Khurram Badar / Archive / Courses / UAE Curriculum Subject Map & Collection Checklist

UAE Curriculum Subject Map & Collection Checklist

guide · 2026-04-19 · 3138 words · Khurram Badar · for teachers, professionals · intro

Reference guide mapping UAE curriculum frameworks across public and international systems with collection tracking tools for educators.

education · curriculum · reference · uae

newworld — UAE Curriculum Subject Map + Bank Collection Checklist

**Purpose:** Two things in one document.
**Part A:** UAE curriculum subject-and-code map (the missing half of "we have Pakistani subjects with Cambridge numbers").
**Part B:** Collection checklist template — one row per subject, track what you have and what's missing.

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PART A — UAE CURRICULUM SUBJECT-AND-CODE MAP

The UAE Context (important before the lists)

The UAE is not a single-curriculum market. It is genuinely 17+ curricula operating side by side, and this matters for how you target subjects.

Per The Arabian Post, KHDA (Dubai's regulator) oversees approximately 227 private schools offering 17 different curricula to nearly 390,000 students from 185 nationalities. Abu Dhabi has ADEK, Sharjah has SPEA, other emirates follow MoE directly.

**This means newworld's UAE target isn't one curriculum. It's a stack:**

1. UAE MoE curriculum — for the public schools and MoE-following private schools
2. Cambridge (British) — for ~30% of private schools in Dubai alone
3. Edexcel — significant subset of British-curriculum schools
4. American Common Core + AP — ~40 schools in Dubai per the Arabian Post reporting
5. Indian CBSE and ICSE — ~31 schools in Dubai
6. IB (International Baccalaureate) — ~35 schools in Dubai
7. Plus the compulsory "MoE core" (Arabic, Islamic, Social Studies) layered on top of ALL private schools regardless of curriculum

A.1 — UAE MoE Curriculum (the native system)

Per MoE reform, K-12 is structured as:
- Kindergarten (KG1-KG2) — ages 4-5
- Cycle 1 (Grades 1-5) — ages 6-10
- Cycle 2 (Grades 6-9) — ages 11-14
- Cycle 3 (Grades 10-12) — ages 15-18

From Grade 11 (2023-24 onwards), students follow the **Elective Subjects Model** with three groups:

Group 1 — Compulsory Academic Subjects (all students, Grades 11-12)

Per MoE published guide:

1. **Arabic language** — compulsory, all grades K-12
2. **Islamic Studies** — compulsory for Muslim students, all grades
3. **Social Studies / Moral Education** — compulsory (Moral Education added as formal subject in 2016)
4. **English Language** — compulsory, all grades
5. **Mathematics** (General stream OR Advanced stream) — compulsory
6. **Physical and Health Education** — compulsory

Group 2 — Elective Group One (Science subjects — must choose 2 of 3)

7. **Physics**
8. **Chemistry**
9. **Biology**

Group 3 — Elective Group Two (choose at least 1)

10. **Computing / Computer Science**
11. **Creative Design and Innovation**
12. **Health Sciences**
13. **Arts**

Additional UAE MoE subjects taught in earlier cycles

14. **Information Technology / Digital Literacy** — Cycle 2 onwards
15. **Music** — early cycles
16. **Economics** — some streams, later grades
17. **Business Studies** — some streams, later grades

Assessment

The General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (GSECE) at end of Grade 12 is the national exam. EmSAT was cancelled as a mandatory requirement for university admission — universities now set their own admission criteria. Grades 1-12 assessed through standardized end-of-term exams plus continuous evaluation.

Where to get UAE MoE syllabi and textbooks

**Important note:** UAE MoE textbooks are published in Arabic primarily. Some subjects have English editions for private-school MoE-curriculum students. For newworld, this means Arabic-language content for UAE MoE subjects requires Arabic sources.

A.2 — Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) in UAE

This is the largest British-curriculum segment in UAE private schools. Uses the same Cambridge syllabus codes you already have for your Pakistani bank.

