United Arab Emirates University
جامعة الإمارات العربية المتحدة
The UAE's first national university, founded by Sheikh Zayed in 1976 in the oasis city of Al Ain.
- Students
- 20,000
- Tuition
- AED 79,830
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1976
- QS World Ranking
- #217
- 2027 edition
About UAEU
United Arab Emirates University was founded in 1976 by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and describes itself as the first comprehensive national university of the UAE. It enrols more than 20,000 Emirati and international students on its campus in Al Ain, in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, and students of more than 60 nationalities study there.
Teaching is organised in nine colleges: Business and Economics; Education; Engineering; Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine; Humanities and Social Sciences; Computing and Artificial Intelligence; Law; Medicine and Health Sciences; and Science. Undergraduate options range from Aerospace, Petroleum and Communication Engineering to Space Sciences, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Tourism Studies and Law, and all nine colleges also run graduate programmes. Its research centres work on national priorities from water resources to cancer treatment.
UAE nationals and children of Emirati mothers apply through the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research portal. International students apply directly to the university, pay per credit hour, and can compete for Chancellor's Scholarships worth 75% or 100% of tuition. UAEU suits students who want a large national university with strong government and industry links, in a quieter city than Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
Why students choose UAEU
Nine colleges with programmes from Aerospace Engineering and Space Sciences to Data Science and AI, Law and Veterinary Medicine.
Chancellor's Scholarships for international students cover 100% of tuition (98% school average) or 75% (95% average) for top applicants.
Published, programme-by-programme admission standards, for example SAT Math 590 or IB HL Maths 5 for engineering and computing.
Alumni include senior UAE ministers such as Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Admissions
Fall 2027 entry
Selectivity
UAEU does not publish an acceptance rate. Admission is competitive within each college's capacity; priority goes to applicants with higher results and more recent high school graduation, and meeting the minimums does not guarantee a place.
Typical entry requirements
| High school (Grade 12) certificate, any curriculum | 90% average for STEM and health sciences colleges, 85% for business, humanities, education and law; UAE Ministry of Education equivalency required for non-MOE certificates |
|---|---|
| Mathematics (engineering, computing, science, health sciences) | School maths 90%, or SAT Math 590, AP Maths 4, IB HL Maths 5 or A-level B |
| Mathematics (business, law, agriculture) | School maths 80%, or SAT Math 555, AP Maths 3, IB HL Maths 4 or A-level C |
| Restricted programmes | Doctor of Medicine limited to UAE nationals, children of Emirati mothers and fully funded students; Veterinary Medicine open to international students only with scholarships and dean's approval |
| English language | IELTS 5.5 · TOEFL iBT 70 IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL iBT 70 or TOEFL ITP 525 (local), or 90% in Grade 12 English. IELTS Indicator, TOEFL Home Edition and Duolingo are not accepted. Applicants from English-medium schools in English-speaking countries may be exempt. |
Deadlines
- Fall semester scholarship applications Non-bindingMay to July
Application window for Chancellor's Scholarships for the first semester; exact admission application dates are announced each year.
- Spring semester scholarship applications Non-bindingSeptember to November
Application window for the second semester.
UAEU publishes scholarship application windows by month but announces undergraduate admission periods each year; exact 2027 dates were not available on the pages checked. MD and Veterinary Medicine admit in the fall semester only.
How to apply
International students apply through UAEU's online admission system during the announced application periods, with a Grade 12 certificate (plus UAE Ministry of Education equivalency for non-MOE curricula), English test results and any required maths or science scores. Applicants must be 35 or younger and meet health fitness requirements. UAE nationals and children of Emirati mothers apply through the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research portal.
What admissions looks for
- High school average: priority goes to higher results and more recent graduates.
- Meeting the college-specific maths and science minimums.
- English proficiency at IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 70 or equivalent.
- For Law, Arabic proficiency.
Tips for applying to UAEU
- 1 Aim for the Chancellor's Scholarship thresholds: 98% average, IELTS 7.5 and SAT Math 730 for a full tuition waiver; 95%, IELTS 6.5 and SAT Math 660 for 75%.
- 2 Get your UAE Ministry of Education equivalency certificate early if you follow a non-MOE curriculum.
- 3 Use SAT Math, AP, IB HL or A-level grades to prove maths if your school maths mark is below the threshold.
- 4 Take the full IELTS Academic or a centre-based TOEFL: home-edition and Duolingo tests are not accepted.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in AED
International students can receive tuition discounts through the Chancellor's Scholarship for Elite Students: 100% of tuition for a 98% school average with IELTS 7.5 (or TOEFL iBT 105) and SAT Math 730 where required, or 75% for 95% with IELTS 6.5 (or TOEFL iBT 85) and SAT Math 660. Scholarships cover tuition only, not housing or application fees, and require a GPA of 3.8 or 3.6 to renew.
- 98% average, IELTS 7.5, SAT Math 730; renew with GPA 3.8
- Chancellor's Scholarship (100%)
- 95% average, IELTS 6.5, SAT Math 660; renew with GPA 3.6
- Chancellor's Scholarship (75%)
- AED 2,661
- Tuition per credit hour (international, 2026/27 onwards)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (fall and spring)
BSc Aerospace Engineering
A 132-credit engineering degree in the College of Engineering.
BSc Space Sciences
An undergraduate space science degree in the College of Science.
BSc Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
Offered by the College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence.
BSc Petroleum Engineering
Engineering for the UAE's energy sector, 132 credits.
Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine
A 175-credit professional degree, with limited places for international students.
Research
- Research centres of national importance in areas ranging from water resources to cancer treatment.
- A Science and Innovation Park linked to the university.
- All nine colleges run graduate research programmes.
Schools & faculties
- College of Business and Economics
- College of Education
- College of Engineering
- College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence
- College of Law
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences
- College of Science
Student life
UAEU describes its Al Ain campus as a living-learning environment, with student affairs services covering residential life, nutrition, counselling and career placement. Students come from more than 60 countries, and exchange students from partner universities join through the Undergraduate Student Exchange Program. International students get help with residence visas through the university's student services.
- Students of more than 60 nationalities.
- Undergraduate Student Exchange Program with partner universities.
- Department of Residential Life and Nutritional Services.
- Career placement and alumni services.
Housing. The university runs a residential life department and a room assignment service for undergraduates; graduate students are not housed by the university.
Location
Al Ain is an oasis city in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, on the UAE's border with Oman and inland from the coastal cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It is calmer and more traditional than the coast, with very hot summers and mild winters.
Nearest airport: Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH)
Notable alumni
- AB Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanUAE Minister of Foreign Affairs; degree in political science from UAE University
- MB Mansour bin Zayed Al NahyanUAE Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister; graduate of UAE University
- SG Saqr GhobashPresident of the Federal National Council and former minister of labour; UAE University graduate
- SA Shaykha al-NakhiFirst Emirati woman to publish a short story; studied humanities at UAE University
Frequently asked questions
Can international students study at UAE University?
Yes. International students apply directly through UAEU's online admission system, while UAE nationals apply through the Ministry of Higher Education portal. Medicine is limited to UAE nationals, children of Emirati mothers and fully funded students.
How much does UAEU cost for international students?
For students admitted from 2026/27, tuition is AED 2,661 per credit hour: about AED 79,830 a year for a 120-credit, four-year degree (AED 319,320 in total) and about AED 87,800 a year for a 132-credit engineering degree (AED 351,252 in total).
What IELTS score does UAEU require?
IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL iBT 70 or 90% in Grade 12 English. IELTS Indicator, TOEFL Home Edition and Duolingo are not accepted.
Does UAEU offer scholarships to international students?
Yes. The Chancellor's Scholarship for Elite Students waives 100% of tuition for a 98% average with IELTS 7.5 and SAT Math 730, or 75% for a 95% average with IELTS 6.5 and SAT Math 660.
What grades do I need for UAEU engineering?
A 90% high school average, plus 90% in maths or SAT Math 590 (or AP 4, IB HL 5, A-level B), and physics plus one other science at a similar level.
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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