The verdict in three sentences
For a bilingual private school in Dubai receiving 600 admission enquiries a year by phone, a website with online pre-registration costs 60,000 to 160,000 AED in 2026 (about 16,000 to 44,000 USD), delivered in 10 weeks. The structural items are the application form with attachments, the parent portal (about 40,000 AED) and an Arabic RTL version designed from the wireframes. With hosting of about 4,000 AED a year, the school saves hundreds of admin hours and gains clear tracking of every file.
From phone calls to online files: the useful modules
During admissions season, the front desk of a Dubai private school can take up to 40 calls a day. The same questions keep coming: available seats, tuition fees, documents required, entrance assessment date. The site must answer them, then collect a complete file with no lost paperwork.
| Module | Function | Estimated 2026 cost (AED) | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brochure (curriculum, phases, staff, school life) | Win over families | 22,000 to 38,000 | Essential |
| Full Arabic RTL version | Reach every family | 10,000 to 20,000 | Essential |
| Pre-registration form with attachments | Reports, passport, Emirates ID, photo | 13,000 to 22,000 | Essential |
| Admissions dashboard | Status, assessment, decision | 10,000 to 20,000 | Strongly advised |
| Parent portal | File tracking, documents, announcements, timetable | About 40,000 | Possible phase 2 |
| SMS and email notifications | Assessment invitations, reminders | 5,000 to 10,000 | Advised |
The Arabic version is more than a translation: right-to-left reading flips menus, forms and tables. Building it in from the wireframes costs half as much as adding it later.
Three budgets depending on your school
| Package | Scope | Budget (AED) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bilingual brochure | EN/AR brochure + contact form | 60,000 to 80,000 | 6 weeks |
| Online admissions | Brochure + pre-registration with attachments + dashboard | 90,000 to 115,000 | 8 weeks |
| Connected school | Admissions + parent portal + notifications | 130,000 to 160,000 | 10 weeks |
| Secure hosting | HTTPS, backups, document storage | About 4,000 per year | Recurring |
| Maintenance | Updates, new school year | 1,000 to 2,500 per month | Recurring |
Application files hold data about minors. The UAE Personal Data Protection Law (Federal Decree-Law 45 of 2021) requires parental consent, a defined purpose and limited retention, and KHDA expects clear published fee information. Include these points in the requirements.
The time saved, in figures
| Indicator | Before the site | After the first intake (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Admission enquiries per year | 600, by phone | 600, including 450 online |
| Handling time per enquiry | 45 minutes (calls, follow-ups, copies) | 15 minutes |
| Incomplete files | 40 % | 10 % |
| Time to invite to assessment | 2 to 3 weeks | 5 days |
| Admin hours spent on admissions | 450 h per year | 225 h per year |
Mini case study
Omar, founder of a bilingual private school in Dubai (480 pupils from primary to middle school), chooses the Connected school package at 140,000 AED. Each of his 600 yearly enquiries took 45 minutes to handle, 450 hours in total. With 450 online files processed in 15 minutes and 150 still by phone, the total falls to about 225 hours.
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The 225 hours saved, valued at 80 AED an hour, are worth 18,000 AED a year. The real gain lies elsewhere: with tuition of 45,000 AED a year, 5 extra enrolments thanks to faster replies bring in 225,000 AED in the first year, more than the whole budget.
FAQ
How much does a private school website cost in Dubai in 2026?
Between 60,000 and 160,000 AED depending on modules. The package with online pre-registration and a dashboard sits around 90,000 to 115,000 AED.
Is the Arabic version essential?
For a bilingual school in Dubai, yes: many families read Arabic first, and regulators expect Arabic content. Building it in from the start costs 10,000 to 20,000 AED.
Can registration fees be collected online?
Yes, through a local payment gateway accepting cards and Apple Pay, as an option. Allow 2 to 4 weeks to open the merchant account with your bank.
Should the parent portal launch from day one?
Not necessarily. Many schools start with online admissions, then add the parent portal, about 40,000 AED, the following year.
When should the project start?
For admissions opening in October, start no later than July. The 10 weeks include 2 weeks of testing with real parents.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your enrolment, phases and admissions calendar: we will price the bilingual site, online pre-registration and parent portal, with a schedule aligned with your intake. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
