By Studying in the United Arab Emirates can certainly have its benefits: sun, sea, sand, potential tax-free earnings after graduation, and, according to the QS World University Rankings, some of the best universities in the Gulf region.
Commonly shortened to UAE, the United Arab Emirates is made up of seven states, or emirates (kind of like a much, much smaller version of the United States). As with states in the US, each emirate has some degree of independence, but there’s also a federal government. This is known as the Supreme Council of Rulers, and is made up of the seven emirs – the leaders of each emirate – who inherit their positions.
Since the 1950s, when oil was discovered in the region, the UAE’s economy has undergone rapid change. As well as oil and gas exportation, the country has focused on growing its construction and tourism industries; to an extent these go hand in hand – the impressive feats of modern design on display in Dubai are among the main attractions for visitors.
There are six universities in the United Arab Emirates featured within the QS World University Rankings® 2021, and a further eight included in the 2023 edition of the QS Arab Region University Rankings.
The largest higher education institution in the UAE is the Higher Colleges of Technology, which has some 17 campuses across the country. In addition, a number of highly ranked universities based in other countries have branch campuses in the UAE.
Find out more about five of the UAE’s highest-ranked universities:
United Arab Emirates University
Placed 284th in the global rankings, United Arab Emirates University comes fifth in the Arab region ranking. It’s based in the city of Al Ain in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, and is the oldest university in the country – though still relatively young, having been established in 1976. Its alumni community includes many powerful leaders in the fields of government and business.
American University of Sharjah
The American University of Sharjah (AUS) is ranked seventh in the Arab region rankings and joint 348th in the global rankings. Licensed both in the UAE and in the US, AUS offers courses based on the US model of higher education, and is a popular choice among international students, resulting in a very diverse student body. It’s located in Sharjah, which was a new entry in the QS Best Student Cities 2016.
Khalifa University
Ranked joint 211th in the world and ninth in the 2021 Arab region rankings, Khalifa University is a non-profit science-focused university which was founded in 2007 in Abu Dhabi as part of a government initiative. It currently teaches about 1,500 students, but plans for a new campus mean the university could teach up to 6,000 students in the future. The university is modeled around the American structure of higher education and is developing a worldwide network of partners, faculty members, and research programs to advance research and innovation in the UAE and surrounding region.
University of Sharjah
Established in 1997 by the Emir of Sharjah, Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, the University of Sharjah ranks 601-650 in the QS World University Rankings and 16th in the Arab region rankings. The university aims to become a leading academic institution in the Middle East and around the world, and plays an important role in the socioeconomic development of the emirate of Sharjah.
Zayed University
Established in 1998, Zayed University is ranked 701-750 in the QS World University Rankings 2019 and is one of the top 150 young universities featured in the QS Top 50 Under 50 Rankings 2019. It has nearly 6,500 students enrolled currently, with 158 international students. Undergraduate fees range between US$20,000 and US$22,000, while postgraduate fees rise to US$30,000.
American University in Dubai (AUD)
The American University in Dubai (AUD) is a private university which was established in 1995, ranked 601-650 in the global rankings and 26th in the Arab region rankings. Around 2,585 students are enrolled, with 108 nationalities represented within the student body. The university has both US and UAE accreditation for all of its programs, and offers intensive English language programs at its Center for English Proficiency (CfEP), to develop the language skills of students before they commence their studies.
