Higher education in United Arab Emirates for international students

The basic audience of higher education in the UAE is the future employees of multinational corporations and the financial sector of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Students who have completed secondary education in the country, as well as students from other countries, are welcome here.

The studying lasts 3 years and includes several modules:

• Basic disciplines;
• Specialized subjects;
• Optional subjects;
• Internships;
• Consulting project;
• Preparation of dissertation research.

All university staff in the UAE are highly qualified professionals who have made a name for themselves in their fields, with extensive work experience and excellent business reputation. An interesting format in the UAE is offered by the Master's program in English as part of the International Business course. Rotational programs definitely deserve your attention (individual modules within a single model and system are taught in different universities around the globe — you literally travel to the best universities in the world for a coveted diploma) in the following areas:

• Global marketing;
• Banking;
• International finance.

Studying for a Master's degree in the UAE opens up many academic and career opportunities for students. Many universities in the UAE work in partnership with universities from the UK, USA, and Australia. For example, there are campuses of the University of Birmingham, Heriot-Watt, Murdoch and others in Dubai. The vast majority of Master's degree programs are taught in English, so there are no language barriers!

In addition, the UAE is one of the leaders in the introduction of hybrid formats: along with face—to-face, evening, online and hybrid formats are available, suitable for combining with work.

Sam Jones

Recruitment Director for Partnership with INTO Universities (Europe and Central Asia)

What firstly should be considered when choosing a university?

It depends on the student - everyone determines the most important criteria for himself. I would advise you to take several rankings and compare them with each other, plus take into account the cost of the course, the location of the university and its scale, the percentage of graduates' employment. See where graduates continue their studies or where they go to work.

Foreign schoolchildren and students in the UAE can get higher education not only in English, but also in Arabic — not only private, but also public universities will help them in this.

Both specialized and general courses are taught here by the best professors of European, American and Chinese universities, representatives of national business elites and large international companies. As a rule, bachelor's degree courses at UAE universities last 3-4 years, while master's courses last 2-3 years.

Higher education in the UAE is not limited to traditional academic education — there are interesting offers in the applied field, and they are very competitive. In particular, MBA programs from the UAE are considered to be among the best in the world: local managers are in great demand not only in the Persian Gulf region, but also far beyond its borders.

Traditionally, admission to the program requires work experience in a related industry, a bachelor's degree and excellent English.

The studying in its structure and presentation differs little from MBA courses in any other country and includes both basic academic courses aimed at shaping horizons and professional courses designed to give managers the experience they need. In practice, the acquired knowledge is consolidated in the framework of practical projects, for example:

• MBA in Management in the international hotel business; certificates for top management;
• Master's degree programs (both general and for top management).

The classes are taught by recognized experts: professors from leading universities, business practitioners, and current managers.

The MBA degree significantly expands the horizons of career growth. The schedule is flexible, and you can customize it to suit yourself in a very wide range — for example, study once a month for 4 days, in the evening, or even completely online. The term of study is one and a half to two years; if your plans have changed, you can leave and come back within four years.

Along with full-fledged bachelor's and master's degree programs, higher education in the UAE is represented by short-term professional programs for experts. Universities offer experience working with leading TNCs and are specially adapted to the needs of business, taking into account their professional tasks.

The program duration varies from one-day intensive courses to several weeks of courses with evening classes. The schedule is formed in consultation with the customer. Upon completion, a certificate is issued.

Choose from dozens of relevant areas: finance, leadership, HR, hotel business, marketing, sales, teamwork and much more! Courses at UAE universities are short, practical, and will definitely come in handy in your career.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a modern and prosperous state consisting of seven emirates. It is a place where Eastern and Western cultures merge, making it unique for learning. The UAE is renowned for its high standards of education and is home to several outstanding universities. International students come here to gain access to a variety of educational opportunities and experience the rich Arab culture for the first time.

Higher education in the UAE meets the highest quality standards. Even if the universities of this country are still guests in international rankings, students of both public and private universities (not to mention branches of European, American or Swiss institutions) receive significant advantages in the international labor market and can be sure of their own relevance.

