The United Arab Emirates is an excellent destination for your college education. Whether you are looking to start your undergraduate studies, improve your knowledge and skills through a master’s program, or explore research through a Ph.D. degree, the UAE has many options for you. In addition to its many universities, international students may be able to study in the UAE for free or at a substantially reduced cost through competitive scholarships and financial aid.
Through the help of scholarships and careful comparison of tuition costs, you can have more resources to enjoy your time in the United Arab Emirates. Its seven emirates, each with its own local government, culture, traditions, and landscape, can give you plenty of diversity. From shopping and sightseeing to trekking, water sports, dune bashing, and cultural performances, you will never run out of things to do in this country.
How to Study in the UAE for Free
1. Prepare Your Application and Submit it Before the Deadline
Studying abroad can bring you numerous growth opportunities. Along with learning how to adjust to people and culture in your destination country, you will also realize how important it is to develop lifelong skills and character to help you stand on your own feet. To get ready for your journey to a whole new academic world, make sure that you are equipped to manage hardships and adjustments while understanding that you still have a lot more to learn along the way.
Being a hardworking student and consistently striving for academic excellence can equip you with the necessary lifelong skills and values for studying abroad. On the surface, being an exemplary student can also build a strong academic profile capable of securing a spot at universities abroad. Keep in mind that when applying for college, universities will evaluate grades, GPA, test scores, achievements, and awards to gauge your potential and decide on your acceptance. Strong credentials can also improve your chances of receiving scholarships that may allow you to study in the UAE for free or at a lower cost.
Along with studying hard to strengthen your academic profile, you should also start choosing the universities you intend to apply to. Having a list can help you monitor application deadlines. This way, you can manage the time you need to prepare your application early and secure all necessary travel documents. Along with its content, a good application should be submitted on time.
2. Apply for Scholarships at Universities in the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is one of the countries that promises an exciting college experience. Besides its reputable universities, you can also apply for scholarships to help you get through college with fewer financial struggles. Scholarships in the UAE can make it possible to study in the UAE for free or at a reduced cost, and they can also help you focus more on your studies by reducing financial stress.
Applying for scholarships in the UAE should come along with your preparation for college admission. While some universities automatically consider applicants for their scholarship programs, you may still have to actively submit applications to some scholarship and award programs to be considered. Keep in mind that there is no limit to how many scholarship applications you can send. The earlier you submit your applications for scholarships, with careful consideration of your eligibility, the better your chances of winning an award.
3. Attend Affordable Universities in the UAE
You might ask yourself, what happens if you don’t get accepted to any of the scholarship programs you applied for in the United Arab Emirates? Does that mean the end of your dream of studying abroad? It does not. While getting a full scholarship in college is the ultimate goal, you should also be open to other outcomes of your application.
Fortunately, you can apply to several universities, including those with program-based tuition and scholarship or discount options. Examples to compare include the University of Sharjah, Ajman University, and Al Ain University. Current tuition is usually published in AED and varies by program and credit load. For 2025/2026, the University of Sharjah lists undergraduate annual fees beginning at AED 47,320 for listed programs and reaching AED 130,430 for MBBS. Ajman University lists many undergraduate programs by credit hour, generally from AED 1,200 to AED 2,668 per credit hour, with Medicine charged at AED 127,050 per year. Al Ain University lists bachelor’s credit-hour fees that vary by campus and program, commonly around AED 1,200 to AED 1,800. Because these figures can change, always check the current fee page before applying.
Tuition-free Options for Bachelor’s Studies in the UAE
NYU Abu Dhabi offers need-based financial aid for undergraduate students. NYU Abu Dhabi accepts financial support applications from students regardless of citizenship, and financial aid for non-Emirati citizens is based on demonstrated financial need. Award amounts vary depending on the student’s financial need, and institutional aid offered at admission is typically renewed at the same level during enrollment, provided the student follows the renewal requirements.
