I blinked, and February disappeared. Poof! Just like that, we’ve landed in March—the month of changing seasons, longer days, and the beautiful peace of Ramadan. Even though I’m not Muslim, I always find this time of year reflective, a little slower, and a chance to pause. Of course, Dubai isn’t quite the same as it was 20 years ago—back then, the city would quiet down almost completely during the day, but times change, and we adapt. Speaking of change (smooth segue, right?), education is on a whirlwind transformation, and I, for one, am here for it!
This past Thursday, I hosted an education network event, and the big buzzword? Change. We’re no longer just talking about learning times tables and memorizing historical dates; the world now demands entrepreneurial skills, real-world problem-solving, and knowing how to actually use all the knowledge floating around instead of just cramming it in for exams. We also had some serious conversations about how the current education system isn’t working for neurodivergent children—so many bright minds struggle with traditional learning, yet they’re the ones growing up to be the problem-solvers, business owners, and innovators of tomorrow. It’s a reminder to trust the process—our kids will find their path, even if that path looks a little different from what we expected.
And speaking of evolution, universities are actually moving faster than schools when it comes to embracing change (shocking, I know!). Take the rise of AI in education—many universities are encouraging students to use AI effectively rather than banning it. My son’s recent assessment started with “use an AI tool to generate the following information for a podcast. Show which information comes from AI in green and show how you have edited it to fit with the brief and include further knowledge and information”. Who would ever have thought this would happen? We’re also seeing a shift away from exams towards more modern assessment methods in University and the winds of change are talking about using computers to write GCSEs; the recent A level review has streamlined the subjects removing overlap and outdated information. But let’s talk about the big change for UK university applications: the UCAS form.
Gone are the days when a student could write, “I want to study medicine because I once read a fascinating article on the human brain” and expect it to fly. Now, universities want proof—work experience, online courses, immersive projects. They want students who have actively explored their chosen field, not just admired it from afar. And with UK universities facing funding challenges and cutting staff, competition for places is only going to increase.
But before we all start spiralling into stress, let’s take a deep breath—because there are options! The UAE’s universities are climbing the global rankings (with some now in the top 35!), the Netherlands is investing heavily in affordable, high-quality English-language degrees, and the US remains a great choice for those who enjoy academic breadth. Just remember, European universities tend to snub practical qualifications like A-level DT or BTECs, so double-check entry requirements before making final decisions.
Now, let’s dive into the holy grail of tuition fees: Home Status. If your family is abroad, you might assume you need to relocate to the UK three years before university to qualify—but that’s not necessarily true. The UK government assesses each case individually, and plenty of expat families still manage to get home fee status. Scotland, in particular, has been more flexible, and in the past, Wales has been fairly relaxed, so consider universities outside of England as part of your application strategy.
And here’s one to watch: the 2025 UCAS form will introduce a new residency section. Students will now have to list where they’ve physically lived for the past three years, why they lived there, and whether it was temporary. It’s still unclear how this will affect expat applications, but universities need students, and they need money, so dramatic changes may not happen immediately. My best guess? No major shifts until at least 2029—so let’s not panic just yet.
At the end of the day, the world is evolving fast. If one door closes, another one will open—education is changing, and new pathways will emerge. So, deep breaths, mums—your child’s future is bright, even if the route there looks a little different than expected.
Now, let’s grab a cuppa and enjoy what’s left of the first peaceful weekend! ?? PS with the announcement of homelearning options on Friday, has anyone’s school opted to do this?