Dubai: Business is still the number one choice for students pursuing their degrees in higher education institutes in Dubai.
Out of the 52,586 students who attend higher education institutions in Dubai, 22,890 (44 per cent) are studying business, a Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) report found.
The report, which studies the Dubai private education landscape in 2013/14, found that the majority of students studying business reflect the business environment in Dubai.
As for the least chosen field of study, natural and physical science fell at the bottom of the list with only 226 students (0.4 per cent). Tourism and Hospitality (one per cent) as well as education (two per cent) and medicine (three per cent) followed.
The report also found an increase of 9.4 per cent in enrolled students since the last academic year, which Dr Abdullah Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director-General of KHDA, said is a reflection of the buoyant economy, innovative society, and the diverse career opportunities offered to graduates.
“The transparent quality assurance procedures of the city’s higher education sector ensure that it continues to attract prestigious branch campuses from around the world, as well as a growing number of course programmes to meet Dubai’s employment needs,” said Al Karam.
There are 26 international university branches in Dubai that cater to 39 per cent of the higher education student body.
Other types of higher education institutes in Dubai include 25 local universities, where 41 per cent of the students are enrolled, three vocational institutes (two per cent) and three federal universities (18 per cent).
Breakdown of students enrolled in higher education
Emiratis represent 43.2 per cent (22,694) of the total higher education student population, an increase of 10.1 per cent from last year, making Emiratis the most enrolled nationality.
Indian students are the second most enrolled with 16 per cent and Arab students follow with 14 per cent. About half of the students come from Gulf countries.
Males outnumber females in higher education institutes, where 56 per cent are male while 44 per cent are female.
More than 70 per cent of students (37,540) at higher education institutes in Dubai are studying for bachelors degree, while the least enrolled credential is the doctorate with only one per cent (351 students) who their doctoral studies.
In the academic year 2012/13, a total of 10,563 students graduated from higher education institutions in Dubai. This represents a 15.6 per cent growth since the previous academic year. More than half of the students graduated in 2012/13 with a business qualification.
