Dubai is one of the fastest-growing and most developed cities in the world, known for its hospitality, tourism, and technology. The city ranks #75 on QS's list of the best student cities in the world. This makes it an attractive and secure destination for students.
There are 64 universities in Dubai, including Local campuses as well as Branch campuses, out of which 3 have featured in the QS World Rankings 2026: Canadian University Dubai (#604), American University in Dubai( #678), and University of Dubai(#851-900). The Annual cost of studying lies in the range of AED 33,600-104,186 (INR 8.5 lakh- 2 Cr).
Explore more: Top universities in the UAE 2026
Why study in Dubai?
- Global Recognition: Universities in Dubai offer prestigious degree programmes that are worldwide recognised by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA).
- International exposure: Interaction with Students and faculty from all over the world truly helps in gaining a multicultural outlook.
- Hi-Tech classrooms: Dubai is one of the developed cities with modern infrastructure and smart classrooms.
- Curriculum: Offers a future-ready, Practical industry-aligned curriculum that will help students get job-ready.
- High-quality healthcare Facility: Students can easily access Modern health facilities and clinics.
- Major tourist spot: Dubai is one of the most popular tourist destinations attracts thousands of tourists every year. Students can experience entertainment alongside their studies.
Check out: Exams to study in Dubai
Top Universities in Dubai for MBA
Dubai is home to multiple universities and is one of the most developed cities in the world. Students who wish to study in the UAE can therefore consider Dubai as their preferred study abroad destination. Some of the popular universities for MBA programs are listed below in the table.
| University Name | Program | Program duration | Annual tuition fee(AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMT Business School | MBA | 1 year | AED 85,000 (~21 lakh INR) |
| Middlesex University Dubai | MBA | 1 year | AED 84,872 (~21 lakh INR) |
| American University in Dubai(AUD) | MBA | 2 year | AED 56,160(~14 lakh INR) |
| BITS Dubai | MBA | 2 year | AED 33,600 (~8.5 lakh INR) |
| DE Montfort University | MBA(Global) | 1 year | AED 1,04,186 (~2.6 Cr INR) |
Check out: MBA in the UAE
Top Universities in Dubai for Engineering
The table below shows some of the popular universities that offer globally recognised engineering programs with modern classrooms and labs, and strong placements. The universities provide a wide range of engineering domain programmes, including Computer Science, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronics.
| University Name | Program | Program duration | Annual tuition fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Birmingham, Dubai | B.Eng(Mechanical Engineering) | 3 year | AED 1,49,106(~37 lakh INR) |
| Abu Dhabi University, Dubai | B.S Computer Engineering | 4 year | AED 60,690(~ 15 lakh INR) |
| Amity University, Dubai | B.Tech (Computer Science Engineering) | 4 year | AED 68750(~17 lakh INR) |
| Heriot-Watt University, Dubai | B.Eng(Mechanical engineering) | 3 year | AED 82,264**(~ 20 lakh INR) |
| University of Wollongong, Dubai | MEng Civil Engineering | 2 year | AED 65,628-68,909(~16.5- 17.3 lakh INR) |
Note: As of 18 March 2026, 1 Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) is equivalent to 25.18 Indian rupees(INR)
Other Popular universities in Dubai
The universities of Dubai offer a wide range of Undergraduate and postgraduate courses in multiple domains, including Healthcare, Engineering, Law, Business management, interior designing and Humanities. Some of the popular universities and their offered programmes are listed below in the table.
| University Name | Top Program | Program duration |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian University Dubai | B.Sc-Cyber security | 4 year |
| American University in Dubai | M.S in Artificial science | 2 year |
| University of Dubai | BSc in Computing and Information Systems | 4 year |
| Abu Dhabi University, Dubai | BA Psychology | 4 year |
| Symbiosis International, Dubai | BBA | 4 years |
| Zayed University, Dubai | MS Finance | 2 year |
| Jumeria University, Dubai | BBA Business Analytics | 4 year |
| Manipal University, Dubai | MDes Interior Design | 2 year |
| SP Jain, Dubai | Bachelor of Data Science | 3 years |
| GBS Dubai | HND in Digital Technology | 2 year |
Eligibility Criteria for Admission in Dubai
The general admission requirements for admission to the top Universities in Dubai are mentioned below. Students are advised to go through it carefully:
Eligibility criteria :
- 60 to 65% in a Bachelor’s degree( for PG programs), or 3+ GPA on the scale of 4(or equivalent 2 class honors degree)
- Minimum 65-70% marks in Class 12th
- Minimum 2-3 years of work experience (for MBA)
- English Proficiency Exam Scorecard (Generally IELTS-6; TOEFL-79/80; PTE-54 and sometimes EmSAT-1400)
- GMAT/GRE score(varies by program), but it strengthens the application.
