Top universities in the UAE include Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates University, American University of Sharjah, and many more. Engineering, architecture, marketing, and MBA in UAE are some of the popular courses offered by these universities.
Universities in the UAE are among the top universities in the world. International institutions of higher education in Dubai reported 8% every year growth in the number of enrolled students, according to the data from the Dubai KHDA. Besides, the number of international students who came to Dubai to complete their higher education rose by 12%, which amounts to almost one-third of the total students in Dubai. Also, data from the current academic year presented that 60% of students are enrolled for Bachelor's degrees, 30 % for Master’s and 2% for doctorate degrees.
International students can work in the UAE in high professional roles with competitive annual salary packages after studying in UAE. The leading recruiters in the UAE are Microsoft, Amazon, Accenture, KPMG, EY, and many more.
Also Explore: Jobs in UAE for International Students
There are 4 universities in the UAE among the top 500 according to the QS World University Rankings 2024. Below is the list of the top 10 universities in UAE and their ranks.
University | QS World University Rankings 2024 | THE World University Rankings 2024 |
---|---|---|
Khalifa University | #230 | #251–300 |
United Arab Emirates University | #290 | #301–350 |
American University of Sharjah | #364 | #601–800 |
University of Sharjah | #465 | #351–400 |
Ajman University | #551 | - |
Canadian University Dubai | #551 | - |
Abu Dhabi University | #580 | #251–300 |
American University in Dubai | #601-610 | - |
Al Ain University | #611-620 | - |
Zayed University | #701-710 | #401–500 |
Here is the list of top universities in UAE with the total number of international students.
University | Total International Students |
---|---|
Abu Dhabi University | 60% |
Khalifa University | 41% |
United Arab Emirates University | 18% |
University of Sharjah | 51% |
Zayed University | 2% |
American University of Sharjah | 74% |
Ajman University | 82% |
Al Ain University | 60% |
American University in the Emirates (AUE) | 44% |
American University in Dubai | 75% |
American University of Ras Al Khaimah | 57% |
The British University in Dubai | 60% |
University of Dubai | 24% |
Gulf Medical University | 90% |
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) consists of 7 emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain. Thus, each location has its own set of rules, quality of education, and most importantly industrial exposure. Therefore, before selecting a college in the UAE one should evaluate the merits and demerits of the location.
QS Best Student Cities 2024 | Location in UAE | Top Universities |
---|---|---|
#54 | Dubai | Canadian University Dubai
American University in Dubai Zayed University |
#85 | Abu Dhabi | Khalifa University
Al Ain University Abu Dhabi University Sorbonne University Al Hosn University |
- | Sharjah | American University of Sharjah
Skyline University College University of Sharjah |
Below is the table that lists the top universities in UAE for various undergraduate programs with their annual tuition fees.
University Name | Top Bachelors Program | Average Annual Tuition Fees (AED) | INR Equivalent |
---|---|---|---|
Khalifa University | BSc. in Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science | 28,750 | 6.5 lakhs |
United Arab Emirates University | BSc. in Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Bachelor of Economics, Accounting | 92,000 (May vary according to the program) | 20.81 lakhs |
American University of Sharjah | BSc. in Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering | 102,960 | 23.29 lakhs |
University of Sharjah | Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science | 57,812 | 13.08 lakhs |
Ajman University |
Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics | 57,070 | 12.91 lakhs |
Bachelor of Architecture | 49,140 | 11.11 lakhs |
Below is the table that lists the top universities in UAE for various postgraduate programs with their annual tuition fees.
