The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is located in the Middle East and consists of seven independent states. The nursing profession is thriving in UAE, with nurses from different parts of the world seeking employment in the country for its high salary and multiple benefits.
The health care system of the country was initially largely based on traditional practices and the nursing profession was unregulated, consisting of locally trained nurses and nurses from other countries such as India and other Arab countries. In the late 1900s, the first nursing institute was established in Abu Dhabi followed by the foundation of other institutes all over the country. The agency to regulate nursing education and practice was not formed until 1992.
UAE established its domain on international education by housing various international campuses within its borders and offering English-taught programs in its universities.
Let us take a look at the top nursing institutions in the United Arab Emirates!
Top Schools Offering Nursing Programs in the UAE
1. University of Wollongong – Dubai Campus
Dubai has the University of Wollongong, the first Australian university and among the best institutions for nursing in the UAE, and has also established other campuses in Hong Kong and Malaysia. The educational quality of the university is well-known in Australia and is among the top universities in the world. Its teaching staff is composed of individuals with Ph.D. level education who are actively involved in research on different fields of study. Nursing education is taught in English, and English language proficiency is required.
The Master of Nursing program is taken for two years and costs AED 9,415.35 / USD 2,565 per subject. Its current curriculum requires the completion of nine subjects for the whole program. Both degrees are issued by the University of Wollongong Australia upon graduation.
See Also: Best Scholarships in UAE
2. University of Sharjah
The University of Sharjah offers its nursing program under the College of Health Sciences. It was established in 1997 and has grown to be ranked 3rd in UAE for its quality education and research contributions. Its teaching staff is composed of diverse origins, with some of which are recruited abroad. The University of Sharjah is one of the best universities for nursing in the UAE that also boasts of its internationalized student body, housing a large number of international students within its halls. Currently, it has 3 other branches that are in Khorfakkan, Kalba, and Al Dhaid.
The undergraduate nursing program was offered in 1999, and the Master’s in nursing was established in 2020. An evidence-based approach is utilized in the curriculum for this program. The undergraduate nursing program is taken for 4 years, with English as its language of instruction, costing US$14,032 per year. Its Master’s program also taught in English, is taken for 2-4 years, and is offered in full-time and part-time status, costing US$829 per credit (36 credits). A bridging program for nursing diploma holders is also offered.
3. Gulf Medical University
The Gulf Medical University located in Ajman was founded in 1998 and has grown to be a leading medical university in UAE. It is affiliated with Thumbay Clinics and Thumbay Pharmaceuticals for its clinical placements. Its facilities are world-class with laboratories, learning centers, and simulation centers.
The College of Nursing in the Gulf Medical University is among the top schools for nursing in the UAE which was established in 2014 under the College of Health and Sciences. In 2018, it became an autonomous college. The college offers two programs in nursing: an undergraduate program taken for four years costing US$10,509 per year, and a bridging program for nursing diploma holders taken for two years costing US$8,576 per year.
Learn More: Best Scholarships for Emirati Students
4. RAK Medical and Health Sciences University
The RAK Medical and Health Sciences University was founded by the ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and is the first extensive medical school in the UAE. Its first convocation program was held in 2011, and since then, the university started to offer various other programs related to health. The RAK College of Nursing is a top school for nursing in the UAE that grants scholarships to its students and most tuition fees are lessened with discounts.
The College of Nursing was founded in 2007 and has grown to offer 2 undergraduate programs, a Master’s in nursing with different specialties that are first in UAE, and a possible Ph.D. in the future. The undergraduate program is offered as a four-year course for high school graduates, and a two-year course for nursing diploma holders costing US$5,445 per year. The Master’s in nursing is available in the following specialties that are taken in two years: adult health and gerontology, pediatric nursing, psychiatric mental health, community health, and midwifery nursing. This program costs US$8,168 per year.
5. Fatima College of Health Sciences
The Fatima College of Health Sciences was established in 2006 in response to the growing demand for health workers in the UAE. The College started by offering a nursing program in collaboration with Griffith University in Australia. Since then, the college has grown to offer 10 more degree programs and even diploma-level education. The College was named after the mother of UAE, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al-Katabi. It has campuses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ajman, and Al Dhafra. The college works together with Monash University for the development and innovation of its programs.
The College’s nursing program is well-known nationally for its world-class nursing curriculum in the UAE, quality education, and for preparing its students for their role in the field post-graduation. The 4-year undergraduate program requires completion of 127 credit hours and costs US$68 per credit. The bridging program taken for 2 years requires 65 credit hours costing US$68 per credit.
The country offers nursing education from undergraduate to postgraduate studies, and even continuing education for professionals. Bridging programs are also available for nursing diploma holders that allow them to finish an undergraduate program in two years. Take a chance and apply to one of these universities for your nursing studies.
We hope this article on the Best Nursing Schools in the UAE was helpful. Make sure to check out the Study in UAE and Available Programs for International Students pages to learn more about studying abroad.
