2025 - 2026 SAA Rankings for Best Value Universities In United Arab Emirates For International Students
United Arab Emirates is surely one of the best places that you can consider if you’re planning to study abroad. The many grand opportunities that await while and after studying also add fuel to the fire. It also helps that besides the most popular schools, the country has more institutions to offer, with 22 in total.
With so many available options, it can be hard to find the best pick according to your budget, course preferences, and other factors. You want to find the institution that is the perfect fit or offers the best value for your money.
To help you out, we have ranked the best-value universities in United Arab Emirates. They are known for offering high standards of education while keeping the costs affordable for international students.
Rank | University | Percentage Ranking (World) | Founded Year | City | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | University of Sharjah | 7 % | 1997 | Sharjah | Private |
2 | United Arab Emirates University | 10 % | 1976 | Al Ain | Public |
3 | Abu Dhabi University | 13 % | 2003 | Abu Dhabi | Private |
4 | Al Ain University | 15 % | 2004 | Dubai | Private |
5 | Zayed University | 18 % | 1998 | Abu Dhabi | Public |
6 | Ajman University | 23 % | 1988 | Ajman | Private |
7 | American University of Sharjah | 23 % | 1997 | Sharjah | Private |
8 | Khalifa University | 24 % | 2007 | Abu Dhabi | Public |
9 | Higher Colleges of Technology | 35 % | 1988 | Abu Dhabi | Public |
10 | American University in Dubai | 46 % | 1995 | Dubai | Private |
11 | University of Dubai | 46 % | 1997 | Dubai | Private |
12 | New York University Abu Dhabi | 47 % | 2010 | Abu Dhabi | Private |
13 | American University of Ras Al Khaimah | 48 % | 2005 | Ras al Khaimah | Public |
14 | University of Wollongong in Dubai | 53 % | 1993 | Dubai | Private |
15 | Skyline University College | 59 % | 1990 | Sharjah | Private |
16 | Canadian University of Dubai | 63 % | 2006 | Dubai | Private |
17 | British University in Dubai | 65 % | 2003 | Dubai | Private |
18 | Institute of Management Technology Dubai | 66 % | 2006 | Dubai | Public |
19 | Amity University Dubai | 68 % | 2011 | Dubai | Private |
20 | Middlesex University Dubai | 77 % | 2005 | Dubai | Private |
21 | Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence | 99 % | 2019 | Dubai | Public |
22 | Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai | 99 % | 2000 | Dubai | Private |
22 Best Value Institutions in United Arab Emirates for International Students
Here are the 22 best-value institutions in United Arab Emirates for international students. Here, you’ll learn more about their rankings, international student population, and their background.
1 University of Sharjah
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The University of Sharjah is a comprehensive educational institution with a unique teaching methodology and a worldwide perspective. It is a leader in the arts, excellent schools, and scientific research. Qualified and experienced professors instruct every course. Students are encouraged to pursue engineering, communication, science, and business majors to gain an education that contributes to an equitable society.
2 United Arab Emirates University
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The United Arab Emirates University is a premier national and research-intensive university that instills the importance and values of leadership, innovation, and community service into its students. It stands out as the country’s first university established by no less than UAE’s first president. UAEU’s international accreditations, world-class research centers, and high rankings among universities ensure that its students receive the best education and training.
3 Abu Dhabi University
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Abu Dhabi University is a multi-campus university dedicated to giving students an engaging educational atmosphere and an internationally regarded education. The university is acknowledged as a top-tier institution for teaching, student life, research, and executive education. As such, it gives graduates the education, expertise, and attitude they need to become tomorrow’s leaders who can help improve society.
4 Al Ain University
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Al Ain University is renowned for its active contribution to knowledge development through excellent teaching and research. The institution places a high importance on community involvement and the regional and national effort to improve education. AAU upholds its reputation for excellence in the fields of education, research, and community service. Every student would be able to choose an appropriate learning environment to reach their full potential.
5 Zayed University
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Zayed University proudly carries its name and is a national and regional pioneer in educational innovation. Domestic and international students are welcome at the university’s two advanced campuses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It aspires to revitalize the educational process by encouraging research and setting the foundation for lifelong learning that exceeds expectations and satisfies societal requirements for sustainable growth.
6 Ajman University
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Ajman University is one of the UAE’s most prestigious institutions. Such renown is not just because of the institution’s high placement in inter-university rankings and academic assessments. It’s also due to the university’s role in promoting inclusivity. Specifically, Ajman University is the first in the country to welcome expatriate students, a move that impacted not just the lives of the expatriates but also society.
7 American University of Sharjah
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The centerpiece of UAE’s University City is the American University of Sharjah, which consists of three colleges and one school. This institution values students who embrace the vibrant campus culture, strive for academic success, and demonstrate openness, tolerance, and respect. Such results in the fusion of intellectual brilliance and civic engagement that guarantees that students develop into the next leaders.
8 Khalifa University
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Khalifa University is a top-tier, research-intensive university in Abu Dhabi known as the Khalifa University of Science and Technology. As its extended name implies, its programs are highly specialized and limited to engineering, science, medicine, and health sciences. It concentrates on those disciplines because it was established to address the scientific and industrial challenges that affect the United Arab Emirates.
