UAE’s Class of 2025 Smashes Records
It’s official: the UAE’s graduating class of 2025 has made history. This year’s A-Level and BTEC results across the country weren’t just impressive, they were downright record-breaking. And if you look closely, students from Indian and Pakistani backgrounds are at the very heart of this achievement, helping place the UAE’s schools firmly on the global map for academic excellence.
But this isn’t just a tale of numbers. It’s a vibrant, human story full of grit, family support, and ambition, one where late-night study sessions, teamwork, and quiet determination finally paid off. Funny thing is, the data alone doesn’t do it justice. Let’s walk through what happened, why it matters, and how these young people did it.
UAE A-Levels and BTEC: What’s All the Fuss About?
Before diving in, you might be wondering: What exactly are A-Levels and BTECs, and why do these results matter so much? In the UAE, British-style education has become incredibly popular. While A-Levels are the gold standard for traditional academics, think advanced math, sciences, literature, BTECs offer a more practical, hands-on approach, focused on fields like business, technology, and creative arts.
Bottom line: Both routes open doors to top universities and career paths around the world, giving students maximum flexibility, exactly what’s needed in today’s changing economy.
Quick Snapshot: Which Schools and Students Led the Way in 2025?
Here’s the kicker: The Class of 2025 didn’t just match previous years. They set new records almost across the board.
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi: 17% of students achieved the ultra-elite A* grade. Almost half (44%) took home A*–A, with eye-popping results in computer science and art, where every single student earned an A*.
- Pristine Private School, Dubai: 100% pass rate for Cambridge International Examinations. At A-Level, a staggering 91% got A*–C, and 68% landed in the A*–B bracket.
- GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis: Smashing its own records, with BTEC results especially strong; Indian student Maria Aziz Betulwala bagged triple Distinction* and moves on to Canadian University Dubai.
- GEMS Our Own English High School – Al Ain: Pakistani student Noor Fatima, three A*s. Bound for Khyber Medical College.
- GEMS Founders School – Dubai: The biggest-ever Year 13 cohort; 83% of students earned grades between A* and C.
- Dubai British School Jumeirah Park: 25% of grades were A*, half at A*–A.
- Jebel Ali School: Best-ever results, with 62% of grades at A*–B.
- Repton Abu Dhabi: 43% A*–A, and 72% A*–B.
- Horizon International School: Over half the students earned A*–B.
- Dubai College: An incredible 74% of exams came in at A* or A.
It’s not just numbers. Each data point above has a name, a story, and the determination, you know, that kept students going when things got tough.
Human Stories: Students Behind the Grades
Let’s zoom in. Because, honestly, the results are spectacular, but the human journeys are even better.
Maria Aziz Betulwala: Triple Distinction*, Following Her Dreams Abroad
Indian student Maria Aziz Betulwala at GEMS Wellington Academy achieved the rare feat, triple Distinction*. For Maria, this wasn’t just about ticking boxes. “These results are a launchpad for my journey ahead,” she shared. She’s off to Canadian University Dubai, convinced the school made her “world-class and world-ready.”
Ashar Ul Hassan: Consistency, Family, and That Final High Note
From Pristine Private School, Dubai, Pakistani student Ashar Ul Hassan scored A*, A*, A. His secret? No shortcuts. Just steady effort, plenty of help from school and family, and, he says, “the best possible environment to grow.” You could hear the pride as he described finishing his school years on “such a high note.”
Noor Fatima: Patience and Perseverance All the Way
Seventeen-year-old Noor Fatima from GEMS Our Own English High School, Al Ain, racked up three A*s. Next stop: Khyber Medical College. “This journey was filled with challenges,” she admitted, “but it taught me patience and the value of hard work.” A reminder, if ever one was needed, that great results don’t come easy.
Sadhika Satish Gopinathan: Music, Ambition, and Support
Triple Distinction* in BTEC? Check. Admission to Berklee College of Music? Absolutely. Indian student Sadhika Satish Gopinathan credits her stellar results to “resilience, hard work, and the unwavering support from [her] teachers and peers.” She’s pursuing vocal performance and music therapy, a career that blends art with purpose.
Hannah Aly: Preparation Pays Off
American student Hannah Aly (four A*s, no less) swears by past paper practice, flashcards, and starting revision early: “For subjects that involved more memorization, I found flashcards useful because I could go over them often in short bursts.” There it is. Preparation, discipline, and smart strategy.
School Leaders Weigh In: It’s More Than Just Exams
If you listen to school principals and teachers across the UAE, you’ll hear a recurring theme: grades matter, yes, but the real story is about growth, grit, and relationships.