The UAE has a well-structured education system tailored to local and international students. In general, it complies with the standards of the Bologna process.:

• Preparatory programs (Foundation or Bridging)

They are designed for international students who need to improve their academic knowledge or English in order to enroll in a bachelor's degree. They last 6-12 months and are usually organized at universities.

• Bachelor's Degree (Undergraduate)

The standard duration is 3-4 years. There are a huge number of programs available, from engineering to fashion, from psychology to cybersecurity. Bachelor's degrees are available both at national universities and at branches of international universities.

• Master's Degree (Graduate)

It usually takes 1-2 years in branches of Western universities, 2-3 years in local ones; there are both research and applied programs. The MBA, MSc in IT, Engineering Management, and Finance are very popular.

• Doctoral studies (PhD)

It is offered at universities such as Khalifa University, UAEU and NYU Abu Dhabi, lasts from 3 to 5 years and requires a strong academic background.

The cost varies depending on the university, program, level and location.Bachelor's degree in public universities — from AED 25,000 to 60,000 per year (USD6.8-16.3 thousand). Private universities are more expensive: from AED 40,000 to 100,000 (11-27 thousand USD). Finally, branches of foreign universities (for example, Heriot-Watt, University of Birmingham Dubai) are even more expensive: a year here will cost in AED 60-120 thousand (~16-33 thousand USD).

Master's degree in the UAE — from AED 45 to 130 thousand (~12-35 thousand USD). MBA programs can cost even more.

Additional expenses may include:

• Registration fees,
• Medical insurance,
• Textbooks, laboratory materials,
• Habitation.

Students can count on scholarships, both academic (based on grades), as well as sports, social and special (for example, for women in STEM).

The main language of studying at universities is English.

• Bachelor's degree requirements are:  IELTS Academic: from 5.5 to 6.5; TOEFL iBT 70-90;
• Many universities consider the Duolingo English Test, and sometimes they are ready to accept Cambridge English (FCE, CAE) tests.
• For the master's degree, the requirements are slightly higher — IELTS from 6.0-7.0 or TOEFL iBT (from 80-100).

If the student has a low level of English, he can take a Pre-session English Program (preparatory course) lasting 1-2 semesters.

Yes, international students in the UAE have the opportunity to obtain a work permit within the campus of the university or college where they study. This allows students to gain work experience and support themselves financially during their studies. However, there are restrictions on the number of working hours that can be spent per week, so as not to make studying difficult.

To study in the UAE, you need a student visa — Student Residence Visa, valid for 1 year, extended annually. To get it, you need:

• Confirmation of admission to the university,
• Passport valid for at least 6 months,
• Medical examination in the UAE,
• Proof of financial viability,
• Medical insurance,
• Photos for documents,
• Confirmation of payment of the visa fee (~2000-3500 AED, depending on the university).

As a rule, the university becomes the sponsor of the visa. Some universities help students obtain a family visa (for parents/guardians). But if the student is expelled, the visa is cancelled.

The processing time for a student visa may vary depending on the specific situation and the university, but it usually takes several weeks. Therefore, it is recommended to start the visa application process in advance in order to have enough time to prepare for studies.

The UAE is featured by a multicultural society with deep roots in Arab culture and the Islamic religion. Therefore, it is crucial to show respect for local customs and religious traditions. For instance, students are encouraged to wear modest clothing and refrain from drinking alcohol in public.

After completing their education in the UAE, international students have the opportunity to apply for a work visa and stay to work in the country. This can be a great opportunity for those who want to start a career in the UAE, which offers many jobs and professional growth opportunities.

Business programs, engineering majors, information technology, and hospitality are popular among international students. These directions provide many career opportunities and are in high demand in the UAE job market.

Yes, especially if you were educated in the UAE and speak English and/or Arabic. The country has three visa options for graduates:

• Job Seeker Visa — a 6-month temporary visa for job search (new from 2022);
• Work visa (Employment Visa) — issued by the sponsor employer;
• Golden Visa — for outstanding graduates and talents (for example, graduates with honors, scientists, engineers, doctors).

Universities are willing to help graduates find employment: career centers, job fairs, internships. According to statistics, 74% find a job within the first 6 months, of which 17% are in the UAE.

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