Planning to study in the United Arab Emirates? You may be glad to know that government, foundation, and university scholarships are available to help international students study at UAE institutions.
Depending on your university of choice, you may have the chance to study in one of the seven emirates of the UAE: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. If you’re interested in studying at top universities in the Gulf region, here are top scholarships in the UAE for international students.
Top Scholarships in the United Arab Emirates for International Students
| Scholarship Name | Scholarship Type | Eligible Degrees | Scholarship Value |
|---|
| United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) PhD Fellowship | University Scholarship | PhD | Full tuition waiver, monthly stipend, health insurance if needed, and possible additional assistantship or research-project support |
| Al Qasimi Foundation’s Doctoral Research Grants | External Grant | PhD | Field research expenses in the UAE, return airfare, furnished accommodation for up to 12 months, living stipend, and research support |
| Khalifa University Graduate Scholarships | University Scholarship | Master’s
PhD | Depending on the scholarship awarded: full or partial tuition coverage, textbooks, accommodation, medical insurance, visa/travel assistance, monthly stipend for some PhD awards, and research-related support |
| UAEU Undergraduate Scholarships | University Scholarship | Bachelor’s | 50%, 75%, or 100% tuition-fee discount, depending on the scholarship category |
| Khalifa University Undergraduate Scholarships | University Scholarship | Bachelor’s | Tier-based support for international students: full tuition, 75%, 50%, or 25% tuition waiver, or textbooks only |
1. United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Full tuition waiver, monthly stipend, health insurance if needed, and possible additional assistantship or research-project support
- Eligible Degree/s: PhD, up to 4 years
The PhD Fellowship at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) is available to high-achieving graduate students of all nationalities in selected priority fields. To be eligible, applicants must have a master’s GPA of at least 3.3 out of 4.0, have no employment or other financial sponsorship, have a dissertation in one of the UAE priority sectors, and meet UAEU’s PhD admission requirements. UAEU’s PhD admission requirements include a master’s degree in a related field with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0, a bachelor’s degree in a related field with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0, and an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 or higher, or equivalent, for programs where English is the main language of instruction or the dissertation is written in English.
If granted this scholarship, students may receive a full tuition waiver, a monthly stipend, health insurance if needed, and possible additional support through a supervisor’s research project or an available graduate teaching or administrative assistantship. Recipients are expected to maintain a PhD GPA of at least 3.0, enroll full-time with a minimum of nine credits per semester, be available at UAEU full time, and commit to course and/or research work throughout the year.
To apply for the scholarship, complete the UAEU graduate admission application and the PhD Fellowship application form. Applicants should also prepare the required admission documents, such as certified copies of bachelor’s and master’s degrees and transcripts, English proficiency proof, two letters of recommendation, a CV, passport copy, and other documents required by the university or program.
2. Al Qasimi Foundation’s Doctoral Research Grants
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Field research expenses in the UAE, return airfare, furnished accommodation for up to 12 months, a living stipend, and research support
- Eligible Degree/s: PhD
The Al Qasimi Foundation’s Doctoral Research Grants support PhD candidates who are in the research phase of their dissertations and whose applied research includes Ras Al Khaimah or the UAE as at least one part of the study. The grant is awarded based on academic performance and the relevance of the proposed research. Eligible candidates must be current PhD students in good academic standing at an accredited university. Applicants must also have a TOEFL iBT score of 85 or higher, or an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher, if English is a secondary language.
Applicants must have completed all PhD coursework, be ready to conduct the field research component of the dissertation, and have a research proposal approved or in the process of being approved by an advisor and graduate program. The proposed research must also have Institutional Review Board approval from the applicant’s home institution. The Foundation gives preference to policy-related research in areas such as education, public policy, urban planning, economics, public health, the environment, or closely related fields. Non-policy-related areas such as business or marketing, agronomy, engineering, IT or computer science, laboratory-based or scientific studies, and medical degrees do not qualify.
If granted this UAE scholarship, it will cover student expenses associated with field research in the UAE, including return airfares, furnished accommodation for up to 12 months, a stipend to cover living costs, and research support. To apply, submit the online application form through the Foundation’s grant management portal with the required documents, including a two-page cover letter, CV or resume, current official doctoral transcript and official transcripts for all completed degrees, TOEFL or IELTS report if required, approved or preliminary research proposal, completed budget template, IRB approval documentation or plans, and two letters of reference. The annual call for competitive research grants opens in December and closes on April 15 at 23:59 GST.
