Study in the

United Arab Emirates

Branch campuses of UK and US universities, plus strong domestic institutions in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi.

Intakes

September · January

Tuition / year

AED 35,000 – AED 95,000 per year

Work rights

Part-time work permitted with employer sponsorship.

Top courses

Business & Finance, Hospitality & Tourism, Aviation

Why United Arab Emirates

The honest reasons students pick United Arab Emirates.

Not brochure points — the things that actually matter once you're studying and trying to stay on.

  • Global campus presence

    Heriot-Watt, Middlesex, Birmingham, NYU Abu Dhabi — degree from the home university, awarded in the UAE.

  • Post-study Green Visa

    Six-month job seeker visa, with longer Golden Visa options for top graduates.

  • Tax-free salaries

    Graduate starting salaries in Dubai are competitive and untaxed.

Education system

Mostly four-year Bachelors and one to two-year Masters. Many programmes taught on a UK or US calendar.

Popular courses

  • Business & Finance
  • Hospitality & Tourism
  • Aviation
  • Engineering
  • Computer Science

Costs & funding

Tuition
AED 35,000 – AED 95,000 per year
Living
AED 4,000 – AED 7,000 per month
Visa
AED 3,000 – AED 5,000 (student route)

Scholarships

  • University merit awards
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid scholarships

Documents you'll need

  • Transcripts attested by MOFA
  • IELTS / TOEFL
  • Passport and visa photo
  • Medical fitness test on arrival
  • Sponsorship documents

Work & post-study

Part-time work permitted with employer sponsorship. Post-graduation Green or Golden Visa unlocks open work rights.

Frequently asked

United Arab Emirates questions, answered straight.

Is a UAE branch-campus degree valid back home?+

Yes — the awarding body is the home university (UK, US, Australia), so the degree certificate is identical to the one issued on the main campus. It's recognised by UGC, WES, and NARIC evaluations.

Can international students work part-time in the UAE?+

Yes, with employer sponsorship and a student work permit issued through MOHRE. Free-zone universities (Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai International Academic City) handle the paperwork through the university.

What is the Green Visa and how do I qualify after graduation?+

The Green Visa gives 5 years of self-sponsored residency to graduates of accredited UAE universities with a Bachelors or higher and a minimum monthly income of AED 15,000, or a valid job offer.

Can I get a Golden Visa as a student?+

Top-ranked graduates (GPA 3.5+ from Grade A universities, or 3.8+ from Grade B) can apply for a 10-year Golden Visa immediately after graduation. We help students target the eligible institutions from day one.

How much does it cost to study in Dubai?+

Tuition ranges from AED 35,000 to AED 95,000 per year, with living costs of AED 4,000–7,000 per month in shared accommodation. Sharjah and Ajman are 30–40% cheaper than Dubai.

Do UAE universities accept Indian and Pakistani boards directly?+

Yes — CBSE, ICSE, State Boards, and Pakistani HSSC/FSc are accepted with attestation from the country of origin, the UAE embassy, and MOFA Dubai. We handle the attestation chain.

Ready to apply to United Arab Emirates?

Other destinations

All destinations →