The United Arab Emirates may not be the immediate choice for every international student, but it remains one of the strong study options in the Gulf region. Here, learners can enjoy sunny weather, coastal cities, and an international higher education environment.
That being said, if you’re looking for a study destination in the Gulf, you should add the UAE to your list. With the more affordable universities in the UAE, you can reduce your study costs while earning a recognized degree.
Affordable Schools in UAE for International Students
1. University of Sharjah
The University of Sharjah, or UOS, is a private university in Sharjah, UAE. Founded in 1997 by Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, it was established to meet the academic needs of the region. With current undergraduate tuition starting at around AED 47,300 per year, the University of Sharjah remains one of the more affordable UAE universities on this list.
UOS is also strongly ranked internationally. It is listed in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and the QS Arab Region rankings, making it a competitive option for students who want an affordable university with a recognized regional and global profile.
Based in Sharjah, UOS offers programs across fields such as Sharia and Islamic Studies, Arts and Humanities, Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Law, Fine Arts and Design, Communication, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Science, and Computing and Informatics.
UOS is one of the more internationalized schools in UAE, with thousands of international students enrolled alongside local students.
2. ALDAR Academy for Vocational Education
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from AED 15,000/semester (Level 3 diploma) | from AED 35,000/year (Level 5 diploma)
ALDAR Academy for Vocational Education, originally Aldar University College, was established in 1994 in Dubai. Today, it focuses on applied and vocational education, including UK-recognized qualifications, instead of the older bachelor’s-degree structure listed in some previous catalogues.
Current study options include Higher National Diploma Level 5 programs in Business, ICT and Computing, Digital Technologies, Engineering, and Health and Social Care. It also offers Level 3 diploma options, Academic English, and IELTS or PTE preparation courses.
ALDAR states that scholarships or discounts apply to course fees only, while English preparation, examination, and other fees are excluded. Students should confirm the latest discount rules directly with the institution before applying.
3. American University in the Emirates
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from AED 1,482/credit hr. (undergraduate general education courses) | from AED 116,550 total estimated fees (graduate)
The American University in the Emirates, or AUE, was founded in 2006. This private university is located in Dubai International Academic City and offers programs through eight colleges: Business Administration, Engineering and Technology, Design, Education, Law, Media and Mass Communication, Security and Global Studies, and Health Sciences.
AUE lists 16 undergraduate and 16 graduate programs. Its graduate options include programs in Business Administration, Sports Management, Knowledge Management, Diplomacy, Security and Strategic Studies, Sports Law, Arbitration, Criminal Sciences, and Intellectual Property.
AUE’s College of Business Administration programs, including the BBA, MBA, and Master of Sport Management, are accredited by AACSB International. Its Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
4. Ajman University
Ajman University, an affordable university in the United Arab Emirates, is ranked #397 in the QS World University Rankings 2027. It is also ranked #12 in the QS Arab Region rankings.
Founded in 1988, Ajman University was the first private university in the Gulf Cooperation Council. It was also the first university in the UAE to admit expatriate students of both genders, a tradition that continues today.
The university offers dozens of accredited programs across colleges such as Architecture, Art and Design; Business Administration; Dentistry; Engineering and Information Technology; Humanities and Sciences; Law; Mass Communication; Medicine; and Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Its current fee schedule includes programs in fields such as Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and Cybersecurity.
5. Abu Dhabi University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from AED 1,300/credit hr. (undergraduate) | from AED 2,835/credit hr. (master’s)
Abu Dhabi University, one of the major private universities in the UAE, was established in 2003. It has campuses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Dubai.
The university offers more than 65 programs through colleges that include Arts, Education and Social Sciences; Business; Engineering; Law; and Health Sciences. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, Abu Dhabi University is ranked #348 globally and fifth among UAE universities.
Abu Dhabi University has more than 10,000 students representing over 100 nationalities. International students may also review the university’s scholarship and financial aid options, including academic, athletic, university, family tuition waiver, and merit-based graduate scholarships.
6. United Arab Emirates University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from AED 1,900/credit hr. (undergraduate) | from AED 1,600/credit hr. (graduate)
The United Arab Emirates University, or UAEU, is the country’s first comprehensive national university. It was founded in 1976 by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and is based in Al Ain.
UAEU is one of the UAE’s highest-ranked universities. It is ranked #217 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and #5 in the QS Arab Region rankings. The university also reports a global ranking band of 201–250 in Times Higher Education.
This affordable university in the UAE offers undergraduate and graduate programs through nine colleges, including Business and Economics, Education, Engineering, Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Humanities and Social Sciences, Law, Information Technology, Medicine and Health Sciences, and Science.
UAEU has helped produce some of the country’s notable graduates, including public officials, business leaders, artists, and military officials.
Today, UAEU enrolls more than 20,000 Emirati and international students, with students representing many countries around the world.
FAQs: Studying in the United Arab Emirates
What Are the Requirements for Studying in the United Arab Emirates?
Requirements vary by university, degree level, and program. In general, undergraduate applicants need to submit secondary school records or certificates, while graduate applicants need a bachelor’s degree and academic transcripts. Some programs also set minimum grades, GPAs, interviews, portfolios, or subject-specific requirements.
Proof of English proficiency is usually required for English-taught programs. This can often be done by taking the IELTS or the TOEFL exam, although exact score requirements differ by university and program.
Can You Study in English at Emirati Universities?
Yes, there are English-taught universities in the UAE. Many universities offer programs in English, although the language of instruction depends on the school and program. Some Arabic, Islamic Studies, Law, and Communication programs may be taught in Arabic.
Khalifa University, for one, offers an English program with three 3-credit courses. Schools such as UAE University also publish English-language requirements or support options for students who need to meet set English proficiency standards.
We hope that this article on the cheap universities in UAE was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Study in UAE and Available Programs for International Students!
