Study in the UAE
British, Australian and American degrees taught on branch campuses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, tax-free part-time income, and a five-hour flight from home.
Why students choose the UAE
The UAE lets you earn a degree from the University of Birmingham, Heriot-Watt, Middlesex, Curtin or Wollongong without leaving the Gulf. Campuses in Dubai's academic free zones teach the same curriculum and award the same certificate as the home campus. For students from South Asia and Africa it means family within reach, no income tax, and a fast-growing job market in finance, logistics, hospitality and tech.
Intakes
Main intake.
Second intake at most branch campuses.
Some business and IT programmes.
What international students study in the UAE
After you graduate
Graduates can apply for a one-year job-seeker visa without a sponsor, and the Golden Visa offers ten-year residence to outstanding graduates of top universities. The UAE also allows part-time work for students with a permit, in a country with no personal income tax.
Job-seeker visa
Up to 1 year for graduates of leading universities; 60 to 120 days, extendable, for others. Outstanding graduates of top-ranked universities can apply for the 10-year Golden Visa.
Part-time work
Part time with a work permit, typically up to 15 to 20 hours a week within free zones. Wages of No statutory minimum; part-time student roles pay AED 25 to AED 50 an hour.
Employment by sector
Finance and fintech (high), Logistics and aviation (high), Hospitality and tourism (high). Full picture.
What it costs to study in the UAE
Living costs of AED 3,500 to AED 7,000 a month. Tuition of AED 40,000 to AED 90,000 for undergraduate and AED 50,000 to AED 120,000 for postgraduate study. Branch campuses often charge 20 to 40 percent less than the home campus for the same degree.
| Monthly cost | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | AED 2,000 to AED 4,500 (university housing and shared flats) |
| Food and groceries | AED 1,000 to AED 1,500 |
| Transport | AED 200 to AED 400 with a student Nol card |
| Utilities and phone | AED 300 to AED 500 |
| Health insurance | Included in the student visa package at most universities |
Fees and costs are indicative for the 2026/27 cycle, change with exchange rates and policy, and should be confirmed with the university or the relevant government before you decide.
Student residence visa, sponsored by the university
Documents you will need
- Offer letter and fee receipt
- Passport with 6 months validity
- Passport photos on a white background
- Attested academic certificates (attestation is needed for many nationalities)
- Medical fitness test after arrival
- Emirates ID application
Funding for international students in the UAE
| Scholarship | What it offers | Who awards it |
|---|---|---|
| University merit scholarships | 10 to 50 percent fee reductions at branch campuses based on school or degree results. | Universities |
| Sibling and alumni discounts | Common across UAE universities. | Universities |
| Government-sponsored awards | Selected programmes for students from specific countries. | Embassies and ministries |
the UAE in eight facts
Dubai International Academic City hosts more than 25 branch campuses.
Degrees from branch campuses carry the same certificate as the home campus.
Summer temperatures pass 40°C; the academic year avoids the worst of it.
Public transport in Dubai includes a driverless metro and air-conditioned bus stops.
Alcohol and dress rules are relaxed in tourist and campus areas but still apply.
Saturdays and Sundays form the weekend in the private sector since 2022.
English is the working language of business and universities.
Direct flights connect Dubai to almost every major city in South Asia and Africa.
Where to study in the UAE
Everything else about studying in the UAE
Student visa
How to get a United Arab Emirates student visa: fees, funds, documents and timeline
Cost of studying
What it costs to study in the UAE: tuition, living and one-off fees
Cost of living
Monthly cost of living for students in the UAE
Scholarships
Scholarships for international students in the UAE
Work after graduation
Working in the UAE during and after your degree
Education system
How the Emirati education system works
Student life
Student life in the UAE: housing, work, weather and culture
Best student cities
Best cities to study in the UAE
Exams required
Which exams you need to study in the UAE
Master's degrees
Studying a master's in the UAE
Studying in the UAE: what students ask
Is a degree from a Dubai branch campus the same as the UK one?
Yes for the universities we work with: the certificate is issued by the home university and does not mention the campus. Check that the programme is licensed by KHDA or CAA.
Can students work part time in the UAE?
Yes, with a part-time work permit, usually within free zones and for up to 15 to 20 hours a week. Many students take internships and campus roles.
Do I need IELTS for the UAE?
Most universities ask for IELTS 5.5 to 6.5 or an equivalent, with foundation routes for lower scores.
Ready to plan the UAE?
A counsellor who knows this country's rules builds you a shortlist and a timeline. Free.