Ajman University
جامعة عجمان
The GCC's first private university (1988), a non-profit, largely international campus with nine colleges in Ajman.
- Tuition
- AED 39,600
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1988
- QS World Ranking
- #397
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Urban
About AU
Ajman University (AU) was established in 1988 as the first private university in the Gulf Cooperation Council, and says it was the first university in the UAE to admit expatriate students of both genders. First named Ajman University College of Science and Technology and later Ajman University of Science and Technology, it took its current name in 2018 and now operates as a non-profit institution.
AU offers 46 programmes (26 undergraduate, 18 graduate and 2 doctoral), all accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, across nine colleges: Medicine; Dentistry; Pharmacy and Health Sciences; Engineering and Information Technology; Architecture, Art and Design; Business Administration; Law; Mass Communication; and Humanities and Sciences. It holds institutional accreditation from WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) in the US and from the UK's Quality Assurance Agency.
The student body is highly international: THE's 2026 data put international students at 81%. Admission is based on school results, with subject minimums (90% in maths and two sciences for Medicine and Dentistry) and interviews for health programmes. AU suits students who want an English-taught, internationally mixed private university in the UAE with strong health-science and professional programmes.
Why students choose AU
Health sciences depth: a College of Medicine (Doctor of Medicine), a College of Dentistry and a College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences on one campus.
Dual international accreditation: WSCUC in the US and the UK's QAA, which AU says made it one of the first six institutions worldwide with QAA global accreditation (2020).
Modern programmes such as BSc degrees in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics and Digital Dental Technology.
A very international student body: AU says it ranks 2nd in the UAE for international students in the QS rankings.
Admissions
2026-27 academic year (same process for 2027-28 entry)
Selectivity
AU does not publish an acceptance rate. Admission depends on meeting subject-grade minimums for each programme, English proficiency and, for health programmes, an interview; Medicine and Dentistry are the most demanding, requiring 90% in mathematics and two sciences.
Typical entry requirements
| UAE secondary school certificate | Certified by the UAE Ministry of Education, with programme-specific subject minimums (e.g. 90% in Math and two sciences for Medicine and Dentistry) |
|---|---|
| Foreign high school certificates | Equivalency certificate from the UAE Ministry of Education; certificates attested by the issuing country's education authority, foreign ministry and the UAE embassy; same subject minimums |
| English language | IELTS 5 · TOEFL iBT 61 English-taught programmes: 80% in Grade 12 English, IELTS Academic 5.0, TOEFL ITP 500 or iBT 61. Doctor of Medicine: IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL ITP 550 or iBT 79. Bachelor of Dental Surgery: IELTS 5.0 or TOEFL iBT 61. |
Deadlines
- Spring 2027 intake (Spring semester 2026-27) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months8 January 2027
Last day of admission; the admission period opens 2 November 2026 and classes begin 11 January 2027.
- Fall 2027 intake (Fall semester 2027-28) Non-bindingNot yet published (admission period opens 12 April 2027)
For reference, the last day of admission for Fall 2026 was 28 August 2026, with classes from 31 August 2026.
AU admits on a semester basis. Its 2026-27 academic calendar lists the Spring 2027 admission period (2 November 2026 to 8 January 2027) and the opening of Fall 2027-28 admission on 12 April 2027; the Fall 2027 closing date will appear in the 2027-28 calendar. Contact the Unit of Student Recruitment for confirmation.
How to apply
Apply online, uploading school certificates and transcripts (with a UAE Ministry of Education equivalency for foreign certificates), a passport with valid residence permit or visa documents, Emirates ID where applicable, a certificate of good conduct, a photo and a UAE medical report, then pay the non-refundable application fee. Health programmes add a college interview. Unattested copies are accepted to start the application.
What admissions looks for
- School grades that meet the subject minimums for your programme, especially mathematics and the sciences.
- English proficiency at the required level (higher for Medicine).
- For Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy, success in the college's personal interview.
- Complete, properly attested documents and a UAE medical report.
Tips for applying to AU
- 1 Check the subject minimums, not just your overall average: Engineering needs 80% in maths and physics, Medicine and Dentistry 90% in maths and two sciences.
- 2 Start the UAE Ministry of Education equivalency and attestation early if you studied outside the UAE; you can begin with unattested copies.
- 3 Aim for IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79 if you want Medicine; other English-taught programmes need IELTS 5.0 or iBT 61.
- 4 Get your medical report done in the UAE: AU does not accept medical reports made abroad.
