UAE: Rising UK school fees push British families to move to Emirates, reveals survey

Khaleej Times

20-02-2025

The UAE is among the top destinations for British families considering relocating, driven by the rising costs of private schools in the UK, revealed a new survey.
The report, 'Exodus & Education' by GEMS Education, highlighted that the UK government's decision to impose value-added tax (VAT) on private school fees from January 2025 — announced in the October 2024 Autumn Budget — is a key factor driving families to seek alternatives abroad.
Among parents surveyed with children in UK independent schools, 32 per cent cited their child's education as their top priority when considering a move.
The report also notes a broader trend of British families relocating overseas, with Spain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, and the UAE emerging as the most sought-after destinations.
With its world-class private education sector and tax-free living, the UAE is increasingly seen as an attractive option for families seeking stability and quality schooling.
Lisa Crausby OBE, Group Chief Education Officer at GEMS Education, said, 'The report shows that, for many families, moving away from the UK could become a reality in the near future. It is interesting to note that education — leading to a better future and job opportunities — is one of the key factors influencing this decision to move abroad.
'Today, it is easier than ever for expat families to find high-quality schools that teach the National Curriculum for England in the UAE and all parts of the world. Students can seamlessly begin, continue, and complete their schooling abroad, graduating with the same GCSE and A-level qualifications that they would have gained in the UK, enhanced with an international perspective and global citizenship.
'We are seeing this trend reflected at GEMS Education, where we have already recorded an eight per cent year-on-year increase in the number of British families enrolled in our 44 UAE schools, as well as a 26 per cent year-on-year rise in enquiries from the UK.'
UAE's growing status as global education hub
Other experts in the field also reiterated that the UAE has become a top choice for UK parents thanks to its growing status as a global education hub, offering internationally recognised curricula and qualifications in a diverse and safe environment.
Johanna Waters, Professor of Human Geography, University College London (UCL), who contributed to the report, said, 'As an academic who has been researching the link between education and migration for over 20 years, the findings in this fascinating report are an important confirmation of the trends we've been lately seeing.
'For many years, education has been a primary driver of international relocation for parents concerned about their children's (global) futures. The report highlights a growing global trend in well-resourced families seeking schooling overseas when faced with increasing uncertainty and perceived instability at home.'