The government schools follow the standard national curriculum of the UAE. The language of instruction is Arabic for all subjects. English is taught as a second language and used for teaching technical or scientific subjects.

Private schools offer different curricula, which include but not limited to International Baccalaureate (IB), British, American, French, German, Indian, Pakistani and Filipino syllabuses and the syllabus set by Ministry of Education. In addition to these specific syllabuses, private schools must offer core programmes such as Islamic education, social studies and Arabic as a second-language. These subjects are offered as special classes for non-Arabic speakers.

• School policy on curriculum (PDF, 500KB) - Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge
• School curricula in Dubai - Knowledge and Human Development Authority
• School curricula in Sharjah - Sharjah Private Education Authority

In 2016, Abu Dhabi launched Moral Education initiative to be included in school curricula and courses in the form of a subject. The initiative was implemented in cooperation with Ministry of Education, the Department of Education and Knowledge and other relevant institutions. It aims to instil and preserve the UAE's values and morals. The subject includes five key elements: ethics, personal and community development, culture and heritage, civic education, and rights and responsibilities.

In 2015, H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid launched a national programme to include innovation and entrepreneurship into the curricula of both, public and private higher education institutions in the UAE. The initiative aims to develop higher education programmes to help meet the country's human resource requirements and produce specialised talent needed for the next phase of the UAE's development. In addition, the subject of innovation will be integrated into the UAE's schools and higher education institutes.