Jordan (JO)

Jordan is a stable, welcoming Hashemite Kingdom at the crossroads of the Middle East — home to Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the legendary Wadi Rum desert, and the mineral-rich Dead Sea.

Capital: Amman

Region: Middle East

Language: Arabic

Currency: JOD (JD)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 39)

Emergency: 911

Education & Schools

Schools, universities, and language courses in Jordan.

👶 Childcare & Kindergarten

Private Nursery (Hadana) JD 150–400/month

Age: 0–3 years

No government subsidy for expat children. Some NGO employers offer childcare allowances. Jordanian public nurseries exist but are for nationals.

Contact nurseries directly. Required: child's birth certificate, vaccination record, parent's Iqama copies. Most reputable nurseries have English-speaking staff.

⏱️ Private nurseries in Amman's expat-heavy areas (Abdoun, Sweifieh, Khalda) fill up fast. Register 3–6 months before you need a place.

Kindergarten (Riyad al-Atfal) JD 100–300/month (private)

Age: 3–6 years

Public kindergartens are available but primarily for Jordanian nationals and registered refugees. Expats use private kindergartens.

Apply directly to the school. Required: birth certificate, vaccination record, passport/Iqama. Most international kindergartens use English as the primary language.

⏱️ Apply early (ideally the academic year before). Good private kindergartens near expat areas have waiting lists.

🏫 Schools

Primary Paid

Al-Madrasah al-Asasiyyah

Ages: 6–12 years (grades 1–6) · Language: Arabic (public); English and/or Arabic (private international)

For international schools: apply directly to the school. Required: birth certificate, previous school reports, passport/Iqama, immunisation records. Apply by March–April for September enrolment.

Public schools are technically accessible to expat children but are Arabic-only and classes may be overcrowded. Most expat families choose private or international schools. UNRWA schools are for Palestinian refugees only.

Secondary Paid

Al-Madrasah al-Thanawiyyah

Ages: 12–18 years (grades 7–12) · Language: English/Arabic (international); Arabic (public)

Contact the international school directly. Bring previous school records (translated if not in English/Arabic), passport, Iqama, immunisation records. Many international schools offer entrance assessments.

Jordan has no internationally portable public school leaving certificate comparable to UK A-levels, French Baccalauréat, or IB Diploma. International schools offer IB, IGCSE, AP, or US High School Diplomas. Kings Academy (Madaba) is a prestigious boarding school offering IB. Tawjihi (Jordanian General Secondary Certificate) is the national qualification but not widely recognised internationally.

International Schools

Amman has an excellent range of international schools. Leading options: American Community School Amman (ACS, US curriculum, AP), Amman Baccalaureate School (ABS, IB curriculum), International Community School (ICS), French School (Lycée français), German School (Deutsche Schule Amman), British School of Amman (BSA, IGCSE/A-levels). Kings Academy (Madaba, 45 min from Amman) is a top boarding school with IB. Annual tuition: JD 8,000–22,000. Most have a registration fee of JD 500–1,500. Apply at least 6 months in advance.

University

Tuition fee

Public Jordanian universities (University of Jordan, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Yarmouk) charge expats typically JD 2,000–5,000/year. Top private universities (German Jordanian University, American University of Madaba, Petra University): JD 3,500–8,000/year.

Semester fee

Most public universities charge per-credit-hour. Average: JD 25–60 per credit hour. Private universities: JD 60–150 per credit hour.

Student visa

Student residence permit issued through the university once enrolled. The university assists with the DRBA application. Must be renewed annually.

Health insurance

Most Jordanian universities offer basic student health coverage at subsidised rates. International students are advised to supplement with private insurance.

Application process

Apply directly to universities. International students need: apostilled transcripts, language proficiency proof (IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught programmes, Arabic proficiency for Arabic-taught), passport copy, 4 photos, medical certificate. Applications typically open January–June for September intake.

🗣️ Language Courses

Qasid Arabic Institute

Provider: Qasid Arabic Institute (private) · Duration: Flexible: 1-week intensive to full semester programmes · Levels: Beginner to Advanced (Modern Standard Arabic and Jordanian/Levantine dialect)

USD 250–400 per week (intensive)

One of the top Arabic language schools in the Arab world. Attracts students from around the globe. Amman location.

University of Jordan Language Centre

Provider: University of Jordan (university programme) · Duration: 8-week sessions, multiple per year · Levels: Beginner to Advanced (Modern Standard Arabic, full immersion)

JD 300–600 per 8-week session

Accredited university programme. Slower-paced than Qasid but more affordable. Popular with students on formal Arabic programmes.

Jordan Language Academy

Provider: Jordan Language Academy (private) · Duration: Monthly courses, flexible scheduling · Levels: Beginner to Intermediate

JD 100–300 per month

Good for conversational Arabic. Multiple levels. Flexible scheduling. Amman.

Private Arabic Tutors

Provider: Independent tutors (via italki, Facebook expat groups) · Duration: Flexible, ongoing · Levels: All levels (customised)

JD 10–25 per hour

Very widely available in Amman. Recommended for conversation practice. Find via Facebook expat groups or superapp platforms.

Premium Section

Education & Schools

Unlock the complete Education & Schools guide for Jordan — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.

Become a Supporter

Support the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere