The UAE’s booming education sector continues to fuel demand for real estate tied to schools, with major investment deals coming to light amid rising student enrollments and investor appetite for long-term institutional assets.
Amanat Holdings, a Dubai Financial Market-listed investment firm, has finalized the sale of a 38,216.95 square meter plot in Dubai currently leased by the North London Collegiate School (NLCS). According to industry sources, the deal could be valued between Dh450 million and Dh500 million, positioning it as one of the year’s most prominent education-linked property transactions.
The timing of the deal is notable, as Amanat recently revealed plans to explore an initial public offering (IPO) of its education platform. Analysts suggest that divesting non-core assets like the NLCS plot is a strategic step toward streamlining operations ahead of a potential market listing.
“If Amanat is going ahead with its education IPO, it makes sense to monetize every possibility for its non-core assets,” said a Dubai-based market analyst. “There had been talk about the North London Collegiate School deal for some time – it seems that this has finally cleared the line.”
K-12 Real Estate Activity on the Rise
Dubai’s education real estate scene is witnessing increased institutional interest, particularly in K-12 assets. In another major development, Elevate, a specialist in K-12 school and student housing investments, has acquired the real estate assets of Hartland International School (HIS) in Mohammed Bin Rashid City for $100 million.
Spanning nine acres of freehold land, Hartland International School caters to over 2,050 students and delivers the UK national curriculum. The school, which opened in 2015, is operated under a long-term lease by Meraki Education, a regional school management firm overseeing four institutions in Dubai and Singapore.
Strategic Capital Plays by Education-Focused Investors
Elevate’s entry into Dubai is part of a broader regional strategy backed by Rava Partners and Alta Capital, two global investment houses focused on education infrastructure.
“We see education-focused real assets as a compelling opportunity to capitalize on the GCC region’s growth, driven by strong demographic trends and a robust demand for high-quality educational offerings,” said Joe Gagnon, Co-Head of Rava Partners.
With over 30 education assets across India, Elevate manages a portfolio valued at approximately $1 billion, servicing more than 90,000 students. Its acquisition of HIS marks a significant expansion into the GCC, where strong demand for quality international schooling is underpinned by a young and expatriate-heavy population.
Institutional Backing Expands in GCC’s Education Sector
This surge in high-value school real estate transactions comes amid growing interest from institutional players. Dubai Holding and Mubadala, two of the UAE’s largest investment entities, recently took part in the acquisition of UK-based Nord Anglia Education, which operates four schools in the UAE as part of its global 80+ school network.
Market analysts expect continued consolidation and capital deployment in education-related assets as investors eye long-term returns and stable yields in a region where private education remains in high demand.
As Dubai’s education landscape matures, strategic property sales such as Amanat’s and targeted acquisitions like Elevate’s signal a new wave of education real estate investment, transforming campuses from learning centers into critical components of institutional portfolios.
