In the last half-century, the United Arab Emirates faced an immense bloom in its economy. It is now the melting pot for international students, ex-pats, professionals and entrepreneurs. The tax-free, high standard of living along with multicultural exposure makes it a highly-sought after study abroad destination for many students. Right from hospitality to technology, this middle-east country has something great to offer to students from all streams. Some of the most highly reputed universities have campuses in Dubai. Here are the top universities in the UAE you must look out for if you dream about going to university there.
Top Universities In The UAE According To 2023 Rankings
| Rank | University Name |
| #1 | Abu Dhabi University |
| #2 | Ajman University |
| #3 | American University in Dubai |
| #4 | American University of Sharjah |
| #5 | Khalifa University |
| #6 | United Arab Emirates University |
| #7 | University of Sharjah |
| #8 | Zayed University |
#1 American University of Sharjah
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average Annual Tuition Fees: 91,520 AED
The American University of Sharjah is licensed by both the US and UAE. This is exactly why the student pool of this university is so diverse. If you always wanted to study in the US owing to its outstanding standard of education, but the budget kept holding you back, this university marries quality education with affordability. Other impressive perks include clubs, sports and cultural events. The American academic system attracts thousands of students from across the world to this university every year, giving anyone who gets admitted here the chance to reap the benefits of an international network.
Popular Programmes
- Engineering & Technology
- Business & Management
- Computer Science & IT
- Arts, Design & Architecture
- Education & Training
#2 Khalifa University
Acceptance Rate: 5%
Khalifa University is a non-profit, science-focused university started in Abu Dhabi as a government initiative. This university is also modelled as per the American academic structure. The courses at this university have been integrated by worldwide experts, business partners and international faculty members. Khalifa University ranks in the top 200 global universities in THE World University Rankings 2021 of the top universities for engineering and technology. Additionally, all the courses at Khalifa University are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the Ministry of Education of UAE. Even the engineering programs at this university are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Popular Programmes
- Engineering & Technology
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics
- Computer Science & IT
- Medicine & Health
- Business & Management
#3 University of Sharjah
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average Annual Tuition Fees: 28,941 AED to 107,545 AED
The next top university in the UAE has to be the University of Sharjah owing to its location in UNESCO’s Arab cultural capital city of Sharjah. This makes everything from good food to healthcare accessible. With a variety of courses and clubs to choose from, the University of Sharjah leaves no stone unturned when it comes to a satisfactory campus life. The food courts and affordable dorms also make networking with students from all over the world easy. The multidisciplinary approach to the courses offered here makes being at Sharjah worth every penny.
Popular Programmes
- Engineering & Technology
- Arts & Humanities
- Law
- Social Sciences
- Clinical, Pre-Clinical, & Health
- Computer Science
- Life Sciences
#4 Zayed University
Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average Annual Tuition Fees: 75,000 AED
Zayed University is one of the three government-sponsored public universities in the UAE. This university is accredited by the Middle States Commission of Higher Education (USA) and Commission for Academic Accreditations (CAA), making all its courses internationally recognised. Zayed’s campus is located in Abu Dhabi, where the hubbub of business, tourism and technology exists in the country. With world-class state-of-the-art facilities, libraries, and experienced faculty members, Zayed is a total catch. The caste alumni network can also be an incentive to consider.
Popular Programmes
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical
- General & Social Sciences
- Computer Science
- Hospitality & Tourism
#5 American University in Dubai
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Average Annual Tuition Fees: 85,000 AED
American University in Dubai is undoubtedly among the top universities in the UAE thanks to its Americanised standard of education. Students at American University in Dubai are encouraged to work in teams and adopt best practices through the application. With state of art facilities and faculty committed to honing the skills of students, this university has it all. This university is also officially licensed by the Education Ministry of UAE. This university has also held the prestigious #1 rank in Dubai in the QS Rankings for 5 consecutive years.
Popular Programmes
- Business
- Engineering
- Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
- Computer Sciences
- Economics
- Art & Design
#6 United Arab Emirates University
Acceptance Rate: 65%
United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) is one of the oldest public research universities located in Al Ain. It was founded by the first president of the country Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. UAEU strongly emphasises learning excellence through research centres, cutting-edge IT network infrastructure, and student societies for all those who fancy learning in communities. Most courses in this university are made in partnership with employers of esteemed corporations. Graduates are therefore highly sought-after by private as well as government entities. This university is the place to be if you are someone willing to get the best hands-on experience available in Dubai.
Popular Programmes
- Medicine
- Engineering
- Biology, Chemistry, & Physics
- Environmental Sciences
- Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
#7 Abu Dhabi University
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Abu Dhabi University is a reputed private research university located in the city of Khalifa. This university has extensive accreditations and credentials attached to its name. As per THE World University Rankings 2023, this university bags the #1 rank in teaching in UAE. The AACSB and EQUIS accreditations also add a feather to the cap. This university comes in the top 2.8% of universities in the world as per the 2018 QS Rankings. With 7k students from all over the world, this university also offers a multicultural backdrop for those who need that exposure.
Popular Programmes
- Business
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
- Artificial Intelligence
#8 Ajman University
Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average Annual Tuition Fees: 32,000 AED to 56,000 AED
Did you know? Ajman University was the first UAE university to admit expatriate students in 1988. Today, Ajman University is a five-star QS university. It ranks in the top 50 universities in the Arab region as per the 2022 QS World University Rankings. It has accreditations from AACSB, ABET, CIMA, and more. The diverse cohort of faculty travels across the world to impart the best knowledge to its students. Students from all walks of life can come under the roof of Ajman to make the most of its hands-on experienced-based courses. Ajman University is one of the top universities in the UAE owing to its holistic learning approach, alumni success rate and credentials.
Popular Programmes
- Medicine
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Dentistry
- Business
These 8 universities mark the academic excellence in UAE. The global recognition that these universities have earned over the years is evident in their ranks in QS Top Universities, THE World University Rankings, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long can I stay in the UAE after graduation?
After graduation or the completion of your student visa, you can stay in the UAE for up to 30 days. Parents are eligible to sponsor a one-year residence visa after graduation. On securing a full-time visa, you will be eligible for a work-sponsored residence visa.
2. Which courses are in demand in Dubai?
Although there are hundreds of courses to choose from across all kinds of fields, the most popular ones are in the fields of travel, tourism, engineering, technology, computer science and business management.
3. Is Dubai safe for students?
Yes, Dubai is a very secure city for students, residents and tourists alike. Dubai consistently features on the index of the world’s safest city and is attractive to many students globally.
4. Can students work while studying in Dubai?
Yes, you can work while studying in Dubai. You can enjoy the full benefits of your income without incurring any taxes. A Dubai student visa legally allows its holder to apply for internships and part-time work.
Thank you so much for reading our article on the Top 8 Universities in the UAE. Since you have made it this far, you may want to check out more such blogs about top universities in all the major study-abroad destinations. Start from these three below:
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I have done Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from India and completed my graduation in the year 2022 .I am 22 years old. After graduation, I have done 1 year paid internship from USA .Now, I would like to take occupational experience and learn culinary skills and also do masters in Culinary arts.How can I find the college n best course / country where I can persue studying further