FAQs on universities in Dubai

There are 33 institutions in Dubai that offer higher-education programmes. Many offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programmes, but some offer only one particular specialized programme.

DIAC and KV are purpose-built zones in Dubai that provide facilities and infrastructure for higher education. They have attracted institutions from all around the world to provide high-quality international degrees. Other purpose-built areas that include higher education institutions are Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai Healthcare City, and Dubai Silicon Oasis.

There are 432 academic programmes available in Dubai. The majority (227) of these programmes are bachelor’s degrees, and a further 141 programmes are at master's level. The programmes cover a wide range of fields of study. Many (39%) are within the field of business, and there are also programmes in information technology, engineering, law, media and design, education, social studies, Islamic studies, health and medicine, and natural and physical sciences. Check out our directory to search for University Programmes in Dubai.

Dubai has put in place specific processes to ensure institutions provide quality education to the student community. The University Quality Assurance International Board (UQAIB) was established by KHDA to assure the quality of education at international branch campuses. UQAIB uses a validation model to ensure that the academic programme delivered in Dubai is the same accredited programme taught at the institution’s home campus. All higher education institutions located in Dubai’s Free Zones must undergo the UQAIB quality assurance process. UQAIB is a full member of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), and abides by the INQAAHE Guidelines for Good Practice and the OECDUNESCO Guidelines for Quality Provision in Cross-border Higher Education (2005). This process complements the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA). The CAA is a function of the federal Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, which licenses and accredits all higher education institutions outside the Free Zones.

In June 2011, the Government of Dubai issued Resolution 21 concerning higher education institutions based in Dubai Free Zones. This important milestone in the development of higher education establishes KHDA as the regulator of these institutions, supports quality assurance and delegates to KHDA the responsibility for collecting data as well as the certification of academic qualifications. Students who graduate from higher education institutions in the Free Zones will be able to have their degrees certified by KHDA for employment and other purposes in Dubai.

Graduates from international higher education institutions in Dubai who wish to have their degree attested should apply through the certificate attestation service available on the KHDA website or by downloading the KHDA mobile app available in the Apple store or Google store.
 
Eligible students must have completed an approved academic programme and been issued a certifiable qualification. For a list of institutions and programmes approved by KHDA check out our educational directory.

Students from China studying at international branch campuses in Dubai will earn degrees recognised by Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Chinese Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) under the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. Degrees earned in Dubai will be verified by the CSCSE to recognise students’ qualifications in China.