Top 5 Universities In the UAE

It is common for residents of different countries to send their children to the UK, USA, and Europe to pursue higher education. However, in UAE, expats prefer local universities due to their competitiveness and global recognition. Over the past decade, the UAE’s government has allocated a substantial budget for research and development. As a result, the UAE witnessed a 30.4% increase in research papers in 2023. The universities in the UAE are reaching a broader audience by communicating their research and gaining popularity among residents and internationally. Today, we will discuss the top 5 universities in the UAE based on academic reputation, international outlook, and student satisfaction. If you are considering studying in the UAE and searching for the best universities, this blog will definitely interest you.

United Arab Emirates University

United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) was founded in 1976 by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and is the flagship university of UAE. It currently has 14,968 Emirati and international students. UAE University is working hard to become recognised worldwide for its research. It has partnered with businesses to provide research solutions at national and global levels. The university takes input from its partners in developing the academic programmes. So, the students get access to professional knowledge, which is in high demand. UAEU alums hold key positions in industry and government departments throughout the region.

UAEU offers high-quality graduate and undergraduate programmes in the following disciplines:

• Business and Economics
• Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine
• Information Technology
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Education
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Engineering
• Science

You can choose from 52 Bachelor’s degree programmes, 37 Master’s programmes, a Doctor of Medicine (MD), a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D), a PhD programme, and a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).

Location:

Sheik Khalifa Bin Zayed St - 'Asharij - Abu Dhabi
 

Khalifa University

Khalifa University was established in 2007 with the aim of providing a variety of engineering programmes to future engineers. In 2017, the President of the UAE and the leader of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, decided to combine KUSTAR, Masdar Institute, and Petroleum Institute into a single university named Khalifa University of Science and Technology.

The university has three colleges, three research institutes, 18 research centres, and 17 departments covering various academic programmes in science, engineering, and medicine. It has partnered with over 50 private, public and academic organisations, which provide opportunities such as sponsorships, internships, and student exchange programmes. Some notable partners are Georgia Tech, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), ADNOC, Total, Etihad Airways, and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Apart from education, students can participate in clubs like the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Club, Motorsports Club, Life Sciences Club, and Artificial Intelligence Club. Students can enrol in the following programmes:

• BSC
• MSC 
• PHD
• Doctor of Medicine

Location

Shakhbout Bin Sultan St - Hadbat Al Za'faranah - Zone 1 - Abu Dhabi
 

University of Dubai

The University of Dubai (UD) was established in 1997 and is a fully-owned subsidiary of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). DCCI has played a major role in helping the University of Dubai (UD) grow and become recognised internationally. In June 2006, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, gave UD a large piece of land spanning over 3,000,000 square feet in Academic City to build its new campus.
 

The University of Dubai educates and prepares future leaders of the business world in the fields of IT, Law, Engineering, and Business. It has three colleges: Dubai Business School, College of Engineering & Information Technology(CEIT), and College of Law, which offer undergraduate and graduate programmes inspired by the American education system. The university also offers a General Undergraduate Curriculum Requirements (GUCR) programme, a PhD in Business Administration, and many other professional diplomas, certificates, and online courses.

Location: 

Academic City - Emirates Road - Exit 49 - Dubai

University of Sharjah

Established in 1997, The University of Sharjah is a leading UAE university focusing on innovation and research. It has 14 colleges offering 127 health sciences, medicine, Sharia and law, communication, fine arts, design, and engineering programmes. It is the only university in the UAE that organises similar colleges and centres close to each other.

The University of Sharjah is currently ranked between 601 and 650 in the QS Global University Ranking. The chairman and the ruler of Sharjah, His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, aims to improve its ranking and be among the top 400 universities by the end of 2024.
 

Location:

University City Rd - University City – Sharjah

Ajman University

Ajman University (AU) is the first private university in the GCC to admit expatriate students. It was established in 1988 and, 32 years later, received global accreditation from the UK's independent body and the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). The university is ranked among the top 5 universities in the UAE and 551 worldwide.
 

Ajman University offers 22 undergraduate and 14 graduate programmes in its nine colleges mentioned below:

• College of Dentistry
• College of Engineering & Information Technology
• College of Business Administration
• College of Mass Communication
• College of Medicine
• College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
• College of Architecture Art & Design
• College of Law
   

It is the first university in the UAE to achieve an institutional 5 QS Stars Rating along with 5 QS Stars in 8 categories. The university is famous among international students because most of the programmes it offers are in English.

Location:

University Street,Al jerf 1 - Ajman

Most people consider the US, Australia, the UK, Canada, and Germany for higher education. The fact is that the UAE has more than ten universities that rank among the top 1000 universities in the world. The UAE is working hard to attract local and international students by offering high-quality education focused on research. One of these five universities is worth considering if you plan to study in the UAE to achieve your academic goals.