Study in UAE: Top Universities, Cost, Eligibility, Funding, Visa & Scope for International Students

UAE is one of the fast-emerging and growing study abroad destinations having the presence of various universities and institutions from countries like the UK, France, USA, Australia, and India. Apart from studying with UAE’s top universities, students can also pursue higher education at campuses of these foreign institutions.

The UAE government supports international education by offering a 5-year study and residence permit that allows full-time work post-graduation and part-time work while studying.

Approximately 80,000 international students study in three public and over 50 private institutions. Education is in English, tuition fees are competitive, and scholarships are widely available.

Tuition fees range between 48,000 AED to 120,000 AED annually. Living costs average around 8,200 AED per year. Post-study, students can earn between 108,000 to 276,000 AED yearly.

Top Universities in UAE

• United Arab Emirates University – Rank: 284
• Khalifa University – Rank: 211
• University of Sharjah – Rank: 601
• American University of Sharjah – Rank: 348
• Zayed University – Rank: 701

Foreign campuses include BITS Pilani, Amity University, Middlesex University, Manipal University, and more in Dubai and other emirates.

Admission Requirements

• Completed application form and fee
• Academic transcripts
• Resume, SOP, reference letters
• Proof of financial support
• IELTS/TOEFL/PTE scores

Visa Process

Study visas are issued for 1 year and renewable. A 5-year student visa is also available. Visa fee is approx. 7576 AED.

Cost of Study

• Undergraduate: 40,000–50,000 AED/year
• Postgraduate: 55,000–88,000 AED/year
• Diplomas: 25,000–47,000 AED/year

Living Costs

Average monthly living cost: ~3,000 AED. Major cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are more expensive.

Scholarships

• HKADC Overseas Arts – Full funding
• Asia Pacific Foundation Media Fellowships – Partial funding
• Graduate Research Assistantships – Full funding

Work Opportunities

International students can work part-time during studies and full-time after graduation. Major employers include Emirates, DHL, Microsoft Gulf, etc.

Top Salaries After Study

• Chief Marketing Officer – 468,000 to 552,000 AED
• Judges – up to 1,296,000 AED
• Data Scientist – up to 588,000 AED

UAE provides excellent education and employment opportunities, making it a highly favorable destination for international students.