Study in United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Scholarship Overview
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a popular destination for international students because of its modern education system, strong economy, multicultural environment, and growing number of internationally recognized universities. Many universities offer English-taught programs and generous scholarships for outstanding international students.
Types of Scholarships in UAE
1. United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) Scholarships
United Arab Emirates University offers several scholarships for international students at the Master's and PhD levels.
Coverage
Master's Scholarship
- Full tuition fee waiver
- Monthly stipend: approximately 3,000 AED/month
PhD Scholarship
- Full tuition fee waiver
- Monthly stipend: approximately 10,000 AED/month
- Additional research support (where applicable)
Eligible Majors: Engineering, Computer Science, AI, Data Science, Business, Science, Agriculture
Apply Here:
https://www.uaeu.ac.ae/en/cgs/scholarship.shtml
2. Khalifa University Scholarships
Khalifa University is one of the top-ranked universities in the UAE and offers fully funded scholarships for international students.
Coverage
Master's Scholarship
- Full tuition fee
- Monthly stipend: up to 8,000 AED/month
PhD Scholarship
- Full tuition fee
- Monthly stipend: up to 12,000 AED/month
- Medical insurance
- Conference and research support
Eligible Majors: AI, Computer Science, Engineering, Robotics, Data Science, Biotechnology, Energy
Apply Here:
https://www.ku.ac.ae/scholarships
3. Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) Scholarship
MBZUAI is the world's first graduate-level AI university and provides fully funded scholarships to all admitted students.
Coverage
- Full tuition fee
- Monthly stipend
- Master's: approximately 8,000 AED/month
- PhD: approximately 10,000 AED/month
- Student accommodation
- Health insurance
Eligible Majors: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Robotics
Apply Here:
https://mbzuai.ac.ae/admissions
4. University Merit Scholarships
Many universities in the UAE offer merit-based scholarships for international students.
Coverage
- 25% tuition fee waiver
- 50% tuition fee waiver
- 75% tuition fee waiver
- 100% tuition fee waiver (limited scholarships)
Eligible Majors: Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Health Sciences, Hospitality, Media Studies
Popular University Scholarship Portals
American University of Sharjah
Apply Here:
https://www.aus.edu
University of Dubai
Apply Here:
https://www.ud.ac.ae
Abu Dhabi University
Apply Here:
https://www.adu.ac.ae
Who Can Apply
The UAE welcomes international students for Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programs. Scholarships are generally awarded based on academic excellence and research potential. Students typically apply directly to universities. Scholarship consideration may be automatic or require a separate application depending on the institution. Strong academic results, language proficiency, and recommendation letters improve scholarship opportunities.
Eligibility & Qualification
- Must be an international student
- Good academic record
- HSC/A-Level for Bachelor's admission
- Bachelor's degree for Master's admission
- Master's degree for PhD admission
- IELTS/TOEFL may be required
- Research proposal may be required for PhD programs
Required Documents (University + Scholarship)
Documents Required
- Academic certificates and transcripts
- Passport copy
- CV/Resume
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Recommendation letters
- IELTS/TOEFL score (if required)
- Research proposal (for PhD applicants)
- Passport-size photographs
Application Process (Step-by-Step)
Steps
- Choose a university and study program
- Check scholarship opportunities
- Submit online application
- Upload required documents
- Apply for scholarship if required
- Receive admission offer
- Receive scholarship decision
- Confirm enrollment
Visa Required Documents
Student Visa Documents
- Valid passport
- University admission letter
- Scholarship award letter (if applicable)
- Passport-size photographs
- Medical examination documents
- Financial proof (if required)
- Health insurance documents
Visa Process (Step-by-Step)
Steps
- Receive admission letter
- Submit required documents to the university
- University applies for student visa
- Complete medical examination
- Receive visa approval
- Travel to UAE
- Complete residence permit procedures
UAE Cost Overview (2026 Approx.)
Estimated First-Year Cost
Without Scholarship
- Tuition Fee: 8,000 – 30,000 USD/year
- Living Cost: 6,000 – 15,000 USD/year
- Health Insurance & Other Costs: 1,000 – 3,000 USD
Total Estimated Cost: 15,000 – 48,000 USD/year
With Scholarship
- Full or partial tuition waiver
- Monthly stipend (selected scholarships)
- Accommodation support (selected scholarships)