The United Arab Emirates

Why study a Bachelor or Master in The United Arab Emirates

Find all the study programs in The United Arab Emirates

  • About
  • Study
  • Living
  • Universities
  • Student Visa
  • How to Apply
  • Scholarship

About The United Arab Emirates

Study in The United Arab Emirates

The Emirates or (officially: the United Arab Emirates) is a federal Arab state located in the east of the Arabian Peninsula in the southwest of the continent of Asia overlooking the southern shore of the Arabian Gulf.

It has a common maritime border from the northwest with the State of Qatar and from the west land and sea borders with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Southeast with the Sultanate of Oman.

The United Arab Emirates is located at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. The country has transformed over the last half-century from a desert oasis to one of the most developed countries in the Middle East.

before 1971 the United Arab Emirates was known as the Trucial States or the Coast of Oman, in reference to a 19th-century truce between the United Kingdom and several Arab sheikhs.

The name Pirate Coast was also used in reference to the Emirates in the region from the 18th century To the early 20th century, the political system in the United Arab Emirates, based on the 1971 constitution, consists of several intricately linked bodies of administration. Islam is the official religion and Arabic is the official language.

Religion

Islam is the official religion in the UAE, and other religious beliefs are permitted. The vast majority of the people of the United Arab Emirates embrace Islam. The second most common religion is Christianity in the country.

Currency 

The UAE dirham is the basic unit of the currency of the United Arab Emirates, and the dirham consists of 100 fils issued by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, and the UAE dirham is linked to the US dollar at a rate of 3.67 dirhams per dollar. It is almost fixed and there are no restrictions on money exchange and currency exchange.

Tourism

The UAE is considered one of the most attractive countries for tourists on the Arab level, thanks to the city of Dubai, which has gained international fame through luxury tourism, and thus the UAE has become highly dependent on tourism, as one of the most important non-oil sectors in the country.

The UAE is currently one of the top ten growing tourist destinations in the world, according to the World Tourism Organization, with the number of tourists arriving in the country reaching 15.5 million.

 

Study in The United Arab Emirates

Why should you Study in The United Arab Emirates?

  • The country is home to the best universities in the Gulf States.  The country has a very prosperous economy and advanced infrastructure. 
  • Another reason for studying in the United Arab Emirates is the English language. English is widely spoken across the country owing to the incredibly diverse population. It is the main language of business and education.
  • Yet, there’s another advantage making education in the UAE a very tempting option for students. Higher education system in the country is significantly influenced by western higher education systems. This means students can graduate with an internationally recognized degree in English.
  • In addition to being a tourist destination, the country is now home to international students. Yet, the majority of the UAE’s higher education institutions are located in its two largest Emirates: Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
  • The country is known for its adrenaline-filled outdoor activities. The Al Badayer desert is ideal for dune-bushing and quad biking. Yet the rugged Hajar Mountains are not to be missed if students wish to enjoy a hike or two. If they prefer to rest and relax in your spare time, Corniche Beach proudly carries the Blue Flag Certification and is the perfect place to cool off and go snorkeling.
  • As to education, the country has top-notch facilities and educational institutions. They provide host of study abroad opportunities, and include massive public universities to smaller private college
  • The civilized development witnessed by the United Arab Emirates, the study systems have also developed in the Emirates, and Emirati universities have become among the best universities in the world, and the Emirates includes branches of the most powerful international universities, and studying in the Emirates is characterized by advanced technology and modern laboratories.
  • the teaching staff in Emirati universities includes mostly American and British doctors, which gives preference to these universities in terms of academic subjects and courses.

How much does it cost?

The United Arab Emirates is one of the countries with high tuition costs, due to the quality of education provided by Emirati universities, and the strength of the certificate. The cost of studying at the undergraduate level ranges between 38 thousand and 70 thousand dirhams annually, while for the postgraduate sector, the cost ranges between 54 One thousand and 75 thousand dirhams annually, which is a rather high cost if high housing costs are added to it.

For undergraduate programs in Dubai, the tuition fees range between AED37, 500 and AED 70,000 each year. Yet in Dubai, the tuition fees for a postgraduate program range between AED55, 000 and AED 75,000 per year. In the emirate, the living expenses range between AED2, 600 and 3,900.

Living in The United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is one of the countries with high housing costs, as the cost of the annual contract for a house in Dubai ranges between $25,000 and $40,000 annually, and the contract system requires that you pay for a year in advance, and as for living, its costs will be high in reliance on eating The importer and goods that are produced abroad, but if you rely on buying Emirati goods, you will be able to control your expenses, the UAE dirham is the official currency of the United Arab Emirates, the United Arab Emirates has a good transport system that is one of the best in the region, and you can rent a car at a cost of 2000 Dirhams, and he saves a lot due to low fuel costs, and he can use public transportation. The Arabic language is the official language in the country, with English being used as a second language in state departments.

Accommodation

There’s two categories of accommodation in the UAE: on-campus and off-campus. The on-campus category is the most prevalent since it is cheaper.

Few universities in Dubai offer accommodation for students. The students should make the arrangements related to accommodation as early as possible since the spots get filled quickly. For the cost of on-campus accommodation, it ranges between AED27,500 and AED 14,500 based on the category. 

There’s another options for the International students in the UAE. It’s the private accommodation. It becomes inevitable for those who don’t manage to have places in the on-campus accommodation. The costs of private accommodation range between AED70,000 to AED140,000.

