University of Wollongong

Peter Hawke, Director of Marketing and Student Recruitment at the University of Wollongong Dubai (UOWD), said all of the university’s bachelors degrees, with the exception of the Bachelor of Engineering programmes, consist of 34 subjects charged at Dh5,850 each, amounting to Dh198,900 per programme. The Bachelor of Engineering degrees consist of 36 subjects, amounting to Dh242,800 per programme.

“UOWD fees are set in the context of providing high-quality, internationally-recognised education that is competitively priced in the global environment.” Hawke said, explaining that the fees represent the operational costs of delivering high-quality tuition by experienced international staff, and providing the educational resources and recreational facilities to ensure a first-class student experience while offering the best possible value for money in obtaining a nationally and internationally recognised degree.

Hawke explained that a UOWD degree is recognised in the UAE as well as abroad. He said that UOWD is licensed by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and all degree programmes are accredited by the Ministry’s Commission for Academic Accreditation.

“This means that UOWD degrees are recognised by both government and private sector entities in the UAE and throughout the region for employment and further education opportunities.”

Internationally, UOWD’s programmes are quality assured by the University of Wollongong (UOW) Australia, which is registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), the national regulator of the higher education sector in Australia.

UOWD has over 4,000 students enrolled on its undergraduate, postgraduate and language studies programmes.

“Tuition fees can vary dramatically, particularly for students travelling overseas to take up higher education opportunities. On average, the UAE is still comparatively more economical than studying in the US and UK, particularly when one factors in the cost of living and visas,” said Hawke.

Fee concessions

Over 700 students benefit from fee concessions at UOWD, including over 360 students receiving scholarships and financial aid, said Hawke. UOWD also offers family tuition grants of between 10-20 per cent for siblings and other family member who attend the university simultaneously.

Students study for an average of four years to obtain a bachelors degree, based on enrolment in two semesters each year, Hawke said. “However, some students are able to and increasingly do, enrol in a third semester during one or more of the academic years in order to accelerate their degree. Some students are also entitled to certain exemptions based on scores achieved in ‘challenge tests’ at the beginning of their programme.” Hawke added.

Average fee: Dh198,900 per programme

American University of Sharjah

Ali Shuhaimy, AUS Vice-Chancellor for Enrolment Management at the American University of Sharjah, said that more than 50 per cent of AUS students receive some sort of a grant or scholarship. “AUS allocates 20 per cent of its budget for financial aid. This year’s financial aid allocations were about Dh80 million.” he said.

The average tuition fee for all majors in AUS are Dh79,920 per academic year. In addition, technology fees may apply based on the courses registered for in a given semester.

Most majors require four years of study, but there are other majors such as architecture that can take up to five years of study.

“Our biggest college in terms of student numbers is the College of Engineering. Civil and Mechanical Engineering are the most popular majors.” Shuhaimy said.

“The average undergraduate tuition fees at AUS are in line with most international universities of our standing, both in Europe and the US. However, the majority of students pay less than this as a result of the financial aids the university offers,” Shuhaimy noted, adding that students also get the advantage of studying closer to home, which also reduces their expenses.

Fee concessions

If a student has one or more siblings enrolled in AUS at the same time, Shuhaimy added, his or her family is eligible for a 25 per cent tuition discount for each sibling after the first.

Average fee: (For all majors) Dh79,920 per academic year.

Middlesex University

Professor Raed Awamleh, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Director at Middlesex University Dubai, which has 2,700 students enrolled, said the university offers over 24 undergraduate three-year British honours degrees. The annual fees are Dh50,000.

“The main determination of fees is the cost of delivery. We are a branch campus of Middlesex University London and we offer degrees and student experiences in Dubai equivalent to those at our home campus.” Awamleh said.

“We need to be able to sustain the high quality of our offering in Dubai and our major investment is in highly qualified full-time academic and administrative staff in addition to other key resources.” Awamleh added.

Approximately 30 per cent of Middlesex’s students are on scholarships and grants, Awamleh said. These include academic merit scholarships, financial aid grants and sports scholarship.

Middlesex University is audited by the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education and the Dubai campus is part of this audit process. “Our Dubai campus is subject to the same rigorous quality assurance procedures that have earned Middlesex University the highest possible endorsement from the QAA. Middlesex University Dubai is also licensed by the Dubai government’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).” Awamleh said.

He said that the honours and masters degrees awarded to Dubai campus students are identical to those achieved by students at the London campuses, and students can transfer between campuses if they wish.

“I think that average fees for a university in the UAE are very competitive if compared to the UK, US, Australia, Canada and others. If we look at overall costs, opportunity costs, learning experiences, cultural interactions, and value for money, the UAE is very attractive.”

Fee concessions

The university offers sibling and family grants.

Average fee: Dh50,000 annually.