Dubai English Speaking College, Academic City

Dubai English Speaking College, also known as DESC, is one of the few non-profit co-education colleges in Academic City following the English National Curriculum for GCSE, A-Level and BTEC. Established in 2005, it offers classes from Years 7 to 13 for students aged 11 to 18. It is a sister school of Dubai English Speaking School (DESS), one of the oldest British schools in Dubai that opened in 1963.

The highlight of Dubai English Speaking College is the ‘Outstanding’ KHDA rating DESC has secured since 2012 – 2013.

• Location: Academic City
• School fee: AED 81,082 – AED 87,147
• Curriculum: English National Curriculum
• Co-ed or segregate: Co-education
• KHDA rating: Outstanding
• Years offered: Year 7 - Year 13

Residential areas in proximity to DESC are:

• Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO)
• Al Warsan
• International City
• The Villa

Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) is one of the most popular communities for renting affordable apartments in Dubai. The mixed-use development has numerous apartment buildings, complexes, commercial towers and gated villa communities. Al Warsan is another mixed-use area near DESSC. It is divided into four sub-communities with affordable properties for rent and sale. International City, best known for its country-themed clusters, is home to the popular Dragon Mart. The Villa was launched in 2005 by Dubai Properties. Considered one of the largest residential projects suitable for families, its prime location in the city and connectivity with big roads make it a suitable residential option.

Here are some residential options available close to the Dubai English Speaking College:

• Apartments for rent near Dubai English Speaking College

DESC is one of the leading international schools, delivering a high-quality and enjoyable experience for every student, with its world-class facilities. The campus boasts a variety of sporting amenities, including a full-size rugby pitch and football pitch, two training pitches, a fully air-conditioned indoor swimming pool and an outdoor temperature-controlled swimming pool. Additionally, there is a 4G Astro football pitch, four netball courts, six badminton courts, four basketball courts, two cricket nets, a golf practice driving net, two high-performance gyms, a sports clinic, an outdoor gym, an indoor sports hall and a dedicated coach education room.

Beyond sports, DESC offers extensive educational facilities such as a recording studio, two auditoriums, two libraries, two dance studios, a Zen garden, two canteens, a media hub, twelve science labs, two food technology rooms, a photography studio, a design and technology workshop, four art studios, two quiet study rooms, two silent study rooms and the David May Desert Garden. These resources ensure a comprehensive and enriching learning environment for all students.

Dubai English Speaking College is located along Academic City Road in Academic City, Dubai.

Dubai English Speaking College (DESC) is a top choice for students seeking an exceptional education. With a consistent 'Outstanding' rating from KHDA for the past ten years, DESC ensures high-quality teaching and learning. Students are encouraged to think creatively and have access to modern facilities like computers and a couple of libraries.

DESC personalises the British curriculum for Sixth Form students, offering tailored academic pathways and smooth transitions between courses. For those who need extra support, DESC provides a Foundation Year Programme to help bridge knowledge gaps.

Extracurricular activities are also a priority at DESC, including sports, dance, music and drama. Recognized for its sports programs, DESC is known as one of the best schools in the UAE. Choosing DESC means choosing a school that values excellence in education and overall development.

Dubai English Speaking College offers classes from Year 7 (Grade 6) to Year 13 (Grade 12). The school welcomes students aged 11 to 18.

Dubai English Speaking College follows the English National Curriculum.

Key Stage 3

Students taught the following courses in Key Stage 3:

Key Stage 4

In Key Stage 4, each student studies core subjects at the GCSE level in addition to three electives. 

Core subjects include:

Furthermore, students need to choose three electives from the courses listed below:

Key Stage 5 (Sixth Form)

DESC's Sixth Form curriculum is diverse and designed to offer numerous pathways for students. With three main routes - Academic, Vocational, or Mixed - students can tailor their education to their interests and strengths.

For those inclined towards academic pursuits, the Academic pathway offers a choice of 24 GCE Advanced Level/A Level qualifications. Students can select three subjects from this range.

