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Western Asia, capital Abu Dhabi

Cost of Studying in United Arab Emirates (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

Tuition. Khalifa University: AED 2,500 per credit hour for undergraduate study, AED 5,000 for master's and AED 6,666 for doctoral study. UAE University from 2026-27: AED 2,661 per credit hour for undergraduate programmes; its published graduate rates, valid to 2025-26, range from AED 1,600 to AED 5,000 per credit hour.

Official fees. The ICP lists application, issuance and smart service fees of AED 100 each for a residence permit in the student category, though its fee table is shared with the employment category. Dubai's GDRFA charges AED 200 for a student residence permit plus smaller charges.

Equivalency. The Ministry of Education charges AED 50 for Grade 12 certificate equivalency.

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