About the university
The University of Birmingham is one of the UK's original 'red brick' universities, founded by royal charter in 1900, and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. In 2018 it opened a campus in Dubai International Academic City, and moved into a purpose-built campus there in 2021, so students can earn a Birmingham degree without going to the UK.
The Dubai campus teaches a focused set of subjects: business and finance, computer science and artificial intelligence, engineering, psychology, biomedical science, law, education, and media and marketing. Courses follow the UK curriculum and lead to the same University of Birmingham award; several are accredited by UK professional bodies (for example the BSc Computer Science by the British Computer Society) and licensed by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Fees are among the highest of Dubai's international branch campuses: AED 123,890–162,203 a year for undergraduate degrees and AED 160,925–180,617 for a one-year full-time master's (September 2027). Undergraduate degrees are three years, as in the UK, and the first-year fee is frozen for the whole course. Eligible applicants are considered automatically for scholarships after a conditional offer.
Dubai has a very large Indian community, direct flights of about three hours to most Indian metros, and no income tax, which makes it attractive to families who want a UK degree closer to home. Students live in private, university-partner residences in the academic city areas rather than on-campus halls.
- Opened
- 2018 (first students in September 2018); the parent University of Birmingham was founded in 1900
- Type
- Branch campus of a UK public university (Russell Group); private in the UAE
- Location
- Dubai International Academic City (DIAC)
- Degree awarded
- University of Birmingham UK degree, the same award as on the UK campus
- Undergraduate fee rule
- Your first-year fee stays the same for the whole course, with no yearly increases
- Deposit
- AED 5,000 non-refundable tuition deposit when you accept a conditional offer (deducted from fees)
Rankings
QS World University Rankings (parent: University of Birmingham) 2027
68 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- AED 162,203
- Duration
- 3 years (full time)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS, TOEFL or PTE accepted; level set by subject (see entry requirements)
- Undergraduate
BSc Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science
- Fee / year
- AED 162,203
- Duration
- 3 years (full time)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS, TOEFL or PTE accepted; level set by subject
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- AED 180,617
- Duration
- 1 year full time (2 years part time)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS, TOEFL or PTE accepted; level set by subject
- Postgraduate
MSc Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Fee / year
- AED 180,617
- Duration
- 1 year full time (2 years part time)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS, TOEFL or PTE accepted; level set by subject
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- AED 146,806
- Duration
- 3 years (full time)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS, TOEFL or PTE accepted; level set by subject
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- AED 154,325
- Duration
- 3 years (full time)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS, TOEFL or PTE accepted; level set by subject
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- AED 154,325
- Duration
- 3 years (full time)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS, TOEFL or PTE accepted; level set by subject
- Postgraduate
MSc Computer Science (conversion, for non-computing graduates)
- Fee / year
- AED 180,617
- Duration
- 1 year full time (2 years part time)
- Intakes
- September (full or part time); January (part time)
- English
- IELTS, TOEFL or PTE accepted; level set by subject
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (AED) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSc Computer Science | 3 years (full time) | AED 162,203 | ≈ ₹40.6 lakh |
| BSc Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science | 3 years (full time) | AED 162,203 | ≈ ₹40.6 lakh |
| MSc Data Science | 1 year full time (2 years part time) | AED 180,617 | ≈ ₹45.2 lakh |
| MSc Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning | 1 year full time (2 years part time) | AED 180,617 | ≈ ₹45.2 lakh |
| BSc Business Management | 3 years (full time) | AED 146,806 | ≈ ₹36.7 lakh |
| BSc Accounting and Finance | 3 years (full time) | AED 154,325 | ≈ ₹38.6 lakh |
| BEng Mechanical Engineering | 3 years (full time) | AED 154,325 | ≈ ₹38.6 lakh |
| MSc Computer Science (conversion, for non-computing graduates) | 1 year full time (2 years part time) | AED 180,617 | ≈ ₹45.2 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University of Birmingham Dubai with similar universities in Dubai (UAE).
Scholarships
- Undergraduate and postgraduate
University of Birmingham Dubai merit scholarships
Value: Up to 30% of tuition
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are considered automatically after receiving a conditional offer; criteria are listed on the Dubai scholarships page.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate
Fixed undergraduate fee
Value: No fee increases after year 1
Eligibility: Applies to all undergraduate students: the fee you pay in your first year stays the same for the whole course.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Class 12 from CBSE, CISCE or a state board, assessed against Birmingham's A-level offers (for example A*AA–ABB for Computer Science, with strong Mathematics). Check the Indian qualification equivalence on the entry requirements page.
- Subject requirements apply: Mathematics for Computer Science, AI and Engineering.
