Courses Programme and A Levels.
DESS College (Dubai English Speaking College)
Dubai Academic City
- Ages 14–16
- GCSE, International GCSE, BTEC Level 2
- Ages 16–18
- A Level, BTEC, RSL, EPQ
Years 10–11 (GCSE Options 2026)
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE
English Language (4EA1); English Literature (4ET1); Economics
Pearson Edexcel
Mathematics (GCSE, 1MA1); Arabic (GCSE); Art and Design; Geography; History; Physical Education
AQA GCSE
Science; Business; Design & Technology; Food Preparation and Nutrition; French and Spanish; Psychology
OxfordAQA
Computer Science (International GCSE); Media Studies
Cambridge IGCSE
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Pearson BTEC International Level 2
Business; Creative Media; Sport
Years 12–13 (Sixth Form Subjects 2026–2027)
The subject guide lists Pearson Edexcel (e.g. A Level Mathematics 9MA0, History 9HI0, Politics 9PL0, International A Level Business), AQA (e.g. A Level Physics 7408, Psychology 7182), OxfordAQA and Cambridge International (e.g. English Language 9093) across different subjects.
Jebel Ali School
Damac Hills
- Ages 14–16
- GCSE, International GCSE, BTEC Level 2
- Ages 16–18
- A Level, BTEC, EPQ
Years 10–11 (Key Stage 4 Options Booklet 2027–28)
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE
English Language A (4EA1); English Literature (4ET1); Mathematics (4MA1); Economics (modular, 4XEC1); Geography (modular, 4XGE1); History (modular, 4XHI1)
Pearson Edexcel GCSE
Combined Science (1SC0); Biology, Chemistry, Physics (1BI0 / 1CH0 / 1PH0); Arabic (1AA0); Art & Design (1FA0); Business (1BS0); Design Technology (1DT0); Graphic Communication (1GC0); Photography (1PY0); Physical Education (1PE0)
AQA GCSE
Computer Science (8525); Drama (8261); Food Preparation and Nutrition (8585); French (8652); Spanish (8692); Media Studies (8572); Music (8271); Psychology (8182); Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics (8365)
Pearson BTEC International Level 2
Sport
Years 12–13 (Sixth Form Prospectus 2027–28)
Most A Level subjects are listed with Pearson Edexcel; several are AQA and some OxfordAQA.
Safa British School
Al Safa
- Ages 14–16
- International GCSE, GCSE, BTEC Level 2
- Ages 16–18
- A Level
Years 10–11 (Key Stage 4 Options Booklet 2026–2028)
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE
English Language A (4EA1); English Literature (4ET1); Mathematics (modular); Double Award Science (4SD0) or Triple Science; Business (4BS1); Computer Science (4CP0); Economics (modular); Geography (modular); History (modular); French (4FR1), Spanish (4SP1)
Pearson Edexcel GCSE
Arabic (additional language); Art and Design (1AD0); Drama; Music (1MU0); Physical Education (1PE0); Psychology (1PS0)
Cambridge IGCSE
Arabic as a First Language (7180); Design & Technology (0979); Food & Nutrition (0648)
Pearson BTEC International Level 2
Business; Sport; Travel and Tourism
Years 12–13
The same booklet's A Level progression table lists Pearson Edexcel for most A Level subjects.
GEMS Founders School – Al Barsha
Al Barsha South
- Ages 14–16
- International GCSE, GCSE, BTEC
- Ages 16–18
- International A Level, A Level, BTEC
Years 10–11 (2026–2027 exam entry booklet)
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE
English Language (4EA1); English Literature (4ET1); Mathematics (4MA1); Further Pure Mathematics (4PM1); Biology (4BI1), Chemistry (4CH1), Physics (4PH1); Accounting (4AC1); Business (4BS1); Economics (4EC1); Geography (4GE1); History (4HI1); French (4FR1); Arabic First Language (4AA1)
Pearson Edexcel GCSE
Arabic, second language (1AA0); Art and Design; Graphic Communication (1GC0); Design and Technology (1DT0); Music (1MU0); Physical Education (1PE0)
AQA GCSE
Computer Science (8525); Drama (8261); Food Preparation and Nutrition (8585); Psychology (8182)
Years 12–13 (same booklet)
Most AS/A Level subjects are Pearson Edexcel International A Level (unit codes such as WMA11 for maths, WBI11 for biology); AQA A Level is listed for Computer Science (7517) and Psychology (7182). The school says it is an exam centre for OxfordAQA, AQA and Pearson Edexcel.
