Last Updated on March 6, 2024 by Jamie Marshall
Dubai is a growing metropolis and as more people choose to call this desert-city home, the universities in Dubai are offering more varied courses to keep up with the demand for higher education. The last two decades has seen a 20% spurt in the number of universities with an annual increase of 30% in staff and student admissions each year.
Universities in Dubai offer a wide variety of study options at both undergraduate and post graduate level. These include extensive courses in finance and accountancy, building administration, engineering, information technology, media, communications and marketing to name a few of the more popular study choices.
Reasons to study in Dubai
Dubai is strategically positioned between the Asian and the American continents and is about a five to six hour plane journey away from half the world’s population. The Dubai international airport flies thousands of people to varied destinations across the world each day, so going home, wherever that may be, for the holidays should present no problem. Additionally, this cosmopolitan emirate is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, aided by substantial government investment in the infrastructure, education, healthcare, trade and commerce sectors. Hence opportunities for finding full time employment after graduate studies are ample.
Consistently ranked as one of the best cities to live in within the Middle East, Dubai offers plenty in the way of cultural performances, outdoor activities and world renowned entertainment events to help nourish young minds. Although a young country, having just celebrated its 40th year of independence, the UAE, and Dubai in particular is politically stable, has very low crime rates and offers students a safe and secure environment in which to embark on their professional journeys. Furthermore, many of the top universities in Dubai are affiliated with prestigious institutions abroad and therefore, are subject to the same rigorous internal and external quality controls and assurances. Degrees earned by students here are recognized not just within the Gulf region, but internationally and will stand them in good stead wherever they choose to go.
Some of the top universities in Dubai, recognized internationally, and offering many course options with excellent support facilities for students are:
American University in Dubai
(US Curriculum)
Founded in 1995, AUD aims to provide students with a genuine American college experience that is also sensitive to the culture and needs of students studying in the Middle East. Offering extensive courses at both undergraduate and graduate level, the university also provides excellent support facilities including an extensive library, computer and teaching labs, on-campus housing, a cafeteria that offers different cuisines and outdoor sports facilities including basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, a swimming pool and a soccer field.
Heriot Watt University Dubai
(UK Curriculum)
Affiliated with the world renowned UK based Heriot-Watt University, its Dubai campus offers students a large choice of courses at undergraduate and post-graduate level. In addition, one-year Degree Entry Programs are offered to students whose school leaving qualifications do not meet the requirements for immediate entry into undergraduate programs. Support services offered include on-campus housing, a large library, a computer and engineering lab. Extra curricular activities include several sports clubs that encourage participation at Inter-university and league level.
Manipal University
(Indian Curriculum)
Established in 2000, MU is a branch campus of the Manipal University in India, the largest private university in the country. It offers students a variety of disciplines to pursue their under graduate and graduate studies and also offers a Ph.D. program in Biotechnology. These programs are supported by on-campus facilities such as an auditorium, library and well-equipped labs for practical applications. The campus encourages recreational sport supervised by separate instructors.
Middlesex University Dubai
(UK Curriculum)
Spread over 50,000 sq ft. this campus is the first overseas campus of the globally recognized Middlesex University based in London. Offering programs in business, health and social sciences, arts and education and engineering and information sciences, students take the same examinations simultaneously in Dubai and London, achieving identical awards, enabling them to transfer to and from Dubai to London.
Murdoch University
(Australian Curriculum)
Established in 2007, the Murdoch University study center Dubai is the local campus of the emerging Murdoch University located in Perth, Western Australia. At undergraduate level, the university offers courses in Business, IT and Media and Communications. Postgraduate courses offered are a Master of Business Administration, Master of Human Resource Management and a Master of Education. The University offers a truly international learning experience as students can transfer credits for short or long-term learning at any one of Murdoch Universities other campuses in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
University of Wollongong
(Australian Curriculum) Globally ranked 264th in the world based on the QS World University Rankings, UOW has enjoyed 20 years of success in Dubai, providing quality Australian based education that is recognized internationally. UOW Dubai offers students the opportunity to transfer to Australia or to receive a UOW degree after completion of the program at the Dubai campus. UOW Dubai students represent over a 100 countries while staff at the university represent over 35 countries making this a truly multicultural environment.
General university guidelines
Most universities accept new admissions for the academic year in September although some do offer intake in July, November and January. The admission process is similar to international universities the world over. Admissions are determined after submitting a full set of relevant documentation, which needs to be certified true copies. Universities decide at which level students can enter programs based on evaluation of their academic backgrounds. Upon successful application, a conditional offer letter is sent to students so that they may apply for their student resident visas and make their travel arrangements. Fees vary tremendously based on level of study, courses selected and years to completion, but in general study in Dubai is cheaper than an equivalent level of education delivered abroad.
With its rapid growth over the last decade, the government of Dubai is taking an active role in ensuring quality education and top class facilities to students who choose the city as their venue for study. Universities in Dubai are located on large campuses that are fully equipped to provide the highest level of education as well as support facilities for local as well as international applicants.