Study in the United Arab Emirates

Entry requirements vary by institution, programme and your previous qualifications. Universities may consider A Levels, the International Baccalaureate, national secondary-school qualifications and other recognised international credentials.

Some applicants qualify for direct undergraduate entry, while others may be offered a foundation or another preparatory route.

Postgraduate applicants will normally need a recognised bachelor's degree. Minimum grades, relevant subjects and any additional requirements depend on the programme.

Before applying, confirm that the institution and programme hold the appropriate approvals and that the qualification will be recognised for your intended next step.

English-language requirements vary by institution and programme. Universities may accept IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or other recognised evidence of English proficiency.

Some applicants can meet the requirement through previous English-medium education or another accepted qualification. Any exemption is determined by the individual institution.

Foundation programmes may have lower English-language requirements than direct entry to a degree.

September is one of the main university intakes in the United Arab Emirates. January entry is also available at many institutions, and some programmes have additional start dates.

Application deadlines are set by individual institutions, so check the dates for your chosen course and intake.

Tuition differs considerably between institutions, subjects and study levels. As a broad planning guide, students at private universities and international branch campuses may encounter annual fees of approximately AED 50,000 to AED 160,000 or more. This is not a fixed national fee range.

Foundation and pathway fees can differ from degree tuition. For example, University Study Centre, Dubai — INTO currently advertises its International Foundation programmes from AED 60,000, including VAT.

Confirm the exact fee, payment schedule and any additional charges for your programme and intake before committing.

Your costs will depend on the emirate, accommodation and lifestyle. Living with family or sharing accommodation may be considerably less expensive than renting independently.

For one Dubai-based example, the University of Birmingham Dubai estimates typical student spending at approximately AED 6,860 per month, excluding visa costs, based on a single-room rental budget and typical spending on groceries, transport, mobile services and leisure. Shared accommodation and different transport choices may reduce this amount.

Budget separately for accommodation, food, transport, health insurance, visa and residence fees, study materials and personal expenses.

Many UAE universities and international branch campuses offer scholarships or tuition discounts, often based on academic merit. Awards vary and commonly cover only part of the tuition fee.

For example, the University of Birmingham Dubai currently advertises scholarships of up to 30% of tuition fees, subject to eligibility and award conditions.

Important: All costs, deadlines and eligibility details above are indicative and subject to change. Check current information directly with the relevant institution before making a financial commitment.

International students may be able to work while studying, but student residence does not automatically authorise employment.

Where required, the employer must arrange an appropriate student training or employment permit. Non-UAE students need valid residence status and proof of student status, and additional conditions may apply.

Check your individual eligibility and permit requirements before accepting or starting work.

The United Arab Emirates does not offer an automatic post-study work visa to every international graduate.

To remain after completing a course, graduates normally need to qualify for another residence category, such as employment-sponsored residence.

Eligible applicants may be able to obtain a 60-, 90- or 120-day jobseeker visit visa to explore employment opportunities. Specific qualifications and other eligibility criteria apply; this is not an automatic benefit of graduating in the UAE.

Some high-achieving students and graduates may qualify for longer-term residence through schemes such as Golden Residence, subject to the applicable rules.

Immigration policies can change, and decisions are made by the relevant UAE authorities. This page provides general information, not individual immigration advice. Check official requirements before relying on any visa, employment or residence route.

International Foundation programmes in Business, Computer Science, and Science and Engineering that prepare eligible students for progression to undergraduate study. INTO currently lists January 2027 as a forthcoming start date, English-language entry from IELTS 5.0 (subject to subskill requirements), and tuition from AED 60,000 including VAT.

Progression depends on meeting the relevant academic, English-language and university entry requirements; it is not guaranteed.

Other UAE universities mentioned on this page are examples for comparison, not a statement of a Study With FM partnership.