The United Arab Emirates University also provides tuition-fee discounts for eligible international undergraduate students admitted from the 2025/2026 academic year onward. Its Chancellor’s Scholarship for Elite Students can provide a 100% tuition-fee discount to eligible new students, but it covers tuition only and does not cover housing or admission application fees. Khalifa University also offers undergraduate scholarships for UAE national and international students on a tiered basis. International students are assessed during the admission process and may receive full or partial tuition support, depending on academic merit and other relevant factors; meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee an award.
Another university worth considering is the American University of Sharjah. AUS offers a range of undergraduate grants and scholarships, including the President’s Scholarship for eligible applicants who completed secondary education outside the UAE. This scholarship covers 100% of tuition and lab fees and includes additional benefits such as a monthly stipend, on-campus housing, student medical insurance, round-trip tickets during the years of study, and an application fee waiver. AUS also keeps a separate international scholarships resource page that lists external opportunities, such as the Islamic Development Bank and the Worldwide Fund for Nature, but AUS notes that its International Exchange Office is not affiliated with those organizations and does not take part in their application processes.
Tuition-free Options for Master’s Studies in the UAE
Finishing your master’s degree for free is also possible in the United Arab Emirates, depending on the university, program, and scholarship awarded. The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) makes this possible for outstanding full-time graduate students in eligible programs. For M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs, MBZUAI grants full scholarships to full-time admitted students, but scholarships do not apply to the Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence. The graduate scholarship includes 100% tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, UAE visa sponsorship for non-UAE nationals, and health insurance. Students should note that MBZUAI’s stipend is inclusive of housing support, and housing costs are paid from the stipend.
Meanwhile, Khalifa University offers competitive, merit-based scholarships for eligible master’s students. Depending on the scholarship awarded, benefits may include full or partial tuition coverage, textbooks, accommodation, medical insurance, visa processing support, and travel assistance to and from the UAE for students residing abroad.
You can also apply for a master’s degree at the American University of Sharjah. Graduate students may be considered for competitive full or partial Graduate Assistantships, which may include tuition support and other benefits, or for work-study opportunities. Meanwhile, Zayed University offers limited and competitive graduate financial support. All entering graduate students, regardless of nationality, are automatically considered for graduate merit scholarships, with awards based on the applicant’s undergraduate CGPA. These merit awards can cover 10%, 25%, or 40% of tuition costs, and other limited discounts or external scholarship options may apply depending on the student’s status and program.
By receiving a full scholarship or enough combined financial support, you may be able to study for a master’s degree in the UAE for free or at a reduced cost.
Tuition-free Options for Ph.D. Studies in the UAE
There are also several options to study in a Ph.D. program in the United Arab Emirates for free. One is at the United Arab Emirates University. UAEU offers a Ph.D. Scholarship for all nationalities in certain majors. The award provides full and continuous financial support, including a full tuition waiver, a monthly stipend, health insurance if needed, and possible research-project bonuses. The scholarship lasts up to four years. Applicants should have a GPA of at least 3.5 out of 4.0 in their master’s degree, have no employment or other financial sponsorship, meet Ph.D. admission requirements, and have a dissertation in one of the UAE priority sectors, such as renewable energy, transportation, health, water, technology, or space.
The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence also grants eligible full-time admitted Ph.D. students full scholarships that include 100% tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, UAE visa sponsorship for non-UAE nationals, and health insurance. Successful applicants must maintain high academic standing, follow the university’s code of conduct, and meet academic and research expectations. Lastly, Khalifa University offers competitive, merit-based Ph.D. scholarships. Depending on the award, benefits may include full or partial tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, textbooks, accommodation, medical insurance, visa processing support and travel assistance for students residing abroad, conference support, international research internship support, and teaching and career-development opportunities.
To get accepted by a university in the UAE, make sure to build a strong academic profile and highlight your achievements when you submit your applications. Sending your applications earlier than the deadline is a must. With a competitive college application, you may even be considered for fully funded scholarships at your chosen university.
We hope this article on how to study in the UAE for free was helpful. If you are interested, make sure to also check out the Study in the UAE and Available Programs for International Students!
