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Study in United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Higher Education Structure in UAE

Study In UAE

The United Arab Emirates is an economic powerhouse located in West Asia, on the Arabian Peninsula. Once famous mainly for its oil reserves, the economy has diversified to an extent where tourism and the service sector dominate the GDP. It is one of the most international countries in the world, with expats making up more than 80% of the population. The capital city is Abu Dhabi, while Dubai is the financial hub and largest city, in terms of both area and population.

Even though the UAE is relatively small, the burgeoning economy and convenient location ensure that there are very high-quality homegrown universities, in addition to the local branches of some of the most renowned institutions of higher education in the world. Global business schools of excellence (like INSEAD from France and SP Jain from India) have campuses in the United Arab Emirates. These universities have very strong campus placements, and the high salaries for freshers motivate many international students to pursue their undergraduate studies in the UAE.

The Perks of Studying in UAE

UAE is highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:

  • The country is ranked #28 in the world in the US News “Best Countries for Education” report.
  • The country is ranked #5 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP).
  • The country is ranked #16 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report.
  • The country is ranked #60 in the world in the “Safest Countries in the World” ranking by the World Population Review.

Higher Education Framework in UAE

The UAE's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research regulates all Universities and Colleges in the country. Approximately 100 Universities are located in the United Arab Emirates: these are both public (usually Government-run) and private (usually local branches of prominent overseas Universities) in nature. 

Public Universities in the UAE primarily teach undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses, while conducting research activities and occasionally conducting vocational training programs. Private Universities also often conduct short term Associate Undergraduate programs, primarily for international students. Most courses in all UAE-based Universities are taught in English, even though Arabic is the official language of the country.

Associate’s Degree Programs

The UAE Higher Education system is home to the unique Associate's undergraduate program. This degree typically lasts two years, and is an abbreviated version of a Bachelor's degree in the same discipline, with all the essential courses included. This is a popular option among students who wish to strengthen their resume with an educational qualification before taking advantage of the booming job market of the UAE. It is often used in conjunction with 2-3 years of work experience to apply for postgraduate degree programs. Associate's degrees are usually awarded in high-demand disciplines like Computer Science, Digital Marketing, and Artificial Intelligence.

Vocational Courses

Technical and Vocational Education is a key priority of the UAE Government; these institutions have a majority of local Emirati citizens, unlike many other Universities in the country. The National Qualifications Center defines norms for these degrees / diplomas, and they may last between 2 and 4 years, depending on the field of study. There are ten institutions offering technical and vocational qualifications in the UAE; they train students in disciplines as diverse as Aviation, Public Policy, Hospitality Management, and Petroleum Engineering.

Undergraduate Programs

Full-time undergraduate programs in the UAE are typically three-year Bachelor's degrees. The first two years include a large number of foundation courses in the field. The final year includes specialized courses, with an optional Bachelor's thesis leading to the award of a Honors degree. The placement process for undergraduate students typically takes place over the third year of study.

Postgraduate Programs

Postgraduate Master's programs in UAE Universities usually last two years, and involve intensive coursework and assignments. Courses are in advanced cutting-edge areas of the key disciplines, and students are expected to conduct guided research in the final 25% of the course, where they work towards a Master's thesis. Graduates are usually absorbed into the job industry of Dubai or Abu Dhabi immediately after completing their Master's degree.

Doctoral Programs

The UAE Government has a priority focus on original research; PhD students form a crucial part of this plan. Most PhD degree programs in the UAE take 3-4 years to complete. The first year of the degree involves taking a small number of compulsory courses, mostly related to research and analytical methodology. After this, students are expected to work with their research supervisor and create a thesis plan and start their research work. The degree culminates in a PhD thesis defense before an external evaluation panel.

