Tips for Students Entering Dubai for Study

it is easy to miss the fact that the city of Dubai amidst its opulence, is also a rising academic destination. For example, today there are private, non-sectarian institutions like the American University in Dubai, which offer both US and UAE accreditations for all its programs and Dubai today is not only famous for a number of reputed home-grown universities like University of Dubai  and Zayed University. If you are considering how to get admission in Dubai institutions to study, you will also be encouraged by the fact that the majority of the around 85% expatriate population in the city speaks English. This will make it much easier for you to get through with your daily life smoothly.

Generally, once the destination is fixed, students want to know all the relevant details related to it as a lot of preparation goes into studying abroad. This may include information regarding popular courses and how to pursue studies in top universities of that destination. Students may find it a little difficult to get key information easily like other destinations since Dubai is an upcoming destination. So, we have put all the crucial information regarding higher education in Dubai in one place in a bid to make it easier for students, in this article. Please read on.



Before planning to study in Dubai the top queries are:

Q: To study in Dubai, how do we apply?

A normal academic year is made up of Fall [September-December] in case of American University in Dubai (AUD), and Spring [January-April] semesters. Also, the two summer sessions are May-June and July-August. In the case of Heriot Watt University, with all programs having a September intake, applications are accepted on a rolling basis. English language requirements - IELTS/TOEFL are one of the academic requirements for admission into a university in Dubai. In addition, good scores in GMAT is expected from students applying for MBA programs. Along with all the above, students need to submit letter of recommendations and GRE scores in certain cases.

Q: For international students to study in Dubai what are the major scholarships available?

For international students to study in Dubai there are a number of major scholarships that they can avail while studying in the city. These include scholarships covering 15% to 50% of tuition fee costs offered by UOWD to new and existing students. Students can receive no more than one scholarship (or tuition grant) at a time and are generally allowed to apply for as many scholarships as they wish. There are umpteen number of scholarships given by a long list of universities in Dubai for international students as well.

Q: The Expenses to study in Dubai?

For Indian students the rise of Dubai as an academic destination is good news because the cost of studying in Dubai is comparatively lower than popular study abroad destinations like the US and Australia. For example, AED 156,000 is the cost of a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Murdoch University Dubai, which spreads over three years. Now a similar course at public universities every year in the USA would cost around $22,958. In private universities for undergraduate studies the fee is even higher and can reach up to $31,231 per year, which in comparison is much higher than in Dubai. Now although the Murdoch University Dubai’s the tuition fee isn’t the standard across other universities in Dubai, it more or less gives you a fair idea of the fee range.

Q: Student visa in Dubai

International students need to obtain student visas for the duration of their study before commencing their study in Dubai. Until the study program is over, the student visa is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed each year before expiry. In the UAE, a ‘Student Residence Visa’ is granted later instead students are first granted ‘Student Entry Permit’. Students need to first accept the Offer of Admission to get student visa in Dubai, extended by their respective universities after you fulfil all the academic conditions, wherever applicable, and submit all the relevant financial documentation.

With all the big corporations having their branches in Dubai, it is a commercial hub for students as they would face little difficulty in finding jobs. Also, work opportunities in Dubai are unlimited upon completion of studies. So definitely, Dubai is one of the best destinations for higher education abroad.