About the university
The University of Dubai (UD) was founded in 1997 and is owned by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce. It is a private university licensed by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education, with three colleges: Dubai Business School, the College of Engineering & IT and the College of Law.
UD is small, with about 1,600 students from over 40 nationalities. Its business school is AACSB-accredited, and computing and engineering programmes carry ABET accreditation (the BSc in Computing and Information Systems – Artificial Intelligence is accredited by ABET's Computing Accreditation Commission). Programmes include BBA majors in finance, accounting, digital marketing and logistics, a BSc in Data Science and Business Analytics with an LSE/University of London dual-degree pathway, computing and electrical engineering degrees, MBAs and MSc degrees in data science and cyber security.
Indian students look at UD for its accreditations, its QS ranking (781–790 in 2027) and scholarships of 30–50% for strong school results. Note that UD does not publish a current fee table online, so get a written fee quote before you apply.
The campus is in Dubai International Academic City, off Emirates Road.
- Founded
- 1997
- Type
- Private UAE university, licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and owned by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce
- Students
- 1,600+ from more than 40 nationalities
- Campus
- Dubai International Academic City (Emirates Road, Exit 49)
- Accreditation
- Business school accredited by AACSB; ABET accreditation for computing and engineering (e.g. BSc Computing and Information Systems – AI)
- QS World University Rankings 2027
- 781–790 in the world
- Intakes
- Fall and Spring for most programmes; MBA intakes through the year
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
781–790 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
Master of Science in Data Science
- Fee / year
- AED 58,000
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 30 credit hours); full or part time
- Intakes
- Fall and Spring
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 79 or EmSAT 1400 (conditional entry from IELTS 5.5 / iBT 71)
- Undergraduate
BSc in Computing and Information Systems – Artificial Intelligence
- Fee / year
- AED 62,423
- Duration
- 4 years (123 credit hours)
- Intakes
- Fall and Spring
- English
- 80% in Class 12 English or a pass in the UD English Placement Test (IELTS Academic 5.0 if English is not your first language)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- AED 58,000
- Duration
- 2 years full time (4 semesters, 30 credit hours); 4 years part time
- Intakes
- Fall and Spring
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 79 or EmSAT 1400 (conditional entry from IELTS 5.5 / iBT 71)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- AED 95,550
- Duration
- 12–15 months (30 credit hours stated; the course tables add up to 36)
- Intakes
- Throughout the year (terms start September, January, April and July)
- English
- IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 79 or EmSAT 1400 (MBA page); waived if you gave English scores for your bachelor's
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Business Analytics (DSBA)
- Fee / year
- AED 60,900
- Duration
- 4 years (120 credit hours)
- Intakes
- Fall and Spring
- English
- IELTS 5.5 or equivalent (TOEFL, EmSAT); at least 75% in final-year Mathematics
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- AED 60,900
- Duration
- 4 years (120 credit hours)
- Intakes
- Fall and Spring
- English
- 80% in Class 12 English or a pass in the UD English Placement Test (IELTS Academic 5.0 if English is not your first language)
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- AED 60,900
- Duration
- 4 years (120 credit hours)
- Intakes
- Fall and Spring
- English
- 80% in Class 12 English or a pass in the UD English Placement Test (IELTS Academic 5.0 if English is not your first language)
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- AED 60,900
- Duration
- 4 years (120 credit hours)
- Intakes
- Fall and Spring
- English
- 80% in Class 12 English or a pass in the UD English Placement Test (IELTS Academic 5.0 if English is not your first language)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (AED) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Data Science | 2 years (4 semesters, 30 credit hours); full or part time | AED 58,000 | ≈ ₹14.5 lakh |
| BSc in Computing and Information Systems – Artificial Intelligence | 4 years (123 credit hours) | AED 62,423 | ≈ ₹15.6 lakh |
| MSc in Cyber Security | 2 years full time (4 semesters, 30 credit hours); 4 years part time | AED 58,000 | ≈ ₹14.5 lakh |
| General MBA | 12–15 months (30 credit hours stated; the course tables add up to 36) | AED 95,550 | ≈ ₹23.9 lakh |
| Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Business Analytics (DSBA) | 4 years (120 credit hours) | AED 60,900 | ≈ ₹15.2 lakh |
| BBA Finance | 4 years (120 credit hours) | AED 60,900 | ≈ ₹15.2 lakh |
| BBA Accounting | 4 years (120 credit hours) | AED 60,900 | ≈ ₹15.2 lakh |
| BBA Digital Marketing | 4 years (120 credit hours) | AED 60,900 | ≈ ₹15.2 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 Dubai with similar universities in Dubai (UAE).
Scholarships
- Undergraduate
High school achievement discount (new students)
Value: 50% for 95%+ in school; 30% for 90%+ (for the full programme)
Eligibility: New students; keep a CGPA of at least 3.5 (50%) or 3.3 (30%) to retain it.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate
International Students Scholarship
Value: Partial (percentage not published)
Eligibility: Applicants who completed high school outside the UAE.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Scholarship
Value: 100% tuition
Eligibility: Any nationality; three awards a year across Dubai Business School, Engineering & IT and Law.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate
Current student discount
Value: 20% for one semester
Eligibility: UD students with a CGPA of 3.60 or more at the end of a term.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Class 10, 11 and 12 certificates, attested, with a UAE Ministry of Education equivalency certificate where needed.
- Business and IT: 80% in Class 12 English or a pass in the UD English Placement Test.
- Engineering: 80% in English (or UD EPT), plus 80% in Mathematics and Physics and 80% in Biology or Chemistry.
