How to Study in Abu Dhabi for International Students

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Abu Dhabi, one of the beautiful cities in United Arab Emirates, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Abu Dhabi currently has 5 universities, from which 3 universities are a part of the public sector and 2 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Abu Dhabi you should definitely check out are Zayed University, Abu Dhabi University, and Khalifa University.

Being able to study in Abu Dhabi as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Abu Dhabi, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Abu Dhabi

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Abu Dhabi, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 27,600 AED to 211,300 AED, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 39,600 AED and 304,600 AED.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Abu Dhabi

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Abu Dhabi, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Higher Colleges of Technology 60,000 AED - 73,500 AED
Zayed University 70,000 AED - 90,000 AED 45,500 AED - 76,900 AED
Khalifa University 100,000 AED 90,000 AED

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Abu Dhabi

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Abu Dhabi University 27,600 AED - 45,400 AED 39,600 AED - 66,100 AED
New York University Abu Dhabi 211,300 AED 244,300 AED - 304,600 AED

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Abu Dhabi, check out the Cheap Universities in Abu Dhabi!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Abu Dhabi for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Abu Dhabi, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Abu Dhabi, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Abu Dhabi may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Abu Dhabi are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Abu Dhabi and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Abu Dhabi University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Higher Colleges of Technology

Bachelor’s degree

Zayed University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Abu Dhabi

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Abu Dhabi have online applications available on their websites, like Zayed University and Abu Dhabi University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Abu Dhabi.

Zayed University

Abu Dhabi University

Khalifa University

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Abu Dhabi differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Abu Dhabi.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Abu Dhabi

If you’re going to study in Abu Dhabi, you will need to apply for a student visa in United Arab Emirates

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in United Arab Emirates. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Student Residence Visa.

To start your student visa application in Abu Dhabi, you will need to present the following:

  1. Passport
  2. Passport-sized pictures
  3. Letter of Acceptance from the institution
  4. Proof of financial capacity to study abroad
  5. Proof of accommodation
  6. Medical certificate from a UAE-accredited health center

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in United Arab Emirates is 3,000 AED.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Complete the online visa application form, which can be accessed on accredited government websites.
  2. Pay the visa application fee upon submission.
  3. Schedule a visa interview at your home country's UAE embassy or consulate.
  4. Attend the visa interview and truthfully answer the questions asked by the consular officer.
  5. Wait for the visa decision through your email.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Abu Dhabi. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!