We bring to you a quick list of the top 5 cheapest universities in Dubai for international students.
Though studying abroad as an international student has been done for centuries, the last two decades saw a staggering increase in the number of international students worldwide.
In fact, according to UNESCO, the number of international students worldwide was 2 million in 2000 and 5.3 million in 2017.
It’s no wonder then that so many students are considering studying abroad and choosing not-so-obvious destinations for their studies.
One of these is the city of Dubai in the UAE. Not only is it a beautiful city to live in, but it also has relatively affordable universities for foreign students. Hence, here are the five cheapest universities in Dubai for international students.
Benefits of Studying In Dubai
Before deciding on the university you want to study at, it’s worth considering the reasons why Dubai is the perfect place for your further studies. Here are just some benefits of studying in Dubai:
- It’s a City of Many Cultures: While there are many Emiratis living in Dubai, you will also regularly meet people from other countries, especially those that are part of the Arab-Islamic world. While walking in the streets of Dubai, you can hear people speaking Arabic, Farsi, Tagalog, Urdu, and even English, among other languages.
- It’s a City That’s Still Transforming: Dubai is a very modern city with skyscrapers, city lights, and everything that comes along with that. But Dubai is also a city that’s still transforming – new facilities are constantly being constructed, which opens opportunities for work and leisure.
- It’s a Place for High-Quality Education: Many universities in Dubai are accredited both in the country and internationally, which means you will be able to continue your studies elsewhere if you choose to. Moreover, the UAE has quite a few universities that are considered to be in the top 1000 worldwide.
- It’s Perfect for Sports Enthusiasts: You can pretty much try any activity imaginable while living in Dubai. From water sports to dune bashing, the city has all kinds of facilities for it.
Local students can study for free at public universities in Dubai, while international students will have to pay tuition fees.
That being said, there are opportunities to get scholarships even if you are a foreigner.
With all of this in mind, here are the cheapest universities in Dubai for international students who want to study in the UAE:
Cheapest Universities In Dubai for International Students
1. Al Ghurair University
- Tuition Fees: AED 35,000 per year. This is around $9,500 or €8,200.
Al Ghurair University is a private university founded in 1999 and located in the International Academic City of Dubai.
The university is known for being one of the first private universities to get licensed nationally. Tuition fees at Al Ghurair University start at AED 35,000 per year. This is around USD 9,500 or EUR 8,200.
Al Ghurair University offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in areas such as architecture and design, business and communication, engineering and computing, and law.
There are also numerous on-campus facilities available to students, including a cafeteria, convenience store, gym, library, writing center, and others.
2. Al Dar University College
- Tuition Fees: AED 36,000 per year. This is around $9,800 or €8,400.
Next on the list of the cheapest universities in Dubai for international students is Al Dar University College.
Founded in 1994, Al Dar University College provides students with practical skills essential for working in a variety of industries.
Tuition fees at Al Dar University College start at AED 36,000 per year. This is around USD 9,800 or EUR 8,400.
Shakir Karim, an expert from the writing service review site Ratedbystudents, says about the university, “The best part about Al Dar University College is that it offers both associate and bachelor’s programs, so you have more options to choose from.
There are three different schools at the university (Engineering and Technology, Business Administration, and Arts and Social Sciences) with different departments within each one.”
The programs offered range from Computer Engineering and Multimedia and Game Development to Industrial Management and Accounting.
You can also enroll in English language courses and use a variety of facilities (e.g. library).
3. Modul University Dubai
- Tuition Fees: 40,000 per year. This is around $10,900 or €9,400.
Also known as MU Dubai, Modul University Dubai was founded in 2016 and is actually an international campus of Modul University Vienna. It is next on the list of the cheapest universities in Dubai for international students.
Tuition fees at Modul University Dubai start at AED 40,000 per year. This is around USD 10,900 or EUR 9,400.
Because it is a small university, MU Dubai offers a limited range of programs at undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels in areas such as International Management, Business Administration, Sustainable Development, Management, and Policy.
There are also professional education programs that include business development certification, language courses, and workshops.
4. British University In Dubai
- Tuition Fees: 50,000 per year. This is around $13,600 or €11,700.
British University in Dubai is a private university established in 2004 that focuses on research.
The university was founded in collaboration with the University of Manchester, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Glasgow.
Tuition fees at the British University in Dubai start at AED 50,000 per year. This is around USD 13,600 or EUR 11,700.
Rajab Mohammed, an expert writer who works on websites ratings, says about the university, “British University in Dubai can be perfect for students seeking higher education at all levels because of the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs offered.”
Areas of study include Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Architecture, Law, and Accounting among others.”
5. Canadian University Dubai
- Tuition Fees: AED 60,000 per year. This is around $16,300 or €14,100.
The list of the cheapest universities in Dubai will be incomplete without mentioning the Canadian University Dubai.
Founded in 2006, the Canadian University Dubai follows a Canadian curriculum and maintains ties with the University of Ontario which allows it to offer accredited degrees from both the UAE and Canada.
Tuition fees at the Canadian University of Dubai start at AED 60,000 per year. This is around USD 16,300 or EUR 14,100.
There is a wide variety of programs to choose from (both undergraduate and graduate) with subject areas that include Social Sciences, Business, Management, Communication, Architecture, Interior Design, Computer Engineering, Environmental Health Sciences, and others.
Facilities and services that are available to students include sports, transportation, health center, and many others.
Of course, if the universities above are not an option for you, you can still look for alternatives.
