This service allows permitted higher education institutions to add new academic programs to their existing offerings.

Higher Education Institutions

No fees

30 working days

Phase one:

• Programme Title
• Programme Level
• Programme duration
• Intended date of commencement of the programme in Dubai.
• Rationale for introduction of the programme.
• Brief description of the target market and demand for the programme (It is not necessary to send evidence to support demand at this stage).
• Evidence of suitable resources, including faculty, to support the introduction of the programme.

Additional requirement for International Branch campus:

• The number of cohorts that have graduated from the programme at the Home Campus.
• The accrediting body or external approval authority for the programme at the home campus.
• The professional accreditation status of the programme, and whether it extends to the branch campus in Dubai.
• Approval from the Home campus to launch the programme in Dubai

For International branch campuses: All applicants following the international accreditation route must submit the following forms:

• Appendix A: Application form for branch accreditation of a higher education institution
• Appendix B: Academic Programme Registration Form (applicable to programmes based on a credit-hour system rather than solely research-based programmes)
• Appendix C: Statistical forms required for programme registration – performance and quality comparison reports

Phase two: For Higher Education Institutions accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

A letter from the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), stating that the program has been granted initial accreditation by the Commission.

1. KHDA Educational Services Permit and the trade license must be valid at the time of submitting the application for this service.
2. The programme must include a description of its objectives, number of credit hours, duration, mode of study, adopted quality assurance system, graduation requirements, the name of the academic degree awarded upon successful completion, and the name of the awarding institution.
3. The program content must not conflict with Islamic Sharia, local customs, laws, or prevailing traditions in the United Arab Emirates.
4. The relevant authorities must academically recognise the programme
5. The programme name must satisfy the following conditions:
   • It must not contain any misleading terms or expressions.
   • It must not contravene public morals.
   • It must not refer to public or governmental figures without a genuine connection to the higher education program.

• Step 1: Submit the application via the KHDA e-services portal and attach all Phase One documents.
• Step 2: The application is reviewed, and the higher education institution is notified to attach Phase Two documents.
• Step 3: Once approved, the Educational Services Permit will be updated to include the new programmes, and an official Approval Letter will be issued.