Study in UAE: Top universities, courses and admission cycle

Study in UAE 2023 - UAE is known all over the world as a shopping and tourist destination, but it also boasts of quality institutions offering career opportunities in management, finance and engineering. Students aspiring to study in the UAE are aware that while being home to well-known domestic universities, the higher education space is covered by branches of top-rated universities. With a population of 9.2 million including only 1.4 million Emirati citizens, studying in UAE can be an attractive prospect for international students seeking a global experience. UAE is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, fueled by growing trade and tourism. Students can work after study in UAE, and can get a job in one of the growing sectors. Studying in the UAE can be a gateway for students aspiring to experience the culture of the Middle East which is brimming with possibilities in the business and hospitality sector.

Eligibility criteria to study in UAE

Eligibility criteria for undergraduate studies

• Required IELTS and TOEFL scores.
• Completed 12 years of schooling with a minimum score of 60% and above.
• Required IELTS and TOEFL scores
• Universities such as the Al Ghurair University, University of Wollongong in Dubai and Middlesex University Dubai require students from CBSE or ISC board to have a minimum percentage of 65%
• Students with a score of 75% or more in English may be exempted from IELTS

Education System in UAE

The education system in UAE is not gender-biased. The education system starts at the primary and secondary levels at the school level. As for higher education, there are both private and public universities that are affordable to international students compared to other countries.

Student visa requirements to study in UAE

There are 3 types of UAE student visas:

Family-Sponsored Dubai Student Visa - Students attending an educational institution may be permitted to apply for their UAE study visa application based on the sponsorship of their parents. This option is open to full-time students. Sons must be under the age of 18, while unmarried daughters can be of any age.

Educator-Sponsored Dubai Study Visa – Full-time students can be sponsored by their educational institution if the institution is qualified to do so. This type of UAE study visa allows students to obtain a visa for the duration of their course.

Short Stay Dubai Student Visa - For a shorter period of studies students have the option of applying for a short-term Dubai student visa. This grants a stay of 60 days which can be renewed as needed.

For higher education full-time courses, Educator Sponsored Dubai Study Visa is the most common and easy method of getting a visa.

• The UAE study visa for international students is facilitated by the university to which the applicant has been accepted for the duration of the programme.

• Students can directly send their documents to the university which starts the UAE study visa process after the acceptance of the student to the programme.

• This process should start at least 1-2 months prior to the start date so that applicants can take care of other aspects of studying in the Emirates.

• Visa process time for a UAE study Visa is stipulated to be around 15-20 days, which varies slightly from university to university.

• Express processing, which costs more than normal processing but is done within 10 days, can be chosen by international students wanting to study in the UAE; this facility is available at most universities.

• The UAE study visa does not require international students to appear for a separate visa interview. Visa to study in UAE for international students requires answering basic questions at the time of application and at the time of landing in Emirates to get their UAE study visa on arrival.

• UAE study visa is valid for a period of 12 months after which it has to be renewed if the programme is longer than that period.

• For renewal, students studying in UAE have to fill a visa renewal application form and submit the same with their universities.

• International students have to submit their visa renewal documents at least a month prior to the date of UAE study visa expiry. Students will be charged a visa renewal and health insurance fee.

The application process for a UAE student visa is fairly simple. However, if the visa is rejected, students are required to contact the registrar’s office at the university. The applicant will be asked to resubmit the UAE study visa application with proper documents or fill out the fee refund form.

Apart from this, UAE grants a golden visa for outstanding students which is valid for a period between 5 to 10 years.

Documents required for UAE student visa

Students can apply for a UAE study visa only after accepting the admission offer letter from the university and paying the fee. The documentation process for a UAE study visa might vary from university to university. Some of the commonly required documents for a UAE study visa are:

• Passport copy valid at least for seven months

• Passport size photographs

• Filled university forms

• Tuition and visa fee receipts

• Original Emirates ID (in case, the student possess one)

• Bank statement as proof of having enough funds

• Transcripts of marksheets from previous school or college

• Scorecard of English language proficiency test

Related reading

• Canada Student Visa
• Germany Student Visa
• Australia Student Visa
• UK Student Visa
• Singapore Student Visa

Admission intakes to study in UAE

The admission intakes to study in UAE will vary for international students based on the type, of course, they are applying for.