Alternatively, the Vocational pathway provides practical, real-world learning experiences through eight different BTEC/RSL qualifications. 

Ultimately, the choice between Academic and Vocational pathways depends on various factors, such as examination preferences, subject content and individual learning styles. Both pathways offer unique opportunities for academic success and personal growth.

Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB) works under KHDA and provides a comprehensive report of private schools and their standard of education.

Dubai English Speaking College is rated ‘Outstanding’ by KHDA during the latest inspection. DESC has an exceptional record when it comes to KHDA ratings.

The college calendar is divided into three terms:

• The first term starts in the last week of August and ends in the second week of December, followed by a 3-week winter break.
• The second term starts in the first week of January and ends in the last week of March, followed by a 2-week spring break.
• The third term starts in the second week of April and ends in the last week of June, followed by a 2-month summer break.

Please note that the dates are subject to change. The academic calendar of DESC is available on the official website.

Internal Students (Students of Dubai English Speaking School)

DESS students have an automatic place at DESC, pending parent confirmation and payment of a non-refundable AED3,000 deposit. Upon payment, an email confirms the place and no internal assessment is required. Failure to pay the deposit forfeits the guaranteed place, requiring reapplication following the external process. This involves an AED 525 application fee and, if offered a place, a non-refundable AED 5,000 deposit.

External Students (Students from schools other than DESS)

To apply to DESC, applicants must submit a completed admission form, necessary documents and a non-refundable application fee of AED 525 to Admissions. Students from schools other than DESS need to undergo an assessment to determine their academic level. Special Educational Needs and Disabilities are accommodated based on available resources. An original Leaving Certificate from the previous school is required for registration and a Transfer Certificate is needed when moving from outside Dubai. Once accepted, a non-refundable deposit of AED 5,000 must be paid within 7 days, deducted from the first term's fees.

Documents needed to be submitted with the admission form are:

• Birth Certificate
• Passport Copy
• Recent Passport Photograph
• Most recent End of Year Academic Report
• Most recent Mid-Year Report (if available)
• Emirates Identity Card (if available)
• UAE Visa (if available)
• Educational/Psychological Report (if applicable)

For a detailed insight into the admissions policies and to know more about the admissions in Sixth Form, visit the official website of DESC.

The fee structure for DESC is as follows:

The annual fee at Dubai English Speaking College does not include charges for GCSE and GCE or any external examination such as music, dance, instrumental, dramas, etc. These activities and facilities are charged separately.

Sibling discounts

Families with three siblings enrolled receive a 5% discount for the youngest child. For families with four siblings, there's a 10% discount for the youngest and 5% for the next youngest. Families with five or more siblings get these discounts and an extra 10% off for any child after the fourth.

Acceptance Fee

The acceptance fee is deductible from first-term fees and is non-refundable. For external students, the acceptance fee structure is mentioned below:

Acceptance fee for Internal students:

Re-Registration Fees

DESSC fee can be paid through the SKIPLY mobile app or bank transfer. Details for the bank transfer are mentioned on the school’s official website.

Those considering DESC can visit the college after booking a tour. The tour allows parents and students to see what the college has to offer. Visitors can also meet students and teachers during a tour that lasts for one hour.

The school houses both DES Cafe and Sixth Form Cafe, offering a variety of nutritious food choices catered by Harness Foods.

The school provides reliable and secure transport services and almost 650 students use it daily. The school bus shuttles from Jebel Ali to Dubai Silicon Oasis. The responsible bus supervisors ensure the bus service follows RTA regulations. All buses have seat belts, video surveillance, a global positioning system, safety checks and scanners that record students’ attendance confirmation. All DESC drivers are well-trained and hold RTA-issued driving licenses. 

For more information regarding bus service and transportation charges in DESC, parents can email descbuses@dessc.sch.ae.