Popular Disciplines Available in the UAE

The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in UAE are-

International LawElectrical EngineeringCommunication and Media Studies
Arabic Language and CultureDevelopment StudiesTourism and Business Studies
International BusinessCivil EngineeringComputer Sciences
Clinical MedicineSemiconductor PhysicsFuel Engineering
SociologyBiomedical EngineeringUrban Planning

Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in UAE

Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in the United Arab Emirates:

The Name of the City No. of Universities 
Dubai59
Abu Dhabi26
Sharjah12
Ajman4
Fujairah3
Ras Al Khaimah3

Average Monthly Expenses in UAE for International Students

Tuition fees for international students in the UAE vary widely. For example, the smaller state-run management academies may charge approximately $1,000 per year. However, the local campuses of foreign universities and the larger state-run institutions (e.g. Zayed University) have much higher tuition fees, often exceeding $20,000 per year for premier courses like the MBA. These fees are comparable to those in Europe: however, financial aid and scholarship options are available for deserving meritorious students.

The cost of living in the United Arab Emirates is very high, and this is especially true of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. International students can expect to spend at least 4,000 AED (over $1,000) per month on shared accommodation, food, and travel. This amount is often substantially higher if the student opts for private accommodation instead of University housing.

UAE Students' Visa Requirements

The normal long-term UAE visa for international students grants a residence permit that must be renewed every year.

Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in UAE.
  • An official letter issued by a UAE University stating the nature and duration of the course in which the student is enrolled.
  • Details of a local sponsor.
  • A valid international passport issued in the home country of the applicant.
  • Two recent passport-size photographs.
  • Bank statement details showing sufficient funds to live and study in the UAE for at least one year.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The cost of a UAE long term student visa varies according to the University to which a student has been admitted. Since the Universities facilitate visa applications, most students choose to apply via their college, even though this may be more expensive than applying directly. The fee can range from approximately 3,000 to 10,000 AED, depending on whether medical insurance and security deposits are included. This typically has to be renewed every year, without any fee. Students can also choose to apply directly to the embassy, in which case the fee ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 AED for a long term multiple entry student visa.

UAE Visa Applicants must submit two photographs at the time of application. The recommended image dimensions are 35 mm (width) by 45 mm (height). Both must be recent; having been taken within six months of submission to the authorities. The applicant’s head must be prominently displayed, and be looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. 75-80% of the area of the photograph should be covered by the head. The background color must be a solid block of any light color. No other people or objects can be visible in the picture.

A UAE long term student visa may be rejected for several reasons. Applicants may have to raise an appeal with the UAE High Commission in their country to find the exact reason. If the cause is minor (e.g. erroneous details in the application form or missing documents), candidates may re-apply immediately, making sure to fix the errors. If the reason is more serious (e.g. criminal record of the applicant), there may be no recourse; candidates should speak to an experienced visa consultant to understand the next steps, or contact their University for assistance.

International students may take up part time work during their UAE University degree. However, possession of a long term student visa alone is not sufficient; students must also apply for and successfully receive a Work Permit from the Ministry of Labor. With this document, they may work part time during the semester, for up to 60 hours per month. During the summer and winter vacations, international students may work full time in a UAE-based company, up to 40 hours per week.

All universities in the United Arab Emirates offer scholarships to meritorious international students. Foreign students who have completed their high school studies in the country, as well as other non-UAE nationals, are eligible to apply. These scholarships are limited to tuition fee waivers; very few universities offer living cost subsidies or accommodation stipends.

After receiving an Admission Letter to study in the UAE, a student must complete three tasks. First, he/she must accept the offer (via email or scanned signature, based on the University's rules). Next, the student must pay the first semester or year's fees, according to the guidelines provided by the college. Finally, the candidate must start the long term student visa application process.

The top Universities in the UAE (for example, Zayed University), offer financial aid to active international students based on financial need. Applications must be submitted online every year before the deadline, and candidates must upload proof of their families' income. The award of financial aid is made based on the overall economic status of the applicant's family and the number of members. If there are too many applicants, financial aid is disbursed to the applicants with the highest GPA. Fresh applications must be submitted each year.

All international students need to obtain a No Objection Certificate from their University authorities or local guardians before they purchase a mobile phone connection or bank account. Two copies of this document must be submitted: one each in English and Arabic.

International students may bring their own laptops to the UAE, but most of the top universities in the country include a laptop fee in the amount payable for the first semester. Through this, students are given a laptop configured to the university network, with all the relevant softwares preloaded according to their undergraduate or postgraduate major. Most Universities allow free servicing for this crucial IT infrastructure, and candidates can take it with them after the completion of their degree.