UAE unveils new higher education fee framework

Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has approved a new resolution regulating fees and financial guarantees for services provided to higher education and technical and vocational education and training institutions in the UAE.

The resolution aims to create a clear and unified financial and regulatory framework while protecting students’ rights, supporting the continuity of academic programmes and giving institutions greater flexibility based on their size and role.

The Ministry said the move forms part of its efforts to update the legislation governing higher education and scientific research and keep pace with the growth and changing needs of the sector.

Dr Ahmed Sultan Al Shoaibi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said the resolution supports the development of a more flexible higher education system while maintaining good governance and the sustainability of educational institutions.

“The resolution represents an important step towards developing a more efficient and flexible higher education system by establishing a balanced financial and regulatory framework that addresses the requirements of good governance and the sustainability of educational institutions,” he said.

He added that the framework would provide an environment that allows institutions to grow, develop and innovate, supporting the UAE’s efforts to build a world-class higher education system.

The resolution introduces a structured system for financial guarantees linked to institutional licensing.

The guarantees are intended to protect students’ rights and help ensure that academic operations can continue, while taking into account the size and operating model of each institution.

Certain institutions will be exempt from the financial guarantee requirements.

These include government-owned institutions and locally licensed institutions that have already provided equivalent financial guarantees to local authorities, where these arrangements protect students’ rights and ensure the continuation of academic programmes.

The new resolution also brings together the financial structures covering a number of Ministry services.

These include institutional licensing and academic programme accreditation, technical and vocational education and training services, and the recognition of academic, technical and vocational qualifications issued inside and outside the UAE.

It also covers services for training institutes and centres, as well as the supervision of UAE scholarship students studying abroad.

The Ministry said bringing the fees and guarantees under one framework will make financial and administrative planning clearer for educational institutions and students.

The resolution also includes exemptions and special provisions for certain government and non-profit institutions, strategically important programmes and programmes linked to national priorities.

Additional provisions cover the recognition of qualifications and the supervision of scholarship students.

The Ministry said the approach seeks to balance financial governance with the need to support growth and innovation across the education sector.

The resolution will come into effect on September 12, 2026.

For existing institutions and scholarship students who are already enrolled, the new fees will apply from the fiscal year following the resolution’s effective date.

For newly established institutions and new scholarship students, the fees will apply from the date the resolution comes into force.