Since 1976, GISAD has established itself as a renowned international school that regularly receives “very good” as a rating from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) and is a member of the “German Schools Abroad” network. GISAD is well known in the Emirati and expatriate community for its teaching staff, who are sourced directly from Germany and licensed by the German Ministries of Education. In addition, GISAD has been granted the privilege of issuing the German Language Diploma (DSD) (German link) of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK).

The DSD is “the only school-based program of the Federal Republic of Germany for German as a foreign language abroad. The DSD of the KMK is granted after the student partakes in German language classes at school for several years and successfully completes an exam.

Once a student has passed the examination for the German Language Diploma – First Level (DSD I) it demonstrates proficiency in German at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).”

A DSD I, in conjunction with a higher degree from a non-German school (e.g. High School Diploma or IB), enables an admission to a Studienkolleg (university) in Germany.