6. America University In Dubai
- Tuition Fees: AED 80,000 per year ($21,800 or €18,800).
The American University in Dubai might be another relatively affordable choice to consider. Tuition fees there start at AED 80,000 per year (USD 21,800 or EUR 18,800).
The American University of Dubai is a private higher education institution based in Dubai.
This institution in the United Arab Emirates, founded in 1995, focuses on offering education based on the American educational system, as its name suggests.
It currently has over 4000 students enrolled, representing over 120 nationalities from an international student body.
It has also been named one of the world’s most diverse colleges.
A wide range of courses is available in engineering, business administration, education, the arts, architecture, and technology.
The university is situated in the heart of Dubai and provides its students with information.
Dubai’s cosmopolitan experience is rich and energetic, with several possibilities to advance your education and professional experience.
7. American University Sharjah
- Tuition Fees: AED 80,000 per year ($21,800 or €18,800).
Next on the list of the cheapest universities in Dubai is the American University of Sharjah, which was founded in 1997 and is located in Sharjah. Sharjah is the UAE’s third-largest city.
It is roughly 25 kilometers outside of Dubai, in Sharjah University City. It is one of the cheapest universities in the UAE
The institution has a student population of approximately 5500, with international students from over 90 countries.
Students benefit from various cutting-edge facilities that are relatively new, as well as the university’s recent inception.
As a result, the university has been dubbed one of the most multicultural and varied in the region.
Four major colleges of arts/architecture, science, engineering, and business administration provide programs.
Across these faculties, this low-cost university in the UAE offers roughly 70 major undergraduate courses, 16 master’s degrees, and numerous Ph.D. options.
It’s also worth noting that because institutions have the freedom to make modifications, cost variations may be visible in this list.
We recommend that you go to the official University website for the most up-to-date information.
8. United Arab Emirates University (in Al Ain)
- Tuition Fees: AED 1000 Per Credit Hour
The United Arab Emirates University is the country’s oldest higher education institution, having been established in 1976. It is one of the cheapest universities in Dubai.
The institution is located in the city of Al Ain in the UAE’s eastern area, and it is one of the country’s original three government-run universities.
It has grown to become one of the best and most affordable institutions in the UAE, with a student body of over 15,000 students.
In addition, international students make up around a quarter of the student body. The university’s academic structure is made up of nine major schools that provide courses in a wide range of subjects.
Furthermore, there are foundation programs that equip students with the required foundations for learning English, Arabic, and Mathematics, as needed. Furthermore, the university is one of the few that places a strong emphasis on research.
9. Khalifa University (in Abu Dhabi)
- Tuition Fees: From AED 3000 Per Credit Hour
Khalifa University is a private university in Abu Dhabi that was created in 2007. It is also on the list of the cheapest universities in Dubai.
Khalifa University is a science-focused private higher education institution that was established with the intention of contributing to the country’s post-oil future.
More than 3500 students are now enrolled in the university’s courses. It functions academically through an engineering college that offers roughly 12 undergraduate bachelor’s degrees and around 15 postgraduate programs, all of which are focused on different sectors of engineering.
Mergers with the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and the Petroleum Institute have also been maintained. It has also been named one of Asia’s top 30 universities as well as one of the world’s top 500 colleges.
10. Ajman University (in Ajman)
Tuition Fees: From AED 90,000
Ajman Institution, a private university in the state of Ajman in the UAE’s northern area, is the next university on our list of the cheapest universities in the UAE.
It was one of the country’s earliest private higher education institutions, having opened in 1988.
The university has two main campuses, one in Ajman and the other in Fujairah, both of which are diversified and provide students with modern facilities.
The university’s academic organization is divided into nine major colleges, ranging from medicine and dentistry to law and business administration. In addition, the university has been named one of the top 50 universities in the Middle East.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cheapest Universities In Dubai
How much does it cost to study in the UAE
In general, international students can expect to pay anywhere between 5,000 and 27,650 EUR per academic year. You can also find cheaper — and sometimes free — study programmes, but these are few and far between.
Can Foreign Students Work in Dubai?
Foreign students on student visas are typically unable to work part-time while pursuing their studies.
Some institutions provide internship programs that are the sole way to get hands-on experience in specific courses or degrees.
In addition, as an international student in the UAE, obtaining a Dubai Golden Visa is one of the best ways to find quality job.
Otherwise, you’ll be applying for one of these popular Dubai menial jobs for international residents.
Is university education free in Dubai?
In as much as you can find the cheapest universities in Dubai, education is free for UAE students in public institutions.
It is also worth noting that the UAE has a very high proportion of higher education participation in the world, with over 80% of secondary school students enrolling in post-secondary education.
International students, on the other hand, usually have to pay fees if they want to study in this country.
To receive a free education in the United Arab Emirates or in one of the cheapest universities in Dubai (as in the case of this publication), you can apply for a variety of scholarships and other awards.
Furthermore, most student Visa permits need the student to be supported by a UAE resident.
If this is not possible, the appropriate university will intervene and assist the student.
As a result, make certain to get advice from.
What are the requirements for a student visa?
In order to obtain a student visa, the student must be sponsored by a UAE resident. If this is not possible, the relevant university can intervene and sponsor the student, so be sure to check with yours. Student visas are also issued for a year, although they can be extended for the duration of your degree.
A Summary of the Cheapest Universities In Dubai
All in all, studying in Dubai definitely has many benefits, especially for international students.
By choosing one of the universities from this list, you will get a high-quality education for an affordable price and an experience you will probably remember for the rest of your lifetime.