University preparation in United Arab Emirates for international students

Private schools and universities play a key role in preparing schoolchildren and students for university in the UAE. One of these studying centers is located in Dubai, a division of Middlesex University, one of the largest and most respected research universities in the United Kingdom. The Dubai branch is relatively young, it opened in 2005, and today it has over 3,000 students from more than a hundred countries.

At Middlesex University Dubai, both the Foundation pre–university preparation program and the Bachelor's and Master's degrees themselves are available for students. The university's employment center helps students find work in the Emirates after completing their studies.

The cost of higher education in the Emirates depends on many variables: the location of the campus, the founder of the university (public universities are cheaper, and the most expensive tuition is at branches of European universities in the UAE), programs, and directions.

For accommodation, the university offers students a residence, which has the following characteristics:

• Location in the central part of the city,
• Separation of men and women,
• Seven types of rooms: room capacity from 1 to 4 people,
• Comfortable rooms with necessary amenities – furniture, bathroom, equipped kitchen,
• Laundry facilities,
• Accessible infrastructure: gym, swimming pool, basketball and volleyball courts.

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.

The standard package of documents includes:

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months),
• Secondary school certificate (translated and certified),
• Academic certificate with grades,
• English Language Certificate (IELTS/TOEFL),
• Photo (passport format),
• Motivation letter (for Master's degree and some bachelor's degree programs),
• Letters of recommendation (often required for Master's degree),
• Resume/CV (especially for Master's degree and MBA),
• Medical certificate,
• A copy of the visa (if available),
• Completed online application.

Some universities require legalization or apostille of documents, especially for master's degree programs.

To enter a university in the UAE, you will need a certified copy of your secondary school certificate, transcripts of grades, and the results of English language proficiency exams (such as IELTS or TOEFL).

Most universities in the UAE require international students to provide English proficiency test results such as IELTS or TOEFL. Usually, the minimum points for admission vary from university to university.

Application deadlines may vary depending on the university and the program of study. It is usually recommended to apply in advance, at least a few months before the start of the academic semester.

There are various studying programs available in the UAE, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in various fields such as business, engineering, medicine, arts, and humanities.

The cost of living in the UAE can vary significantly depending on the chosen city and comfort level. On average, students can expect to spend on housing, food, and transportation.

Many universities in the UAE provide language courses and support for foreign students to help them improve their knowledge of English or Arabic, depending on the studying program. This can be especially useful for those who do not have a sufficient level of language for successful learning.

For successful adaptation in the UAE, it is important to respect local traditions and customs. Try to be open to new experiences, learn the Arabic language and local culture, and respect local customs, such as the month of Ramadan, during which you should avoid eating and drinking in public during the day.

The academic year in the UAE is usually divided into two semesters, starting in September and January. Many universities also offer summer sessions. Before admission, it is important to specify the specific start and end dates of the study sessions at the selected university.