**Key Cambridge syllabi in UAE private schools** (codes are the same globally):

Lower secondary:
- Cambridge Lower Secondary — no single code, subject-by-subject curriculum framework

IGCSE (Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education):
- Mathematics 0580
- Mathematics - Additional 0606
- English Language 0500, 0510 (Second Language)
- English Literature 0475, 0486
- Physics 0625, 0972 (9-1)
- Chemistry 0620, 0971 (9-1)
- Biology 0610, 0970 (9-1)
- Combined Science 0653
- Coordinated Sciences 0654
- Business Studies 0450
- Economics 0455
- Accounting 0452
- Computer Science 0478, 0984 (9-1)
- ICT 0417
- Geography 0460, 0976 (9-1)
- History 0470, 0977 (9-1)
- Sociology 0495
- Global Perspectives 0457
- Arabic First Language 0508
- Arabic Second Language 0544
- Islamic Studies 0493
- Religious Studies 0490
- Art & Design 0400
- Music 0410
- Drama 0411
- Physical Education 0413
- French Foreign Language 0520
- Spanish Foreign Language 0530
- Hindi Second Language 0549
- Urdu Second Language 0539
- Urdu First Language 0525

AS and A Level (Cambridge International):
- Mathematics 9709
- Further Mathematics 9231
- Physics 9702
- Chemistry 9701
- Biology 9700
- English Language 9093
- English Literature 9695
- Business 9609
- Economics 9708
- Accounting 9706
- Computer Science 9618
- Geography 9696
- History 9489
- Sociology 9699
- Psychology 9990
- Law 9084
- Global Perspectives & Research 9239
- Arabic 9680
- Islamic Studies 9488

**Where to get Cambridge syllabi and papers:**
- Official: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org
- Each syllabus page has specification PDF, specimen papers, past papers, examiner reports

A.3 — Pearson Edexcel International in UAE

Significant minority of British-curriculum schools use Edexcel rather than Cambridge. Edexcel codes differ from Cambridge.

**IGCSE / International GCSE (Edexcel):**
- Mathematics A 4MA1
- Mathematics B 4MB1
- Further Pure Mathematics 4PM1
- English Language A 4EA1
- English Language B 4EB1
- English Literature 4ET1
- Physics 4PH1
- Chemistry 4CH1
- Biology 4BI1
- Human Biology 4HB1
- Business 4BS1
- Economics 4EC1
- Accounting 4AC1
- ICT 4IT1
- Geography 4GE1
- History 4HI1
- Sociology 4SL1
- Arabic First Language 4AA1
- Arabic Second Language 4AB1
- Islamiyat 4IS1

**International AS/A Level (Edexcel IAL):**
- Mathematics YMA01 (IAL), WMA11/WMA12 (International AS)
- Further Mathematics YFM01
- Physics YPH01
- Chemistry YCH01
- Biology YBI01
- English Literature YET01
- Business YBS01
- Economics YEC01
- Accounting YAC01
- IT YIT01
- Psychology YPS01

**Where to get Edexcel syllabi and papers:**
- Official: https://qualifications.pearson.com
- Specification PDFs, sample assessments, past papers all free

A.4 — American Curriculum in UAE (Common Core + AP)

Used by approximately 40 private schools in Dubai. Based on US Common Core State Standards plus Advanced Placement for high school.

**American curriculum structure** uses credit accumulation rather than subject codes:
- Core graduation: English (4 credits), Mathematics (3-4), Science (3), Social Studies (3), Foreign Language (2), PE (1-2)
- Advanced Placement (AP) courses for high school — these DO have codes:

**AP course codes (College Board):**
- AP Calculus AB / BC
- AP Statistics
- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- AP Physics 1, 2, C (Mechanics, E&M)
- AP Environmental Science
- AP English Language
- AP English Literature
- AP US History, World History, European History
- AP Human Geography
- AP Psychology
- AP Economics (Macro, Micro)
- AP Computer Science A, Principles
- AP Art History
- AP Music Theory
- AP Spanish Language, French Language

**Where to get AP specifications:**
- College Board: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org
- Free specifications, sample exams, scoring guidelines

A.5 — Indian Curricula in UAE (CBSE and ICSE)

Approximately 31 private schools in Dubai follow Indian curricula. Strong demand from Indian expatriate community, and valuable for the Pakistani/South Asian diaspora market.

**CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education):**
- Class 10 — AISSE (All India Secondary School Examination)
- Class 12 — AISSCE (All India Senior School Certificate Examination)
- Subject codes published by CBSE:
- Mathematics 041 (Standard), 241 (Basic) — Class 10
- Science 086 — Class 10
- Social Science 087 — Class 10
- English Language 184 — Class 10
- Hindi 002, 085 — Class 10
- Mathematics 041 — Class 12
- Physics 042 — Class 12
- Chemistry 043 — Class 12
- Biology 044 — Class 12
- Computer Science 083 — Class 12
- Business Studies 054 — Class 12
- Economics 030 — Class 12
- Accountancy 055 — Class 12
- History 027, Geography 029, Political Science 028, Sociology 039, Psychology 037 — Class 12

**ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education):**
- Class 10 (ICSE examination)
- Class 12 (ISC examination)
- Subject codes follow different numbering — check at cisce.org

**Where to get CBSE/ICSE syllabi and textbooks:**
- CBSE: https://cbseacademic.nic.in — free curriculum documents
- NCERT (textbooks used by CBSE): https://ncert.nic.in — **free textbooks for all subjects Classes 1-12, legally free to use for educational purposes**
- ICSE (CISCE): https://www.cisce.org

**This is important:** NCERT textbooks are probably the single most accessible legitimate textbook resource for newworld, because they cover the full Indian curriculum at every grade, are free, and are directly usable for CBSE-following schools in UAE.

A.6 — IB (International Baccalaureate) in UAE

Approximately 35 Dubai schools offer IB. Premium segment, but ONLY worth targeting if newworld content specifically aligns to IB learning objectives.

**IB programmes:**
- Primary Years Programme (PYP) — Grades K-5
- Middle Years Programme (MYP) — Grades 6-10
- Diploma Programme (DP) — Grades 11-12
- Career-related Programme (CP) — alternative to DP

**IB DP subjects** (Higher Level HL and Standard Level SL):
- Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
- Group 2: Language Acquisition
- Group 3: Individuals and Societies (History, Economics, Business Management, Geography, Philosophy, Psychology, etc.)
- Group 4: Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Environmental Systems, Design Technology)
- Group 5: Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches, Applications and Interpretation)
- Group 6: The Arts (Music, Visual Arts, Film, Theatre, Dance)

**IB-specific requirements** beyond subjects:
- Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
- Extended Essay (EE)
- Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

**Where to get IB subject guides:**
- Official: https://www.ibo.org — subject guides are published but paid access for schools. Specifications partially free at the IB public site.

**Honest recommendation:** IB is a nice-to-have for Phase 2, not Phase 1. The guides are less accessible than Cambridge/Edexcel and the student population per school is smaller.

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PART B — BANK COLLECTION CHECKLIST TEMPLATE

Use this table structure. One row per subject per curriculum per level. Fill in as you collect. This becomes your punch list for the bank expansion.

Column Definitions

| Column | Meaning |
|---|---|
| **Subject Name** | e.g., Mathematics, Biology, English Language |
| **Curriculum** | Cambridge, Edexcel, FBISE, UAE MoE, CBSE, AP |
| **Level** | IGCSE, A Level, SSC, HSSC, Grade 10, Grade 12, etc. |
| **Syllabus Code** | e.g., 0580, 4MA1, CBSE 041 |
| **Syllabus PDF** | URL or file path — do you have it? |
| **Textbook Source** | URL or citation — free textbook identified? |
| **Notes / Revision Material** | URL or citation — student-facing notes? |
| **Past Papers** | URL or file path — collection status |
| **Specimen Papers** | URL or file path |
| **Mark Schemes** | URL or file path |
| **Your Bank Status** | Already in DB / Partially / Not yet |
| **Priority** | P1 (must-have Phase 1), P2, P3 |
| **Notes** | Anything specific |

Template (copy into a spreadsheet)

