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Welcome to

North London Collegiate School Dubai

North London Collegiate School Dubai combines an ambitious academic education with pastoral care that genuinely values each individual and a range of extra-curricular activities that caters for every possible interest and talent.

For families who aspire to world-class universities for their children, we bring a unique educational offering to Dubai.

Enquire Now Exam Results
  • Pre-KG to Grade 12
  • IB World School
  • PYP, MYP and DP
  • Mohammed Bin Rashid City
A teacher kneels at a low table reading with two young children in the Lower Junior School
  1. 1850

    Since 1850, NLCS (UK) has maintained its reputation for providing an outstanding education. Founded by Victorian pioneers of education, Frances Mary Buss, in her family home in North London.

  2. 2017

    Opening in 2017, our school has rapidly grown and developed, becoming an exciting and vibrant place in which to learn.

  3. 2025

    In 2025, NLCS Dubai has been positioned as the No. 2 IB School in the UAE and among the Top 100 IB Schools worldwide, reflecting the outstanding performance of our students.

A young child stands at the top of a wooden climbing frame in the playground with both arms raised
The vision of our founder remains true to this day. We are a school which believes fundamentally in what students ‘can do’, in never placing ceilings on what they can achieve.

Exam Results

Discover what makes us so successful

Their consistently remarkable performance within the challenging yet rewarding IB Curriculum positions us as a top-tier IB World School within Dubai and the Middle East.

Points above the Global Average IB Diploma, 45 points available
  1. +7.1 2021 40.1 Global Average 33
  2. +6.1 2022 38.1 Global Average 32
  3. +7.2 2023 37.2 Global Average 30
  4. +6.9 2024 37.2 Global Average 30.32
  5. +6.3 2025 36.8 Global Average 30.5
  6. +7.2 2026 38.1 Global Average 30.9

2026

Average
38.1
Global Average
30.9
High Achievers (40+)
37%
Students with Perfect Score (45)
2

MYP Results 2025

Number of students
107
Average
47.6
Global Average
37
41% of students achieved
50+

At NLCS Dubai, we pride ourselves on providing an environment of academic excellence, demonstrated by our students at every stage.

Exam Results, University Offers and School Entrances
Jonathan Locke, Principal
Jonathan Locke
Principal

Welcome From The Principal

An education that goes beyond academics

In a relatively short period of time, the School has built a strong reputation for offering an inspirational and ambitious education for students in Dubai.

We are very lucky to have a wonderful site with fantastic facilities. However, the most important feature of the School are our teachers. We recruit highly qualified and passionate teachers who can motivate and inspire the students in their care. They love their subjects and make learning irresistible.

You only have to spend a few hours in the school to appreciate the secure and happy ethos at North London Collegiate School.

Why Choose NLCS Dubai

  1. Academic Excellence
  2. Exceptional Pastoral Care
  3. Outstanding Enrichment

Our approach to enrichment lies at the heart of our third pillar, Outstanding Enrichment, which stands proudly alongside Academic Excellence and Exceptional Pastoral Care.

Students in white lab coats gather round a skeleton model with their teacher in a science laboratory

Academic Excellence

Our goal is for each student to recognise academic excellence and to realise that it is attainable.

Students at NLCS Dubai enjoy a quality of teaching and learning that enables them to strive for the highest levels of academic attainment. Our students have confidence in their abilities and are encouraged to believe in themselves, take risks and stretch themselves beyond what they thought possible.

Another key feature of school life are the weekly ‘Nicholson Lectures’, during which teachers and Sixth form students give academic lectures on a topic related to their subject but completely unrelated to the syllabus. So far, we have seen lectures on topics such as ‘How do we learn to speak?’ and ‘A history of the operatic voice’.

A teacher sits talking with three senior students on a bench under a tree on campus

Exceptional Pastoral Care

Our motto at NLCS Dubai is that ‘everyone matters’. Individuals are well-known and not just accepted but celebrated for who they are and encouraged to make the most of their unique gifts.

No-one is ‘labelled’ and we work tirelessly to ensure that no child ‘slips through the net’. Our tutor groups are purposefully small in size with two form tutors assigned to them allowing for individualised care and attention.

It is important to us that every child in our care feels safe, valued and supported.

Senior students in black and white costume throw their arms upwards on stage during a drama production

Outstanding Enrichment

In the Senior School there are over 100 extra-curricular activities on offer, taking place for all grade levels groups at lunchtime and after school.

The exciting array of clubs and activities means there is something for everyone, from MUN to coding and from drama to visual art. Senior students are given the opportunity to take a lead role in creating and organising clubs and societies. The ‘Senior Societies’ programme currently has over fifteen student led academic societies.

