Established in 1998, Zayed University is a government supported institution bearing the name of the nation’s founding President. The university has 2 campuses in the largest cities of UAE, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The campus in Abu Dhabi became operational in 2011 and currently hosts nearly 6,000 students including approximately 70% females and 30% males. Nearly 4,000 students are enrolled at the Dubai campus of the Zayed University. The university annually enrolls over 10,000 students including international students from different parts of the world.

Zayed University offers around 35 undergraduate majors and minors and graduate degrees across 6 colleges. Being accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education provides international recognition for studying abroad. Programs of the university also have international accreditation from professional bodies such as Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) for the College of Business programs, Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for programs related to Information Technology and others. It was the first university outside the U.S. to receive NCATE accreditation. The university is a 4-star rated institution ranked among the top 20 universities in the Arab region in the QS Top Universities.

Zayed University Rankings

  • Zayed University ranks #20 in the Arab region and #701-750 in the QS World University Rankings 2021 with QS 4-star rating.
  • In the Times Higher Education rankings, Zayed ranks 801-1000th in World University Rankings 2021.

Highlights

Establishment Year 1998
Institution Type Public
Location Dubai, UAE
Campus Setting Urban
No. of Campuses 2
Total Enrollment 8,000+
Mode of Application Online Application
Intake Seasons Fall/ Spring
Financial Aid Scholarships/ Grants/ Assistantships
Official Website https://www.zu.ac.ae/main/en/

Zayed University Campus

  • The campuses of Zayed University are located in 2 locations - Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
  • Zayed University has 3 campuses that include AUH Male campus, AUH Female campus and DXB Female campus.
  • The ZU AUH campus covers 77 hectares of land in Madinat Zayed.
  • The Madinat Zayed campus has state-of-the-art facilities including classrooms, meeting and breakout rooms, auditoriums with a capacity of up to 1,000 students, 5-floored library, cafeteria, retail spaces, fitness facilities, a half-size Olympic pool.
  • The university complex in Dubai is located at the Academic City - Al Ruwayyah covering 70 hectares of land.
  • The Academic City campus mainly has 6 buildings dedicated for Administration, Convention, Dining, Library, Academics and Gymnasium.

Zayed University Residence

  • Zayed University provides accommodation to international students at the Abu Dhabi campus within 5 to 10 minutes from the academic buildings.
  • Domestic students are not eligible for on-campus accommodation.
  • Single and double rooms are available for students in gender segregated residences.
  • Common facilities available in residence halls include dining halls, laundry rooms, gyms, mosque, TV, study room, Wi-Fi connectivity and recreational areas.
  • Each room has a mattress and bed, study desk, lamp, chair, free standing wardrobe and data port.
  • Resident students can take up part-time work opportunities within the university and earn some money.

Zayed University Courses

  • Zayed University offers 17 bachelor’s degrees, 10 master’s degrees and 8 minors.
  • The university has 6 degree-granting colleges namely:
    • College of Business
    • College of Art and Creative Enterprises
    • College of Education
    • College of Communication and Media Sciences
    • College of Technological Innovation
    • College of Natural and Health Sciences
    • College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • At the graduate level, Zayed University offers master’s, executive master’s degrees and graduate certificates.
  • It was the first and the only higher education institution in the UAE to offer degrees in Arts and Design.
  • The executive MBA program of the university has been internationally recognized and is AACSB accredited.

Zayed University Application Process

International students seeking admission to Zayed University are encouraged to apply prior to the application deadlines for the visa procedure to be on track. Applicants with a strong academic background are more likely to be selected for admission. The equivalency certificate is an important document for the validation of the applicant’s previous education by the Ministry of Higher Education in UAE.

