Want to go to a college or university in the UAE? Here is all you need to know
Which UAE university should you enrol in? Find out programmes on offer
Dubai: If you are looking to enrol at a university in the UAE, there are over 70 options available for UAE nationals and expatriates as well as international students.
Here is a list of universities in the UAE and the programmes they have on offer:
Abu Dhabi University
It is one of the region's leading academic institutions delivering programmes and scientific research opportunities that foster innovative and creative thinking. Across its campuses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Dubai, students have access to the necessary tools to achieve academic excellence in a dynamic social environment with state-of-the-art facilities and platforms that foster critical and analytical thinking.
Courses
Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration in a portfolio of more than 50 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes
Website
www.adu.ac.ae
Location
The university has four campuses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Dhafra and Dubai
Al Ain University
Established in 2004, Al Ain University (AAU) opened the doors to its first student cohort in 2005, and opened another campus in Abu Dhabi in 2008, offering programmes in Business and Law.
Courses
AAU offers 16 accredited bachelor degree programs, 8 accredited Master degree programmes, and one professional diploma through its various colleges (College of Engineering, College of Pharmacy, College of Law, College of Education Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Business, and College of Communication & Media).
Website
https://aau.ac.ae/
Location
Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street, Al Ain and Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi
Al Falah University
Established in 2013, Al Falah University (AFU) opened its doors for its first batch of students in 2015. It offers undergraduate courses from its College of Business Administration, College of Law, and College of Mass Communication.
Courses
Bachelor of Mass Communication - Public Relations; Bachelor of Mass Communication – Journalism; Bachelor of Mass Communication - New Media; Bachelor of Law; Bachelor of Science Business Administration - Finance and Banking; Bachelor of Science Business Administration - Human Resources Management
Location
University street, Al Jerf 1, Ajman
Website
Ajman.ac.ae
Ajman University
Established in 1988 as the first private university in the GCC, Ajman University (AU) was also the first university in the UAE to admit expatriate students. The 2021 QS World University Rankings lists AU among the top 750 universities globally and in the top 45 in the Arab region. AU is one of the first six higher education institutions in the world to receive global accreditation from the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency (QAA).
Courses
AU’s top five programmes are BSc in Civil Engineering, BSc in Mechanical Engineering, Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA); Master of Public Relations and Corporate Communication and MSc in Endodontics.
Location
University Street, Al Jerf 1, Ajman
Website
Ajman.ac.ae
Al Ghurair University (AGU)
AGU is one of the first private academic institutions licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education. Its courses are meticulously designed to cover the latest industry trends and equip students with the knowledge and experience to excel in jobs.
Courses
It offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in various disciplines. Undergraduate Programmes: Bachelor of Arts in Interior design, Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Business Administration, BSc in Computer Information Systems, BSc in Computer Science and Engineering, BSc in Electric and Electronics Engineering, Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Bachelor of Law
Postgraduate Programmes: Master of Business Administration, Master of Private Law, Master of Public Law, Professional Diploma in Teaching
Website
Agu.ac.ae
Location
Dubai International Academic City, Dubai
American College of Dubai
The American College of Dubai (ACD) is a private educational institution incorporated under the laws of the UAE. ACD is licensed as an institution of higher learning by the Dubai Municipality and operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Education which accredits its academic programmes. Its campus includes lecture halls, a separate library building with study areas, a major computer centre and related resource rooms, as well as a small clinic staffed by a resident nurse. Student activity areas include outdoor sports facilities such as a football field as well as basketball and volleyball courts.
Courses
Associate of Science in Business; Bachelor of Business Administration Degree
Location
Garhoud, Dubai
Website
www.acd.ae
American University in Dubai (AUD)
Founded in 1995, AUD is a private, non-sectarian institution of higher learning. The institution and all its programmes are accredited in the US and the UAE. AUD’s degree programmes are supported by current and appropriate technology and facilities.