- Data Science and Business Analytics: at least 75% in final-year Mathematics and IELTS 5.5 or equivalent.
Postgraduate
- MSc Data Science and MSc Cyber Security: an accredited bachelor's in IT or equivalent with a GPA of 3.0 (conditional entry from 2.50).
- General MBA: a business bachelor's with GPA 3.0, or any bachelor's with GPA 2.0–2.9 for conditional entry.
- Foreign degrees must be attested in India and by the UAE embassy, then given a UAE Ministry of Education equivalency letter.
- Graduate applicants also send a CV and a 250-word statement of career plans.
Documents
- Attested Class 10–12 certificates (undergraduate) or attested bachelor's transcript and certificate (postgraduate)
- UAE Ministry of Education equivalency certificate
- English test result (IELTS, TOEFL or EmSAT) or proof of English-medium study
- Passport copy with visa page and four passport-size photos
- CV, statement of career plans and employment letter (postgraduate)
- Non-refundable admission fee (AED 500 undergraduate, AED 1,100 graduate in the catalogue)
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 |
|---|---|
| Class 12 English | 80% in high school English meets the requirement for business, IT and engineering bachelor's programmes |
| IELTS Academic | 5.0 for undergraduate entry if English is not your first language (6.5 for Law); 6.0 for master's (5.5 conditional) |
| TOEFL | Master's: iBT 79 / PBT 550 (iBT 71 / PBT 530 conditional) |
| EmSAT English | Master's: 1400 (1250 conditional) |
| UD English Placement Test | An alternative to the 80% English mark for undergraduate entry |
Accommodation and living costs
UD's website does not list student housing or rent prices. Students usually rent rooms in private student residences or shared flats around Dubai International Academic City; ask UD admissions for current options.
| Item | In AED | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate admission feeUD catalogue | AED 500one-off | ≈ ₹12,500 |
| Graduate admission feeUD catalogue | AED 1,100one-off | ≈ ₹27,500 |
Campus and location
UD's campus is in Dubai International Academic City, on Emirates Road (Exit 49), and hosts Dubai Business School, the College of Engineering & IT and the College of Law.
- AACSB-accredited business school, also a CIPD Approved Centre.
- ABET accreditation for computing and engineering programmes.
- Dual-degree pathway with LSE and the University of London for Data Science and Business Analytics.
- Evening and weekend MBA classes for working students.
Careers and graduate outcomes
UD is owned by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, and many of its discounts are tied to Dubai employers and partner organisations. UD does not publish graduate employment figures on the pages we checked. See our Dubai guide for the rules on working after graduation.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 781–790 | QS World University Rankings |
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:
Other universities in Dubai (UAE)
- Private
University of Birmingham Dubai (official website, opens in a new tab)
Dubai, Dubai (UAE)Often chosen for Business & Management, Computer Science & IT, Engineering
Photo: Scottish Government, CC BY 2.0 PrivateHeriot-Watt University Dubai (official website, opens in a new tab)
Dubai, Dubai (UAE)Often chosen for Engineering, Business & Management, Computer Science & IT
- Private
Middlesex University Dubai (official website, opens in a new tab)
Dubai, Dubai (UAE)Often chosen for Business & Management, Arts, Design & Media, Computer Science & IT
Photo: Jynorkh, CC BY-SA 4.0 PrivateUniversity of Wollongong in Dubai (official website, opens in a new tab)
Dubai, Dubai (UAE)Often chosen for Business & Management, Finance & Accounting, Engineering
- Private
Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai (RIT Dubai) (official website, opens in a new tab)
Dubai, Dubai (UAE)Often chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Business & Management
- Private
Murdoch University Dubai (official website, opens in a new tab)
Dubai, Dubai (UAE)Often chosen for Business & Management, Computer Science & IT, Arts, Design & Media
FAQs
How much does UD cost?
UD does not publish a current fee table online. Its 2024–25 catalogue lists AED 2,030 per credit hour for business and computing bachelor's degrees (about AED 61,000 a year for a 120-credit, four-year BBA), AED 2,415 for electrical engineering, and AED 11,600 per 3-credit course for MSc programmes, all plus VAT and from 2023. Ask UD for a written quote.
Do I need IELTS with a CBSE or ISC Class 12?
For business, IT and engineering bachelor's degrees, 80% in Class 12 English (or a pass in UD's own placement test) meets the requirement. Master's programmes ask for IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79.
Are there scholarships for Indian students?
New undergraduates with 95% or more in school get 50% off, and those with 90% or more get 30%, for the whole programme if they keep the required CGPA. There is also a partial scholarship for students who finished school outside the UAE.
When can I start?
Most bachelor's and master's programmes start in Fall or Spring. MBA terms start in September, January, April and July.
Is UD ranked?
Yes. UD is placed 781–790 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
Sources
- University of Dubai: homepage (opens in a new tab)
- University of Dubai: about us (opens in a new tab)
- University of Dubai: how to apply (opens in a new tab)
- University of Dubai: scholarships and discounts (opens in a new tab)
- University of Dubai: Student Finance Policy (2024–2025 undergraduate catalogue) (opens in a new tab)
- University of Dubai: Dubai Business School (opens in a new tab)
- University of Dubai: College of Engineering & IT (opens in a new tab)
- University of Dubai: MSc in Data Science (opens in a new tab)
- University of Dubai: BSc Computing and Information Systems – AI (opens in a new tab)
- University of Dubai: General MBA (opens in a new tab)
- University of Dubai: MBA (admissions page) (opens in a new tab)
Official website: ud.ac.ae (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details