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Studying in the United Arab Emirates
Western university branch campuses and a tax-free job market
Middle EastHigh budget1 universitiesEnglish-taught bachelor'sPost-graduation work rights
Dubai and Abu Dhabi host branches of NYU, Sorbonne and Heriot-Watt. Teaching is in English, flights to Turkey are short, and the post-graduation job market is lively.
Who is it for?
- •Those who want an English diploma while staying close to family
- •Those interested in business and aviation
- •Those seeking a branch-campus experience
Watch out for
- •Living costs are high
- •Research opportunities at branch campuses are narrower than at home campuses
Strong fields
BusinessAviation managementArchitectureComputer scienceMedia
Education system
Degree lengthBachelor's 4 years
Grading4.00 GPA
Academic calendarSeptember intake
Application system
PlatformDirect application to the university
DocumentsTranscript, Language certificate, Passport, Essay (some schools)
DeadlinesYear-round; by June for the September intake
Exam requirements
Academic examsSAT requested by some schools; EmSAT is for locals
EnglishIELTS 6.0–6.5
Costs
Tuition50,000–120,000 AED / year
Living costs45,000–70,000 AED / year
Annual total100,000–190,000 AED per year
Scholarships
- •University merit scholarships (10%–50%)
- •NYU Abu Dhabi full scholarship
Visa & work rights
Student visaStudent residence under university sponsorship
Working while studyingPart-time with permission
After graduationGreen visa / job-seeking permit
Universities
Top universities in the United Arab Emirates
Each university page lists programs, tuition and admission profile.
Is the United Arab Emirates right for you?
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