Courses
AUD’s undergraduate programmes include BSc in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering; BA in Psychology, International Studies; Bachelor of Architecture; Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Visual Communication; and Bachelor of Business Administration
Website
Aud.edu
Location
Sheikh Zayed Road - Al Sufouh, Al Sufouh 2, Dubai
American University in the Emirates (AUE)
The American University in the Emirates, also known as AUE, is a private university located in Dubai International Academic City in the United Arab Emirates. The university was founded in 2006.
Courses
The university offers a range of courses in Accounting, International relations, Business management, E-commerce & marketing, Finance, Hospital and healthcare management, Human resources management, Insurance and risk management, logistics and supply chain management, Information technology management, Education, Digital animation, Fashion design, Graphic design, Interior design, public relations and more.
Website
https://aue.ae/
Location
Dubai International Academic City
American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK)
The university offers a student-centred, North American-style education, with a focus on the local culture. It is a not-for-profit, public university, owned by the government of Ras Al Khaimah.
AURAK is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in the US, and licensed by the UAE’s Ministry of Education. The diversity of student body and faculty is a standout feature of AURAK, with over 50 nationalities represented.
Courses
22 programmes — 18 undergraduate and four graduate
Website
Aurak.ac.ae/en
Location
American University of Ras Al Khaimah Road, Ras al Khaimah
American University of Sharjah (AUS)
With a strong reputation for academic excellence, AUS has come to represent the best in teaching and research, accredited internationally and recognised by employers worldwide.
Courses
Programmes are available across AUS’ colleges of Architecture, Art and Design; Arts and Sciences; Engineering and School of Business Administration.
Website
www.Aus.edu
Location
University City, Sharjah
Amity University Dubai
Amity University Dubai Campus is spread over a 700,000-sq-ft area with world-class facilities. It was awarded Best Campus in the Middle East by Forbes. Amity campuses are also spread across North America, the UK, Europe and Asia. The Dubai campus is licensed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and offers 44 undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD degree programmes, along with blended learning diplomas in line with the national agenda of the UAE.
Courses
It offers innovative programmes in Nanotechnology, Aerospace Engineering and Forensic Science, along with traditional courses such as Law, Fashion Design, Journalism and Mass Communication, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Psychology.
Website
www.Amityuniversity.ae
Location
Dubai International Academic City
BITS Pilani, Dubai
Dedicated to the field of engineering education, BITS Pilani Dubai offers First Degree, Higher Degree and Doctoral programmes in various engineering disciplines. BITS Pilani is ranked globally among the top 200 universities in the QS Asia University Rankings 2020. It is granted the status of Institute of Eminence by the Government of India. BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus has also received the award for Best Technology Programme from Forbes Middle East. Recently, KHDA has awarded a five-star rating to the institute.
Courses
BE in Chemical, Civil, Computer, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronics, Electronics and Communication, Electronics & Instrumentation and Biotechnology;
ME in Software Systems, Design Engineering, Electrical and Microelectronics; MBA; PhD in Engineering and Allied Disciplines
Website
Bits-pilani.ac.in/dubai
Location
Dubai International Academic City
British University in Dubai
BUiD is known as a research-based university that offers programmes in different disciplines and was the first university in the UAE to offer BSc In Artificial Intelligence. Students in the Electro-mechanical programme get the knowledge and skills needed to enable them to work across a wide range of roles from design to consulting to contracting and management in industries such as construction, manufacturing, energy services, renewable energy, transportation, and aviation. Students in the programme can study two years at BUiD and finish in University of Edinburgh or University of Glasgow in the UK.
Courses
The university offers several undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees.
Website
www.buid.ac.ae
Location
Block 11, 1st and 2nd floor, Dubai International Academic City
Canadian University Dubai
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) offers the unique opportunity to start your degree in the UAE and transfer to one of its Canadian or other international partners. CUD delivers world-class, Ministry-accredited higher education in Dubai.
Courses
CUD offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programmes with transfer to Canada options.
