Study in Dubai and the UAE: International Campuses and Costs

Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah have become genuine international university hubs. They host campuses of British, Australian, American and French universities, ambitious Emirati universities and a very dynamic regional job market. For a Tunisian student, it is an Arabic-speaking, safe destination that is open to the world. Here is how to study in Dubai and the UAE.

Why the UAE?

• International campuses awarding recognised foreign degrees.

• Teaching in English (and in French at some institutions).

• An Arabic-speaking environment that is culturally close.

• A major employment hub in the Gulf: finance, trade, logistics, tourism, technology.

• Safety and modern infrastructure.

• Direct flights to Tunisia.

International campuses

Among the foreign institutions present:

• British: Heriot-Watt, Middlesex, University of Birmingham, and others in Dubai;

• Australian: University of Wollongong in Dubai, Curtin, Murdoch…;

• American: NYU Abu Dhabi (very selective), Rochester Institute of Technology…;

• French: Sorbonne Université Abu Dhabi, with programmes in French, a rare option in the region, and French business schools.

The degree awarded is generally that of the parent university.

Emirati universities

Local public and private universities, such as United Arab Emirates University, Khalifa University (engineering, sciences), the American University of Sharjah or the American University in Dubai, also offer English-taught programmes. Some offer merit-based scholarships.

Accreditation: to be checked

In the UAE, accreditation depends on the institution's status:

• institutions outside free zones must be accredited by the federal academic accreditation authority;

• campuses located in Dubai's free zones fall under a local authority and their parent university.

If you are aiming for a job in the Emirati civil service or an equivalence in Tunisia, check the status and accreditation of the programme precisely. See Recognition of Tunisian diplomas abroad.

Admission

• Application: baccalaureate and transcripts (or a bachelor's degree for a master's), passport.

• English test: IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent. See IELTS in Tunisia.

• Foundation year offered by many campuses if direct entry is not possible.

• Several intakes per year at many institutions.

The student visa

In the UAE, the university sponsors your student residence visa. After admission and payment of a deposit, the institution starts the procedure: entry into the country, medical exam, fingerprinting, Emirates ID card. The visa is renewed every year or for the planned duration.

What budget should you plan for?

• Tuition fees: roughly a few tens of thousands of dirhams per year, considerably more for some prestigious campuses and for medicine.

• Accommodation: this is the heaviest expense, especially in Dubai. University residences and flatshares in Sharjah or in some Dubai neighbourhoods are more affordable.

• Daily life: food, transport, mandatory health insurance.

Fees vary a lot: ask us for up-to-date ranges for the institutions that interest you.

Working while studying

Student work is possible under conditions (permit, university approval, hour limit). Company internships are plentiful and very useful for building a network in the Gulf.

Comparing with the rest of the Gulf

Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain offer other options, sometimes with full scholarships. See Study in Qatar, Saudi Arabia or Bahrain.

Typical timeline

Many Emirati institutions have several intakes per year (often in September and January, sometimes in spring):

1. 6 months before the start: choosing campuses and programmes, registering for the English test.

2. 4 to 5 months before: application and offer letter.

3. 3 months before: accepting the offer and paying the deposit.

4. 2 months before: the university starts the student visa, accommodation booking.

5. On arrival: medical exam, fingerprints, Emirates ID card.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah?

Many students who study in Dubai choose to live in Sharjah to reduce their budget, at the cost of longer commutes.

Fields with the best job prospects in the Gulf

• Business, finance and accounting;

• logistics and supply chain, with the region's major ports and airports;

• hospitality, tourism and events;

• IT, data and cybersecurity;

• engineering (civil, energy, mechanical);

• architecture and design.

Documents to prepare

• passport valid for at least six months beyond the first year;

• transcripts and baccalaureate diploma, translated into English and legalised as required;

• English certificate;

• photos in the required format;

• for some universities, an equivalence of the secondary school leaving certificate from the Emirati education authorities, particularly for public higher education.

Advantages for a Tunisian student

The Arabic language makes daily life and integration easier, direct flights make trips back to Tunisia simple, and experience gained in an international environment is highly valued by employers in the Gulf as well as in Tunisia.

Key takeaway: the UAE offers recognised foreign degrees in an Arabic-speaking environment, but fees and accommodation are high. Check the programme's accreditation and compare cities before choosing.

Our support

Worldwide Studies helps you choose the campus and programme, check accreditation, prepare for IELTS and the application, and follow up on the university-sponsored visa.

👉 Fees vary depending on the campus: talk to an advisor for a UAE plan suited to your budget.