The CSV below should be copy-pasted into Google Sheets or Excel. Rows are starter entries — add yours.

```csv
Subject,Curriculum,Level,SyllabusCode,SyllabusPDF,TextbookSource,NotesSource,PastPapers,SpecimenPapers,MarkSchemes,BankStatus,Priority,Notes
Mathematics,Cambridge,IGCSE,0580,,,,,,,In DB,P1,Already have Cambridge syllabus number per your Pakistani subject set
Mathematics,Cambridge,IGCSE Additional,0606,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
English Language,Cambridge,IGCSE,0500,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
English Language Second,Cambridge,IGCSE,0510,,,,,,,Not yet,P2,
Physics,Cambridge,IGCSE,0625,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Chemistry,Cambridge,IGCSE,0620,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Biology,Cambridge,IGCSE,0610,,,,,,,Partial,P1,Biology only 7% definitions per audit — priority fill
Combined Science,Cambridge,IGCSE,0653,,,,,,,Not yet,P2,
Business Studies,Cambridge,IGCSE,0450,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Economics,Cambridge,IGCSE,0455,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Accounting,Cambridge,IGCSE,0452,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Computer Science,Cambridge,IGCSE,0478,,,,,,,Partial,P1,35K questions in bank — by far largest
ICT,Cambridge,IGCSE,0417,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Geography,Cambridge,IGCSE,0460,,,,,,,Strong,P1,90% worked example coverage per audit
History,Cambridge,IGCSE,0470,,,,,,,Weak,P1,Only 1% MCQs per audit — gap to fill
Sociology,Cambridge,IGCSE,0495,,,,,,,Strongest,P1,99% worked examples — use as pipeline test case
Arabic First,Cambridge,IGCSE,0508,,,,,,,Not yet,P1,Key for UAE market
Arabic Second,Cambridge,IGCSE,0544,,,,,,,Not yet,P1,Key for UAE market
Islamic Studies,Cambridge,IGCSE,0493,,,,,,,Not yet,P1,Key for UAE + Pakistani market
Urdu First,Cambridge,IGCSE,0525,,,,,,,Not yet,P1,Key for Pakistani market
Urdu Second,Cambridge,IGCSE,0539,,,,,,,Not yet,P1,
Mathematics,Cambridge,A Level,9709,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Physics,Cambridge,A Level,9702,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Chemistry,Cambridge,A Level,9701,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Biology,Cambridge,A Level,9700,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Economics,Cambridge,A Level,9708,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Business,Cambridge,A Level,9609,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Sociology,Cambridge,A Level,9699,,,,,,,Strong,P1,
Psychology,Cambridge,A Level,9990,,,,,,,Partial,P2,
Law,Cambridge,A Level,9084,,,,,,,Strong,P1,93% worked examples per audit
Mathematics A,Edexcel,IGCSE,4MA1,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Mathematics B,Edexcel,IGCSE,4MB1,,,,,,,Not yet,P2,
Physics,Edexcel,IGCSE,4PH1,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Chemistry,Edexcel,IGCSE,4CH1,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Biology,Edexcel,IGCSE,4BI1,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
English Language A,Edexcel,IGCSE,4EA1,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
English Literature,Edexcel,IGCSE,4ET1,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Business,Edexcel,IGCSE,4BS1,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Economics,Edexcel,IGCSE,4EC1,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Accounting,Edexcel,IGCSE,4AC1,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
History,Edexcel,IGCSE,4HI1,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Geography,Edexcel,IGCSE,4GE1,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Sociology,Edexcel,IGCSE,4SL1,,,,,,,Strong,P1,
Arabic First,Edexcel,IGCSE,4AA1,,,,,,,Not yet,P1,UAE priority
Arabic Second,Edexcel,IGCSE,4AB1,,,,,,,Not yet,P1,UAE priority
Islamiyat,Edexcel,IGCSE,4IS1,,,,,,,Not yet,P1,
Mathematics,Edexcel,IAL,YMA01,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Physics,Edexcel,IAL,YPH01,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Chemistry,Edexcel,IAL,YCH01,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Biology,Edexcel,IAL,YBI01,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Pakistan Studies,FBISE,Matric,,,https://stbb.gov.pk,,https://www.fbise.edu.pk,,,Weak,P1,Only 6% MCQs per audit — gap
Islamiyat,FBISE,Matric,,,,,,,,,Not yet,P1,
Urdu,FBISE,Matric,,,,,,,,,Not yet,P1,
Mathematics,FBISE,Matric,,,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Physics,FBISE,Matric,,,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Chemistry,FBISE,Matric,,,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Biology,FBISE,Matric,,,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
English,FBISE,Matric,,,,,,,,,Partial,P1,
Arabic,UAE MoE,Grade 10-12,,https://www.moe.gov.ae,,,,,,Not yet,P1,UAE national requirement
Arabic,UAE MoE,Grade 1-9,,https://www.moe.gov.ae,,,,,,Not yet,P1,
Islamic Studies,UAE MoE,Grade 1-12,,https://www.moe.gov.ae,,,,,,Not yet,P1,UAE compulsory
Social Studies,UAE MoE,Grade 1-12,,https://www.moe.gov.ae,,,,,,Not yet,P1,UAE compulsory - Moral Education included
English,UAE MoE,Grade 1-12,,https://www.moe.gov.ae,,,,,,Not yet,P2,
Mathematics General,UAE MoE,Grade 11-12,,https://www.moe.gov.ae,,,,,,Not yet,P2,
Mathematics Advanced,UAE MoE,Grade 11-12,,https://www.moe.gov.ae,,,,,,Not yet,P2,
Physics,UAE MoE,Grade 11-12,,https://www.moe.gov.ae,,,,,,Not yet,P2,Elective Group 1
Chemistry,UAE MoE,Grade 11-12,,https://www.moe.gov.ae,,,,,,Not yet,P2,Elective Group 1
Biology,UAE MoE,Grade 11-12,,https://www.moe.gov.ae,,,,,,Not yet,P2,Elective Group 1
Computing,UAE MoE,Grade 11-12,,https://www.moe.gov.ae,,,,,,Not yet,P2,Elective Group 2
Creative Design,UAE MoE,Grade 11-12,,https://www.moe.gov.ae,,,,,,Not yet,P3,Elective Group 2
Health Sciences,UAE MoE,Grade 11-12,,https://www.moe.gov.ae,,,,,,Not yet,P3,Elective Group 2
Arts,UAE MoE,Grade 11-12,,https://www.moe.gov.ae,,,,,,Not yet,P3,Elective Group 2
PHE,UAE MoE,Grade 1-12,,https://www.moe.gov.ae,,,,,,Not yet,P3,Physical and Health Education
Mathematics,CBSE,Class 10,041,,https://ncert.nic.in,,,,,Not yet,P2,NCERT textbooks free
Mathematics Basic,CBSE,Class 10,241,,https://ncert.nic.in,,,,,Not yet,P3,
Science,CBSE,Class 10,086,,https://ncert.nic.in,,,,,Not yet,P2,
Social Science,CBSE,Class 10,087,,https://ncert.nic.in,,,,,Not yet,P2,
English,CBSE,Class 10,184,,https://ncert.nic.in,,,,,Not yet,P2,
Mathematics,CBSE,Class 12,041,,https://ncert.nic.in,,,,,Not yet,P2,
Physics,CBSE,Class 12,042,,https://ncert.nic.in,,,,,Not yet,P2,
Chemistry,CBSE,Class 12,043,,https://ncert.nic.in,,,,,Not yet,P2,
Biology,CBSE,Class 12,044,,https://ncert.nic.in,,,,,Not yet,P2,
Computer Science,CBSE,Class 12,083,,https://ncert.nic.in,,,,,Not yet,P2,
Business Studies,CBSE,Class 12,054,,https://ncert.nic.in,,,,,Not yet,P2,
Economics,CBSE,Class 12,030,,https://ncert.nic.in,,,,,Not yet,P2,
Accountancy,CBSE,Class 12,055,,https://ncert.nic.in,,,,,Not yet,P3,
```

