The country where modernity meets tradition, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a popular tourist destination and is home to some of the best universities in the Gulf region. The UAE is the perfect destination for any international student looking for a truly unique study experience.
Since the discovery of oil in the region in the 1950’s, the UAE’s economy has been rapidly changing. Now the country is known for not only oil and gas exportation, but is also improving its recognition in the tourist and construction industries. Located in the cities of the UAE you will find some of the world’s most impressive architectural feats, including the Burj Khalifa.
The higher education system is governed by the Ministry of Higher Education, which is responsible for the admission of students, as well as accrediting degree programmes. You will find 3 of the UAE’s universities in the 2023 QS World University Rankings top 500. The highest ranked is the Khalifa University, which is placed at =181st.
There are many interesting and exciting places to study in and visit in the UAE. These include Abu Dhabi and Dubai, among others.
The UAE requires all international students from outside of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) to obtain a student visa. For more information about that, see our United Arab Emirates Student Visa Guide.
There are over 100 universities and colleges operating in the United Arab Emirates. These can be divided into the following categories:
There are 3 public funded universities in the UAE, including:
There are over 100 universities and colleges in the UAE, and the majority of them are privately funded. Each of the 7 Emirates of UAE has a selection of different universities for international students to consider for their studies:
Universities in Abu Dhabi include:
Universities in Dubai include:
Universities in Sharjah include:
Universities in Ajman include:
Universities in Umm Al Quwain include:
Universities in Ras Al Khaimah include:
Universities in Fujairah include:
The UAE offers international students a choice of many highly ranking universities.
| University | Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2024 | Best Global Universities | QS World University Ranking |
| Abu Dhabi University | 251-300 | 501 | |
| Khalifa University | 251-300 | 662 | 202 |
| United Arab Emirates University | 301-350 | 679 | 261 |
| University of Sharjah | 351-400 | 564 | 434 |
| Zayed University | 401-500 | ||
| American University of Sharjah | 601-800 | 1381 | 332 |
| Ajman University | Not yet ranked | 477 | |
| Al Ain University | Not yet ranked | 552 | |
| American University in the Emirates (AUE) | Not yet ranked | ||
| American University in Dubai | Not yet ranked |
Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics BSc
University of Sharjah United Arab Emirates (the)
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Diplomacy and International Affairs Master Degree
Zayed University United Arab Emirates (the)
Find out more| Capital City | Abu Dhabi |
|---|---|
| Currency | AED, UAE Dirham |
| Language(s) | Arabic |
| Universities on StudyLink | 7 universities |
| Major Student Cities | Dubai |
The official language of the UAE is Arabic.
The majority of the population speak fluent English, so communicating should not be a problem. If you choose one of the UAE’s public universities, you will need to be fluent in Arabic and English, but private institutions tend to teach in English. Whether you choose to study in English or Arabic, you will need to provide evidence of your proficiency if it is not your native language. Even if you study in English, learning some Arabic would be useful for your everyday life. Communicating with the locals and other students would be a perfect way to practice. An extra language would look great on your CV/resume, and Arabic is a widely spoken as a business language.
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