Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a global city and the business hub of the Middle East, which surprised the entire world through its fast evolution and construction. The city has many records and nicknames, including “the shopping capital of the Middle East”, thanks to over 70 shopping centres. The “City of Gold” was once a fishing village that became a trade Gulf port, exporting pearls. Oil and trade became the main economic supplier of the city and, in the last decades, tourism started to flourish, thanks to the modern structures. Study abroad in Dubai and you will discover the lifestyle that the revelation of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) has to offer. International students experience the Arabic teaching system of the universities in Dubai and socialise in the city’s Knowledge Village. The accredited degree programme of your choice is waiting for you in one of the worldwide known universities of Dubai.
Studying in Dubai comes with a dual benefit of accessing global campuses of universities of world repute and job opportunities of a booming economy at the same time. Institutions in Dubai have affiliations with international universities, offer a wide range of programs suiting your academic pursuits and have world class learning facilities. Dubai is among the fastest growing world economies and has an entrepreneurial ecosystem that creates hundreds of thousands of new jobs in diverse areas. Presence of renowned global universities and a robust economy makes studying in Dubai a very lucrative choice.
The system of education in Dubai follows that of the UAE as a whole, but is unique in catering to a range of different higher education systems including American, British, French, German, Canadian, Australian, Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Russian, and, of course, that of the United Arab Emirates. US, UK and International Baccalaureate curricula are taught in English, but students not of Arab heritage must take Arabic language classes, and Muslim and Arab students are required to take Islamic studies. At public universities in Dubai, the medium of instruction is Arabic, with emphasis on English as a second language, while almost all private universities in Dubai teach in English – perhaps due to the fact that most private universities cater to one or more expatriate communities.
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) is the government ministry concerned with higher education in Dubai, while the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) licenses institutions and accredits degree programs. Meanwhile the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is a regulatory authority which carries out quality assurance of education in Dubai. Rather than checking stand-alone accreditation like the CAA, the KHDA checks for equivalence between the degree program in Dubai and the same course as taught at another institution (usually abroad). International students looking to study in Dubai must make sure their chosen institution provides internationally recognized accreditation if they wish to work overseas after graduation. Popular subjects chosen by international students to study in Dubai include architecture, business administration, computing, design, energy, engineering, finance, international relations and tourism.
Postgraduate opportunities in the UAE
The higher education system in the United Arab Emirates, while fairly young, has expanded dramatically in recent years. This focus on tertiary education has been designed to complement the UAE’s knowledge-based economy, which is consistently among the world’s fastest growing.
With seven rapidly developing states, the UAE attracts a large international student community of more than 215,000, with its bustling cities offering a competitive range of postgraduate degrees.
These are some of the most compelling reasons to consider a Masters in the UAE this year:
International outlook – The UAE is home to international branches of many universities. The Dubai International Academic City, a purpose-built tertiary education zone, has 25 university campuses run by institutions from nine different countries.
Cultural diversity – The UAE is formed of seven Emirates, each with their own traditions and culture. Studying a Masters in the UAE will give you the chance to experience this diversity first-hand.
Cutting-edge higher education – Even though its higher education sector is relatively young, the UAE can be rightfully proud of its modernisation efforts in this area.
Masters Study in the UAE – Key Details | |
Universities | 58 |
Oldest University | |
International Students | 215, 975 |
Course Length | 1-2 years |
Average Fees | AED 48,000- 72,000 (USD $13,070-35,400) |
Academic Year | September to June |
The United Arab Emirates has the highest concentration of international branch campuses in the world with more than 40 across its seven Emirate states.
The scope for private universities in the UAE is truly international with campuses for institutions such as Middlesex University, New York University, Michigan State University, Paris-Sorbonne, the University of Wollongong and Hult International Business School.
The British University in Dubai (BUiD) is a postgraduate specific institution. It works in partnership with several leading UK universities such as Kings College London, Cardiff University, University of Aberdeen and University of Manchester.
Although there is choice across the seven Emirate states, most international universities are based in the cities of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Some UK universities offer postgraduate exchange programmes to their students. Check with your university’s international office if you are interested in this alternative pathway to studying abroad in the UAE.
