Study conditions in the United Arab Emirates for international students
Although the official language of this country is Arabic, you can study in English language universities in the UAE universities. Also, some of the world’s leading universities have branches in this country. But is studying in the UAE the right choice? Is it possible to study at the top European, American, and Australian universities at a lower cost? You should find the answers to these are the questions before applying for a UAE student visa. Therefore, this article will discuss all the crucial aspects of studying in the UAE so that you can make the best decision for your future. We suggest that you contact MIE Austria to get comprehensive information about studying and migration to the best countries in the world and benefit from a free consultation.
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Study conditions at the UAE universities
Studying in Dubai for a bachelor’s degree takes 3 to 4 years. Most people choose to study in Dubai for a bachelor’s degree to obtain a residency in the US, the UK, and Canada because students in this degree can apply for the prestigious universities in the US, the UK, and Canada after 2 to 3 years to continue and complete their study in these countries. Undergraduate students in Dubai can work 10 hours a week and receive 12 dollars per hour, which can cover part of their student’s tuition. Finding a job for students in Dubai varies depending on their English language proficiency, personal characteristics, work experience, and so on.
Studying in the UAE for a master’s degree takes about 2 years. Courses at this level are in both English and Arabic. After graduation, the Dubai government gives the postgraduate students one year to find a suitable job and change their visa to a Dubai work visa if they do not want to continue their studies at higher levels. Postgraduate students in Dubai can work 20 hours a week while studying and earn about 10 to 12 dollars per hour, which covers most of their tuition.
Studying for a Ph.D. in the UAE takes about 3 to 4 years. Students can continue their studies at their universities in Dubai or the braches of other countries’ universities in Dubai. The UK Government established Heriot-Watt University and the Australian Government established the University of Wollongong and South Queensland in Dubai. Doctoral studies in Dubai have very high quality and are international, which includes many different fields. To study for a doctorate in the UAE, students must have a good resume for their master’s degree and have high academic background. Students must have an IELTS or TOEFL language certificate to apply for admission to Dubai University. Studying for a Ph.D. in Dubai Universities will give students a good understanding of business issues and get the right answers to their research questions. The students of this university can work as a professional in research agencies, work in government or centers, or even in private jobs. If Ph.D. students study full time, they will complete their course after 8 semesters, but it may last for 10 to 12 semesters for the students who study part-time. Of course, it is essential to know that the maximum study time for a doctorate in Dubai is 14 semesters. A supervisor must first accept a doctoral student, and one must submit a dissertation at the end of their studies with the guidance of a supervisor.
The cost of studying in the UAE
The cost of universities also varies according to the type of university and degree because there are different universities in the UAE from all over the world, but know that the UAE is one of the countries with high tuition fees, but you can minimize it by getting a scholarship in this country. The average tuition fee in the UAE is around 10,000 to 15,000 dollars per year, which can be different depending on the type of university as well as the applicant’s degree and field of study. The following are the tuition fees of some UAE universities:
| University | City | Undergraduate degree | Postgraduate degree |
| American University of Sharjah | Sharjah | 21,000 dollars | 19,000 dollars |
| American University of Dubai | Dubai | 19,000 dollars | 20,000 dollar |
| UAE University | Abu Dhabi | 9,000 dollars | |
| Sharjah University | Sharjah | 11,000 dollars | |
| Abu Dhabi University | Abu Dhabi | 11,000 dollars | 13,000 dollars |
| Wollongong University | Dubai | 12,500 dollars | 12,500 dollars |
| University of Science and Industry | Alin | 7,500 dollars | 7,500 dollars |
| Persian Gulf Medical University | Ajman | 20,000 dollars | 20,000 dollars |
Required documents for obtaining the UAE student visa
You must apply for a UAE student visa after receiving admission from the university. The necessary documents for obtaining a UAE student visa are as follows:
- Valid passport with at least 6 months validity, 2 blank pages, and 2 copies of it
- Filling the specific visa application form
- 12 copies of passport photos
- University Admission Letter from the UAE
- Letter of financial validity from the bank
- If the applicant has taken a dormitory from the university, one must send a confirmation letter from the university in this regard
- Copies of university deposit slips
- Last educational certificate
- Copy of visa fee deposit
- Medical health check by the UAE
The UAE student visas are issued for one year, and you also can extend it every year. The UAE student visa will be issued within 2 to 5 weeks if all the documents submitted for the visa are correct.
The steps are as follows:
- Fill out the visa application form and sign your visa photo.
- Make sure that all the documents are correct. In case of a problem in your documents, your application will be rejected.
- Submit your application to the Student Visa Application Center in Dubai with the Visa application fee in cash.
The expenses of obtaining a UAE student visa can vary from university to university and city to city. The fees are as follow:
- Student visa: varies from 1000 to 3000 dirhams
- Visa expansion fee: 500 dirhams
Some colleges and universities may charge an initial fee for the additional cost of a visa, while others may charge this fee over time.


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