A complete guide to studying in the UAE for Indian students

The UAE is a tourism hub and among the most prosperous economies. It has a safe and welcoming atmosphere and offers rich cultural experiences, quality education, and excellent career opportunities.

Indian students are increasingly choosing the UAE for their higher education due to its proximity to India and fantastic growth opportunities. According to a statistics released by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, the Indian students in the higher education sector was 43% in 2024-25.

Are you excited to study in the UAE but not sure about how to proceed? In this article, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about the UAE’s academic landscape, from the best universities to courses, scholarships, and the application process. Continue reading!

Why is the UAE a top choice for Indian students? 

Here are the top reasons why Indian students like you are choosing the UAE for higher education.

• The UAE is relatively affordable, with a lower cost of living when you compare it with Western countries. Tuition fees are also lower without compromising on the education quality.
• You can access world-class education with a practical approach that prepares you for the global job market. The UAE has many international campuses and offers education that is on par with the UK and the USA.
• The country is well-connected to India and has short flights to many Indian cities, so you can remain connected with your families.
• The thriving economy of the UAE provides you with excellent placement and internship opportunities. You can also secure good jobs easily after your graduation.
• With people from more than 200 countries, the UAE offers a multicultural and inclusive environment. 

Top universities in the UAE for Indian Students

Some of the best universities that you should consider for your higher education in the UAE are listed below. These universities ensure high-quality learning, a rewarding student life, and excellent career prospects.

1. Heriot-Watt University
2. Middlesex University Dubai
3. Khalifa University of Science and Technology
4. University of Sharjah
5. University of Stirling Ras Al Khaimah
6. University of Wollongong

Heriot-Watt University 

Founded in 2005, Heriot-Watt University Dubai offers a wide selection of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that are designed to maximise your employability. With strong industry connections, the university ensures excellent placements, internships, and networking opportunities.

Middlesex University Dubai 

Middlesex University provides internationally recognised degrees across disciplines such as Media, Business, Engineering, and Law. It focuses on your employability and ensures good practical exposure.

Khalifa University of Science and Technology

It’s a leading university providing an unparalleled learning experience with its world-class academic and research programmes in Science, Medicine, and Engineering. With advanced academic infrastructure and expert academics, the university ensures your overall development.

University of Sharjah 

With 15 colleges and 131 academic programmes, the University of Sharjah offers high-quality education that meets global standards. Most of the programmes have international accreditations and are designed to enhance your employability.

University of Stirling Ras Al Khaimah 

The University of Stirling Ras Al Khaimah is renowned for its academic and research excellence. With students from all over the world, it offers a multicultural environment and abundant opportunities for personal development.

University of Wollongong in Dubai

Founded in 1993, it offers a wide choice of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in disciplines such as Media, Computer Science, Business, and Engineering. The university has a strong industry network and supports you in securing the right placements and internships.

Curious to know more about studying in the UAE? Talk to our experts!

Popular courses among Indian students

The course you choose to study decides your career path significantly. Here is a list of the best courses to study in the UAE that provide you with excellent career prospects.

Engineering 

The booming construction industry of Dubai, along with its technological growth, has created a huge demand for engineering graduates. You can pursue engineering courses such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electronics engineering, aerospace engineering, and more.

Popular universities for Engineering

Heriot-Watt University, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi University, University of Sharjah 

Business management

UAE’s rapid economic growth has resulted in a surge in the demand for business management graduates. The best management courses are available in streams including Economics, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, and Entrepreneurship.

Popular universities for Business management 

Heriot-Watt University, University of Sharjah, American University of Sharjah

Hospitality and tourism management

Dubai is a popular tourist destination and provides numerous job opportunities in this sector. You can choose courses in hotel management, luxury brand management, and event management.

Popular universities for Hospitality and Tourism Management

Abu Dhabi University, University of Dubai, Modul University Dubai

Healthcare

Dubai has a growing healthcare sector, ensuring a huge demand and job security for healthcare graduates. You can choose courses in public health, pharmacy, physiotherapy, and nursing.

Popular universities for Healthcare

United Arab Emirates University, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Gulf Medical University

Admission process & eligibility

Here are the steps you should follow to apply for a course at a university in the UAE.

1. Shortlist the universities and courses that interest you. Make your choice based on your aptitudes and detailed research about the institution.
2. Go through the application requirements on the university’s website and collect all the necessary documents. You will generally need to ensure that you have a copy of your passport, proof of English language proficiency, passport-size photos, and certificates of academic qualifications.
3. Apply and wait for confirmation. Once you are accepted, you’ll receive a confirmation from the university.
4. After you receive confirmation, apply for the student visa without delay.

