Going to the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates is a strong option if you’re aiming to study humanities abroad. Aside from its mountains, deserts, and beaches, the country offers diverse cultural and academic settings for students pursuing humanities degrees.
When it comes to history and culture, the United Arab Emirates has strong traditions in art, architecture, music, literature, and heritage. With this background, humanities students can explore a wide range of cultural and social topics. The country is also home to globally connected cities such as Dubai, which attracts residents and students from many countries.
Additionally, higher education in the United Arab Emirates includes many licensed and accredited institutions. Many universities offer programs in English, Arabic, or both, and students should confirm that their chosen institution and specialization are accredited or recognized by the relevant authorities. In this article, let’s talk about some of the best universities in the United Arab Emirates for humanities!
Top Schools Offering Humanities Programs in the UAE
1. Zayed University
Founded in 1998, Zayed University is a UAE university named after the country’s founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Today, it has modern campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai that welcome national and international students. Zayed University offers undergraduate and graduate programs across its colleges and emphasizes education and research that contribute to the UAE and beyond.
Out of Zayed University’s seven colleges, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers humanities and social sciences programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. Its undergraduate program is the Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, with concentrations in International Relations, Middle East/Gulf Studies, and Political Economy and Development. Its graduate options include the Master in Diplomacy and International Affairs and the Master of Legal and Judicial Studies.
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences of Zayed University delivers a strong humanities and social sciences education in the UAE. Its faculty and staff come from varied cultural and academic backgrounds, and students combine classroom learning with hands-on experience through internship opportunities. Through this approach, students can connect their studies with careers in public service, diplomacy, policy, research, and the private sector.
2. United Arab Emirates University
The United Arab Emirates University is the first and foremost comprehensive national university in the UAE. Founded in 1976, UAEU opened in 1977 with four faculties and now enrolls approximately 13,000 Emirati and international students. As it has developed, the university has become a leading educational institution with a strong national and international reputation.
The United Arab Emirates University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences is one of the nation’s leading colleges in humanities and social sciences. It serves a diverse community of more than 3,000 students and has eight academic departments, covering areas such as Arabic language and literature, languages and literature, tourism and heritage, cognitive sciences, media and creative industries, geography and urban sustainability, government and society, and social wellbeing. These departments offer a wide range of undergraduate programs and a growing number of master’s and Ph.D. programs.
As a whole, the United Arab Emirates University has a reputation for academic leadership, research, and community service. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences also provides a lively academic environment for students, with research facilities and laboratories that support learning in areas such as linguistics, geography, media, and social research.
3. Al Ain University
Al Ain University is one of the private educational institutions in the United Arab Emirates. Established in 2004, it opened its doors to its first student cohort in 2005 and now operates campuses in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. The university is licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education and has earned several recognitions, including a five-star institutional rating under the QS Stars Rating Systems 2024.
Humanities and related programs are offered through the College of Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences. The college lists programs at the undergraduate, master’s, professional diploma, and doctoral levels across education, humanities, and social sciences. Its programs are designed to cover both academic knowledge and professional preparation, helping students connect their studies with future careers.
Specifically, the college offers undergraduate options such as Arabic Language and Literature, Islamic Studies, English Language and Translation, Applied Psychology, and Applied Sociology. At the graduate level, it offers programs such as Arabic Language Curricula and Instruction, Islamic Education Curricula and Instruction, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. It also lists a Doctor of Philosophy in Education – Arabic Language Curricula and Teaching Methods.
4. University of Sharjah
Home to about 20,754 students, the University of Sharjah is another major educational institution and a top school for humanities in the United Arab Emirates. Established in 1997, it has 14 colleges and offers more than 146 academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. For cost-focused readers, Global Scholarships also discusses affordable institutions in the country.
The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences was established in 1997 and has become a dynamic academic hub for the humanities, arts, and social sciences. It includes departments such as Arabic Language and Literature, Education, Foreign Languages, History and Islamic Civilization, and Sociology. Its programs are accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and are designed to help students develop employability skills.
The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences offers programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. levels. Its graduate offerings include programs in Arabic Language and Literature, History and Islamic Civilization, Applied Sociology, and Translation, and it offers doctoral programs in areas such as Arabic Language and Literature, History and Islamic Civilization, and Applied Sociology.
5. Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is a leading school for humanities in the UAE. It was created in 2006 through an agreement between Paris-Sorbonne University, now Sorbonne University, Université Paris Cité, and the Government of Abu Dhabi. The university follows the French higher education model, and degrees are awarded by Sorbonne University and Université Paris Cité. With its roots in the Sorbonne’s long academic heritage, it offers a multicultural and multilingual learning environment in Abu Dhabi.
The School of Arts and Humanities at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is broad. For humanities studies, it includes departments such as Archaeology and History of Art, French as a Foreign Language, French Studies, Geography and Planning, History, Philosophy and Sociology, and Marketing, Communication and Media. Its programs include bachelor’s degrees and master’s programs in areas such as art, heritage, humanities, history, geography, sociology, and communication.
In 2019, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi was awarded Best University in Humanities in the Middle East at the Forbes Middle East Higher Education Awards. Today, it continues to offer humanities education in a modern campus setting, with academic programs connected to French and UAE accreditation systems.
Pursuing or continuing your humanities studies in the UAE is worth considering as an international student. The country has a lot to offer in terms of culture, languages, and academic opportunities. Do not hesitate to check out the institutions mentioned above as you plan your studies. All the best in your pursuit!
We hope this article on the best humanities universities in the UAE was helpful. If you are interested in learning more, check out the Study in UAE and Available Programs for International Students pages for more informative articles.
