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UAE · Ministry of Education equivalencyCambridge IGCSE and A Levels are recognised in the UAE through the Ministry of Education’s equivalency process. To enter an accredited UAE university on a foreign curriculum, a student needs a Grade-12 Equivalency Certificate from the Ministry. Here’s what that involves — and how Apex supports UAE families through it.
Through the Ministry of Education. The UAE MoE is the authority that “equalises” high-school certificates: a student who completed a foreign curriculum — including Cambridge IGCSE and A Level — must obtain a Grade-12 Equivalency Certificate from the Ministry to enter an accredited UAE university.
The certificate confirms the foreign qualification meets the UAE Grade-12 standard. It is issued by the Ministry, not by the school or by Cambridge — the application goes to the MoE directly, and Apex helps UAE families prepare for it.
Sources: UAE MoE certificate-equivalency service (British-curriculum rule naming GCSE/IGCSE and AS/A Level; page last updated by the Ministry 16 March 2026); UAE Government — equalising high-school certificates (the process). Verified 20 October 2026.
In four steps. Gather the original certificates for grades 10, 11 and 12 with the applicant’s Emirates ID and passport; have them attested by the UAE Ministry of Education and/or the issuing country’s education authority; translate anything not in Arabic or English; then apply in person at Ministry offices in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, or electronically. The typical route for a Cambridge student in the UAE:
Original certificates for grades 10, 11 and 12, plus the applicant’s Emirates ID and passport (applicant is a UAE resident).
Certificates are attested by the UAE Ministry of Education and/or the education authority of the country of issuance.
Certificates not in Arabic or English must be legally translated and duly attested.
Apply in person at MoE offices in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, or electronically via the ministry’s website.
Source: UAE Government — equalising high-school certificates. Verified 20 October 2026.
The process above is verified. These details vary by case and by institution, so Apex checks the current Ministry guidance for your child before advising — we never guess UAE admission requirements. Four things in particular to confirm before relying on a route:
Yes. The UAE Ministry of Education is the authority that equalises foreign high-school certificates, including British IGCSE and A Levels. A student who completed a foreign curriculum needs a Grade-12 Equivalency Certificate from the Ministry to be admitted to an accredited UAE university.
It is a Ministry of Education document confirming that a foreign qualification (such as Cambridge IGCSE/A Level) is equivalent to the UAE Grade-12 standard. Any student applying to an accredited UAE university on a foreign curriculum generally needs one before admission.
Applicants are UAE residents and typically provide Emirates ID and passport copies, original certificates for grades 10, 11 and 12, and attestation of those certificates by the UAE Ministry of Education and/or the issuing country’s education authority. Certificates not in Arabic or English must be legally translated and attested. You can apply at Ministry offices in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, or online.
Yes. You can apply in person at Ministry of Education offices in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, or electronically through the ministry’s website, where certificate equivalency is offered as an online service. The applicant must be a UAE resident and submits Emirates ID and passport copies together with the required school certificates for grades 10, 11 and 12.
Yes. Certificates must be attested — by the UAE Ministry of Education and/or the education authority of the country that issued them. Any certificate not already in Arabic or English must also be legally translated and duly attested before the Ministry will accept it for the Grade-12 equivalency. Apex helps UAE families check exactly what their case needs.
The Ministry of Education equivalency process is set up for applicants who are UAE residents: you provide Emirates ID and passport copies alongside original certificates for grades 10, 11 and 12. The certificate then confirms that a foreign qualification, such as Cambridge IGCSE or A Level, meets the UAE Grade-12 standard for accredited university entry.
Looking for lessons rather than paperwork? See online tutoring in the UAE: live, one-to-one Cambridge tutoring for UAE families, with Years and Grades explained and prices in US dollars.
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