United Arab Emirates University

United Arab Emirates University was founded in 1976 and is the oldest and largest national university in the country. Its campus is in Al Ain, an inland city in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Colleges cover engineering, science, medicine and health sciences, business and economics, information technology, law, education, agriculture and food, and humanities and social sciences. Most programmes are taught in English, with Arabic used in some humanities and law provision.

As a national university its research priorities follow the country's own — water, energy, food security, health and the environment — which shapes the postgraduate and research opportunities available.

Requirements are published by college and are applied through a central admissions process.

• A completed secondary qualification meeting the published standard, with the required subjects for engineering, science and health programmes.
• Attestation of academic documents by the relevant authorities, which takes time and should be started early.
• English proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL or an equivalent at the published minimum.
• A recognised bachelor's degree with the required standing for graduate admission, together with references and a statement of purpose.
• Additional assessments for medicine and a small number of other programmes.

A federal university, which means its fee and funding structure is oriented primarily around Emirati nationals — with a distinct position for international students.

• Set per credit or per programme, published by the university.
• Nationals and international students are treated differently, with much of the state funding directed at Emirati students.
• Graduate research students are frequently supported with a tuition waiver and stipend in return for research contribution.
• Programme variation — engineering, science and medicine above humanities and social sciences.
• Additional costs — residence visa, medical insurance and student fees.
• Al Ain living costs are lower than Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

Work from UAEU's published fee schedule for your programme and level for your specific programme and year of entry — it is the only figure that will be correct for you, and it is republished every year. We will confirm the current cost and what it includes before you commit to an application.

As a federal institution, UAEU directs much of its funding towards Emirati nationals, but it does support international graduate students in research programmes, generally combining a tuition waiver with a stipend in return for research contribution.

• Graduate research support — tuition waiver with a stipend, in return for research work.
• Programme awards — attached to particular degrees.
• Merit reductions — partial tuition awards on academic record.

Eligibility for several schemes is restricted by nationality. Confirm you qualify before investing time in an application.

A large campus in Al Ain, an inland garden city near the Omani border — quieter and more traditional than the coastal emirates.

• A substantial modern campus with separate facilities reflecting local norms, plus extensive libraries and laboratories.
• Al Ain is green and low-rise — an oasis city, considerably quieter than Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
• On-campus housing available, which simplifies arrival for international students.
• A largely Emirati student body with an international presence concentrated at graduate level.
• Abu Dhabi and Dubai within driving distance for weekends.
• Very hot summers, with the academic calendar and campus design built around them.

Al Ain is a different proposition from Dubai — calmer, more affordable and more traditional. That suits some students very well and others not at all, and it is worth being honest with yourself about which.