The UAE has officially shifted the school admission age cut-off to December 31 for all institutions starting in August or September. This change aligns the UAE education system with international standards by requiring students to reach the specified age by the end of the calendar year of admission, rather than the previous August 31 deadline.
Key Details:
- Effective Date: Applies to new admissions for the 2026–2027 academic year.
- Exclusions: Current students are not affected by the change. Schools starting in April (Indian/Pakistani curricula) will maintain their March 31 cut-off.
New Age Requirements (by December 31):
- Pre-KG / FS1: 3 years old
- KG1 / FS2: 4 years old
- KG2 / Year 1: 5 years old
- Grade 1 / Year 2: 6 years old
This policy update ensures that the UAE education system remains competitive and synchronized with global standards while providing families with greater flexibility for school entry. By standardizing the cut-off to the end of the calendar year, the Ministry aims to foster better academic readiness and social integration for incoming students across all international curricula.