Some universities admit students throughout the year, but the fall season sees the most number of international admissions. However, it is better to start the application process 3 to 4 months before the intake.

The admission process to study in UAE

• Research options

• Register for standardized tests and take the test

• Prepare the application package and get the test scores

• Start applying to universities and courses

• Universities respond to applications

• Prepare finances, explore scholarships and apply for education loans.

• Apply for the student visa

• Prepare for departure

Cost of education to study in UAE

Tuition fees

The cost of studying in the UAE in 2023 is lower compared to destinations like the US and Australia.

1. Approximate cost of an undergraduate program to study in Dubai: is 37,500 to 70,000 AED per annum.

2. Approximate cost of the postgraduate program to study in Dubai: 55,000 to 75,000 AED per annum.

Living expenses

The factors that contribute to students' living costs in UAE are the costs incured on food, accommodation, travel, entertainment and other expenses. Here is a breakdown of the living costs in the UAE.

Top cities to study in UAE

Some of the cities in the UAE have been consistently ranked in the QS list of best student cities in the world. In fact, Dubai has been ranked 54 in the QS ranking for 2024. Here are other top cities to study in the UAE:

• Sharjah
• Abu Dhabi
• Al Ain
• Ajman

Top Universities to Study in UAE (QS ranking)

UAE is not just known for posh lifestyle, costly cities or sandy terrains but also for UAE universities for higher education. UAE is fast becoming an education hub as well with many international students choosing the place as study abroad destination. Completing education in best universities in UAE opens doorways to career opportunities across the world.

QS Top Universities in UAE

Scholarships to Study in UAE

Foreign students are welcome to study in Dubai and other locations in UAE, and it is an excellent place to study languages and management courses in the fields of finance and trade. However, studying in UAE can be an expensive prospect, especially for students aspiring to study in the Emirates from India. Hence, it helps to have a scholarship to study in United Arab Emirates.

• Zayed University International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship
• Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant (GRTA) Scholarship
• United Arab Emirate University (UAEU) International Scholarships
• International Study Grant, Middlesex University Dubai
• International Undergraduate Scholarship at the University of Dubai
• Academic Merit Scholarship at the University of Wollongong, Dubai
• H Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Scholarship
• KU MED Graduate Scholarship for Expatriates
• Al Qasimi Foundation’s Doctoral Research Grants

Educational Loans to Study in UAE

Many universities and banks in India and the UAE offer financial aid to study. In fact, an admission from any of the best universities in UAE makes it even more easier to get an education loan for Indian students. To get an education loan to study in the UAE, students must meet the minimum eligibility requirements and submit the required documents.

You might like to read about:

• Study in UAE - Admission Cycle

• Accommodation in Dubai for foreign students

Top courses to study in UAE in 2023

There are many top courses to study in UAE for Indian students at undergraduate and postgraduate level. In case of not getting a seat in Indian university, study in United Arab Emirates is the closest option to receive world-class education. The following courses are in high demand for study in UAE.

• Civil Engineering

• Construction Management

• Aerospace Engineering

• Tourism & Hospitality Management:

• Architecture

• Management

Work while studying and post course work options

International students are allowed to work part-time in the United Arab Emirates. Income earned from part-time jobs can cover living expenses in the UAE. International students need a work permit from the Ministry of Labor of the United Arab Emirates. International students can work 15 hours a week or 60 hours a month.

International students can remain in the country and work full-time after completing their studies. A student visa must be changed to a work visa. The visa in this case must be sponsored by the employer and the application is also made by the employer. The form of employment must be full-time and a residence permit is also required if the candidate intends to stay in the UAE for an extended period of time.

Top reasons to study in the UAE

• Well-established education system.

• Universities to study in Dubai offer state-of-the-art infrastructure.

• Tuition and living costs are low compared to other countries such as the UK, USA and European countries.

• It is one of the fastest-growing economies with many opportunities that enable students around the world to have illustrious careers after graduation.

• Students will experience cultural diversity in Dubai with over 200 nationalities, which will be very useful for their future.

• A safe place for students

Top consultants for studying in UAE

1. Edwise International

2. IDP Consultancy

3. Y-Axis

4. Global tree

5. Manya - The Princeton Review

6. Eduworld

7. AECC Global