9 Higher Colleges of Technology
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Higher Colleges of Technology is the first authorized university economic free zone in the United Arab Emirates, and the country’s largest applied higher education school. By offering educational pathways that meet business needs, the institution becomes an incubator for talent and skills to realize the national goal. HCT also strongly encourages women to make valuable contributions to national development that serve the greater good. The school employs a strategy to provide students with the values, abilities, and intellectual discipline that will enable them to impact UAE society positively.
10 American University in Dubai
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The American University in Dubai, a non-sectarian institution of higher learning, offers more than an American-style education to Emirati and international students. Its programs are accredited by the USA’s Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and other international accrediting bodies. AUD also provides a culturally diverse learning community to promote individual development, encourage societal progress, and cultivate better thinkers via outstanding instruction and scholarship opportunities.
11 University of Dubai
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The University of Dubai is a renowned private university specializing in business, law, engineering, and information technology (IT) programs. Notably, such specialties are relevant to the institution that owns the university, which is the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. UD’s quality of education is also vetted by several national and international accreditation bodies, such as AACSB International.
12 New York University Abu Dhabi
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New York University Abu Dhabi is a degree-granting portal campus of the world-renowned New York University. The university invites, teaches, and welcomes global citizens to advance intercultural understanding and a better society. It aspires to transform global higher education and become a premier leader in the field. The university also ensures its students have the proper support and resources.
13 American University of Ras Al Khaimah
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The American University of Ras Al Khaimah is a coeducational higher education institution. The university is moving forward through specialized centres committed to promoting innovation and expanding the parameters of what is possible. The institution is dedicated to sustainable investing. Students from all over the world are welcome to participate in programs and activities at AURAK that have been thoroughly planned to keep them healthy and safe.
14 University of Wollongong in Dubai
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One of the greatest universities in Dubai is the University of Wollongong, which provides students with quality education and enables them to coexist in a distinctively multicultural setting that fosters academic success, personal development, and social development. The campus also has the most up-to-date infrastructure and technology, which allows blended learning. The university environment would be an ideal place for students to further their education.
15 Skyline University College
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One of the well-known institutions in the United Arab Emirates, Skyline University College, promotes creativity and innovation while maintaining a focus on diversity and cultural fusion in order to create a society based on knowledge. The institution fosters the professional development of students from various cultural backgrounds in the disciplines of business, science, and technology as well as the inculcation of values for the benefit of society. Additionally, SUC prioritizes risk management in all facets of its business operations and ensures the health and safety of its students.
16 Canadian University of Dubai
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The doors of Canadian University Dubai were opened to showcase the top-notch Canadian educational system. The institution is dedicated to giving students a global academic experience that is governed by the highest standards of academic and business ethics, improving the personal and professional lives of the graduates and the communities they serve. The campus of CUD will provide potential students with a proper setting to develop their skills.
17 British University in Dubai
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The British University in Dubai has a well-established reputation as a research-focused educational organization eager to rank among the top institutions in the world. Through the use of the best and brightest educators, the institution aspires to create a society that is founded on education. It provides a top-notch educational system to students around the world so they may effortlessly attain their goals.
18 Institute of Management Technology Dubai
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The Institute of Management Technology in Dubai is well known as an international business school. Students from a wide range of countries and educational backgrounds can enrol in recognized undergraduate and graduate programs through it. The campus is replete with cutting-edge amenities that support students as they discover their potential and take creative action to implement unique concepts and influence the world.
19 Amity University Dubai
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Leading international institution Amity University Dubai is based in the United Arab Emirates and is part of a global network with campuses in more than eight other nations. The university provides over thirty programs to build a sustainable ecosystem that promotes research and learning in order to explore novel ideas and quicken the country’s transition to a knowledge-based economy. Here, students would discover the ideal environment for developing their potential.
20 Middlesex University Dubai
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Middlesex University Dubai is the first overseas campus of the renowned Middlesex University based in London, UK. The vibrant, diverse, and multicultural campus takes delight in offering a unique student experience. Numerous undergraduate, graduate, and foundation programs are available at the university. In addition, it is dedicated to providing challenging academic programs through cutting-edge research, funding, and professional practice to meet the needs and aspirations of a broad group of students from across cultures and around the world.
21 Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
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A graduate-level, research-based academic institution, Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence gathers top-tier thinkers and doers in computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, and other fields. Academic and research activities at the university are aiming to create novel solutions that will have an impact on the world. International students are given ample possibilities at MBZUAI to pursue their ambitions.
22 Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai
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Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai, is a campus that is affiliated with Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India. One of the top universities in the UAE, it is committed to intellectual concepts, academic excellence, and knowledge in order to provide students with a fulfilling future in a changing world. To help students hone their talents, the university sponsors a number of clubs that are pertinent to particular programs.
Education is one of the biggest investments a person can make. Many international students have found their school funds best spent in United Arab Emirates, particularly in these best-value universities we have shared above. Thus, it’s a great idea to include them in your list of institutions for studying abroad.