List of Universities in UAE - Courses, Admission, Fees & Grades in 2025

Q: Can Indian or other international students work part-time in the UAE during their studies in 2025?

Students are permitted to work part-time in the UAE during their studies, provided they have a valid student visa. Student visas allow students to work up to 15 - 20 hours/week.

Nowadays, the United Arab Emirates is everybody’s dream place. Whether it’s about working or studying, people worldwide wish to come to the UAE. It’s also not a myth that the UAE has emerged as a fast-growing, well-developed country that has evolved into a global education hub attracting students from all over the world, especially from India, Africa, and other Asian countries. With its award-winning infrastructure, excellent faculty, and multicultural society, the UAE offers numerous academic opportunities in public and private institutions. This blog will introduce you to the list of Universities in UAE, the UAE university tuition fees, Dubai university courses, public universities in UAE, and top private universities in Dubai.

Table of Contents

Why Study in the UAE?

Before checking out the UAE university list, understand why the UAE is preferred as a top destination for higher studies. UAE, being home to top-ranked international and local universities, makes it a worthy place to pursue higher education. Also, a safe and modern environment contributes to the same. Degrees offered by UAE-based universities are recognized globally. Language is also not a big issue in the UAE, as English-taught programs are available for most courses. Lastly, the post-study visa options and career opportunities make it a fruitful place to start your journey.

Top Public Universities in UAE

Public universities in UAE are government-funded and offer affordable education with high academic standards. They usually attract UAE nationals but also admit and cater to international students in specific programs.

University	Type	Courses	Admission	Tuition Fees	Grades
UAE University	Public University	Science, Engineering, Medicine, Education, IT, Business	High school diploma, IELTS/TOEFL	AED 25,000 – AED 50,000 per year	75 – 85% minimum
Khalifa University – Abu Dhabi	Public Research University	Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Aerospace, Health Sciences	Aptitude test, transcripts, English proficiency	AED 40,000 – AED 60,000 annually	80% or above
Zayed University – Abu Dhabi & Dubai	Public University	Business, Communication, IT, Humanities, Arts	High school records, IELTS/TOEFL	AED 30,000 – AED 60,000	75% minimum
University of Sharjah	Public	Medicine, Dentistry, Engineering, Business, Law	Transcripts, English test, and entrance exams for selected programs	AED 37,000 – AED 60,000	80% or more

Top Private Universities in Dubai

Top private universities in Dubai, in collaboration with international institutions, offer outstanding education and globally recognized degrees, which is why aspiring students across the globe visit the UAE.

University	Type	Courses	Admission	Tuition Fees	Grades
American University in Dubai	Private American-style university	Media, Engineering, International Relations, Business	Academic records, personal essay, and English proficiency	AED 70,000 – AED 85,000	75 – 85%
Heriot-Watt University Dubai	UK University Campus	Data Science, Civil Engineering, Business, Fashion	UK A-levels, CBSE, IB, IELTS/TOEFL	AED 58,000 – AED 80,000	70 – 85%
Middlesex University Dubai	UK University Branch	Law, Psychology, IT, Business	Academic transcripts, English test	AED 40,000 – AED 60,000	65 – 80%
Canadian University Dubai (CUD)	Canadian curriculum university	Architecture, IT, MBA, Communication	Secondary education results, IELTS/TOEFL	AED 55,000 – AED 75,000	70% and above
Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai	Indian private university branch	Engineering, Interior Design, Biotechnology, Media	High school diploma, English proficiency	AED 30,000 – AED 45,000	60 – 75%

Popular Dubai Universities Courses

Some popular Dubai universities courses align with undergraduate and postgraduate students’ dream goals, like:

Engineering: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and AI
Business: Finance, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, MBA
Media & Communication: Digital Media, Journalism, PR
Computer Science: AI, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity
Design & Architecture: Interior Design, Urban Planning
Health Sciences: Nursing, Public Health, Medical Laboratory

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UAE University Admission Process

Here is a step-by-step guide on getting into UAE universities, whether public or private. For that, students need to follow these simple steps:

Initially, you must select a university and course that aligns with your aim.

Then, go through the UAE university eligibility criteria, prepare the documents accordingly, such as Academic transcripts, Passport copies, English test scores (IELTS/TOEFL), Personal statements/SOP, and Letters of recommendation (for PG).
Then, apply online to whichever university aligns with your choice, pay the application fee, attend the required interview, and finally, you will receive an admission offer. From here, you can apply for your visa to the UAE.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Students who want to get into a UAE university but are tense about the fee structure or its affordability need not worry. Universities in the UAE support students financially through scholarships. A few scholarships are listed below:

Merit-based scholarships
Need-based aid
Early-bird discounts
Special grants for international students

To avail these scholarships, check the university or official websites for deadlines and application processes.

Conclusion

Whether you’re interested in public universities in UAE or top private universities in Dubai, both provide high-quality education with international exposure. If you prefer the safe and modern environment of the UAE, a multicultural society, and global exposure, do visit the UAE. From quality education to daily work jobs, the UAE offers everything.
Hence, before admission into any UAE universities, check the Dubai university courses, UAE university tuition fees, and top private universities in Dubai that align with your academic goals and career aspirations.

FAQs

Name the affordable yet top-ranked universities in UAE in 2025.

As of 2025, the affordable and top-ranked universities in the UAE are Manipal University Dubai, the University of Sharjah, Ajman University, Canadian University Dubai, and Zayed University.

Can Indian or other international students work part-time in the UAE during their studies in 2025?

Students are permitted to work part-time in the UAE during their studies, provided they have a valid student visa. Student visas allow students to work up to 15 – 20 hours/week.