Documents Checklist:
- University Application Form
- Educational transcripts
- Valid passport
- Recent photographs
- Resume/CV
- Bank statement as the financial proof
- UAE Visa Documents
- Two academic or professional Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Statement of purpose (SOP)
Check out: How to apply in the UAE
Cost of living in Dubai
Dubai is the most expensive emirate in the UAE; the cost of living is also relatively higher compared to other UAE emirates. The average cost of living varies based on the lifestyle, accommodation, food, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses. The estimated cost usually lies in the range of AED 6,658- 9,858 (INR 1.7-2.5 lakh ). The table below shows the breakdown for better understanding, so the students can plan their budget accordingly.
| Expense | Cost of living (AED) | Cost of living in (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accomodation | Single room- AED 4350 | INR 1.12 lakh |
| Double room- AED 6150 | INR 1.56 lakh | |
| Food | AED 800-1200 | INR 20,316-30,474 |
| Transportation | AED 508 | INR 12,901 |
| Personal expenses | AED 1000-2000 | INR 25,395-50,790 |
Note: Some universities, like BITS Pilani and Middlesex University, provide cost and time-saving transportation services for students to ensure safety from designated pick-up and drop-off points.
To know more, check out: Cost of living in the UAE for international students
Scholarships in Dubai for Indian students
Many universities offer students scholarships to reduce the tuition fees and make education more affordable. Some of the Universities and the scholarship details are mentioned in the table below.
| University name | Scholarship name | Details |
|---|---|---|
| American University in Dubai | H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Scholarship for Undergraduate Study | Eligibility- Open to all Nationalities. Candidates with strong grades and financial need can apply. |
| Coverage: covers half or full tuition fee in their UG program. | ||
| AUD Senior Scholarship | Eligibility- Minimum 3 GPA, Final year students with 30-32 credits left to complete their course.Disciplinary action with no code of conduct violations | |
| Coverage: This scholarship covers up to 25%, 50%, or 100% tuition(one academic year). | ||
| IMT Dubai | Merit-based scholarships | It offers one type of scholarship based on merit, need, scholarships, excellent academic performance, Financial aid, and sibling discounts. |
| Middlesex University Dubai | Academic excellence scholarships | This scholarship is relevant to Indian students only if they are already studying in the UAE(Not the ones applying from India) |
| University of Birmingham | UG Chancellor's academic merit scholarship | Applicable to candidates with 80%+ grades in class 12 CBSE/A?levels/IB. |
| Abu Dhabi University Dubai | Academic/merit-based | Candidates who are pursuing any education from UAE can apply for these scholarships. |
| University of Wollongong | Academic merit scholarship(New Bachelor's students) | Eligibility- Candidates with strong grades are eligible. |
| Coverage-The scholarship covers 15-50% tuition fee each trimester. (First come-first served Policy) | ||
| Heriott-watt University | Shaping Women Scholarship- MBA | Eligibility- This scholarship is relevant to Indian women pursuing graduation and residing in GCC(UAE/Oman/Qatar). |
| Coverage-Covers Study materials, Seminar revisions, exam fees, etc. | ||
| Manipal University Dubai | Meri-based scholarship-UG | Eligibility- Candidates with a strong academic background get |
| Coverage- Scholarship of up to 30% on their tuition fee. | ||
| University of Dubai | Merit-based scholarships | Eligibility- Candidates with outstanding grades of 95% in higher school. |
| Coverage- Candidate can get a scholarship of up to 50% in their tuition fee. |
Check out: Scholarships to study in the UAE
Visa application
Once the students receive the admission confirmation letter from the university, He/she can apply for a study visa. The Visa is generally issued for 1 year and needs to be renewed every year, hence students are required to renew their visa 2-3 times.
The documents required while applying for a visa are:
- Passport-sized photographs
- University acceptance letter
- Valid passport
- Academic transcripts
- Travel bookings
- Medical Insurance
- Emirate ID (for visa renewal)
For more info, check out: Dubai Study Visa guide
Dubai is one of the fast-emerging cities in the world, offering students a wide range of UG and PG programmes, international exposure and a luxury life experience.
FAQs
Ques: How to get admission in Dubai universities?
Ans: Candidates can directly apply from universities admission portal. Candidates are required to submit the required documents, and if shortlisted university will contact you for a personal interview.
Ques: How to apply for a scholarship in Dubai?
Ans: Students must first meet the required eligibility criteria before applying. They can then apply for the scholarship directly through the university’s official scholarship page.
Ques: Can students work while studying in Dubai?
Ans: Yes, Students can apply for part-time jobs and internships while studying in Dubai after university approval and a proper work permit. Students can work up to 15-20 hours per week during the semester.
