Universities in United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates has a mixed university system of federal public institutions and a large number of private universities, many of them set up on foreign, often American, models. The sector is led by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), which licenses public and private institutions. Quality is checked by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), the national body set up in 1999 that licenses institutions and accredits their academic programmes.

Some emirates add their own regulator. In Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) certifies degrees from licensed universities in the emirate; in Abu Dhabi, the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) licenses private institutions; Sharjah has a Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research.

How it works

Universities award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. The three federal public institutions named on the government portal are the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), founded in 1976 and now enrolling more than 20,000 Emirati and international students; Zayed University, founded in 1998 as a women's institution; and the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), founded in 1988, with about 23,000 students on 16 campuses and applied bachelor's and vocational diploma tracks.

Private universities often follow the American system of majors, minors and credit hours. The American University of Sharjah (AUS), founded in 1997, offers 33 majors and 49 minors at undergraduate level, 24 master's programmes and eight PhD programmes. The American University in Dubai (AUD) is accredited in the United States by SACSCOC and recognised in the UAE by the CAA. Most master's programmes at AUS require 30 to 33 credit hours.

Accreditation matters. The CAA publishes lists of licensed institutions and accredited programmes, and since 2024 it has used an Outcomes-based Evaluation framework that looks at results such as graduate employability and learning outcomes. Checking that a programme is on the CAA list is the simplest way to make sure the degree will be recognised by the ministry.

Admission

Public institutions are primarily for UAE nationals and the children of Emirati mothers, who apply through the ministry's National Unified Registration System. Other students must check each university's own conditions. UAEU, for example, has a separate admission route for international students, and admits all students on a competitive basis within the capacity of each college.

Private universities set their own requirements. At AUS, applicants to engineering and data science need maths and physics with at least a B-equivalent grade, and business applicants need maths; for the Fall 2026 intake, applications received after 21 May 2026 might not be considered. The American-model universities also run English-language support: AUD, for example, has an English Bridge Program at its Center for English Proficiency.

If you already hold a degree from abroad, the ministry's University Qualifications Recognition service verifies qualifications from accredited institutions outside the country. Its recognition report is an official document for employment, further studies, visas and government services in the UAE.

Visa and residence

Students who are not UAE or GCC nationals need a student visa before arrival, and the university usually sponsors it. At AUS, the university applies for the online student residence visa through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Sharjah. The first visa issued is temporary and valid for two months; the student then completes the process on campus to obtain the full residence visa.

Costs and funding

Private universities charge tuition per credit hour. At AUS, graduate tuition for the 2026-27 academic year is AED 4,371 or AED 5,480 per credit hour, depending on the programme: a Master of Science in Mathematics costs AED 131,130 in total and the general MBA AED 180,840. On-campus housing at AUS costs from AED 7,000 per semester for a shared room to AED 15,000 for a private room, in separate residential halls for men and women. Public universities have their own fee schedules for non-nationals; check them with each institution.

The government's National Scholarship Programme is aimed at Emirati students going abroad. International students should look at university schemes instead: UAEU, for example, lists scholarships, fellowships and graduate assistantships for graduate students.

How to choose

• Accreditation: check the institution and the programme on the CAA lists
• Public or private: public institutions are mainly for Emiratis, so check the international admission route first
• Emirate: Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah each have their own regulator and student life
• Model: American-style universities use majors, minors and credit hours; check how credits transfer to your home system
• Budget: compare tuition per credit hour, housing and health insurance
• Housing: some campuses offer residential halls, separate for men and women

Frequently asked questions

Can international students study at public universities in the UAE?

Public institutions are primarily for UAE nationals and children of Emirati mothers. Some, such as the United Arab Emirates University, have an admission route for international students, so check each university's conditions.

How do I know if a UAE degree is recognised?

Check that the institution is licensed and the programme accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation, which publishes both lists. In Dubai, the KHDA also certifies degrees from licensed universities.

Do I need a visa to study in the UAE?

Yes, unless you are a UAE or GCC national. The university usually applies for the student residence visa on your behalf after you are admitted.

How much does a master's degree cost in the UAE?

It depends on the university. At the American University of Sharjah, graduate tuition for 2026-27 is AED 4,371 to AED 5,480 per credit hour, or about AED 131,000 to AED 181,000 for most programmes.