GEMS Cambridge International School Dubai
Al Garhoud
- Ages 14–16
- Cambridge IGCSE, Edexcel International GCSE, GCSE
- Ages 16–18
- A Level
Year 10 (Curriculum Handbook 2025–2026)
Cambridge IGCSE
First Language English (0500); Literature in English (0475); Mathematics (0580); Biology (0610), Chemistry (0620), Physics (0625); Accounting (0452); Art & Design (0400); Business; Computer Science (0478); Economics (0455); Environmental Management (0680); Global Perspectives (0457); History (0470); ICT (0417); Sociology (0495); Travel & Tourism (0471)
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE
Mathematics A, Higher (4MA1); Business (4BS1); English as a Second Language (4ES1)
Pearson Edexcel GCSE
French; Physical Education (1PE0); Psychology (1PS0)
Repton School Dubai
Nad Al Sheba
- Ages 14–16
- GCSE
- Ages 16–18
- A Level, BTEC, IB Diploma, EPQ
Years 10–11
The school's GCSE page does not list exam boards by subject.
Years 12–13 (A Level and BTEC Options Booklet 2024/25)
Pearson Edexcel A Level
Arabic; Art & Design; Biology; Business; Chemistry; Drama & Theatre; Economics; English Literature; History; Mathematics; French or Spanish; Music; Politics
Cambridge International A Level
Computer Science; Design & Technology; English Language; Geography; Media; Physical Education
OxfordAQA
Psychology
Pearson BTEC International Level 3
Applied Science; Business; IT; Production Arts; Sport
Hartland International School
Sobha Hartland, MBR City
- Ages 14–16
- GCSE, International GCSE
- Ages 16–18
- A Level, International A Level, BTEC, EPQ
Years 10–11 (GCSE Options Booklet)
The school says students prepare for GCSE and IGCSE examinations; the booklet's text does not list boards by subject.
Years 12–13 (Sixth Form Subject Options Booklet 2026–2028)
AQA A Level
Biology (7402); Chemistry (7405); Physics (7408); Computer Science (7517); English Language; French (8658), German (7662), Spanish (7692); History; Media Studies (7572); Politics (7152); Psychology (7182); Sociology (7192)
Pearson Edexcel A Level
Arabic (9AA0); Art & Design: Fine Art (9FA0), Photography (9PY0); Product Design (9DT0); Drama and Theatre (9DR0); English Literature (9ET0); Mathematics (9MA0), Further Mathematics (9FM0); Geography; Music (9MU0)
Pearson Edexcel International A Level
Business; Economics
Pearson BTEC International Level 3
Business; Sport; Travel and Tourism
Jumeirah College
Al Safa
- Ages 14–16
- GCSE
- Ages 16–18
- A Level, International A Level, BTEC
Years 10–11
GCSE options are published on the school's GCSE Options page; we did not transcribe per-subject boards.
Years 12–13 (Sixth Form Prospectus, Admissions 2027)
The prospectus names an exam board on each subject page: Pearson Edexcel International A Level for subjects including Biology and Chemistry, with AQA and Cambridge for other subjects, and Pearson BTEC International Level 3 for the vocational courses.
Dubai Heights Academy
Al Barsha South
- Ages 14–16
- GCSE, International GCSE, ASDAN
- Ages 16–18
- A Level, BTEC
Years 10–11
Secondary page: GCSEs and IGCSEs “through Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge International examination boards, and the ASDAN qualification.” See the KS4 Options Booklet 2026–2027 for the subject split.
The English College, Dubai
Al Safa
- Ages 14–16
- GCSE, International GCSE
- Ages 16–18
- A Level, BTEC
Years 10–11
Secondary page: “In Key Stage 4, they sit GCSEs through AQA and Pearson.” Students follow a personalised IGCSE and GCSE pathway.
Dubai College
Al Sufouh
- Ages 14–16
- GCSE
- Ages 16–18
- A Level
Years 10–13
The curriculum page describes 10 GCSEs in Years 10–11 and A Levels in the Sixth Form. Exam boards are given in the GCSE and A Level options booklets, which we did not transcribe.
Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)
Arabian Ranches (secondary)
- Ages 14–16
- GCSE
- Ages 16–18
- IB programme, BTEC Plus programme
Years 10–13
Students study up to 9 GCSEs, then choose the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme or the BTEC Plus programme. Boards are given in the school's GCSE Options Handbook.
Brighton College Dubai
Al Barsha South
- Ages 14–16
- GCSE
- Ages 16–18
- A Level, BTEC
Years 10–13
Pupils study 9 to 11 GCSEs in Years 10–11, then A Levels or BTEC in the Sixth Form. No exam boards are named on the pages we checked.
Nord Anglia International School Dubai
Al Barsha South
- Ages 14–16
- IGCSE
- Ages 16–18
- A Level, IB Diploma, BTEC
Years 10–13
Secondary culminates in IGCSE exams in Year 11; sixth form students choose A Levels, the IB Diploma or BTEC. No exam boards are named on the pages we checked.
Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills
Emirates Hills
- Ages 14–16
- IB MYP
- Ages 16–18
- IB Diploma, IB Career-related Programme
Years 7–13
IB Middle Years Programme in Years 7–11; IB Diploma Programme and IB Career-related Programme in Years 12–13.
Raffles World Academy
Umm Suqeim
- Ages 14–16
- IB MYP
- Ages 16–18
- IB Diploma, IB Career-related Programme
Grades 6–12
IB Middle Years Programme in Grades 6–10 (Years 7–11); IB Diploma and courses in Grades 11–12, with the IB Career-related Programme also listed.
GCSE vs IGCSE in Dubai schools
A GCSE is the qualification taken by students in England, set by UK boards such as AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR. An International GCSE (IGCSE) is the version designed for schools outside the UK. In Dubai the two you will meet most are Cambridge IGCSE and Pearson Edexcel International GCSE; OxfordAQA also offers International GCSEs.
British-curriculum schools in Dubai are free to choose per subject, so most pick the specification they think fits each department best. That is why one child can sit an Edexcel International GCSE in English, an AQA GCSE in drama and a Cambridge IGCSE in computer science in the same summer.
| UK GCSE | International GCSE / IGCSE | |
|---|---|---|
| Boards | AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR (and WJEC Eduqas) | Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel International, OxfordAQA |
| Grades | 9–1 | 9–1 for Edexcel International GCSE; Cambridge offers some syllabuses graded A*–G and some graded 9–1 |
| Code format | AQA four digits (8300); Edexcel codes starting 1 (1MA1); OCR J-codes (J560) | Cambridge four digits, usually starting 0 (0580); Edexcel codes starting 4 (4MA1) |
| Exam series | Mainly May/June, with November resits in English and maths | May/June, with January or November series for many subjects |
How to find your child’s exam board
Check it per subject, not per school. Three places give a definite answer:
The options booklet
Year 9 and Year 11 options booklets usually print the board and specification code on each subject page, as in every booklet linked above.
The exam entry statement
Before mocks and final exams the exams office issues a statement listing every paper your child is entered for, with the board and code.
Past paper codes
The code on the front of any past paper or mark scheme the teacher sets tells you the board instantly. Use the table below.
Specification codes for common subjects
| Subject | Cambridge IGCSE | Edexcel International GCSE | AQA GCSE | Edexcel GCSE | OCR GCSE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 0580 | 4MA1 | 8300 | 1MA1 | J560 |
| English Language | 0500 | 4EA1 | 8700 | 1EN0 | J351 |
| Biology | 0610 | 4BI1 | 8461 | 1BI0 | J247 |
For A Level maths, the same idea applies: Pearson Edexcel A Level 9MA0; AQA A Level 7357; OCR A Level (A) H240; Cambridge International AS & A Level 9709; Pearson Edexcel International A Level unit codes starting WMA.
Why the board matters for tutoring
Two maths courses with the same name can look quite different on exam day. Tutoring that ignores the board risks drilling the wrong paper.
- Paper structure. Edexcel International GCSE Maths (4MA1) is two calculator papers; AQA GCSE Maths (8300) is three papers, one of them non-calculator.
- Content and set texts. English Literature set texts, history topics and science practicals differ between boards, even for the same subject.
- Mark schemes and command words.Each board rewards answers in its own way. Practising with the right board’s past papers and examiner reports is the quickest way to pick up marks.
- Exam timing. Some international specifications have a November series or modular routes (several schools above list modular Edexcel International GCSEs), which changes when revision needs to peak.
At Improve ME Institute we teach to the specification your child is sitting, with upper secondary groups of a maximum of 6 students. Every new student starts with a free diagnostic test, so we know the board, the papers and the gaps before the first lesson.
Book a free diagnostic testTutoring by qualification
- GCSE tutoringAQA, Edexcel and OCR GCSEs
- IGCSE tutoringCambridge and Edexcel International
- A-Level tutoringUK and International A Levels
- IB tutoringIB Diploma subjects
Applying for a place rather than choosing subjects? Many of these schools also use CAT4 in admissions. See how Dubai schools use CAT4, school by school.
Exam board questions parents ask
How we compiled this
In November 2026we read each school’s own published options booklets, sixth form prospectuses and curriculum pages (linked on every school card above). We recorded a board only where the school names it. Where a booklet is published as a flipbook we could not read in full, or a school does not publish boards, the table says so. We did not use third-party school directories for board information.
Spotted a change? Schools update their booklets every year, so if your child’s booklet shows something different, the school’s version is correct. Let us know and we will update the page.