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 #481/824 Collegedunia Study Abroad Ranking 2026(Overall) |  Abu Dhabi University, DubaiDubai, UAE75%q8kmCZ | MBA Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: TOEFL79 | J9uNHw: (د.إ57,013/Yr)₹14.72L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#570/824 Collegedunia Study Abroad Ranking 2026(Overall) |  Zayed University, DubaiDubai, UAE60%q8kmCZ | E.M.B.A Course duration: 18 months Exams Accepted: TOEFL79 | J9uNHw: (د.إ72,947/Yr)₹18.83L/Yr lpofqY: (د.إ816/Yr)₹21.1K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#670/824 Collegedunia Study Abroad Ranking 2026(Overall) |  BITS Pilani Dubai, DubaiDubai, UAE8%q8kmCZ | MBA Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: TOEFL80 | J9uNHw: (د.إ46,864/Yr)₹12.1L/Yr lpofqY: (د.إ30,000/Yr)₹7.75L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#709/824 Collegedunia Study Abroad Ranking 2026(Overall) |  Amity University - Dubai, DubaiDubai, UAE53%q8kmCZ | MBA Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: TOEFL79 | J9uNHw: (د.إ51,809/Yr)₹13.38L/Yr lpofqY: (د.إ25,000/Yr)₹6.46L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#723/824 Collegedunia Study Abroad Ranking 2026(Overall) |  UOW-Dubai, DubaiDubai, UAE60%q8kmCZ | MBA Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: TOEFL88 | J9uNHw: (د.إ58,002/Yr)₹14.98L/Yr lpofqY: (د.إ1,928/Yr)₹49.8K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#751/824 Collegedunia Study Abroad Ranking 2026(Overall) |  University of Birmingham Dubai, DubaiDubai, UAE79%q8kmCZ | MS Computer Science Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: TOEFL80PTE64 | J9uNHw: (د.إ128,103/Yr)₹33.08L/Yr lpofqY: (د.إ201/Yr)₹5.2K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#778/824 Collegedunia Study Abroad Ranking 2026(Overall) |  Middlesex University Dubai, DubaiDubai, UAE57%q8kmCZ | LLM Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: TOEFL72PTE59 | J9uNHw: (د.إ61,765/Yr)₹15.95L/Yr lpofqY: (د.إ544/Yr)₹14K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#807/824 Collegedunia Study Abroad Ranking 2026(Overall) |  De Montfort University, DubaiDubai, UAE45%q8kmCZ | MBA Global Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: IELTS6.0 | J9uNHw: (د.إ34,787/Yr)₹8.98L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 #391/1401 QS Ranking 2026(Overall) |  Abu Dhabi University, DubaiDubai, UAE | Master of Science [MSc] Artificial Intelligence Course duration: 2 years | J9uNHw: ($15,475/Yr)₹14.67L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -- |  Manipal Academy of Higher Education, DubaiDubai, UAE60%q8kmCZ | M.Des Interior Design Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: TOEFL78 | J9uNHw: (د.إ24,233/Yr)₹6.26L/Yr lpofqY: (د.إ35,500/Yr)₹9.17L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| -- |  IMT Business School Dubai, DubaiDubai, UAE59%q8kmCZ | M.B.A Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: GMAT550TOEFL79 | J9uNHw: (د.إ40,232/Yr)₹10.39L/Yr lpofqY: (د.إ7,465/Yr)₹1.93L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -- |  Canadian University Dubai, DubaiDubai, UAE65%q8kmCZ | Master Information Technology Management Course duration: 30 months Exams Accepted: TOEFL79 | J9uNHw: (د.إ82,126/Yr)₹21.21L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -- |  Global Business Studies, DubaiDubai, UAE65%q8kmCZ | HND International Business Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: Duolingo65IELTS4.5PTE40 | J9uNHw: (د.إ33,889/Yr)₹8.75L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -- |  S P Jain Global, DubaiDubai, UAE20%q8kmCZ | Bachelor of Data Science Course duration: 3 years Exams Accepted: TOEFL60PTE50 | J9uNHw: (د.إ25,600/Yr)₹6.61L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -- |  American University in Dubai, DubaiDubai, UAE74%q8kmCZ | M.B.A Course duration: 2 years | J9uNHw: (د.إ99,860/Yr)₹25.78L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -- |  Jumeira University, DubaiDubai, UAE | BBA Business Analytics Course duration: 4 years Exams Accepted: IELTS5.0 | J9uNHw: (د.إ50,400/Yr)₹13.01L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -- |  Symbiosis Dubai, DubaiDubai, UAE | Master of Business Administration [MBA] Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: IELTS6 | J9uNHw: (د.إ44,425/Yr)₹11.47L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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