Abu Dhabi University
جامعة أبوظبي
The UAE's largest private university, an American-model, English-taught campus network in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai.
- Students
- 10,000
- Tuition
- AED 48,600
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 2003
- QS World Ranking
- #348
- 2027 edition
About ADU
Abu Dhabi University (ADU) was established in 2003 as a private university under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and describes itself as the largest private university in the UAE. It has about 10,000 students from more than 100 nationalities across three campuses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai.
ADU follows the American model of higher education, and most classes are taught in English, with a few in Arabic. It has five colleges: Arts, Education and Social Sciences; Business; Engineering; Health Sciences; and Law, offering more than 50 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. In August 2026 its College of Business became the first in the GCC to hold AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA accreditation together (the 'Triple Crown').
Admission is flexible: ADU admits on a rolling basis with intakes in fall, winter, spring and summer, and responds to complete applications within a week. Minimum school averages start at 70% for most programmes, with higher bars for engineering. It suits students who want an English-taught, internationally mixed private university in the UAE with flexible entry points, and who can meet per-credit-hour private fees.
Knowledge to achieve and wisdom to lead
University motto
Why students choose ADU
Four intakes a year (fall, winter, spring and summer) and a decision within one week of a complete application.
A very international student body: ADU ranks =5th globally in THE's most international universities list and has students from more than 100 nationalities.
The College of Business holds AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA accreditation, the first in the GCC to do so.
Merit scholarships of 15% to 50% off tuition for UAE residents and GCC nationals joining within two years of finishing school, plus 20 full Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed scholarships a year.
Admissions
2026-27 academic year (rolling admission; Fall 2027 intake follows the same process)
Selectivity
ADU does not publish an acceptance rate. It admits on a rolling basis against published minimum school averages (70% for most programmes; 75% Advanced or 80% General track for direct entry to engineering), and offers conditional admission with placement tests or remedial courses to applicants just below the thresholds.
Typical entry requirements
| UAE Ministry of Education (Advanced / General / ADEK) | 70% minimum for most programmes; Engineering direct entry 75% (Advanced) or 80% (General) |
|---|---|
| American / Canadian high school diploma | 70% minimum average; foreign curricula need a UAE Ministry of Education equivalency letter |
| British curriculum (IGCSE/GCE, completed Year 13) | 70% minimum average |
| IB Diploma | 24 points minimum |
| Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi boards | 50% minimum for arts, social sciences and business programmes |
| English language | IELTS 5 · TOEFL iBT 61 Minimums for admission: EmSAT English 1100, IELTS 5.0, TOEFL iBT 61 (ITP 500), Cambridge 154-161, PTE 36-41. TOEFL or IELTS must be no more than two years old; EmSAT is valid for 18 months. Students from English-medium curricula are not required to prove proficiency; others can join an English preparatory course. The Sheikh Hamdan scholarship requires IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79. |
Deadlines
- Fall 2026 intake (past, for reference) Non-binding Passed28 August 2026
Registration deadline for newly admitted students; classes started 31 August 2026.
- Winter 2027 intake Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months31 December 2026
Registration deadline for newly admitted students; classes start 4 January 2027.
- Spring 2027 intake Non-binding In ~4 months19 February 2027
Registration deadline for newly admitted students; classes start 22 February 2027.
- Summer 2027 intake Non-binding In ~8 months18 June 2027
Registration deadline for newly admitted students; classes start 21 June 2027.
ADU accepts applications on a rolling basis and lists registration deadlines for newly admitted students rather than application deadlines. The Fall 2027 date had not been published by 29 September 2026; the Fall 2026 date is shown for reference.
How to apply
Apply online (including the AED 300 application fee) or in person at an ADU admissions office. Submit school transcripts, an English test score (or evidence of an English-medium curriculum) and, for foreign curricula, a UAE Ministry of Education equivalency letter. ADU responds within one week of a complete application; Business applicants also have an interview. Offers are valid for one academic year.
What admissions looks for
- A school average at or above the programme minimum, with maths and physics grades counting for engineering.
- Proof of English proficiency through EmSAT, IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or an English-medium curriculum.
- For the College of Business, a successful personal interview.
- Honest, complete applications: ADU rejects applicants dismissed elsewhere for academic integrity offences.
Tips for applying to ADU
- 1 Aim for the direct-entry average for engineering (75% Advanced or 80% General track) to avoid placement tests or remedial maths and physics.
- 2 Get your UAE Ministry of Education equivalency letter started early if you studied a foreign curriculum.