That gives you ~90 subject-level entries as a starting grid. Copy into a sheet, expand and annotate as you collect.

How to use this checklist

1. **Convert to a live document.** Paste the CSV into Google Sheets. Add columns as needed. Make it the single source of truth for content collection.

2. **Filter by priority.** Start with P1 rows only. Do not let P2 or P3 distract you. P1 covers the biggest and most likely market segments.

3. **For each P1 row, collect in this order:**
a. Syllabus PDF (free from official source)
b. Textbook or free equivalent (NCERT for Indian, OpenStax/LibreTexts for English content, MoE for UAE)
c. Past papers and mark schemes (Cambridge, Edexcel, FBISE all publish these)
d. Only then ingest into the bank

4. **Update BankStatus column** as you go: "Not yet" → "Syllabus collected" → "Textbook collected" → "In DB, partial" → "In DB, complete"

5. **Track gaps ruthlessly.** If a subject has no free textbook source, mark it and decide: (a) write original content, (b) drop the subject from Phase 1, or (c) partner with a teacher to write notes.

Honest observations from the audit cross-referenced with this map

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What this document is and isn't

**This is:**
- A map of the UAE curriculum landscape you need to target
- A complete list of Cambridge, Edexcel, FBISE, UAE MoE, CBSE, and AP subject codes
- A collection checklist template ready to track progress
- A priority ordering grounded in your audit data

**This isn't:**
- Verified against every Dubai/Abu Dhabi school's actual syllabus choice (would need school-by-school research)
- Complete for IB, German, French, Filipino, or other UAE minority curricula — intentionally excluded as P3 or out of scope
- Legal advice on licensing for specific textbooks — check each source's licence before ingesting

**What to do with this:**
Paste the CSV into a Google Sheet. Start filling the Priority 1 rows. Use the Free Resources Map (separate document) to guide which sources to pull from for each row.

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**Document status:** Ready for use. No further architecture decisions needed before bank collection can begin.

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