- A degree with an integrated foundation year is available for some subjects if you do not meet direct-entry requirements.
- Apply online to the Dubai campus; when you accept a conditional offer you pay a non-refundable AED 5,000 deposit.
Postgraduate
- A UK 2:1 Honours degree equivalent for most master's (for example MSc Data Science, AI and Machine Learning, Accounting and Finance, Marketing).
- A 2:2 equivalent for the MSc Advanced Engineering Management and the MSc Computer Science conversion course (open to graduates of non-computing subjects).
- Apply online to the Dubai campus; several master's courses also offer a January part-time start.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (undergraduate)
- Degree transcripts and certificate (postgraduate)
- Personal statement
- English test score (IELTS, TOEFL or PTE) or completion of a pre-sessional English course
- Reference
- Passport-size photos and documents for the UAE student visa, sponsored by the university
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Accepted tests | IELTS, TOEFL and PTE, or the university's pre-sessional English course. |
| Level | Depends on your level of study and subject; check the Dubai entry requirements page for the score your course needs. |
| Class 12 English | Some Indian board English results may be accepted; confirm with admissions before you skip a test. |
Accommodation and living costs
Birmingham Dubai works with private accommodation partners near Dubai International Academic City rather than running its own halls. Prices are set by each provider and paid to them directly. The ranges below are monthly prices published by UOWD for the same kind of private student residences in Dubai's academic areas.
| Item | In AED | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Shared room in a student residenceTwin or triple sharing; UOWD partner list | AED 2,200–3,800per month | ≈ ₹55,000 – ₹95,000 |
| Single roomUOWD partner list | AED 3,800–5,050per month | ≈ ₹95,000 – ₹1.3 lakh |
| StudioUOWD partner list | AED 5,500–7,500per month | ≈ ₹1.4 lakh – ₹1.9 lakh |
| Tuition depositNon-refundable; deducted from fees | AED 5,000one-off | ≈ ₹1.3 lakh |
Campus and location
The campus is in Dubai International Academic City, a dedicated education zone south of central Dubai near Al Ain Road. It opened in 2021 with teaching, lab and student spaces built for the Dubai campus.
- Modern teaching spaces, computer and engineering labs, a library and social spaces.
- Students can apply for study-abroad periods at the Birmingham UK campus on some programmes.
- Dubai has a large Indian community and direct flights of about 3 hours to Delhi, Mumbai and other Indian cities.
- Summers are very hot (often above 40°C), so most student life is indoors from June to September.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Dubai is a regional hub for finance, technology, consulting and engineering. The UAE does not have a post-study work visa like the UK's; graduates generally need an employer to sponsor an employment visa. Top graduates of UAE universities may qualify for a long-term Golden Visa under conditions set by the UAE government.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Parent university's QS World University Ranking 2027 | 68 | QS World University Rankings |
| BSc Computer Science accreditation | British Computer Society (valid until August 2028) | University of Birmingham Dubai course page |
| Undergraduate fee increases during the course | None (first-year fee fixed) | University of Birmingham Dubai fees page |
Studying in Dubai (UAE)
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Dubai (UAE). Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
Is the Dubai degree the same as the UK degree?
Yes. Students in Dubai receive a University of Birmingham degree, the same award as on the UK campus.
How much does Birmingham Dubai cost?
For September 2027, undergraduate tuition is AED 123,890–162,203 a year depending on the subject, and a one-year full-time master's is AED 160,925–180,617. Add accommodation, food, visa, insurance and living costs.
Do fees go up every year?
Not for undergraduates: the fee you pay in your first year stays the same for the whole course.
Are there scholarships?
Yes. Birmingham Dubai offers scholarships worth up to 30% of tuition. Eligible applicants are considered automatically after a conditional offer.
Can I start in January?
Some master's courses, such as the MSc International Business, offer a January start; others offer January part-time study. Undergraduate courses start in September.
Is the degree recognised in India?
It is a UK university degree. For government jobs or further study in India you may need an equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU); check its current rules for degrees from overseas branch campuses.
Sources
- University of Birmingham Dubai: fees and scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- University of Birmingham Dubai: BSc Computer Science (opens in a new tab)
- University of Birmingham Dubai: MSc Data Science (opens in a new tab)
- University of Birmingham Dubai: BSc Business Management (opens in a new tab)
- University of Birmingham Dubai: MSc Marketing (opens in a new tab)
- University of Birmingham Dubai: history and heritage (opens in a new tab)
- UOWD: student accommodation partners and prices (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings: University of Birmingham (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.birmingham.ac.uk/dubai (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details