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Student visa process for the UAE

You must apply for your student visa once you’re accepted by an educational institution in the UAE. To apply for a visa, you need a relative in the UAE as your sponsor. In case you do not have a sponsor, request that the university offer you sponsorship.

Below are the steps you should follow to secure a student visa for the UAE.

1. Collect the required documents, which include the passport and its photocopy, passport-size photos, bank statement, student declaration form, and approval from CGI.
2. Apply to the online platform of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. You can also submit it to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in the emirate where you are planning to study.

Note: The visa is usually valid for one year and has to be renewed annually. Securing admission at a university does not guarantee you a visa by default.

Cost of studying in the UAE

The tuition fee in the UAE can range between AED 27,000 and AED 1,28,000 per annum. Apart from this, you will also have to manage your daily expenses, which can range from AED 4,500 to AED 6,500 per month. However, there are numerous part-time job opportunities you can take up in Dubai to manage your expenses.

Scholarships and financial aid

There are numerous partially funded and fully funded scholarships available in the UAE to cover your living expenses and tuition fees. In addition, you can also check out the education loans and grants to support your studies.

Below are a few popular scholarships you can apply for:

Khalifa University Scholarships

This is a fully funded scholarship offered by Khalifa University. You can apply for the scholarship if you plan to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, or research programmes in science, engineering, and technology.

United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) Scholarships

This scholarship provides a full waiver of tuition if you have a strong academic performance. It’s open to undergraduates or postgraduates with high GPAs.

Al Maktoum Foundation Scholarship

The scholarship provides you with comprehensive funding covering the cost of living, tuition fees, and other expenses. It focuses mainly on students from developing countries.

American University of Sharjah (AUS) Scholarships

The scholarship covers 75% of your tuition fee. It’s a merit-based scholarship that is open to undergraduate students with strong academic performance.

Masdar Institute Scholarship

The scholarship covers your full tuition and accommodation, and also provides a stipend. It’s offered to students who are pursuing graduation from Masdar Institute.

Sharjah University Scholarships

The scholarship is offered to undergraduates and postgraduates on a need-based financial assistance basis. It provides you with partial and full tuition waivers.

Student life in the UAE as an Indian student

Indian students form a large proportion of the international student communities in the UAE. Apart from the prestigious universities and world-class programmes, Indian students are attracted to the UAE for its multicultural environment, modern conveniences, and high standard of living. 

The UAE provides diverse entertainment options and a dynamic environment. You’ll feel a sense of familiarity and cultural comfort due to the large Indian community in the UAE. Even though the cost of living could seem higher, there are plenty of part-time jobs and budget-friendly accommodations for affordable living.

Career opportunities and post-study prospects 

UAE’s booming economy offers you plenty of job opportunities after the completion of your academic programme. You can choose a specialised Job Seeker Visa, which allows you to stay in the UAE for 60 to 120 days, or a Green Visa that allows you to stay for up to 5 years. Top academic performers can apply for the Golden Visa and stay up to 10 years. 

Indian students like you often prefer to pursue a career in the UAE after completing their course. You can find excellent opportunities in sectors like teaching, finance, banking, tourism, technology, healthcare, logistics, and more. Once you secure a job, your employer can sponsor the standard work visa of 2 years duration. 

 Enrol for a course in the UAE and start your study-abroad journey right away!

Final thoughts

The UAE is a popular study-abroad destination for Indian students due to its proximity to India, large Indian population, multicultural environment, and rapid economic growth. The country has several leading universities that offer world-class programmes designed to maximise your learning and employability.

With numerous scholarships, grants, and part-time jobs, you can easily find a funding option to finance your studies. What’s more, the UAE’s thriving economy ensures excellent career prospects after you complete your course.

Frequently asked questions

Is studying in the UAE worth it?

Studying in the UAE offers an unparalleled experience of world-class academics from reputed universities that focus on your overall development. The country offers a booming economy, ensuring excellent career prospects.

How much does it cost to study in Dubai for Indian students?

The tuition fee in Dubai ranges from AED 40,000 to AED 1,00,000 per year. Apart from this, you can expect living expenses between AED 25,000 and AED 35,000 per year.

What is the quality of education in Dubai?

Dubai provides high-quality education with a strong global outlook. With students from more than 120 countries, it ensures multicultural learning exposure and a supportive environment for international students. There is a wide selection of in-demand courses to choose from with excellent career prospects.

Which city is the best to study in the UAE?

The best cities to study in the UAE are Dubai and Abu Dhabi due to the numerous high-quality educational institutions and multicultural environment. You can also consider cities like Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah if you prefer affordable living.