Take Matthew Cotgrove, Headteacher at DESS College, reflecting on his students’ record-breaking results: “True success extends far beyond examination grades. Their resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment throughout their studies exemplify the very best of what it means to be part of the DESS College community. He credits parents, too, for their “unwavering support,” and teachers for “personalized guidance and genuine care” that helps students thrive well beyond the classroom.
Or consider the words of GEMS Founders School’s Executive Principal Matthew Burfield, describing 2025’s cohort as “the largest we’ve ever had”, but more than that, as a group defined by “exceptional hard work, dedication, and resilience.” These leaders are, you might say, a little in awe themselves.
BTEC’s Rise: A Pathway Growing in Popularity
It’s not just A-Levels that are making headlines in the UAE. Vocational pathways are booming. The BTEC Level 3 qualification, aligned with university entry and recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education since 2023, is becoming a favorite.
Why? It’s flexible, practical, and test-focused, less on cramming, more on projects, teamwork, communication, and time management. Students can leap straight to Higher National Diplomas or even their final year of a Bachelor’s, cutting down on time and costs.
For many, it’s the perfect fit, especially those who thrive with hands-on learning. The variety of BTEC subjects, ranging from business, science, and hospitality to creative arts and IT, means there’s something for almost everyone wishing to break from tradition.
And let’s not forget: schools like DESS College now offer six Level 3 BTEC courses, plus industry-linked programs in performing arts and music, helping students find their best-fit future, whether that’s university, a career, or something in between.
What’s Next: University, Industry, and More
So where do these high-achieving students go next? For many, the doors now stand wide open.
- Some are heading to world-class universities, from Canada to the UK and the US.
- Others are leaping directly into competitive industry placements, creative careers, entrepreneurship, or purposeful gap years.
- For those still deciding, schools offer strong post-results support for university applications, clearing, and transitional advice.
Let’s be clear: the future looks brighter than ever for UAE graduates, whether A-Level or BTEC. With diversity of background (especially among Indian and Pakistani communities), these students are building a multi-lingual, globally-minded talent pool that’s exactly what today’s employers want.
The Secret Ingredients: Family, Culture, and Community
Here’s something you’ll hear over and over: behind every great result stand not just hardworking students, but families, cultural networks, and tight school communities.
Within Indian and Pakistani families, the emphasis on education is legendary. Parents prioritize study time, hold kids accountable, and provide emotional support through the ups and downs. Community organizations often pitch in too, offering test preparation workshops, mentorship, and encouragement during results week.
It’s this network, home, school, community, that creates a foundation for success and builds resilience when tough times hit.
Not Without Its Challenges
Of course, the picture isn’t all perfect. The path has stress: nerves before results day, the weight of expectations, and the disruption of past years, pandemics, transitions to remote learning, and shifting exam formats.
Still, the 2025 cohort, perhaps more than any before, has shown the ability to adapt and overcome. Their resilience isn’t just a nice talking point; it’s something universities and employers say they specifically look for now.
Why This Matters Globally
This year’s story in the UAE sends a wider message, a wake-up call, if you will, for countries looking to diversify education. A world where students are truly prepared for the future, whether through rigorous academic routes or hands-on, project-based pathways.
For Indian and Pakistani students, especially, the achievements demonstrate what’s possible when cultural values meet top-tier schooling and innovative curriculum options.
Key Takeaways: The 2025 UAE A-Level and BTEC Story
- Record Results: Unprecedented success rates, with several schools delivering all-time bests.
- Diverse Excellence: Indian and Pakistani students feature prominently among top achievers, inspiring their peers.
- Flexible Pathways: Explosive growth in both A-Level and BTEC popularity, academic and vocational worlds are now equally respected.
- Human Triumphs: The numbers are remarkable; the personal stories are unforgettable.
- Community & Family: Parental support, cultural values, and strong school communities fuel student resilience.
- A Model for Others: The UAE’s pathway-centric approach is fast becoming a global standard for adaptable, future-ready education.
In Their Own Words: Quotes from the Class of 2025
“I mainly focused on doing a lot of past paper questions… For subjects that involved more memorization, I found flashcards useful.”, Hannah Aly
“Couldn’t have asked for a better environment to grow into the student I am today… it feels great to leave school on such a high note.”, Ashar Ul Hassan
“This journey was filled with challenges, but it taught me patience and the value of hard work.”, Noor Fatima
“Behind these results is my resilience, hard work, and the unwavering support from my teachers and peers.”, Sadhika Satish Gopinathan
Final Word: Turning Results into New Beginnings
If you’re a parent or student wondering what it takes to shine, it turns out there’s no single formula. Preparation certainly helps. So do supportive families, inspiring teachers, and a willingness to adapt.
And sometimes, as the Class of 2025 shows, the hardest-fought journeys bring the brightest results. These young achievers aren’t just making the news; they’re quietly, confidently changing what’s possible for students everywhere.
So watch this space: the Class of 2025 is just getting started.