Study in Dubai: Universities, Visas and Costs for International Students
Updated 27 October 2026
Dubai hosts a large number of universities, many of them branch campuses of institutions based in the UK, Australia, India and elsewhere. It attracts students who want an international degree closer to home, especially from South Asia, the Gulf and Africa.
Types of institutions
- International branch campuses — teach and award the home university's degree, often in free zones.
- Federal and local UAE universities.
- Private institutions licensed in the UAE.
Check accreditation and recognition
There are two different questions: is the institution permitted to operate (and quality-assured) in Dubai, and is the degree recognised for your purpose? For Dubai private institutions see the KHDA; for UAE recognition and equivalency see the UAE Ministry of Education. If you plan to work in another country, check recognition there too.
Student visa basics
Students are usually sponsored by their institution for a student residence visa and Emirates ID. Ask the university for current charges and documents; government information is on u.ae.
Study options
- Masters and MBAs: see MBA in Dubai and 1-year MBA in Dubai.
- Specialised masters (marketing, finance, data) — check whether they require work experience.
- Undergraduate degrees, including business.
Costs
Tuition, housing, visa and insurance, transport and food. Example postgraduate fees we have verified:
| Programme (provider's name) | Format | Published fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive MBA Hult International Business School | Part-time, London or Dubai | 2027–28 programme fee £49,900 (London) / AED 276,000 incl. VAT (Dubai) | Cited Provider page, accessed 27 Oct 2026 |
| Executive MBA Middlesex University Dubai | Evenings; 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time | AED 117,548 incl. VAT (September 2026 intake) | Cited Provider page, accessed 27 Oct 2026 |
| MBA (daytime) Middlesex University Dubai | 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time | AED 84,872 incl. VAT (September 2026 intake) | Cited Provider page, accessed 27 Oct 2026 |
| Global MBA S P Jain School of Global Management | 12 months full-time; Singapore 4 mo + Dubai 8 mo | Tuition US$42,120; total compulsory fees US$44,720 incl. visas & insurance (Oct 2026 intake) | Cited Provider page, accessed 21 Oct 2026 |
| Other Dubai programmes | — | Pending verification | Pending |
Listed alphabetically by provider; order is not a ranking. Fees change every intake and exclude living costs unless stated. Confirm on the provider's own page before applying. No school has paid to appear.
Study-abroad cost calculator
Enter figures from the school's fee page and your own budget. Use one currency throughout. Nothing is pre-filled from assumptions.
For Indian students
Proximity, frequent flights and large Indian communities make Dubai popular. Read MBA in Dubai for Indian students for specifics.