Admissions Process

“NAS Dubai champions an ambitious education believing that there are no limits to what our students can achieve for themselves and for others.”

- NAS Dubai Mission Statement

Visit

We invite all prospective parents to make an appointment with our Admissions Office to take the time to visit our school and learn about our programmes. We offer personalised tours of our school and opportunity to discuss the educational needs of the applicants.

Making an application

The application process starts when the Application Form together with the latest school reports from the student’s current school are submitted to NAS Dubai Admissions Department for review.

We consider each application individually, taking into account academic ability, behaviour and additional learning needs and as well as age, gender and nationality as we endeavor to achieve balance, equality and broad international representation. NAS Dubai fosters a strong community with high academic aspirations for all its students, is committed to inclusive education and has excellent pastoral care.

Invitation for a formal entrance assessment is sent to the applicant.

Assessments

NAS Dubai fosters inclusive education and maintains high academic standards for all. All students who apply to NAS Dubai sit admissions assessments. Assessment dates are arranged throughout the year. Application fee is due at this point.

Enrolment into Nursery (EYFS1), Reception (EYFS2) and Year 1

Admissions will invite all applicants for a play based assessment ‘Stay and Play’ which takes place in a specialist Early Years classroom with a small group of children. This assessment is conducted by the Primary School Team and will consist of a number of observations which demonstrate child’s readiness for school, language and communication, willingness to explore and play, the social interactions and emerging personality so far as we can perceive at the given time.

Overseas admission for EYFS is done on the current nursery’s recommendation.

Following the successful assessment students are either offered a place at NAS Dubai or placed on the Waiting List.

Enrolment into Years 2 to 4

Assessments for the entrance to Primary Years 2 to 4 are arranged by the Admissions department and conducted by the Primary SLT.

Students sit English and Mathematics papers.

Overseas admission for Year 2 to Year 4 is done on the basis of the current school’s report and recommendation.

Following a successful assessment students from Year 2 to 4 are either offered a place to study at NAS Dubai or are placed on the Waiting List.

Enrolment into Years 5 and 6

Assessments for the entrance to Primary Years 5 and 6 are conducted by the Admissions department and reviewed by the Primary School Teams. Students sit CAT4 and English paper.

Overseas admission for Years 5 and 6 require prospective students to take our admissions  assessments in their current school. These students will complete the CAT4 and English paper.

Following a successful assessment students are either offered a place to study at NAS Dubai or are placed on the Waiting List.

Enrolment into Years 7 and 8

Assessments for the entrance to Secondary Years 7 and 8 are conducted by the Admissions department and reviewed by the Secondary Leadership Teams. Students sit CAT4, English and Mathematics papers.

Overseas admission for Years 7 and 8 requires prospective students to take our admissions  assessments in their current school. These students will complete the CAT4, English and Mathematics assessments.

Following a successful assessment students are either offered a place to study at NAS Dubai or are placed on the Waiting List.

Enrolment into IGCSE Programme in Years 9, 10 and 11

NAS Dubai students start the IGCSE programme at the beginning of Year 9. This is a three year programme that takes students to IGCSE Public Examinations at the end of Year 11 and prepares the students very well for the IBDP path.

On a case by case basis, the school will consider a start in Year 10 but no later than the end of the first half of Term One (October).

School will not consider applications to Year 11.

Assessments for the entrance to Years 9 and 10 are conducted by the Admissions department and reviewed by the Secondary SLT. Students sit CAT4, English and Mathematics papers.

Overseas admission for Years 9 and 10 requires prospective students to take our admissions  assessments in their current school. These students will complete the CAT4, English and Mathematics assessments.

Following a successful assessment IGCSE students are either offered a place to study at NAS Dubai or are placed onto Waiting List.

IGCSE Options will be introduced by and discussed with the Admissions team or a member of the Secondary Leadership Team.

Enrolment into the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

The IB Diploma Programme offers students many opportunities for personal development, academic study and research, the development of leadership and collaborative skills, and an opportunity to contribute to the wider community which is managed through the CAS programme (Creativity, Action and Service).

