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Western Asia, capital Abu Dhabi

Study in United Arab Emirates: Admission, Cost, Visa and Scholarships (2027)

UAE federal universities charge international students by the credit hour: AED 2,500 a credit for a bachelor's at Khalifa University and AED 2,661 at UAE University from 2026-27. Students are sponsored for residence by their university or by a resident parent, can stay 180 days after their study period ends, and the top university graduates can qualify for a ten-year Golden visa.

Verified 15 Sep 2026 Sources
Public tuition, per year
Not listed
international students
Living cost, per month
Not listed
typical range
Work during study
Not listed
per week
Post study work
Not listed
after graduation
Intakes
Fall, Spring
main application cycles

The United Arab Emirates combines federal universities, such as United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain and Khalifa University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi, with a large number of branch campuses and private institutions. Both admit international students alongside Emiratis.

Fees are charged by the credit hour. Khalifa University charges AED 2,500 a credit hour for preparatory and undergraduate study, AED 5,000 for master's and AED 6,666 for doctoral study, and does not charge undergraduate applicants an application fee. UAE University's rate for international undergraduates from 2026-27 is AED 2,661 a credit hour for every listed programme, which puts a 120-credit bachelor's at AED 319,320. Both universities assess international applicants for scholarships as part of admission: Khalifa's undergraduate tiers run from full tuition coverage to a 25% waiver, and UAE University's range from a 50% to a 100% tuition discount depending on grades and English scores.

English requirements differ. Khalifa University asks undergraduates for IELTS Academic 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79, and graduate applicants for IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 91. UAE University accepts IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 70 for undergraduates and does not accept Duolingo, TOEFL Home Edition or IELTS Indicator.

A student can live in the UAE under the sponsorship of a resident parent or of the accredited university or college, and universities help with the visa. For a residence permit in the student category, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security asks for a passport, photo, confirmation from the Ministry of Education or the emirate's education authority, the institution's enrolment and hosting letters, and valid health insurance. Residence procedures must be completed within 60 days of entry, and the student may stay 180 days after completing the study period. For university admission, a Grade 12 certificate earned abroad needs equivalency from the Ministry of Education, attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Outstanding students can obtain a Golden visa: ten years for top university students.

Sources, checked 15 September 2026
  1. https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visas/residence-visa-for-studying-in-the-uae
  2. https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=64afe3c1035448005bd52e64
  3. https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visas/golden-visa
  4. https://www.moe.gov.ae/en/eservices/servicecard/Pages/CertEquivalent-Out.aspx
  5. https://www.ku.ac.ae/tuition-fees
  6. https://www.uaeu.ac.ae/en/dvcsae/student_account_office/program-and-housing-rates-international-students-undergraduate-students.shtml