The UAE has grown rapidly in areas such as architecture, technology, AI, health care, and other sectors. Education and skills development are a major part of this progress, and many Emirati students look for scholarship opportunities that can help them study in the UAE or abroad.
Many universities and government entities offer scholarship options for eligible Emirati students. In the UAE, scholarship routes are now listed through the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR), while specialized programs such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Scholarship Program support eligible UAE nationals who meet the relevant admission, university, major, and service requirements. Read on to learn about scholarship opportunities that may be useful for Emirati students.
Scholarships for Emirati Students
1. Cornell University Scholarships
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: No minimum or maximum gift-aid amount; awards are based on demonstrated financial need
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s degree for the undergraduate aid covered by the linked financial aid page; graduate funding varies by school and program | Offered by: Cornell University and donors from Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university that offers a wide range of majors. It is a privately endowed research university and a partner of the State University of New York. Its financial aid options make it an important option for students who want to study abroad and need support with educational costs.
Cornell grants and endowed scholarships are need-based gift aid for eligible undergraduates and do not need to be repaid. Cornell’s undergraduate admission process for international students is need-aware, but the university states that it meets 100% of admitted international undergraduates’ demonstrated financial need through annual aid offers that may include Cornell grants, work-study, and reasonable student loans.
Cornell does not award merit or athletic scholarships; all Cornell grant aid is need-based. There is no minimum or maximum amount of gift aid that can be awarded, and amounts vary according to demonstrated financial need.
Endowed scholarships are another category available at Cornell for eligible undergraduate students who qualify for a Cornell grant and match donor-established criteria. No separate application is necessary for these endowed scholarships, and they may also help establish a direct connection between the student and the donor.
2. Istituto Marangoni Milano Scholarships
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: Varies by scholarship; recent official contests have included tuition-fee reductions of up to 30% to 50%, with the enrollment fee usually still due
- Eligible Degree/s: Undergraduate and postgraduate courses | Offered by: Istituto Marangoni
Istituto Marangoni is a well-known option for students interested in fashion, design, art, beauty, and luxury-related fields. The institution states that it awards scholarships every year for undergraduate and postgraduate courses across campuses such as Milan, Florence, Paris, London, Dubai, and Mumbai to talented applicants.
Scholarship calls, project themes, campuses, deadlines, and award amounts change by intake. For that reason, Emirati students should use the official scholarship page to confirm which contests are currently open for the Milan campus and for their intended program before applying.
Some recent official Istituto Marangoni contests have offered tuition reductions such as 30% or 50%, while noting that the enrollment fee remains due. Because individual scholarship names and deadlines change frequently, students should not assume that older named projects are still open unless they appear on the current official scholarship page.
3. Aalto University Scholarships
- Scholarship Program Link
- Scholarship Amount: Aalto University Excellence Scholarship, a 100% tuition-fee waiver for selected fee-paying students; tuition fees for study rights beginning on or after August 1, 2025 range from €12,000 to €20,000 per academic year depending on degree level and field
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s | Offered by: Aalto University
Another university offering scholarships that Emirati students may consider is Aalto University. It is a strong option for students interested in fields such as technology, architecture, business, design, and multidisciplinary studies. Most students from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland must pay tuition fees for English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs, but fee-paying applicants may apply for Aalto University scholarships.
For study rights beginning on or after August 1, 2025, Aalto lists bachelor’s tuition fees of €12,000 per academic year for Business and Technology and €15,000 per academic year for Art and Architecture. Master’s tuition fees are €15,000 for Business, €17,000 for Technology and multidisciplinary programs, and €20,000 for Art and Architecture.
Aalto University Excellence Scholarships are limited, merit-based, and awarded competitively to top applicants who are liable to pay tuition fees. The scholarship is a full tuition-fee waiver, but it does not cover living costs. Students must apply for the scholarship as part of the admission application during the application period; they cannot apply after the application period has ended.
Emirati students who are also seeking UAE government scholarship support should separately check MOHESR’s current approved universities and majors list before applying, as the ministry updates the scholarship list and applies eligibility rules by cycle.
4. Emily Carr University Scholarships
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: Varies; international undergraduate entrance scholarships currently range from CAD 2,000 to CAD 5,000, while graduate entrance scholarships are non-renewable tuition waivers
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s | Offered by: Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Emily Carr University of Art + Design is a Canadian university focused on art, media, and design. Emirati students may consider a range of funding options at this university, depending on their level of study and eligibility.
- Entrance Scholarships
- ECU Tuition Scholarships
- External Awards and Funding
- Graduate Entrance Scholarships
Emily Carr states that several international entrance scholarships, ranging from CAD 2,000 to CAD 5,000, are available for undergraduate study and that applicants are automatically considered when they apply. Awards are based on a combination of academic achievement and artistic merit.
For graduate students, Emily Carr offers graduate entrance scholarships to incoming students with high academic achievement and creative potential. These awards are non-renewable, non-transferable tuition waivers for domestic and international applicants in all graduate programs, and no separate application is required.
Students from the UAE who hope to use government support should verify whether Emily Carr University and the intended major appear in the current MOHESR approved list before applying for any UAE government scholarship route.
5. Heinrich Boll Scholarships in Germany
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: Varies depending on the degree and eligibility category
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, Ph.D. for international applicants who completed their previous degree outside Germany; undergraduate applications are not available through the current international application route | Offered by: Heinrich Böll Foundation, with funding listed by the Foundation from German federal sources including the Federal Foreign Office
Germany can also be a scholarship destination for some Emirati students. One option to review is the Heinrich Böll Foundation scholarship program, which supports graduate students and Ph.D. students pursuing study in Germany. However, Emirati applicants should check eligibility carefully because the current Foundation page emphasizes support for graduate and Ph.D. students from DAC countries and gives priority to applicants from DAC countries who have not yet taken up residence in Germany.
International students who completed their first degree abroad may apply before starting a master’s degree program in Germany, while international Ph.D. students who completed their graduate degree abroad may apply for a Ph.D. program in Germany. The Foundation’s current application page states that an application for an undergraduate scholarship is not possible for graduates and doctoral students from outside Germany.
German language proficiency is required for international applicants. The Foundation states that good or very good German is required, at least B2 level or DSH1. Applications are accepted online, and the Foundation lists March 1 and September 1 as application deadlines.
FAQs: Scholarship Opportunities for Emirati Students
Which Country Offers the Best Scholarships for Emirati Students?
The best country for Emirati students depends on the student’s field, target university, degree level, language requirements, and whether the student is applying through a university scholarship or a UAE government scholarship. The USA, Canada, Finland, Italy, Germany, and other countries all have scholarship options that may be suitable for different students.
For UAE government scholarship routes, students should check MOHESR’s current approved universities and majors list and the requirements for the relevant scholarship cycle. MOHESR states that students applying for scholarships must obtain academic admission in a major listed in the approved universities and majors list, and that the list is updated annually. Specialized government scholarships, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Scholarship Program, may have their own eligibility rules, approved university lists, language requirements, and service commitments.
The scholarships stated above are available to eligible students in a range of fields. Not only can these opportunities help students excel academically, but they may also help them manage their educational expenses more efficiently.
We hope that this article on the best scholarships for Emiratis was educational for you. To learn more, visit Available Courses for International Students and our Scholarships Page for information on scholarships and universities across the globe!