Assessments for the entrance to IB Diploma Programme are conducted by the Admissions department and reviewed by the IBDP Team. Students sit CAT4, English and Mathematics papers and following the results of the assessment meet with the IB Team to discuss their options.

Overseas admission to Y12 require prospective students to take our admissions  assessments in their current school. These students will complete the CAT4, English and Mathematics assessments and following the results of the assessment have a skype call with the IB Team to discuss their options.

Prospective students are required to have grades A* to C in seven subjects at IGCSE level or equivalent. Students who do not satisfy this criterion will be considered on a case by case basis to ensure the school fully understands how to meet the needs of the individual.

Following a successful assessment IB students are sent an unconditional or conditional offer of a place to study at NAS Dubai.

Accepting the offer

As soon as the parents receive the offer of a place for their child to study at NAS Dubai they need to respond by either accepting, declining or deferring the offer. This will start the system that will secure the child’s place with us. We normally expect this response within two days.

Invoice

As soon as the parents have confirmed their acceptance of our offer of a place the Finance department will send out an invoice for the security deposit. This needs to be paid within seven days.  

Welcome email from Admissions and Handbook

As soon as you have paid the deposit Admissions Department will send you a welcome email and a Handbook relevant to your child’s phase of school if your child’s starting date is for the current academic year or at the end of the year for the start in the next academic year.

Document collection

Following this, NAS Dubai Admissions Department will ask you to submit the relevant documents necessary for your child’s safe start at school such as Medical and Immunization forms, Transfer Certificate, copies of the visa, ID and passports, and so on.

Welcome email from the Tutor

In the week before your child starts at NAS Dubai you will receive a welcome email from his/her teacher in the Primary or personal tutor in the Secondary school.

Transfer certificate and contract signing with KHDA

Before a child can be accepted by any school in Dubai, a Transfer Certificate (TC) must be provided by their previous school. This is a UAE Ministry of Education requirement and it is the responsibility of the parents to deliver this TC to the receiving school. Please know that the Transfer Certificate is required by all who are arriving from outside Dubai and UAE.

Notes

1. All Transfer Certificates must be written in English and the Transfer Certificate must contain the information as noted. This has to be on original school letterhead, signed and stamped by the Head/Principal.
2. The transfer certificate should be dated ONLY after the last day of attendance of the student.
3. It is the sole responsibility of the parents to provide the original attested transfer certificate to NAS DUBAI.
4. The original Transfer Certificate must be submitted to the School Admissions Office at the time of enrolment.

Attestation of Transfer Certificates (TC) : In order for your child to be registered with the UAE’s Ministry of Education, the Transfer Certificate must be properly signed, stamped and attested as necessary.

1. Transfer Certificates are required from ALL countries.

Middle East (except for UAE), South and Central America (including Mexico), Asia, former Russian States, Eastern Europe and Africa:

• TC with school stamp and signature
• Ministry of Education attestation (in the country of the school you are leaving)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• UAE Embassy (in the country of the school you are leaving)

United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia or New Zealand:

• TC with school stamp and signature only

Another Emirate in the UAE:

• Original Transfer Certificate in Arabic or English
• Signed and stamped by the school
•  Attested by the Ministry of Education of that Emirate

Dubai internal transfers are registered with the KHDA once the Leaving Certificate from the previous school has been submitted by the parents to the new school.

Parents please note that without the above it will not be possible to legally register your child in a school or with the Ministry of Education in Dubai.

School Reports

A copy of the latest school report must be submitted to the school, which must state the YEAR the student is currently attending or has completed. This is used by the school in the process of registration with the KHDA.

Contract Signing

Following successful registration, the KHDA will invite the parents for contract signing at the new school, or via the KHDA App or KHDA Website. 

Our friendly Admissions staff are here to help you all through the process and should you have any queries regarding the process or the school in general please do not hesitate to contact us on Admissions@nasdubai.ae