Masters degrees in the UAE are organised in a similar way to those in other parts of the world, with MA, MSc and MBA courses available at most institutions.
Popular areas of postgraduate study in the UAE include Business Administration, Engineering, Architecture, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences.
A Masters in the UAE is normally one or two years for full-time students. The academic year in the UAE runs from September to June, broken down typically into two semesters. These run from September to December or January, followed by the second semester in January or February until June.
There are also opportunities for part-time Masters study which can last up to five years. Some accelerated part-time courses can be completed in as little as one year, although these are less common.
Masters courses are assessed in semester credit hours and normally include a thesis or dissertation.
While postgraduate study at public universities in the UAE is free to UAE citizens, all international students have to pay tuition fees.
Courses are assessed by semester credit hours and universities will normally charge tuition fees per credit. This means that the exact cost of a Masters in the UAE depends on the required credits for on your course.
Private universities in the UAE set their own tuition rates.
Prices for a Masters degree are generally fairly expensive- courses cost an average of AED 48,000- 72,000 (USD $13,070-35,400), but can be up to as much as AED 130,000 (USD $35,390) for specialised programmes. There’s also an application fee of about AED 200 (USD $55) for most courses.
The relatively high cost of Masters study in the UAE can be offset by funding.
The United Arab Emirates doesn’t currently offer a scholarship scheme for international postgraduates. However, most universities in the UAE offer tuition grants and scholarships to international Masters students.
The best way to find funding for postgraduate study in the UAE is to search for a suitable course and then enquire about support from your university.
The United Arab Emirates is famous for glamour, designer shopping and luxury, but that doesn’t mean affordable options aren’t available for postgraduates. The UAE is keen to grow its university sector and that means providing appropriate facilities and accommodation for students.
Most UAE universities will have optional student housing either on campus or nearby. Even the largest cities in the UAE – Abu Dhabi and Dubai – are quite small in comparison to those in Europe and America, so it is unlikely that you will live far from your university.
If you live in university student housing, you can expect to share a dormitory style room with another student, although single rooms may also be available. Prices are normally charged per semester and vary between universities. A housing deposit will also be required and will be refunded upon graduation or withdrawal.
In terms of prices, the United Arab Emirates University charges a fee of AED 5,000 (USD $1,360) per semester. There is also likely to be a housing deposit of AED 1,000 (USD $270).
Student living costs vary across the UAE, but the country’s cities are often expensive places to live. The cost of living in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is on the rise.
However, while rent, retail shopping and dining can be expensive, basic student food and groceries are still affordable.
Universities in the UAE normally set the following minimum requirements for Masters degree applications:
The requirements for some Masters courses are higher, so you will need to check with your university before applying.
As postgraduate degrees in the UAE start in September, you will need to apply online by May or June. Your application will require proof of a valid passport and copy of the transcript of your undergraduate qualification.
If English is not your first language and you want to study a programme delivered in English, you may need to submit a test score. UAE universities will normally accept either the IELTS (International Language Testing System) or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) tests.
Score requirements will normally be as follows:
You will normally need a visa to study abroad in the United Arab Emirates. This should be a UAE student residence visa.
All nationalities are eligible to apply for a UAE student residence visa, with the exception of Israeli citizens.
Students with a passport from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries do not require a student visa. This covers students from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Prices for a Masters degree are generally fairly expensive- courses cost an average of AED 48,000- 72,000 (USD $13,070-35,400), but can be up to as much as AED 130,000 (USD $35,390) for specialised programmes. There’s also an application fee of about AED 200 (USD $55) for most courses.
The relatively high cost of Masters study in the UAE can be offset by funding.
The United Arab Emirates doesn’t currently offer a scholarship scheme for international postgraduates. However, most universities in the UAE offer tuition grants and scholarships to international Masters students.
The best way to find funding for postgraduate study in the UAE is to search for a suitable course and then enquire about support from your university.
The United Arab Emirates is famous for glamour, designer shopping and luxury, but that doesn’t mean affordable options aren’t available for postgraduates. The UAE is keen to grow its university sector and that means providing appropriate facilities and accommodation for students.
