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Discontinue, suspend or close Higher Education programmes

Service Details

Service Description

This request allows for the deregistration of academic programmes that were previously approved for delivery by a licensed higher education institution operating in Dubai.

Terms and conditions

  • KHDA Educational Services Permit and the commercial license must be valid at the time of submitting the application for this service.
  • No Higher Education Institute may wholly or partly discontinue, suspend, or close any of its approved Higher Education Programmes for any reason without first obtaining the written approval of KHDA and providing reasonable alternatives for students enrolled in these programmes.
  • KHDA may discontinue, suspend, or close any of the Higher Education Programmes offered by a Higher Education Institute if the conditions for approval are not met, or if the Institute fails to comply with the criteria, conditions, and standards adopted by KHDA concerning the Higher Education Programmes.
  • The university must finish the teach-out process for all students enrolled in the Higher Education programmes before applying for this service.

Service requirements

(For International branch campuses)
  • Letter from the home campus confirming that this programme will no longer be offered in Dubai
  • Letter to KHDA explaining the reasons for the removal of the programme by the higher education institute and outlining the proposed action plan for current students and staff (teach-out process).
  • Proposed draft communication to students.

Service fees

No fees

Service channels

KHDA portal

Service time

15 working days.
The processing period of 15 working days begins once KHDA has received all required documents.

Service journey

  • Apply via KHDA portal, attaching the required documents.
  • The application is reviewed to confirm the continuity of study and that no students are currently enrolled in the programme before informing the higher education institution of the final decision.
  • Once approved, the Educational Services Permit will be updated to exclude the deregistered programmes, and an official Approval Letter will be issued.
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Page last updated 15 October 2025