The United Arab Emirates, more commonly known as the UAE, is a high-income country with a diversified economy. Oil and gas remain important, but non-oil sectors now make up most of the country’s real GDP, and tourism is one of the sectors supporting non-hydrocarbon growth.
As the economy has diversified, universities in the country have continued to update their academic programs in areas such as engineering, business, technology, health sciences, architecture, and other professional fields. Today, the UAE is recognized as a major higher education destination in the Arab world.
Globalization is strongly reflected in the UAE’s higher education sector. Many universities promote internationalization and offer programs taught in English. However, students should always confirm the language of instruction and English-proficiency requirements for their chosen program before applying.
In this article, we look at the best English-taught schools in the UAE!
Top Universities for English-taught Programs in UAE
1. United Arab Emirates University
Founded in 1976, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) is a comprehensive national university based in Al Ain, in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Its academic fields include engineering, computing, business, agriculture, science, and health sciences. Research addresses regional challenges such as water resources, food production, and human health, connecting academic study with practical applications.
Verified English-medium undergraduate options include the Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. Their College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine explicitly identifies English as its language of instruction. Food Science covers the scientific and technological principles behind food production, processing, packaging, safety, and quality. Horticulture focuses on plant production and related agricultural systems, supported by the college’s research farms and laboratories. These are full degree programs, although university-wide requirements should be distinguished from the language used for major coursework.
English-language graduate options include master’s programs in Horticulture, Information Security, Information Technology Management, and Software Engineering. Doctoral opportunities include the Ph.D. in Horticultural Science and Ph.D. in Informatics and Computing, providing research pathways beyond taught master’s study. UAEU offers both professional and research-oriented graduate qualifications; English instruction is not universal across its graduate catalog, which also includes Arabic-taught programs.
What Current Students / Alumni of United Arab Emirates University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Dr. Huned Materwala
Ph.D. in Informatics and Computing | He reports that all his classes, exams, research work, and dissertation were in English. He also communicated with his supervisor and colleagues in English. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”0″} | Arabic was not necessary for his academic work; he reports no academic barrier from not knowing it. |
2. American University of Sharjah
The American University of Sharjah is a multicultural university that admits students based on their qualifications and welcomes a diverse student body. Its international study and exchange office also supports study-abroad and exchange opportunities with partner institutions, giving students ways to experience different academic and cultural settings.
One of the main reasons why the university is a popular choice for international students is that the language of instruction at the American University of Sharjah is English. AUS offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs through four academic units: the College of Architecture, Art and Design; the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Engineering; and the School of Business Administration. Its current graduate offerings include 23 master’s degrees and three Ph.D. programs, while its academic pages list a wide range of bachelor’s degrees, minors, and concentrations.
3. Khalifa University of Science and Technology
Khalifa University is one of the highest-ranked universities in the UAE and is ranked 177th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026. English is the official language of instruction and assessment. The university offers bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. programs mainly in engineering, computing, science, medicine, and health sciences. Admission requirements vary by level and program, so applicants should check each program’s page for required subjects and English-language scores.
Energy-related study remains an important strength at Khalifa University. Current undergraduate options include Petroleum Engineering, while graduate options include the MSc and Ph.D. in Petroleum Geosciences. The university also offers a wide range of programs in engineering and sciences, and its undergraduate program page states that all undergraduate programs are accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
4. Abu Dhabi University
- Study Program | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Degrees taught in English: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D. programs are available in English, although some programs, including selected law and Arabic mass communication programs, are taught in Arabic.
Abu Dhabi University is a private, multi-campus university in the UAE that offers programs across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Its website states that it offers more than 65 internationally accredited programs, and its program finder lists programs across business, engineering, architecture, law, health sciences, media, and other areas. The university has campuses in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra.
Some undergraduate programs currently offered include Mass Communication, Business Administration, Architecture, Aviation, and Engineering. Health science options include Molecular and Medical Genetics, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Public Health, Biomedical Sciences: Laboratory Medicine, Environmental Health and Safety, and Clinical Psychology and Mental Health. ADU also offers several doctoral options, including the Doctor of Business Administration, Ph.D. in Education, Ph.D. in Engineering Management, Ph.D. in Intelligent Systems Engineering, and Ph.D. in Law.
We hope this article on Best English-Taught Universities in the United Arab Emirates was helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
