Study in the United Arab Emirates
International branch campuses of UK, Australian and US universities, a short flight from Cairo, with a student residence visa sponsored by your university.
For students starting in 2027. Last checked October 2026.
Key facts
- Tuition
- About AED 45,000 to 155,000 a year for a bachelor’s
- Money for the visa
- No fixed national amount. The university that sponsors your visa sets its visa fee and any deposit
- Student visa
- Student residence visa sponsored by the university
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3 to 4 years, depending on the home university
- Master’s degree
- 1 to 2 years
- Main intake
- September or January (some also May or summer)
- Work during study
- Only with a student work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE)
- How you apply
- Directly to each university
- After you graduate
- No post-study work visa; most graduates move to an employer-sponsored visa
Each figure is explained in full further down this guide.
Intakes and deadlines for 2027
Applications
Most campuses admit on a rolling basis. Apply three to six months before you want to start, to leave time for the visa.
Main intakes
September and January each year; some campuses also admit in May or the summer.
Why students choose the United Arab Emirates
An international degree, closer to home
Branch campuses award the home university’s degree and usually follow its curriculum.
Several start dates
Many campuses admit in September and January, and some in May or the summer.
A short flight
Cairo to Dubai takes about three and a half to four hours, so you can travel home often.
How degrees and applications work
UK branch campuses follow the UK system: usually a three-year bachelor’s, sometimes after a foundation year, and a one-year master’s. Australian and US campuses follow their own systems.
Most campuses are in Dubai’s education free zones and are licensed by Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). You apply directly to each university.
If you may later work in Egypt’s public sector or a regulated profession, check how your degree will be recognised in Egypt before you enrol.
Entry requirements
- IGCSE and A-Level
- Entry usually follows the home university’s rules; many campuses accept two or three A-Levels, and some take IGCSE students into a foundation year.
- IB Diploma
- The IB Diploma is accepted.
- American Diploma
- Accepted with your GPA, for direct entry or after a foundation year.
- English
- IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 or equivalent.
Tuition and living costs
- Bachelor’s tuition
- About AED 45,000 to 155,000 a year, depending on the university and subject.
- Master’s tuition
- Often priced for the whole programme rather than per year; check each university.
- Money for the visa
- No fixed national amount. The university that sponsors your visa sets its visa fee and any deposit.
Student residence visa
- What you need
- An admission letter, a passport, a medical fitness test in the UAE and an Emirates ID. Your university applies for you through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai. You must be at least 18; if your parents live in the UAE, they can sponsor you instead.
- Length
- One year, renewed each year with proof that you are still enrolled.
- Fee
- Set by the university; ask for the full cost, including the medical test and Emirates ID, before you accept.
- Work during study
- Only with a student work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
- After graduation
- There is no dedicated post-study work visa. Most graduates move to an employer-sponsored work visa. The 10-year Golden Visa is open to some outstanding graduates under criteria set by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
We prepare your visa file as part of our visa service, which is separate from your free first consultation. About visa services
Applying for a master’s
Branch campuses offer one-year master’s degrees and MBAs, some in evening or weekend formats for working students.
Scholarships
Most campuses give merit scholarships to new students based on school or university grades, usually as a percentage off tuition.
Across all our destinations: $15M+ in scholarships secured for our students over eight years. Your counsellor tells you which awards fit your profile and when to apply.
Sources: UAE Government portal (u.ae), GDRFA Dubai, Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and MoHRE, October 2026. Ranges are typical and vary by university and course.
Common questions about studying in the United Arab Emirates
How long is a degree in the United Arab Emirates?
How do I apply to university in the United Arab Emirates?
How much does it cost to study in the United Arab Emirates?
Which student visa do I need for the United Arab Emirates?
Can I stay and work in the United Arab Emirates after I graduate?
Talk to a counsellor
Thinking about the United Arab Emirates? Your first consultation is free, in one of our offices or online. Bring your latest grades and we will tell you where you stand.
We reply within 24 hours.