5 Best Universities In Abu Dhabi For International Students 2025

Abu Dhabi is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United Arab Emirates. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences.

Out of 5 universities in Abu Dhabi, Zayed University and Abu Dhabi University are the top-performing schools in Abu Dhabi. This list covers both public and private institutions in Abu Dhabi.

In this article, we’ve compiled the best universities in Abu Dhabi. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Abu Dhabi.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Abu Dhabi?

Applying to the universities in Abu Dhabi involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Abu Dhabi to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Abu Dhabi?

Tuition fees at Abu Dhabi’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 27,600 AED to 211,300 AED , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 39,600 AED to 304,600 AED. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Abu Dhabi!

As we cover the best universities in Abu Dhabi for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Abu Dhabi for International Students

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.