How to Apply

The details of the process of admission to Zayed University are discussed below:

Application Portal: Online Application

Application Fee: Undergraduate - 262.50 AED; Graduate - 420 AED

Application Deadlines: Undergraduate - May 9, 2021 to June 30, 2021; Graduate - July 18, 2021

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

The following documents must be submitted along with the application:

  • Attested high school certificate and equivalency certificate
  • Proof of English language proficiency
  • Copy of passport
  • Copy of passport-size photo

Graduate Admission Requirements

The required documents for graduate admissions are as follows:

  • Official transcripts of undergraduate education translated in English showing date of degree completion.
  • Letter from the Ministry of Higher Education recognizing a degree in the UAE.
  • Proof of English language proficiency
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • 250-word essay
  • Up-to-date resume
  • Writing sample in English (for MA in Communications and MA in Diplomacy and International Studies programs)
  • Copy of passport
  • Copy of passport-size photograph
  • Receipt of application fee payment

Zayed University Cost of Attendance

  • The cost of various programs offered at Zayed University are given in the table below:
Program Tuition Fee (in AED)
Master of Science in Finance 2,667 per credit hour
Executive Master in Business Administration 3,556 per credit hour
Master of Science in Information Technology (Cyber Security) 3,200 per credit hour
Master of Arts in Communication 2,667 per credit hour
Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration 2,333 per credit hour

Note: The costs given above cover text books and course materials.

Zayed University Scholarships/Financial Aid

  • All international students who meet the admission requirements are eligible to apply for scholarships at Zayed University.
  • For undergraduate students, the university provides the following types of scholarships:
    • Undergraduate Merit Scholarships covering up to 50% of the tuition fees. The minimum requirements for the scholarship are:
  • Minimum average of 95% or minimum GPA of 3.5 on 4.0
  • Minimum IELTS score 6.0 or TOEFL-iBT score of 80
  • Summary of achievements
  • Two personal photos
  • A positive letter from most recent school
  • Proof of any previous rewards
  • Undergraduate Family Discount provides a discount of 25% to each sibling after the first.
  • Zayed University ID of the elder sister
  • Copy of the passports of both sisters
  • Birth certificates of both sisters
  • Graduate students are considered for merit scholarships, alumni scholarships, graduate teaching, research and administrative assistantships.
  • The details of financial aid available for graduate students are mentioned below:
Type of Award Eligibility Value of Award
Graduate Merit Scholarships Awarded to highly qualified graduate applicants on the basis of merit. 20% of tuition costs
Zayed University Alumni Graduate Scholarships Awarded to the alumni of Zayed University who are admitted to a master’s degree program. 10% tuition costs
Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships Awarded to highly competitive graduate students. It includes assisting the faculty by performing specified teaching or related duties. 12,500 AED or 6,250 AED as monthly stipend

Zayed University Placements

The Alumni and Careers Office at Zayed University provides a variety of services including career counselling, development programs, workshops, job search, interview skills, CV writing, etc. The university also helps students with networking and provides access to the job vacancies. With a view to boost employability of the students, the university has partnered with companies such as IBM, Microsoft, SAP among others.

FAQs

Ques. Where does Zayed University rank in the world?

Ans. Zayed University ranks #701-750 in QS Global World Rankings 2021 and one of the top public institutions in Dubai.

Ques. How can I apply for admission to Zayed University?

Ans. International applicants can apply to Zayed University through the online application portal.

Ques. Is Zayed University accredited?

Ans. Zayed University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Ques. When will I hear about the admission decision at Zayed University?

Ans. The Admission team of Zayed University individually contacts international students.

Ques. Does Zayed University provide transportation between the accommodation and campus?

Ans. Zayed University does not offer transportation services between the residence and the city every Friday.

Ques. Is Zayed University private or public?

Ans. Zayed University is a public university.

Ques. Am I allowed to work part-time while studying?

Ans. Yes. Most resident students engage in part-time work on-campus which also helps them earn some extra money.

Ques. Is work experience required for admission to the Executive MBA program at Zayed University?

Ans. Yes. Applicants are expected to have at least 3 years of relevant mid or upper level supervisory experience for admission to the executive MBA program.

Ques. Is an interview required for admission to Zayed University?

Ans. An interview may be requested for admission to Zayed University.

Ques. How can I apply for an Equivalency letter?

Ans. To apply for an Equivalency letter, international students must visit the official website of the Ministry of Education, UAE at https://www.moe.gov.ae/en/EServices/ServiceCard/pages/CertEquivalent-Out.aspx.