Study system in the UAE
At the state institutions of the UAE, the British study system prevails with the division into undergraduate and graduate studies. The academic degree Bachelor can be achieved after three or four years, the Master after another one to two years and the PhD after another two to three years.
The academic achievements are calculated in credit points and the academic year generally consists of two semesters. In the case of foreign branches, however, the study system and the academic year of the parent university are relevant. For example, students at the Sorbonne in Abu Dhabi complete the reformed French degrees License Master Doctorat (LMD).
At the HCTs, students can either acquire a diploma after two years, the higher diploma after three years or a bachelor’s degree after four years. The study program is based on US structures and relies on internships at local and international companies.
In addition, various academies in the UAE offer practice-oriented courses in fields of study such as global management, journalism or tourism. They also cooperate with partner universities and companies such as hotels, restaurants or media companies.
High quality teaching in English
In general, studying in the United Arab Emirates is characterized by small course sizes according to localcollegeexplorer. This is the case both with the state universities and with the foreign branches. A lively participation of the students in the discussions and in the group work is assumed as well as the reading of subject-specific course books. At the international universities, the curricula correspond almost exactly to those in the home country. The teachers are international. They come from both the UAE and the respective mother campus.
Although the official language in the UAE is Arabic, study programs at the HCTs and international branches are conducted in English. English is also the common language of commerce, and street and town signs, menus and most shops are bilingual. This is certainly an advantage for studying abroad in the United Arab Emirates.
Studying in the UAE: requirements
Admission to state universities and HCTs is carried out via the National Admissions and Placement Office of the Ministry of Education. In general, all applicants – be it for public or private institutions – need the General School Leaving Certificate. For Germans, this means the general university entrance qualification. Most international universities have strict admission rules in order to maintain the high quality of the courses. International applicants should therefore have very good grades.
It is essential to have a good command of English via minimum points in standard tests such as TOEFL and IELTS. It is also advisable to take courses in Arabic in Germany or at the latest after arriving in the Emirates, so that you can communicate with the population more easily.
At the HCTs admission is through the placement test Common English Placement Assessment (CEPA) regulated. According to its results, the universities place their applicants in preparatory courses. With the CEPA you check your written and oral English skills in grammar and vocabulary as well as your math skills.
Costs and financing options
For the locals, the training at the public universities is generally free of charge and they are also entitled to a refund of the tuition fees at the private institutions. Foreign students are not entitled to these discounts. The fees vary greatly depending on the institution, public or private institution, subject and number of semesters. You should find out their amount directly from the respective university.
The cost of living in the United Arab Emirates is on a similar level as in Germany. However, they vary depending on the emirate and are currently highest in Dubai. Imported food is expensive compared to regional food. At the same time, the ancillary costs in the UAE are often lower, although the necessary air conditioning systems cause additional costs.
The rental costs are to a large increase now declining again. Foreign students are usually accommodated in internal dormitories, which are either directly on campus or a little further away. The costs for a single room or single apartment per semester are around EUR 2,000-3,500 or EUR 1,500 for a multi-bed room. Most of the modern facilities have common areas such as fitness rooms, swimming pools and gardens. At the same time, there are strict regulations that are monitored by security guards.
If the stay in the Emirates should only be possible with the help of certain financial support, there are various contact points. One possibility is the Federal BAföG for international students. It also grants grants for living and travel expenses to students who are not entitled to domestic BAföG. Another variant are scholarships, which are awarded by various institutions such as universities, business, culture or politics. A student loan or an education fund can also make studying in the United Arab Emirates possible. Additional earnings by working during your studies are usually not possible due to the visa status.
UAE visa and entry requirements
The required for entry to the United Arab Emirates student visa, the Berlin embassy from. When entering the country, the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of departure. You must also show a confirmed return ticket. Getting a foreign health insurance is essential for studying in the Emirates.