Transportation

As for transportation, the use of public transportation in the Emirates is no less convenient than private transportation, so it is possible to rely on public transportation to save some money. But the cost of living in the Emirates does not depend only on that, there are also daily additional costs such as purchasing goods and basic services, and they differ from one city to another. We will explain the cost of living in the Emirates more broadly, in both the capital Abu Dhabi and the city of Dubai.

Universities in The United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is home to an array of the best universities in the region and worldwide،Below we introduce you to a group of the most important universities there

Al Ain University 

Al Ain University is among the top universities in the country. It is located in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is home to six colleges. Al Ain University offers 26 academic programs (17 bachelor’s, eight master’s, as well as a postgraduate professional diploma in teaching).

The university receives students from over 40 nations and has two campuses – one in Abu Dhabi and one in Al Ain. It offers students a unique opportunity to study at a global university while benefitting from living in a peaceful and calm campus a short distance from the hustle and bustle of city life. 

United Arab Emirates University 

United Arab Emirates University occupies the 284th position in the global rankings,. The university is ranked fifth in the Arab region ranking. It’s located in the city of Al Ain in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is the oldest university in the UAE – though still relatively young, having been established in 1976. Its alumni community includes many powerful leaders in the areas of government and business.

Khalifa University

Khalifa University is ranked 211th in the world and ninth in the 2021 Arab region rankings. It is a non-profit science-focused university which was established in 2007 in Abu Dhabi as part of a government initiative.

Presently, the university is home to 1,500 students. However, there are plans for a new campus. This means the university could teach up to 6,000 students in the future.

The university is modeled on the American structure of higher education and is developing a worldwide network of partners, faculty members, and research programs to advance research and innovation in the UAE and across the region. 

Zayed University

Zayed University is founded in 1998. It is ranked 701-750 in the QS World University Rankings 2019. It is one of the top 150 young universities appearing in the QS Top 50 Under 50 Rankings 2019. The university is home to approximately 6,500 students, including 158 international students. Undergraduate fees range between US$20,000 and US$22,000, while postgraduate fees rise to US$30,000.

Student Visa - The United Arab Emirates

For International students who are looking to study in the United Arab Emirates, they will need to apply for a student visa. To obtain a visa, students will usually need to be sponsored by a resident of the country.

The majority of institutions provide this service, but the students should be sure to check before they start their application process. The application is done online.

However, students should be aware that sponsorship does not guarantee their visa. When it comes to application costs, they can be up to AED 3,000 and the deposit up to AED 3,000.

To obtain a study visa in Dubai, you must meet the following conditions:

  • To obtain a first-year student visa, you must obtain an official letter of acceptance from the university where you will study.
  • For university students, a certificate of continuation of study is required from them.
  • Applicants must pass a medical fitness test.
  • The applicant must have a sponsor, either an accredited university or a parent. or relatives (if
    residing in the United Arab Emirates).
  • The approval of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.‎

The cost of the visa

The cost of the visa varies from one country to another. In the United Arab Emirates, the cost of a study visa in Dubai is approximately 820 US dollars, in addition to a refundable security deposit of about 270 US dollars on each application.

The required papers are almost simple and easy, as they are limited to the passport and some photographs of the student, in addition to the university admission.

How to apply - The United Arab Emirates

Students can view the list of accredited universities and colleges on the State Academic Accreditation Commission website through the official link, and learn about accredited study programs.

The student applies to study by addressing the university directly. Usually, the university requires a valid passport, previous certificates, a statement of scientific content, grades, and letters of nomination.

Required Documents 

When it comes to undergraduate studies, such as bachelor’s degrees, the required documents are: 

  • Maturity Certificate, acquired from the Albanian Entrance Exam
  • High school diploma and transcripts 
  • English proficiency certificates such as TOEFL or IELTS
  • SAT Exam results, as some universities need to consider them 
  • Copy of passport or another identification document
  • Two passport size photos 
  • At least two references letters 

For graduate studies like master’s degrees or doctorate degrees, you’ll need to submit:

  • Undergraduate or graduate diplomas or equivalent documents
  • English proficiency certificates such as TOEFL or IELTS
  • CV or resume with the following information: personal information, brief educational background, professional experience, extra-curricular, skills, awards received, publications (if applicable), and references
  • At least two reference letters
  • Copy of passport or another identification document
  • Two passport size photos 
  • For doctorate degrees, research proposals in the field in which you want to prepare the thesis 

 

Scholarship in The United Arab Emirates

scholarships in the UAE are too many to count. Many reputable universities in the country come out with educational initiatives for graduate and postgraduate students.

United Arab Emirates University Scholarships

The United Arab Emirates University is ranked fifth among the best Arab universities according to the 2019 QS classification. It is considered one of the strongest universities in the Emirates. The university offers a range of scholarships to international and Emirati students wishing to enroll in a postgraduate program at the university. The duration of the grant is 3 years, with the possibility of extension to four years.

Mohamed bin Zayed Scholarships

The Mohamed bin Zayed University is Located in Masdar City in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence was established in 2019 and offers a number of study programs in the field of Artificial Intelligence to local and international students.

The university offers several scholarships for its graduate students in the following fields: Computer vision. Machine learning. language processing

Canadian University Scholarships

The Canadian University in Dubai is one of the projects of the Dubai Education Foundation, which seeks to promote Canadian concepts and foundations in education and research, while respecting the cultures and values prevailing in the United Arab Emirates.

The university offers a number of scholarships to support outstanding students at the undergraduate level.

These scholarships include the following:

  • Academic Excellence Scholarships.
  • Sports scholarships.
  • Grant financial difficulties.
  • Grants for people with disabilities.
  • The benefits of these scholarships include covering tuition fees at a rate ranging from 40% to 100%.