DESC boasts top-notch sporting facilities, including full-size rugby and football pitches, training pitches, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a 4G Astro football pitch, netball courts, a high-performance gym and more. With a dedicated focus on sports, DESC has expanded its PE and sports provision to include 24 staff members, including performance coaches in various disciplines like rugby, netball, football and strength & conditioning. The college is renowned for its competitive sports program, fielding over 120 teams across rugby, netball, football and swimming, among other sports. Supported by specialist directors and coaches, DESC emphasizes enjoyment, pride and respect in every sporting endeavour, making it the premier sporting school in Dubai.

At Dubai English Speaking College, extracurricular activities give students an opportunity to learn and polish their talents outside the established curriculum. Students can enjoy a range of sporting, creating, aesthetic, cultural and physical activities. The college expects students to involve themselves in at least one extracurricular activity every term.

The extracurricular timetable is planned and is put on the tutor notice board at the beginning of each term. It is also published on the website and the Parent Portal.

Students are required to attend the first session and inform about the activity they are interested in. The entertaining extracurricular activities on offer include:

• Debate Society
• Maths Challenge
• World Scholars

These are part of the Sixth Form level and students are encouraged to participate as per their aptitude. Some key extracurricular activities and groups/club include:

The college arranges multiple field trips throughout the term. These excursions involve visiting a venue that helps students learn more about subjects like geography, history and science. These field trips are not only informative but also interactive.

DESC students can engage in the following after-school activities:

Health is safety are of prime importance for the college as it has three full-time and well-qualified nurses and a doctor. The medical team provide the following services:

• First-aid and emergency care
• Measure and record the student’s height and weight
• Calculate BMI
• Collaborate with parents and staff regarding health-related concern
• Health promotion
• Coordinate and supervise school medical examinations
• Maintain school health records

The college asks parents to fill out a medical form at the time of admission. Students are never allowed to carry medicine with them. If students need to take any medicine during school hours, it should be handed over to the college nurses.

Every student’s immunisation record must be given to the nurses. As per the Dubai School Health Services requirement, a School Medical Examination is mandatory for new students and students in Years 7 and 9. The college also has a strict infection control procedure to minimise the spread of communicable diseases.

There are three clinics in the college, including one in G Block, one in F Block and one in the Sixth Form section. Children are sent back home if they have a fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes and watery eyes.

Parents are kept well aware regarding their child and events and the college’s announcements through the DESSC Parent Portal. Parents can register on the portal through the Registration Number provided to them through email or letter. After-school activities, extracurricular activities, field trips and other significant announcements are published on the portal for parents’ convenience.

WhatsApp groups are also part of parent-teacher communication. Parents can contact the school administration to learn more about these WhatsApp groups and register themselves.

• Phone number: +971-4-360-4866
• Email: admissions@dessc.sch.ae

General Information

• Dubai English Speaking Website
• Dubai English Speaking College Facebook
• Dubai English Speaking College YouTube
• Dubai English Speaking College Instagram

DOES THE SCHOOL CONDUCT AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES?

Yes, the school conducts after-school activities.

HOW MANY GRADES/YEARS ARE THERE IN THE SCHOOL?

Dubai English Speaking College offers classes from Year 7 to Year 13.

DOES THE SCHOOL FOLLOW A CO-EDUCATION MODEL?

Yes, Dubai English Speaking College has a co-education model.

WHAT IS THE ACADEMIC CALENDAR OF THE SCHOOL?

The school year starts in August and ends in June.  

WHAT ARE THE TUITION FEES CHARGED BY JUMEIRAH COLLEGE?

The tuition fee of Dubai English Speaking College ranges from AED 81,082 to AED 87,147. 

DOES THE SCHOOL HAVE A CAFETERIA OR A CANTEEN ON CAMPUS?

Yes, the school has a couple of canteens with cafe-style tables where students can enjoy lunch. The canteen has healthy snacks and food served by the Harness Foods catering service.  

HOW OFTEN DOES THE SCHOOL ARRANGE FIELD TRIPS?

Students enjoy age-appropriate field trips throughout the year.

Please note that the cover image belongs to Dubai English Speaking College