Website
Cud.ac.ae
Location
1st Interchange, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
City University College of Ajman (CUCA)
City University College of Ajman (CUCA) is an institution of higher education, licensed by the Ministry of Education – Higher Education Affairs in the United Arab Emirates. Programmes are offered in English and Arabic. CUCA is a part of R Education and Academic Development (READ).
Courses
The College offers over 19 academic programmes in disciplines of Dental Surgery, Pharmacy, Business, Law, Media and Education at the undergraduate and graduate level.
Website
https://www.cuca.ae/
Location
Sheikh Ammar Road, Al Tallah 2, Ajman
Curtin University Dubai
This is a branch campus of Curtin University Australia, which is ranked in the top 1 per cent of universities worldwide (ARWU 2019). The university has a global presence with campuses in Singapore, Malaysia and Mauritius.
Courses
Curtin Dubai offers pathway and undergraduate degrees in Business, Arts, Engineering and IT and MBA and Masters of International Business degrees.
Website
www.Curtindubai.ac.ae
Location
Block 11, Dubai International Academic City
Dubai Pharmacy College
Dubai Pharmacy College for Girls is the first pharmacy institution in the United Arab Emirates, established in 1992 by Dubai philanthropist Haji Saeed Bin Ahmed Al Lootah.
Courses
Bachelors in Pharmacy; Masters in Pharmacy
Location
Al Muhaisanah 1, Al Mizhar, Dubai
Dubai Medical College
Dubai Medical College for Girls was the first private medical college in the UAE, established in 1986 as a non-profit educational institution by Haj Saeed Bin Ahmed Al Lootah, with Professor Zahira Abdeen as the founding Dean.
Courses
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery; MSc in Addiction Science
Website
https://www.dmcg.edu/
Location
Al Muhaisanah 1, Al Mizhar, Dubai
Emirates Aviation University
Emirates Aviation University is the education arm of the Emirates Group, offering programmes in aeronautical engineering, aviation management, business management, aviation safety and security studies.
The university is licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education – Higher Education Affairs and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and offers an extensive range of programmes designed to provide students with the best aviation related specialisations.
Courses
Postgraduate Programmes - internationally-recognised MBA, MSc and MA degrees; Engineering Programmes - specialised technical and aviation-focused engineering courses; Business Programmes in aviation, logistics, HR or finance; Professional Training Courses - Licensed Flight Operations Management courses
Website
https://www.eau.ac.ae/
Location
Dubai International Academic City Dubai
Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU)
Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University is the first e-University in the United Arab Emirates, which was inaugurated in February, 2009. The President of the University is the Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. The University was formerly known as e-TQM College which was established in 2002.
Courses
Postgraduate Programmes - internationally-recognised MBA, MSc and MA degrees; Engineering Programmes - specialised technical and aviation-focused engineering courses; Business Programmes in aviation, logistics, HR or finance; Professional Training Courses - Licensed Flight Operations Management courses
Website
https://www.hbmsu.ac.ae/
Location
Dubai International Academic City Dubai
Higher Colleges of Technology
Founded in 1988, the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) is the UAE’s largest applied higher educational institution, and the nation’s first approved university economic free zone, empowering it to graduate companies in alignment with the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership.
Over 23,000 students attend the HCT campuses, with female students constitute 63 per cent of the student body.
Courses
HCT offers approximately 100 majors in the academic programs in Engineering Technology and Sciences, Health Sciences, Applied Media, Business, Computer Information Science, and Education.
Website
http://www.hct.ac.ae/
Location
HCT has 16 campuses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Dhafrah region, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
Gulf Medical University (GMU)
GMU is celebrating 22 years of excellence and has grown phenomenally in a span of a little over two decades. It has more than 2,000 students from 86 different nationalities. GMU has formed the first academic health system integrating education healthcare and research.
Courses
GMU offers 26 accredited undergraduate and graduate programmes run by the six constituent colleges. Its programmes are internationally accredited, hospitals are JCI accredited and its laboratories are CAP accredited.