University Name | Top Masters Program | Average Annual Tuition Fees (AED) | INR Equivalent |
---|---|---|---|
Khalifa University | MSc. in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering | 75,000 | 16.96 lakhs |
United Arab Emirates University | Master in Business Analytics, Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering | 36,000 (May vary according to the program) | 8.13 lakhs |
American University of Sharjah |
Master of Urban Planning | 83,985 | 18.97 lakhs |
All master of science engineering programs | 76,350 | 17.25 lakhs | |
University of Sharjah |
Master of Science in Business Analytics | 50,242 | 11.35 lakhs |
MSc. in Computer Science, Data Science, Cybersecurity Engineering, Artificial Intelligence | 51,765 | 11.69 lakhs | |
Ajman University |
Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence |
37,500 |
8.47 lakhs |
Master of Science in Urban Design |
Below are the top 5 engineering colleges in UAE offering bachelor's and master's programs in engineering:
Popular engineering courses in UAE are as follows:
The Table below showcases the total annual tuition fees for the top universities offering MBA in the UAE:
University | Fees Per Year (AED) | INR Equivalent |
---|---|---|
United Arab Emirates University | 65,016 | 14.69 lakhs |
American University of Sharjah | 83,985 | 18.97 lakhs |
University of Sharjah | 66,000 | 14.91 lakhs |
Ajman University | MBA: Human Resources Management | Financial Management | Marketing: 36,000 | 8.13 lakhs |
Some of the leading colleges offering MBBS in UAE and other medical programs for international students are listed below:
University | Medical Program | Fees Per Year (AED) | INR Equivalent |
---|---|---|---|
Ajman University | UG: College of Medicine | 121,000 | 27.34 lakhs |
University of Sharjah | MBBS | 118,300 | 26.73 lakhs |
Gulf Medical University | BBMS | 44,400 | 10.03 lakhs |
United Arab Emirates University | Master of Medical Sciences | 57,600 | 13.01 lakhs |
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences | MBBS | 160,000 | 36.15 lakhs |
There are a total of 4 top UAE universities featured in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings. These UAE universities are among the top 500. Below is a table showcasing the UAE universities along with the average annual salary earned by their graduates.
QS Graduate Employability Rankings | University | Average Annual Salary (AED) | INR Equivalent |
---|---|---|---|
#301-500 | American University of Sharjah | 168,000 | 38.01 lakhs |
#301-500 | United Arab Emirates University | 187,000 | 42.30 lakhs |
#501+ | American University in Dubai | 204,000 | 46.15 lakhs |
#501+ | Khalifa University | 189,000 | 42.76 lakhs |
Here are the following steps for selecting universities in UAE:
UAE is a one-stop destination for Indian students due to its affordable cost of living. Career prospects are good in the UAE. The average annual salary of graduates is AED 187,000 (42.30 lakhs INR).
Ques. What is the number #1 university in the UAE?
Ans. According to the QS and THE World University Rankings 2024, Khalifa University is at the top. It is ranked #1 among all universities in the UAE.
University | QS World University Rankings 2024 | THE World University Rankings 2024 |
---|---|---|
Khalifa University | #230 | #251–300 |
United Arab Emirates University | #290 | #301–350 |
American University of Sharjah | #364 | #601–800 |
Ques. Is university free in UAE?
Ans. The ranges of tuition fees to study in UAE vary depending on the university and the program. Here are the average annual tuition fee ranges:
Ques. How many universities are there in UAE?
Ans. There are 67 universities in the UAE accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), the official government body.
Ques. Which city is best to study in UAE?
Ans. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the two cities in the UAE ranked among the top 100 study abroad destinations. The best cities to study in the UAE are as follows:
QS Best Student Cities 2024 | Location in UAE | Top Universities |
---|---|---|
#54 | Dubai | Canadian University Dubai
American University in Dubai Zayed University |
#85 | Abu Dhabi | Khalifa University
Al Ain University Abu Dhabi University Sorbonne University Al Hosn University |
Ques. How many Indian students study in UAE?
Ans. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, approximately 164,000 Indian students study in the UAE.
Ques. Can I get a scholarship in UAE?
Ans. Yes, there are many scholarships available for international students to study undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programs in the UAE. Here is the list of scholarships:
Scholarship | Eligibility | Award |
---|---|---|
UG Scholarship for International Students | Apply with UG courses at University of Sharjah | 100% tuition waiver |
Zayed University UG Merit Scholarship | 95% in 12th, 6.0 in IELTS, 80 or more in TOEFL | 50% tuition fee coverage |
Khalifa University Combined Master/Doctoral Research Teaching Scholarship | For those enrolling with master and PhD courses | Covers complete tuition+Stipend of 8,000 to 12,000 |
Professional Excellence Award | Offered to candidates with clear professional merit and can demonstrate a potential to contribute to all aspects of the MBA program at Bayes Business School | 50% tuition fee off |
CD Rank | College Info | Tuition Fees & living Cost(Avg.) | Top Courses | Ranking & Reviews |
---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | Khalifa University, Abu DhabiAbu Dhabi, Uae9%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $20.2K/Yr (د.إ75,000/Yr)Admission | B.S Cell and Molecular BiologySAT1400IELTS6$20.2K/Yr د.إ75,000 Course duration: 4 years Programs | |
#2 | United Arab Emirates University, Al AinAbu Dhabi, Uae65%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $18.6K/Yr (د.إ69,000/Yr)Living: $411.48/Yr (د.إ1,524/Yr)Admission | M.S Molecular Biology and Biotec...GRE300TOEFL79$18.6K/Yr د.إ69,000 Course duration: 2 years Programs |