Universities in UAE in 2023: Top Programs, Rankings, Fees
Universities in UAE are considered among the top 600 universities in the world. The universities in UAE offer courses in both English and the native languages. There are a total of 33 universities in the UAE welcoming international students, with Khalifa University, UAE University, Al Ain University, being some of the remarkable names.
The universities in the United Arab Emirates cater to a wide variety of courses across Engineering, Architecture, Management, Marketing, and other streams. Some of the top courses for international students are B.Engg., B.Arch., BFA, M.Engg., and MBA in UAE. One of the main reasons to study in UAE is that it is a developed country. UAE provides ample opportunities for graduate candidates to work as high-paying professionals. Graduates of the universities in UAE often secure jobs in leading companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Accenture, KPMG, EY and several others. Also Explore: Jobs in UAE for International Students
Top 10 Colleges in UAE
There are 33 universities in the UAE having high research output. These universities cater to a number of programs in several streams. The following table contains information regarding the top 10 universities in the UAE and their international student count:
| S. No. | University Name | No. of International Students |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ajman University | 4,041 |
| 2. | College of Islamic and Arabic Studies | 2,270 |
| 3. | Al Ain University | 1,603 |
| 4. | United Arab Emirates University | 1,238 |
| 5. | Abu Dhabi University | 1,233 |
| 6. | American University in Emirates | 867 |
| 7. | Khalifa University | 826 |
| 8. | Canadian University Dubai | 767 |
| 9. | Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi | 451 |
| 10. | Skyline University College | 441 |
Universities in UAE by Location
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) consists of 7 emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain. Thus, each location has its own set of rules, quality of education, and most importantly industrial exposure. Therefore, before selecting a college in the UAE one should evaluate the merits and emirates of the location.
Following are some of the top colleges in accordance with the region:
Universities in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital of UAE and the home of 16 universities, making it a desirable destination for enrolling at a college. These universities are internationally acclaimed and some of them are even ranked among the topmost institutions in the UAE by QS World University Rankings. In addition to this, more than 46% of students are international candidates.
The following are some of the top universities in Abu Dhabi:-
| S.No. | University Name | QS Rankings |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Khalifa University | #181 |
| 2. | Al Ain University | #601 - 650 |
| 3. | Abu Dhabi University | #651 - 700 |
| 4. | Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi | – |
| 5. | Al Hosn University | – |
Universities in Dubai
Dubai is widely known in the world for its business and infrastructures. It is the costliest city in the UAE and ranks at the 78th position for affordability, worldwide. Apart from the expenditure, there are vast employment opportunities in Dubai for graduates. The top universities in Dubai are tabulated below:
| S.No. | University Name | QS Rankings |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Canadian University Dubai | 541 - 550 |
| 2. | American University in Dubai | 651 - 700 |
| 3. | Zayed University | 701 - 750 |
Universities in Sharjah
Sharjah is one of the finest cities in UAE and a great destination to study abroad. A total of 10 universities are situated in Sharjah offering courses in both Arabic and English. Some of the top universities in Sharjah are listed below:
| S.No. | University Name | QS Rankings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | American University of Sharjah | 369 |
| 2 | Skyline University College | – |
| 3 | University of Sharjah | 601 - 650 |
| 4 | Sharjah Women’s College | – |
| 5 | London American City College | – |
Engineering Colleges in UAE
UAE makes sure that it contributes to the engineers by providing internationally recognized universities dedicated to the stream. The available engineering courses are B.Engg., BSc, MSc, and M.Engg in streams like Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Computer Science, Information Technology, Aeronautics, etc. Check Out: Top Engineering Colleges in UAE
Following are some of the universities offering engineering courses in UAE along with their respective fees:
| University | Masters Engineering Course | Fees Per Year (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Khalifa University | Aerospace Engineering, Civil and Infrastructural Engineering, Chemical Engineering | 180,000 |
| Abu Dhabi University | Electrical and Computer Engineering | 102,060 |
| Abu Dhabi University | Civil Engineering | 90,720 |
| United Arab Emirates University | Civil Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering | 48,000 |
Architecture Colleges in UAE
UAE sets an example for architecture along with engineering. Candidates graduating from the universities in UAE have a good chance of getting employed in the Emirates. Here are some of the top universities that offer a course in architecture and the annual fees:
| University | Bachelors Architecture Course | Fees Per Year (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| American University of Sharjah | Bachelor of Architecture Design, Interior Design B.Sc. in Design Management, Multimedia Design | 100,940 |
| Manipal University, Dubai | B.Arch BA - Interior Design B.Des. - Interior Design | 45,150 |
| Heriot Watt University, Dubai | B.Engg. - Architecture BA - Architecture BA - Interior Design | 73,164 |
| American University in Dubai | B.Arch. BFA in Visual Communication BFA in Interior Design | 84,000 |
MBA Colleges in UAE
MBA in UAE is offered through more than 10 colleges with nearly 10 specializations. The top business schools in UAE offering MBA programs and their annual fees are tabulated as follows:
| University | MBA Course | Fees Per Year (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| BITS Pilani, Dubai | – | 32,000 |
| Amity University, Dubai | Construction Project Management | 49,500 + 5% VAT |
| Westford University College, Dubai | HR and Organizational Psychology | 18,000-36,000 |
| University of Wollongong in Dubai | – | 57,583 |
| Hult International Business School | Global 1-year MBA | 295,000 |
| Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai | MBA | 48,000+2,400 (5% VAT) |
Medical Colleges in UAE
Some of the leading colleges offering MBBS in UAE for international students are listed below:
| University | Medical Program | Fees Per Year (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Ajman University | MBBS | 140,000 |
| University of Sharjah | MBBS | 100,940 |
| Gulf Medical University | BBMS | 40,400 |
| United Arab Emirates University | 2-years pre-medical program4-years MD program | 121,000 |
| Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences | MBBS | 185,000 |
Currently, UAE is home to more than 80,000 international students. The number of students increased rapidly from 48,000 in 2011 to 80,000+ in 2022. The average salary of international graduates in UAE is 235,000 AED (52.36 lakhs INR) per annum, reflecting a satisfactory ROI. Being the 3rd largest economy in the middle-east, UAE generates a huge mass of employment across new-age sectors every year. This makes the UAE one of the best higher study destinations for international students.
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