Website
Gmu.ac.ae
Location
Rashid Al-Khadar Street, Al Jerf 1, Ajman
Heriot-Watt University Dubai
This was the first overseas university to set up campus in Dubai International Academic City in 2005. In 2019, it was named one of Dubai’s top universities and awarded five stars by the KHDA and crowned Best University at the Forbes Middle East Higher Education Awards.
Courses
There are undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes across various disciplines. Heriot-Watt’s Edinburgh Business School MBA is its flagship programme.
Website
Hw.ac.uk/dubai
Location
Dubai International Academic City
Khalifa University of Science and Technology
The newly-established Khalifa University of Science and Technology (KU) combines the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MI), the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR) and the Petroleum Institute (PI) into one world-class, research-intensive institution, seamlessly integrating research and education to produce world leaders and critical thinkers in applied science and engineering.
Courses
Khalifa University offers a range of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes, organised under three specialised colleges - College of arts and sciences, College of engineering and College of medicine and health sciences.
Website
https://www.ku.ac.ae
Location
Dubai International Academic City
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai
MAHE Dubai is a leading multidisciplinary university in the Middle East with 2,000 students from more than 40 nations. MAHE, Dubai Campus received the Forbes Middle East Higher Education Award for Outstanding Support for Students in 2019.
Courses
Undergraduate programmes: B Tech, BCom Professional (with ACCA), BBA, BA Humanities (Psychology, Sociology, English). Bachelor of Architecture, BA Media & Communication, BSc Biotechnology
Postgraduate programmes: MBA, PG Diploma in Data Science and PG Diploma in Logistics & Supply Chain Management. It also offers a foundation programme.
Website
Manipaldubai.com
Location
G04, Dubai International Academic City
Middlesex University
Middlesex University Dubai is the first overseas campus of the internationally renowned Middlesex University in London. The campus, which opened in January 2005, has over 3,500 students from more than 100 nationalities and offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in a wide variety of subject areas; it is the first and only university to offer a face to face LLB (British Qualifying Law) Degree.
Website
www.mdx.ac.ae
Location
Dubai Knowledge Park, Blocks 4, 16, 17 & 19
Murdoch University Dubai
This is a core branch campus of Murdoch University in Perth, Australia, one of the Top 100 Young Universities in the world. The university has three trimesters in a year — January, May and September — that enable new students to start their education in any of the three intakes, while helping current students complete their courses in a shorter time-period with its fast-track option. Its double major option allows students to combine two different disciplines into one well-rounded education.
Courses
Murdoch offers internationally recognised foundation, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. It also offers university-prep online courses for high-school students.
Website
Murdochuniversitydubai.com
Location
Level 1, Block 18, Dubai Knowledge Park
New York University, Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)
NYU Abu Dhabi, which welcomed its inaugural class in 2010, was established in partnership with NYU and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Courses
NYU Abu Dhabi offers 24 undergraduate majors across Arts and Humanities, Engineering, Science, and Social Science, and numerous multidisciplinary minors and specialisations; 10 Global PhD Student Fellowships in collaboration with Graduate School of Arts and Science at NYU New York and NYU Tandon School of Engineering; and two master’s programmes.
Website
https://nyuad.nyu.edu/
Location
Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
Established in 2006, the French- and English-speaking university issues degrees by Sorbonne University in the fields of arts, humanities and sciences and by University of Paris for law, management and economics. All the degrees are recognised globally following the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) and officially accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education.
Courses
Sorbonne Abu Dhabi offers ten undergraduate bachelor degree programmes mirroring the same content and criteria of the programmes taught in Paris and 12 masters programmes.
Website
https://www.sorbonne.ae/
Location
Sorbonne Abu Dhabi, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi
UAE University
Founded in 1976, this is the first and foremost comprehensive national university in the United Arab Emirates. It currently enrolls approximately 13,000 Emirati and international students. UAEU offers a full range of accredited, high-quality graduate and undergraduate programmes.
Courses
The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Business and Economics; Education; Engineering; Food and Agriculture; Humanities and Social Sciences; IT; Law; Medicine and Health Sciences; and Science.