Most UAE universities will have optional student housing either on campus or nearby. Even the largest cities in the UAE – Abu Dhabi and Dubai – are quite small in comparison to those in Europe and America, so it is unlikely that you will live far from your university.
If you live in university student housing, you can expect to share a dormitory style room with another student, although single rooms may also be available. Prices are normally charged per semester and vary between universities. A housing deposit will also be required and will be refunded upon graduation or withdrawal.
In terms of prices, the United Arab Emirates University charges a fee of AED 5,000 (USD $1,360) per semester. There is also likely to be a housing deposit of AED 1,000 (USD $270).
Student living costs vary across the UAE, but the country’s cities are often expensive places to live. The cost of living in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is on the rise.
However, while rent, retail shopping and dining can be expensive, basic student food and groceries are still affordable.
Universities in the UAE normally set the following minimum requirements for Masters degree applications:
The requirements for some Masters courses are higher, so you will need to check with your university before applying.
As postgraduate degrees in the UAE start in September, you will need to apply online by May or June. Your application will require proof of a valid passport and copy of the transcript of your undergraduate qualification.
To gain a student visa in the UAE you will first need a sponsor. This can be your university if they are eligible. Once you have found a sponsor, you can apply for a UAE student residence visa for the duration of your course.
This visa will last for 12 months, but is issued one year at a time. You may need to renew your visa, depending on the duration of your degree.
The following fees apply to student visas in the United Arab Emirates:
To assist your application for a student visa in the UAE you will need the following documents:
Visas normally take between three to five weeks to process once all relevant documentation has been received. Express visas are usually processed in one to three weeks.
UAE immigration policies require all students to have health insurance for the duration of their student residence visa. Normally your university will grant you medical insurance cover once they have sponsored you for a visa and you have attended a medical examination. This examination is relatively detailed. It includes testing for HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis and syphilis.
UAE immigration rules require students with a university visa to also hold a valid Emirates ID card. This will cost around AED 100 (USD $30) and will need to be renewed each year along with the student visa.
You may also be asked to present the following documents upon arrival in the UAE:
These materials will help confirm that you are studying in the UAE as a legitimate student and that you can support yourself as you do so. Your university’s international office should be able to provide advice on the specific documents required in your case.
Generous government and private investment means that postgraduate study in the UAE offers a combination of academic excellence with state-of-the-art facilities, greatly influenced by Western higher education institutions.
The UAE’s highly international population will also offer you a unique insight into multi-cultural living, while the perk of year-round sunshine cannot be ignored.
The two largest cities, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, are international economic hubs which offer many career opportunities after graduation. . . and even the prospect of a tax-free salary!
Second wealthiest emirate in the UAE, Dubai is known as the top business doorway for African and middle eastern countries. Top sector that drives growth of this economy is tourism though Dubai is fast developing an epicentre for service industries including Information Technology and Finance. Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City are known for housing top IT firms and media organizations such as Microsoft, Oracle Corporation, IBM, HP, BBC, CNN and Sky News. Top jobs/sectors to look forward in Dubai include E-Commerce, Digital Marketing Specialists, Business Development & Sales, Education and Engineering & Technology.
American University in Dubai |
Amity University Dubai |
Atlas Educational Institute Dubai |
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani |
Curtin University |
Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation |
De Montfort University |
Emirates Aviation University |
Esmod French Fashion Institute |
Heriot-Watt University |
Hult International Business School |
Institute of Management Technology – Dubai |
Islamic Azad University |
London Business School |
Manipal University |
MENA College of Management |
Michigan State University in Dubai |
Middlesex University Dubai |
Moscow University for Industry and Finance (Synergy) |
Murdoch University, Dubai |
Rochester Institute of Technology – Dubai |
S P Jain School of Global Management |
SAE Institute |
Saint Joseph University |
Saint-Petersburg State Economic University |
Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology |
The National Institute for Vocational Education (NIVE) |
The University of Manchester Worldwide |
University of Birmingham Dubai |
University of Bradford |
University of Dubai |
University of Exeter |
University of South Wales, Dubai |
University of Wollongong in Dubai |
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