- 5 Ask about discounts: AU offers tuition discounts for high-school averages of 90% or above and for siblings and relatives enrolled at the same time.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in AED
AU's Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid offers AU scholarships and discounts and institutional aid through Thamer's Fund. Discounts include 5% to 20% for siblings and first-degree relatives enrolled at the same time, 10% for alumni family members, and a discount for high-school students with averages of 90% or above. Emirati nationals from Ajman apply for scholarships through the Ajman Citizens Affairs Office.
- 5-20% of tuition
- Sibling and relative discount
- AED 127,050 per year (226 credit hours)
- Doctor of Medicine tuition
Academics
Academic calendar: Two main semesters plus a summer semester
Doctor of Medicine
A 226-credit-hour programme at AED 127,050 a year, with 90% subject minimums, IELTS 6.0 and an interview.
Bachelor of Dental Surgery
A 201-credit-hour degree in AU's College of Dentistry; alumna Maha Jaafar trained as a dentist here.
BSc in Artificial Intelligence
A 123-credit-hour degree in the College of Engineering and IT at AED 1,531 per credit hour.
Bachelor of Pharmacy
A 160-credit-hour programme in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, with an interview for applicants.
Bachelor of Architecture
A 156-credit-hour professional degree in the College of Architecture, Art and Design.
Bachelor of Law
AU has a fully accredited College of Law; tuition is AED 1,320 per credit hour, the lowest undergraduate rate.
Research
- AU's Deanship of Research lists dedicated research centres and research groups, with a research ethics committee and graduate studies office.
- AU offers doctoral study, including a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and a Doctor of Business Administration.
Schools & faculties
- College of Medicine
- College of Dentistry
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- College of Engineering and Information Technology
- College of Architecture, Art and Design
- College of Business Administration
- College of Law
- College of Mass Communication
- College of Humanities and Sciences
AU says it ranks 4th in the UAE for Employer Reputation in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
Student life
AU's campus in the Al Jurf area of Ajman has separate male and female residences, a student hub, a medical clinic, a counselling unit and a transportation unit. The Office of Student Life runs student clubs and organisations, fine arts and leadership programmes, athletics and student publications, and a Student Success Center offers peer tutoring. With a large majority of international students, campus life is multinational, with English as the main language of study.
- Separate male and female residence halls on campus.
- Student clubs, fine arts, leadership programmes and athletics run by the Office of Student Life.
- Student Success Center with peer tutors and a Center for Inclusive Learning.
- On-campus medical clinic and counselling unit.
Housing. On-campus rooms in 2026-27 cost AED 3,810-8,965 per main semester in the male residence and AED 6,010-13,525 in the female residence, including VAT.
Location
Ajman is one of the seven emirates of the UAE, on the Gulf coast next to Sharjah. AU's campus is in the Al Jurf area of Ajman, close to Khalifa Hospital, and the university runs a transportation unit for students.
Nearest airport: Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
Notable alumni
- LK Lacina KonéDirector-General and CEO of Smart Africa; bachelor's degree from AU (1993)
- MJ Maha JaafarSocial media personality and UNICEF National Ambassador for Sudan; dentistry graduate
- NA Nadia Al NajjarChildren's author and Emirates Award for Fiction winner; BSc in Computer Sciences
- NA Nura al-BadiOmani poet and educator; studied at the College of Languages and Translation
Frequently asked questions
What are Ajman University's fees?
For 2026-27, undergraduate tuition is charged per credit hour, from AED 1,320 (Law) and AED 1,531 (Business, Computer Engineering, AI) to AED 2,668 (Dental Surgery). The Doctor of Medicine costs AED 127,050 a year.
What IELTS score does Ajman University require?
IELTS Academic 5.0 (or TOEFL iBT 61) for English-taught programmes, and IELTS 6.0 (or TOEFL iBT 79) for the Doctor of Medicine. An 80% grade in Grade 12 English is also accepted.
What grades do I need for medicine at Ajman University?
At least 90% in mathematics and two sciences (from physics, chemistry and biology), IELTS 6.0 or equivalent, and success in the college interview.
Does Ajman University have student housing?
Yes. There are separate male and female residences, with 2026-27 rooms from AED 3,810 per semester (male triple room) to AED 13,525 per semester (female single studio).
Is Ajman University accredited?
Yes. All programmes are accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and AU holds institutional accreditation from WSCUC (US) and the UK's QAA.
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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