How to Study in Dubai for International Students

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Dubai, 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, Dubai currently has 11 universities, from which 2 universities are a part of the public sector and 9 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 Dubai you should definitely check out are Al Ain University, American University in Dubai, and University of Dubai.

Being able to study in Dubai 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 Dubai, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Dubai

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Dubai, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 31,300 AED to 103,100 AED, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 7,846 AED and 135,200 AED.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Dubai

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

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Institute of Management Technology Dubai 31,300 AED 37,400 AED

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Dubai

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Amity University Dubai 35,000 AED - 64,600 AED 38,500 AED - 49,500 AED
Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai 43,600 AED - 57,800 AED 42,600 AED - 57,800 AED
Canadian University of Dubai 67,300 AED - 92,900 AED 70,800 AED - 135,200 AED
Al Ain University 39,000 AED - 51,000 AED 26,400 AED - 32,400 AED
Middlesex University Dubai 64,600 AED 76,500 AED - 94,200 AED
American University in Dubai 103,100 AED 53,500 AED - 56,200 AED
University of Wollongong in Dubai 60,500 AED 7,846 AED - 9,415 AED
British University in Dubai 56,300 AED - 62,500 AED 85,000 AED
University of Dubai 60,900 AED - 74,800 AED 72,800 AED - 102,100 AED

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

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

2. Requirements to Study in Dubai for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Dubai, 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 Dubai, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Dubai 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 Dubai 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 Dubai and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Institute of Management Technology Dubai

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Amity University Dubai

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Canadian University of Dubai

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 Dubai

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

Al Ain University

American University in Dubai

University of Dubai

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 Dubai 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 Dubai.

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 Dubai

If you’re going to study in Dubai, 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 Dubai, 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 Dubai. 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!