Website
https://www.uaeu.ac.ae/
Location
Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street, Asharij, Abu Dhabi
The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is ranked as the world’s 27th best university, and is a member of the prestigious Russell Group, ranked among the world’s elite institutions for graduate employability and research across a diverse range of fields. Twenty-five Nobel laureates have either worked or studied at the university.
The university was awarded a five-star rating by the Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in 2019. The Middle East Centre has supported more than 2,700 part-time MBA students in the region and graduated more than 1,700 students since 2006, while Forbes recognised its two-year part-time MBA programme as the Best MBA in the Middle East in 2019.
The centre in Dubai works in collaboration with industry groups, professional bodies and companies, and supports its regional alumni.
Website
Manchester.ac.ae
Location
Block 2B, Office F16, Dubai Knowledge Park
The University of Sharjah (UoS)
UoS has three campuses; more than 15,000 students; over 29,000 alumni; 38 research groups and three research institutes. The university has improved in the national and international ranking climbing steadily to number three nationally and among the top 600 universities internationally in QS ranking. UoS is licensed and accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the Ministry of Education in the UAE.
Courses
UOS has 14 colleges offering more than 104 academic programmes, which include 57 BSc and diploma programmes, 32 MSc and 15 PhD programmes.
UoS has more than 20 virtual training courses, including laboratory safety and protection for students and instructors. Additionally, it offers ten short course on network security.
Website
Sharjah.ac.ae/en
Location
The university has three campuses in Khorfakkan, Kalba and Al Dhaid
University of Birmingham Dubai
Birmingham Business School is one of a handful of business schools in the UK that holds the prestigious triple-crown accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business the Association of MBAs and the European Quality Improvement System. Strong links with industry mean that rigorous, Gold standard undergraduate academic study is combined with a real practical focus, leading to excellent job opportunities for students.
Website
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/dubai/index.aspx
Location
Academic City, Dubai
University of Wollongong in Dubai
Established in 1993, University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) was the first international and Australian university in the UAE, and is now part of a global brand that has campuses in Australia, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
With a 26-year track record, the University offers internationally-recognised degrees that are accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), Australia’s independent national quality assurance and regulatory agency for higher education, the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the UAE Ministry of Education – Higher Education Affairs, and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
Courses
The university offers 45 programmes including foundation courses and bachelor's and master's degrees spanning 10 industry sectors, such as engineering, business, computer science/information technology, communications and media, nursing, education and humanities.
Website
https://www.uowdubai.ac.ae
Location
Dubai Knowledge Park
Westford University College (WUC)
With over a decade of excellence in higher education, WUC is headquartered in the UAE with offices in the UK and India. The courses offered include undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in management, fashion, IT and media in collaboration with reputed awarding bodies and universities that include Pearson, Scottish Qualification Authority, Liverpool John Moores University and Cardiff Metropolitan Universities in the UK and Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia in Spain. It also leads the way to Triple Crown MBA, facilitated through partner universities, CIQ, the UK and Chartered Management Institute, the UK.
Courses
Some of WUC’s top programmes are Master of Business Administration. BA Hons in Business, Higher National Diploma in Business, Higher National Diploma in Computing and Higher National Diploma in Fashion.
Website
mywestford.com
Location
2nd and 3rd Floor, ITEC Building, Al Taawun, Sharjah, UAE
Zayed University
Zayed University is a UAE university established in 1998. It is one of three government-sponsored higher education institutions in the United Arab Emirates. The University offers diverse and internationally recognised undergraduate and graduate programmes that provide engaging and inclusive student experiences.
Courses
The university offers a range of undergraduate programmes in Arts and Creative Enterprises, Business, Communication and Media Sciences, Education, Natural and Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences and Technological Innovation.
Website
https://www.zu.ac.ae/
Location
Abu Dhabi Campus – Al Hayer Road, Zayed City, Khalifa City C
Dubai Campus – Dubai International Academic City