UAE Sets December 31 as new age cut-off for school admissions for 202627 academic year

The UAE has rolled out a revised age eligibility policy for school admissions for the 2026–27 academic year. The Ministry of Education announced that the official age cut-off date has been shifted to December 31 of the admission year, replacing the earlier August 31 deadline. This change applies to all schools and kindergartens that begin their academic year in August or September, while institutions with an April start will continue to follow a March 31 cut-off.

Authorities clarified that the updated criteria apply only to new admissions, and students already enrolled will not be impacted, according to the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council.

As per the new guidelines, age eligibility is as follows:

Pre-K (FS1 in British curriculum, Petite Section in French curriculum, and Pre-KG in other curricula): Children must be 3 years old by December 31 of the admission year.

KG1: Children must be 4 years old by December 31 of the admission year.

KG2: Children must be 5 years old by December 31 of the admission year.

Grade 1: Children must be 6 years old by December 31 of the admission year.