UAE updates school admission age cut-off rules for 2026–2027 academic year

The UAE Ministry of Education has officially announced updated school admission age cut-off rules for the 2026–2027 academic year, marking a significant policy shift aimed at standardizing enrollment criteria across different curricula and aligning with international education standards.

The revised rules will apply only to new admissions beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year. Students who are already enrolled in schools across the UAE will not be affected and will continue their academic progression as usual.

New admission cut-off dates

Under the updated policy, schools that begin their academic year in August or September will follow a new age cut-off date of December 31 of the admission year. This replaces the earlier August 31 deadline and provides greater flexibility for children with later birthdays.

Schools that follow an April academic start, primarily Indian curriculum schools, will continue to apply the existing March 31 cut-off date with no changes.

Age eligibility requirements from 2026–2027

To qualify for admission, children must meet the following minimum age requirements by December 31 of the year of entry:

• Pre-KG / FS1: 3 years

• KG1 / FS2: 4 years

• KG2 / Year 1: 5 years

• Grade 1 / Year 2: 6 years

What parents should know

The new policy offers welcome flexibility for children born between September 1 and December 31, who were previously ineligible for admission under the 2025–2026 rules. These students can now enroll in the appropriate grade level starting in the 2026–2027 academic year.

Education regulators, including KHDA and ADEK, have clarified that no exceptions will be granted to the revised cut-off dates, reinforcing consistency across schools.

Parents should also note that while a child may meet the age eligibility criteria, many private schools will continue to conduct developmental readiness assessments before confirming placement.

For transfer students, whether moving from outside the UAE or switching curricula within the country, placement will be determined based on the last successfully completed grade and overall academic progress.

The updated framework is expected to reduce confusion, improve transparency for parents, and bring greater alignment across the UAE’s diverse education landscape.