Study in the United Arab Emirates

Life in the UAE

Despite still having a hereditary governing system, the UAE offers a relatively open and tolerant society, and certainly a diverse one. An estimated 13% of the population are native Emiratis; the rest are expats, mainly from Asia, Europe and North America. However, despite the large expat population, it is important to be aware of local customs and laws on public conduct to avoid causing offence – or getting arrested!

Dubai

The first thing to mention about Dubai is its incredible skyline, featuring more ‘supertall’ skyscrapers than any other city. Among them is the Burj Khalifa, which at just under 830m is the world’s tallest manmade structure.

Other impressive feats of modern construction include the three Palm Islands (the world’s biggest manmade islands), the ‘world’ islands (designed to resemble the world when viewed from above) and Ski Dubai (the Middle East’s first indoor ski resort). The city also won a bid to host the next Expo event in 2020, which is expected to yield AED 89 billion in added economic activities.

Towards the outskirts of the city is Dubai International Academic City, an area which is home to 27 university campuses run by institutions from 11 different countries. These include branch campuses run by Australia’s University of Wollongong, the UK’s Middlesex University and the US’s Michigan State University.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi’s skyscrapers are not quite as awe-inspiring as Dubai’s, but then again, who needs the world’s tallest building when you’ve got the world’s most expensive Grand Prix circuit?

However, that’s not to say that the architecture isn’t pretty impressive. Take, for example, the striking circular design of the new Paris-Sorbonne Abu Dhabi campus, with a central dome based on the prestigious university’s iconic main building in Paris.

As well as Paris-Sorbonne, New York University also has a branch campus in the city, as does the New York Film Academy. There’s also the relatively young Abu Dhabi University, which has a campus on the edge of the city (and another in Al Ain), with well-developed support systems for international students.

Read our blog post on the top 10 things to do in Abu Dhabi >

Sharjah

Sharjah is the third-largest city in the United Arab Emirates and the capital of the state that shares its name. Sharjah’s University City, similar to Dubai’s International Academic City, is an area with a high concentration of universities. These include the American University of Sharjah, the University of Sharjah, Skyline University College, Sharjah Teaching Hospital and the men’s and women’s colleges of the Higher Colleges of Technology.

Around seven miles from the city center, University City forms its own community, with a selection of shops, banks, restaurants and sports facilities, as well as student accommodation.

Those who do leave the campus to head into Sharjah itself will find plenty to do. There’s the Eye of the Emirates, a 60m-high observation wheel offering views across Sharjah and Dubai; the spectacular Blue Souk shopping center; and the beautiful Khalid Lagoon, which has the third-tallest fountain in the world and hosts the annual F1 Powerboat Race. Sharjah was a new entry in the QS Best Student Cities in 2016, and is currently ranked 77^th, receiving a notably high score for the Student Mix category, thanks to its highly international student community. 

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University applications & tuition fees

To study in the UAE, you’ll need to apply to your chosen university online by the May/June before the start of your program. To apply, you’ll generally need to provide a completed application form, a valid passport, certificates and transcripts of your most recent academic qualification, academic references and proof of proficiency in English.

While each institution sets its own admission requirements, state universities often expect students to be proficient in speaking Arabic, as well as English – the main language used at universities in the UAE. If you are a non-native English speaker, IELTS/TOEFL results are likely to be required.

Tuition fees vary, as universities in the UAE set their own fees. The continued economic success of the region means that studying in the UAE can be relatively expensive. While program fees vary significantly, prices for a master’s degree range from around AED 48,000 (~US$13,070) to a hefty AED 120,000 (~US$32,670) for some specialized graduate programs.

Student visas

To gain a visa to study in the UAE, you’ll need a sponsor who is resident in the country. If you have no relatives or contacts based in the UAE, the university offering you a place will usually do this for you. You can apply for your visa online, but remember there is no guarantee of acceptance even with a sponsor. Usually a student residence visa will only be issued for one year at a time, and can then be renewed. The application costs up to AED 3,000 (US$820), in addition to a deposit of AED 1,000 (US$270).

These are the documents you’ll typically need to provide:

• Passport and four passport copies
• 12 photographs
• Upon arrival, three passport copies with entry visa to the UAE
• A letter showing you’ve been offered admission at a UAE university
• Possibly bank statements showing evidence of funds in the UAE
• Possibly a tenancy agreement (or letter from the university if you’ll be staying in university accommodation)
• Copy of tuition fee receipt for the current study year of the program
• Copy of visa fees receipt for the current study year of the program
• Postgraduate students will need to prove that they have a recognized undergraduate degree.

On arrival in the country, you should also expect to be asked to undergo a medical examination at an authorized center, which will include testing for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tuberculosis, leprosy and syphilis. Anyone testing positive for any of these, with the exception of syphilis, will be deported.

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