Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has outlined student admission requirements for the 2026–2027 academic year in its new private schools guide. The most significant change is the shift in the age cut-off date from August 31 to December 31 for schools whose academic year begins in August or September. For schools following an April-start calendar, the cut-off remains March 31.

Under the new regulations, children born in 2023 may enter pre-kindergarten or FS1 under the British curriculum. Those born in 2022 are eligible for KG1 or FS2, children born in 2021 for KG2 or Year 1, and those born in 2020 for Grade 1 or Year 2. These categories apply to first-time enrolments at schools with August or September start dates.

Exceptions have also been introduced for the 2026–2027 transition period. For example, parents of children born between September 1 and December 31, 2022, who have not previously enrolled in a school or nursery, may agree with the school whether the child should enter FS1 or FS2. This is a one-off flexibility and does not apply to other year groups.

At schools where the academic year begins in April, children born between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, are eligible for KG1. The eligibility period for KG2 is April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, while children born between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2020, are eligible for Grade 1.

KHDA also stressed that the year-group placement of students transferring from other schools or from abroad will not be determined solely by age. The last year group successfully completed and official transfer documents will also be considered. The regulations are intended to maintain continuity in education and prevent students from being moved unnecessarily between year groups.