- 3 If you are a UAE resident or GCC national, apply within two years of finishing school to be eligible for the 15-50% University Scholarship, which depends on your school average and major.
- 4 Choose your campus with fees in mind: per-credit-hour tuition at Al Ain is lower than at the Abu Dhabi campus for most colleges (e.g. AED 1,605 vs AED 2,000 for Engineering).
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in AED
The H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarship gives 20 top UAE school graduates a year a full waiver of tuition and fees. The University Scholarship gives UAE residents and GCC nationals 15% to 50% off tuition based on school average and major, if they join within two years of school. Continuing students with a 3.60 CGPA for two semesters can get a 20% Academic Scholarship, and athletic scholarships and family discounts are also available.
- 20 a year; 100% of tuition and main fees
- Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarship
- 15-50% tuition waiver
- University Scholarship (UAE residents and GCC nationals)
- AED 300 application, AED 2,850 registration
- One-off fees
Academics
Academic calendar: Fall and spring semesters plus winter and summer terms
Bachelor of Business Administration
Taught in a college that holds AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA accreditation, the first in the GCC.
Engineering (College of Engineering)
Direct entry from a 75% Advanced-track average, with placement-test routes for applicants just below; AED 2,000 per credit hour in Abu Dhabi.
BA in Video Game Design
An unusual creative-technology degree in the College of Arts, Education and Social Sciences.
BSc in Environmental Health and Safety
A Health Sciences programme at a lower AED 1,745 per credit hour; figure skater Zahra Lari is a graduate.
BA in International Relations
Taught in English within a highly international student body.
Research
- ADU reports ranking 2nd in the UAE for research quality in THE's World University Rankings 2026.
- ADU says over 90% of its faculty publications are co-authored with international research partners.
- Its 13th Undergraduate Research and Innovation Competition in 2026 drew 1,350 student entries from 71 universities.
Schools & faculties
- College of Arts, Education and Social Sciences
- College of Business
- College of Engineering
- College of Health Sciences
- College of Law
ADU reports ranking 3rd in the UAE and 222nd globally in the THE Global Employability University Ranking 2026.
Student life
ADU's campuses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai bring together students from more than 100 nationalities, and most teaching is in English. On-campus accommodation ranges from shared-bath doubles to private rooms, and optional door-to-door transport is offered for a fee. The university runs student clubs, a student council, sports and wellness programmes, volunteering, an internship programme and a Student Employment Program for on-campus jobs.
- Students from more than 100 nationalities.
- Campuses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai.
- Student Employment Program for paid on-campus work.
- Optional door-to-door transport service (AED 3,700 per semester in Abu Dhabi).
Housing. On-campus rooms in 2026-27 cost AED 5,400-12,500 per fall or spring semester, from a double with shared bathroom to a private room.
Location
The main campus is in Abu Dhabi, the UAE's capital, a modern Gulf city with a large expatriate population where English is widely spoken. ADU also has campuses in the inland city of Al Ain and in Dubai. Most university fees are subject to 5% VAT, though accommodation and transport are not.
Nearest airport: Zayed International Airport (AUH)
Notable alumni
- ZL Zahra LariThe first Emirati figure skater to compete internationally; studied environmental health and safety
- B BalqeesSinger, star on the Dubai Stars walkway
- GC Ghaliaa ChakerSinger-songwriter; graduated from the Al Ain campus
- AA Abdullah Al SalmaniJiu-jitsu practitioner and mixed martial artist; BSc in Electrical Engineering
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score do I need for Abu Dhabi University?
The minimum is IELTS 5.0, or TOEFL iBT 61, EmSAT English 1100 or PTE 36-41. Students who studied in an English-medium curriculum do not need to prove proficiency.
How much does Abu Dhabi University cost?
Tuition is charged per credit hour. In 2026-27 on the Abu Dhabi campus it ranges from AED 1,620 (Law) to AED 2,085 (Health Sciences), with Engineering at AED 2,000, plus 5% VAT and one-off fees.
When can I start at Abu Dhabi University?
ADU has four intakes: fall, winter, spring and summer. For example, newly admitted students must register by 31 December 2026 for winter and by 19 February 2027 for spring.
What grades do I need for engineering at ADU?
Direct admission requires a 75% average on the UAE Advanced track or 80% on the General track (or equivalent). Students with 70-74.9% (Advanced) can be admitted conditionally via placement tests or remedial courses.
Does Abu Dhabi University offer scholarships?
Yes. UAE residents and GCC nationals can receive 15-50% off tuition based on grades and major, and 20 top UAE graduates a year receive the full Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarship.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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