Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Estd in 2007 | Government University
About Khalifa University
Khalifa University is a public research university situated in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It was established in 2007, and it emerged from three well-respected institutions: Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Petroleum Institute, and Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research. Khalifa University is renowned for its courses in the domains of Science, Engineering, and Medicine.
Khalifa University acceptance rate is approximately 9% which shows that the university is highly selective and competition among applicants is high. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or above on the scale of 4.0, along with a letter of recommendation to increase their chances of admission at Khalifa.
Khalifa University is home to over 3,461 students from 51 countries across the world. The university focus on individualised learning and has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1. All international students applying to Khalifa University must meet the English language proficiency requirements, and have a valid score of either 6.0 in IELTS or 79 on the TOEFL exam.
Khalifa University tuition fees depend on the programme of study and credits. Students are required to pay a fee of 2,500 AED (Rs. 56401.02) for undergraduate courses, 5,000 AED (Rs. 112802.04) for a master’s programme, and 6,666 AED (Rs. 150387.68) for a doctoral degree offered at the university. Khalifa is one of the most affordable universities in Abu Dhabi.
Khalifa University offers 13 bachelor’s programmes, 16 master’s degrees, and 2 PhD courses in the fields of Engineering, Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and more. The university is ranked 230th in the QS World University Rankings, 2024. Khalifa is particularly known for its programmes in Petroleum Engineering and is ranked 8th globally by QS in 2023 for subject rankings.
Khalifa University has two campuses in Abu Dhabi, which are the Main Campus and the Sas Al Nakhl Campus. The main campus is located on Abu Dhabi Island at the intersection of Al Saada St. and Old Airport Rd. Khalifa University main campus is spread over 135,000 square meters and houses 105 laboratories, including cutting-edge aerospace and underwater robotics labs, 72 classrooms, the UAE's largest academic sports complex, retail and culinary outlets, and multi-story parking.
Khalifa University Highlights
Khalifa University Courses
Khalifa University offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programmes. These courses are offered in the fields of Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Petroleum Geoscience, Chemistry, Applied Mathematics and Statistics Financial Mathematics, Mathematical Biology, Physics, and more. The university is known for its programmes in Science, Engineering, and Medicine.
Accreditations
Khalifa University Cost Of Living
Khalifa University tuition fees vary on the basis of programme of study and credit hours. A detailed breakdown of the tuition fee is mentioned below:
Khalifa University tuition fees
Programme type | Tuition fee (in AED) | Tuition fee (in Rs.) |
Undergraduate | 2,500 AED | Rs. 56401.02 |
Master’s programme | 5,000 AED | Rs. 112802.04 |
Doctoral degree | 6,666 AED | Rs. 150387.68 |
Is it expensive to study at Khalifa University?
Yes, studying at Khalifa University can be expensive for international students. Apart from tuition fees, students are required to have a budget of 24,000 AED to 30,000 AED (Rs. 5,41,533.13 to Rs. 6,76,916.41) per year to cover the costs of housing, food, and other expenditures. A detailed breakdown of the living expenses at the university is mentioned in the table below:
Cost of studying at Khalifa University
Expense list | Costs |
Housing | 6,100 AED |
Food | 40 AED |
Transportation (monthly pass) | 80 AED |
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 700 AED |
Other expenses | 400 AED - 600 AED |
Khalifa University Admission and Application
Khalifa University acceptance rate is approximately 9%, which shows that numerous international students are admitted to the university every year. Applicants looking for admission to Khalifa University are required to apply online by filling out an application form available on the official website. A step-by-step procedure is mentioned below.
How to apply to Khalifa University?
Visit the official website of Khalifa University.
Select the programme you want to apply at KU.
Check the application requirements and deadline.
Fill out the application form with relevant information.
Attach all the required documents.
Verify all the data and submit the application form.
Documents required for admission to Khalifa University
Certified copy of Bachelor’s/Master’s degree certificate.
Equivalency certificate issued by the UAE Ministry of Education for applicants who have graduated from institutions outside the UAE.
Official academic transcripts
English language proficiency certificate
GRE score report (if applicable)
Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Passport-style photograph on a white background.
Valid passport
Copy of the UAE visa.
Valid UAE national ID card (for international applicants currently residing in the UAE).
Statement of Purpose (500 to 1,000 words)
Research Statement (500 to 1,000 words for PhD applicants only)
Khalifa University Scholarship
Khalifa University and its partners offer various undergraduate scholarships for both domestic and international students. A few of the scholarships offered at Khalifa University are mentioned below:
Khalifa University Scholarship
ADNOC Scholarship Program
Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) Scholarship “Betha”
UAE Nuclear Energy Scholarship Program (ENEC & FANR)
National Electronic Security Authority (NESA) – Tamayuz Scholarship Program
The Future Teachers Scholarship
Khalifa University also offers several full-time scholarships to all admitted Emirati and international students. For more information regarding scholarships, students can refer to the official website of Khalifa University.
Also read: Work after study in UAE
Khalifa University Eligibility
Candidates seeking admission to Khalifa University must complete the English language requirements for their selected course if English is not their first language. To meet the criteria, all International students must provide a valid score on one of the following tests:
IELTS Academic score of 6.0
TOEFL iBT score of 79
Khalifa University International Office Details
Khalifa University is a highly-ranked university with a strong reputation for research and academic excellence. It is a good choice for students interested to study in UAE. Khalifa University has over 3,461 students from 51 countries across the world. All overseas students can contact Khalifa University on the following details:
Address: Shakhbout Bin Sultan St - Hadbat Al Za'faranah - Zone 1 - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
Contact: +971 (2) 312 3333
Is it hard to get into Khalifa University?
Yes, getting into Khalifa University is extremely difficult as the university has an acceptance rate of approximately 9%, which shows that out of every 100 applications sent to the university, only 9 of them were accepted, increasing the competition among applicants. Khalifa University admission is based on the application form, supporting graduate admission requirements documents, and performance in the interview.