3. Khalifa University Graduate Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Depending on the scholarship awarded, benefits may include full or partial tuition coverage, textbooks, accommodation, medical insurance, visa and travel assistance, a monthly stipend for some PhD awards, and research-related support
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, PhD
Khalifa University of Science and Technology provides competitive, merit-based scholarships for UAE national and international graduate students. Awards are based on academic achievement, research potential, field of study, and alignment with the university’s strategic priorities. Scholarship eligibility is subject to academic standing, program progression requirements, and scholarship availability.
For eligible master’s students, scholarship benefits may include full or partial tuition fee coverage, textbooks, accommodation, medical insurance, and visa processing support and travel assistance to and from the UAE for students residing abroad. Applicants should indicate their interest in scholarship support when submitting the admission application.
For eligible PhD students, scholarship benefits may include full or partial tuition fee coverage, a monthly stipend, textbooks, accommodation, medical insurance, visa processing support and travel assistance to and from the UAE for students residing abroad, support for participation in conferences, an international research internship, and teaching experience and career development opportunities. Scholarship awards are considered through the admission process, and applicants are not required to submit a separate scholarship application unless instructed by the university.
4. UAEU Undergraduate Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: 50%, 75%, or 100% tuition-fee discount, depending on the scholarship category
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s
UAEU’s undergraduate scholarship conditions for new students admitted from the 2025/2026 academic year onward apply to international students enrolled from inside or outside the UAE and to children of UAEU faculty members and staff. The Chancellor’s Scholarship for Elite Students offers a 100% tuition-fee discount to students who achieve at least 98% in Grade 12 or its equivalent, meet all general and program-specific admission requirements, and meet English proficiency requirements such as TOEFL iBT 105, TOEFL ITP 590, TOEFL CPT 233, or Academic IELTS 7.5. For most colleges, applicants must also meet a mathematics requirement such as SAT-Math 730 or ACT-Math 32. To continue the scholarship, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.8 and register for at least 15 credit hours per regular semester.
The Chancellor’s Scholarship for Elite Students also offers a 75% tuition-fee discount to students who achieve at least 95% in Grade 12 or its equivalent, meet all general and program-specific admission requirements, and meet English proficiency requirements such as TOEFL iBT 85, TOEFL ITP 550, TOEFL CPT 193, or Academic IELTS 6.5. For most colleges, applicants must also meet a mathematics requirement such as SAT-Math 660 or ACT-Math 28. To continue the scholarship, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.6 and register for at least 15 credit hours per regular semester.
UAEU also lists Chancellor’s Scholarships for Talented Students with 100% or 50% tuition-fee discounts, depending on the category and continuation conditions. These scholarships cover tuition fees only and do not cover housing or admission application fees. New international students may apply through UAEU’s online admission system. Application periods are May, June, and July for the first semester and September, October, and November for the second semester.
5. Khalifa University Undergraduate Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Full tuition, partial tuition, or textbooks, depending on the assigned scholarship tier
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s
Khalifa University offers scholarships to support qualified UAE national and international students enrolled in undergraduate programs on a full-time basis. Scholarship eligibility is assessed as part of the admission process, so applicants are not required to submit a separate scholarship application. The number of available scholarship slots is limited, and meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee a scholarship award.
International students are evaluated and assigned to a scholarship tier based on academic merit and other relevant factors, in line with Khalifa University’s strategic priorities, rules, and regulations. Tier I provides full tuition coverage and textbooks; Tier II provides a 75% tuition waiver and textbooks; Tier III provides a 50% tuition waiver and textbooks; Tier IV provides a 25% tuition waiver and textbooks; and Tier V provides textbooks only.
Scholarship details, admission timelines, and application deadlines may change by admission cycle. Students should review Khalifa University’s admissions and scholarship pages before applying.
Tuition fees are one of the biggest hurdles for international students seeking to study outside their home countries. The UAE is a good option to consider because of the scholarship opportunities available through universities and external foundations. With the scholarships above, early and thorough applications can help international students improve their chances of securing funding.
We hope that this article on scholarships in the UAE for international students was helpful. To find more information like this, check out the Study in UAE and Available Programs for International Students!
