Is graduate study really free at Khalifa University?

Admitted graduate students are normally offered a package covering full tuition, accommodation, medical insurance and a monthly stipend. It is the standard offer rather than a rare award, which makes the UAE one of the lowest net-cost destinations for a funded engineering master.

Are branch-campus degrees the same as the home degree?

At established branches such as University of Birmingham Dubai the award is issued by the parent university and is identical on the certificate. Verify that the campus is licensed by the Commission for Academic Accreditation before applying.

Can I stay and work after graduating?

There is no automatic post-study work visa, but graduates can apply for the five-year Green Visa for self-sponsored residence, and outstanding students may qualify for the ten-year Golden Visa.

How much does living there cost?

Sharjah is materially cheaper than Dubai or Abu Dhabi — often 30–40% less on rent — and is a 30-minute commute from central Dubai. Budget €900–€1,600 a month depending on the emirate.

Study in United Arab Emirates

The UAE splits sharply in two. Graduate study at the public research universities — Khalifa above all — is normally fully funded, including a stipend and housing. Undergraduate study at the private and branch campuses is expensive, though still below the UK or US, and comes with the advantage of a two-year Green Visa route after graduation.

Typical tuition: AED 45,000–AED 120,000 / year
Living cost: €900–€1,600 / month
Work while studying: 15 hrs / week
Post-study stay: 24 months
Main intakes: September, January
Teaching language: English

Indicative figures for the country — not yet checked against official sources. Confirm with the university and the immigration authority before relying on them.

Popular universities

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Private

University of Birmingham Dubai

Programs: 2
World ranking: #84

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Public

Khalifa University

Programs: 2
World ranking: #202

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Private

American University of Sharjah

Programs: 2
World ranking: #364

Popular programs

Khalifa UniversityAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

MSc Computer Science

Master'sEnglish24 monthsScholarships

See how you match

Tuition: No tuition fee
Deadline: Apr 30, 2027
Requirements: Bachelor in computer science or computer engineering with a CGPA of 3.0/4.0
GRE general test recommended for competitive applicants

View details

University of Birmingham DubaiDubai, United Arab Emirates

MSc Computer Science

Master'sEnglish12 monthsScholarships

See how you match

Tuition: AED 92,000 / year
Deadline: Jul 31, 2027
Requirements: UK 2:1 equivalent bachelor degree in any numerate discipline
This is a conversion programme — a computing degree is not required

View details

American University of SharjahSharjah, United Arab Emirates

Bachelor of Architecture

Bachelor'sEnglish60 monthsScholarships

See how you match

Tuition: AED 98,000 / year
Deadline: May 1, 2027
Requirements: Secondary school certificate with a strong mathematics record
SAT or equivalent standardised test score

View details

University of Birmingham DubaiDubai, United Arab Emirates

MSc International Business

Master'sEnglish12 months

See how you match

Tuition: AED 84,000 / year
Deadline: Jul 31, 2027
Requirements: UK 2:1 equivalent bachelor degree in any discipline
Personal statement of 500 words

View details

Computer Science Environment & Sustainability Architecture & Design Business & Management

Admission requirements

A secondary certificate or bachelor degree, attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
A CGPA of around 3.0/4.0 for graduate admission at the research universities
IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 79–91 depending on the institution
EmSAT for some undergraduate programmes, in place of or alongside the SAT

English-taught programs

6 of the 6 programs listed here for United Arab Emirates are taught in English.

Find programs

Application process

1Apply directly on the university portal; branch campuses of foreign universities run their own separate systems.
2Get your documents attested — this takes weeks and is the step applicants most often start too late.
3Sit any admission test or interview the programme requires.
4Accept the offer; the university then sponsors your student residence visa, and you complete a medical test and Emirates ID registration after arrival.

Frequently asked questions

Official resources

Universities change fees and deadlines without notice. Use the official source link on every fact before making a decision.

Study in United Arab EmiratesFind programs

Study in United Arab Emirates

Popular programs

Khalifa UniversityAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

MSc Computer Science

Master'sEnglish24 monthsScholarships

See how you match

Tuition: No tuition fee
Deadline: Apr 30, 2027
Requirements: Bachelor in computer science or computer engineering with a CGPA of 3.0/4.0
GRE general test recommended for competitive applicants

View details

University of Birmingham DubaiDubai, United Arab Emirates

MSc Computer Science

Master'sEnglish12 monthsScholarships

See how you match

Tuition: AED 92,000 / year
Deadline: Jul 31, 2027
Requirements: UK 2:1 equivalent bachelor degree in any numerate discipline
This is a conversion programme — a computing degree is not required

View details

American University of SharjahSharjah, United Arab Emirates

Bachelor of Architecture

Bachelor'sEnglish60 monthsScholarships

See how you match

Tuition: AED 98,000 / year
Deadline: May 1, 2027
Requirements: Secondary school certificate with a strong mathematics record
SAT or equivalent standardised test score

View details

University of Birmingham DubaiDubai, United Arab Emirates

MSc International Business

Master'sEnglish12 months

See how you match

Tuition: AED 84,000 / year
Deadline: Jul 31, 2027
Requirements: UK 2:1 equivalent bachelor degree in any discipline
Personal statement of 500 words

View details

Application process

1Apply directly on the university portal; branch campuses of foreign universities run their own separate systems.

2Get your documents attested — this takes weeks and is the step applicants most often start too late.

3Sit any admission test or interview the programme requires.

4Accept the offer; the university then sponsors your student residence visa, and you complete a medical test and Emirates ID registration after arrival.

Study in United Arab Emirates

Popular universities

University of Birmingham Dubai

Khalifa University

American University of Sharjah

Popular programs

MSc Computer Science

MSc Computer Science

Bachelor of Architecture

MSc International Business

Admission requirements

English-taught programs

Popular cities

Application process

Frequently asked questions

Official resources

Study in United Arab Emirates

Popular universities

University of Birmingham Dubai

Khalifa University

American University of Sharjah

Popular programs

MSc Computer Science

MSc Computer Science

Bachelor of Architecture

MSc International Business

Admission requirements

English-taught programs

Popular cities

Application process

Frequently asked questions

Official resources