United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) attracts international students due to its high level of teaching, international university standards and modern campuses. The UAE offers a wide range of educational programs in world-class universities. Below is information about universities in the UAE, the admission process, fees, as well as work permits during and after graduation.

Top Universities in the UAE

a. American University of Sharjah (AUS)

• Ranking: AUS is one of the leading universities in the UAE, consistently ranking in the top 10 in the country and recognized for its quality education in engineering, business, science and the arts.
• Programs: Undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs in engineering, architecture, business, art, design, computer science, law and more.
•  Language of instruction: Programs are taught entirely in English.

b. American University in Dubai (AUD)

• Ranking: AUD is a high-quality private university recognized for its academic program, especially in the fields of business, architecture, and engineering.
• Programs: Undergraduate and graduate programs in engineering, business, architecture, information technology, and humanities.
• Language of instruction: Programs taught in English.

c. Zayed University

• Ranking: One of the most renowned public universities in the UAE, which has campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The university actively collaborates with international academic institutions and is known for its programs in the fields of humanities, management, technology.
• Programs: Undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, computer science, humanities, art, and design.
• Language of instruction: Programs taught in English.

d. University of the Emirates

• Ranking: Public university in Al Ain, known for its education in agriculture, engineering, and science.
• Programs: Undergraduate and graduate programs in agriculture, engineering, natural sciences, medicine, and social sciences.
• Language of instruction: Programs taught in English and Arabic.

e. New York University Abu Dhabi (NYU Abu Dhabi)

• Ranking: NYU Abu Dhabi is a campus of New York University and is one of the top international universities in the UAE. Programs focus on high-quality education in the arts, social sciences, engineering, business.
• Programs: Undergraduate programs in economics, arts, engineering, social sciences, computer science, and more.
• Language of instruction: Programs taught in English. Admission to UAE Universities

a. General requirements for international students:

• Academic requirements: For undergraduate programs, a high school diploma is required, which is equivalent to a high school diploma in the UAE. For postgraduate programs, a bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required.
• Language requirements:

• For programs taught in English, an IELTS level of English (6.0 to 7.0) or TOEFL (80 to 100) is usually required.
• For programs taught in Arabic (if any), an appropriate level of Arabic language proficiency is required.

• Additional documents: Certificates, diplomas, exam results, recommendations, motivation letters.

b. Application process:

• Admission to universities in the UAE is usually done through online university platforms where students fill out applications and upload the required documents.
• There are specific application deadlines for international students, which may vary, but generally for the fall semester (September), applications are accepted from December to April.
• The selection process may include interviews or additional tests, depending on the university.

c. Application deadlines:

• For most universities in the UAE, the application deadlines for the fall semester are from December to March/April, and for the spring semester, from August to October. Specific dates vary by university and program.

Tuition fees in the UAE

a. Tuition fees:

• Public Universities: Tuition fees at public universities can range from AED 30,000 to AED 50,000 (US$8,000 to US$14,000) per year for an undergraduate degree.
• Private Universities: Private universities may have higher rates and the cost can range from AED 40,000 to AED 90,000 (US$11,000 to US$25,000) per year depending on the program and university.
• Postgraduate: For a postgraduate degree, the cost can be higher and range from AED 60,000 to AED 120,000 per year (US$16,000 to US$32,000).

b. Additional Expenses:

• Accommodation: In the UAE, the cost of living can range from AED 2,000 to AED 6,000 (US$500 to US$1,600) per month, depending on the type of accommodation (dormitory, apartment rental).
• Food and Transportation: The average cost of food and transportation is around AED 1,500 to AED 3,000 per month (US$400 to US$800).

c. Scholarships and Financial Aid:

Some universities in the UAE offer scholarships for international students that can cover part or all of their tuition fees. Scholarships are usually awarded based on academic merit.

Working While Studying

International students in the UAE can work while studying, provided the following conditions are met:

a. Work Rules:

• Students on a study visa can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations (summer).
• You can only work in areas that do not require special permission and within the restrictions set by the university.
• In the UAE, many universities and campuses have partnerships with local companies that offer internships and part-time jobs for students.

Working after graduation

a. Work permit:

After completing their studies, students can apply for work in the UAE if they find an employer willing to sponsor their work visa. To do so, they must have a job offer in their field.

• A work visa is issued based on an employment contract with the employer and is valid for the duration of the contract.
• Students who graduate from universities in the UAE have good chances of finding employment in the country, as the UAE economy requires specialists in fields such as technology, finance, medicine, engineering, hospitality and tourism.

b. Employment Opportunities:

The UAE is a rapidly growing country, with many international companies and start-ups setting up offices in major cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This creates many opportunities for students in fields such as IT, management, finance, consulting, marketing and law.

Education in the UAE combines a high level of academic standards with international programs, many of which are taught in English. University tuition fees in the UAE can be high, especially at private institutions, but students may be able to obtain scholarships or financial aid. Working during and after study is possible subject to certain regulations, giving international students the opportunity to stay in the UAE and build a career in the country.