In the Junior School, more than 100 extra-curricular activities run each week providing an extensive array for students to choose from.

School Stories

A broad education, beyond the classroom

At NLCS, academic excellence is part of a much broader education. Throughout the year, students have opportunities to perform, create, compete and contribute, from major theatrical productions and concerts to art exhibitions, festivals, sporting competitions and House events.

  • The cast of Little Shop of Horrors on stage in 1960s costumeLittle Shop of Horrors
  • Senior students performing at a Shakespeare festivalSenior School took part in a Shakespeare Festival
  • The senior swim squad with a team banner at the poolSenior Swim Squad, Division Champions
  • Students in traditional dress with flags and a decorated display for National DayNational Day Celebration
  • A student speaking at a lectern during a house debating competitionHouse Debating Competition
  • Students on a mountainside during the ski tripSki Trip
  • Two students concentrating over a chess boardChess Competition
  • The school choir performing on a concert hall stageInternational Schools Choral Music Society
  • Junior students racing on the field on sports dayNLCS Dubai Sports Days
  • Students walking through rocky terrain on an expeditionDuke of Edinburgh International Award, Adventurous Journey
  • Students in bright festival costumes at the arts festivalNLCS Dubai Arts Festival

At NLCS Dubai we are very proud of our House system which runs throughout the entire school. Students are placed within one of four Houses which were created by our founding students and staff in 2017.

  • Hafeet HouseOur strength is in our pack
  • Jais HouseBelieve today, inspire tomorrow
  • Javi HouseEverything is Possible
  • Yibir HouseReady for Anything

2025 Entrance

University places taken up

At NLCS Dubai, our graduates have consistently gained admission to some of the world's most prestigious universities, demonstrating their academic excellence and preparedness for global challenges.

United Kingdom

  • University of Cambridge
  • Imperial College London
  • University College London
  • London School of Economics and Political Science
  • University of St Andrews
  • University of Edinburgh
  • King’s College London
  • University of Leeds
  • University of Bristol
  • University of Bath
  • Durham University
  • University of Warwick
  • SOAS University of London
  • University of Exeter
  • University of Birmingham

United States

  • Northwestern University
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • University of California, Davis
  • University of California, Irvine
  • Penn State
  • Purdue University
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • University of Connecticut
  • Fordham University
  • University of Notre Dame
  • Emory University

Canada

  • McGill University
  • University of Toronto
  • University of British Columbia
  • University of Waterloo

Europe and others

  • Bocconi University
  • Polimoda
  • University College Dublin
  • ESSEC Business School
  • The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  • University of Birmingham Dubai

NLCS International

Family of schools

At the heart of NLCS schools is a common educational vision, a determination to instil a love of learning.

NLCS Dubai retains a deep connection to our London ‘mother’ school, and an unremitting commitment to replicating the NLCS quality and ethos. Our London school has a key role in recruiting and training our teaching staff. We benefit from regular monitoring visits and inspections, and are committed to forging substantial links between pupils and teachers across our schools.

  1. 1850NLCS (UK), London
  2. 2011NLCS Jeju, South Korea
  3. 2017NLCS Dubai
  4. 2020NLCS (Singapore)
  5. NewestNLCS Kobe, Japan
Canons, the house and grounds of North London Collegiate School in Edgware
NLCS (UK), Canons
The NLCS Dubai campus building and entrance road in Mohammed Bin Rashid City
NLCS Dubai, Mohammed Bin Rashid City

Join our Community, Be a North Londoner!

Experience NLCS Dubai

Our School is located in the prime location of Mohammed Bin Rashid City, just three kilometers from the Burj Khalifa.

Our school is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm from Monday to Thursday and from 8:00 am to 12:45 pm on Fridays. We aim to be as flexible as possible, so if you would like to meet us outside of these times, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Enquire Now Entrance Procedure
Admissions 800-NLCS (800-6527) General Enquiries +971 (0)4 319 0888 admissions@nlcsdubai.ae

Travel Time

  1. DowntownApprox. 10 minutes
  2. Business BayApprox. 12 minutes
  3. Creek HarbourApprox. 15 minutes
  4. Dubai HillsApprox. 15 minutes
  5. MirdifApprox. 20 minutes
  6. Al BarshaApprox. 23 minutes
  7. Arabian RanchesApprox. 24 minutes

The campus is at the centre of the developing Sobha Hartland community. Access to the campus is via the Al Khail, Ras Al Khor and Oud Metha Roads.

The North London Collegiate School Dubai sign at the campus entrance