The UAE has grown into one of the most popular destinations for international students, thanks to its mix of internationally accredited institutions, modern campuses, and programs taught in English. Cities like Dubai, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah host options across engineering, medicine, business, law, and more, often with degrees recognized far beyond the Gulf region.

This list breaks down ten universities in the UAE for international student worth considering, along with their accreditation, global standing, programs offered, and tuition costs, so you can compare your options before applying.

1. Ajman University (AU)

Location: Ajman, UAE
Accreditation: Licensed federally by the UAE Ministry of Education Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA). Institutionally accredited by WSCUC (USA) and QAA (UK).
Global Ranking: Ranked #397 globally in the QS World University Rankings.
Programs Offered: Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering, Law, Business Administration, Artificial Intelligence.
Tuition: Charged per credit hour. General undergraduate programs average AED 39,600 to AED 47,250 annually. Medicine (MD) costs AED 127,050 per year.

2. American University in the Emirates (AUE)

Location: Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), Dubai
Accreditation: Licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education CAA.
Global Ranking: Unranked in the global QS World University Rankings top 1000 band.
Programs Offered: Business Administration, Law, Computer Information Technology, Security and Strategic Studies, Design, Media.
Tuition: Ranges from AED 45,600 to AED 65,000 annually, depending on the total credit hour load taken per term.

3. American University in Dubai (AUD)

Location: Dubai, UAE
Accreditation: Accredited in the US by SACSCOC and federally in the UAE by CAA. Holds specialized programmatic badges from AACSB (Business) and ABET (Engineering).
Global Ranking: Ranked in the #620 to #630 band globally in the QS World University Rankings.
Programs Offered: Business Administration, Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Architecture, Communication, Fine Arts.
Tuition: Full time undergraduate enrollment averages AED 60,000 to AED 70,000 annually.

4. American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK)

Location: Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
Accreditation: Accredited by SACSCOC (USA), QAA (UK), and CAA (UAE).
Global Ranking: Ranked #608 globally in the QS World University Rankings.
Programs Offered: Biotechnology, Civil, Chemical and Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Architecture, Business.
Tuition: Standard undergraduate tuition sits between AED 60,260 and AED 65,200 per year.

5. Amity University Dubai

Location: Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), Dubai
Accreditation: Licensed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai and CAA in the UAE.
Global Ranking: Unranked independently, as it functions as an international branch campus of the Amity Education Group in India. Programs Offered: BTech Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Forensic Sciences, Law, Fashion Design, Psychology.
Tuition: Annual undergraduate fees run from AED 35,000 to AED 77,000, depending on studio or laboratory needs for the program.

6. Al Ain University (AAU)

Location: Campuses in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi
Accreditation: Licensed by CAA (UAE). Holds international programmatic accreditations from ABET (Software Engineering) and HCERES France (Law).
Global Ranking: Ranked #559 globally in the QS World University Rankings.
Programs Offered: Pharmacy, Software Engineering, Law, Cybersecurity, Business Administration, Applied Psychology.
Tuition: Calculated per credit hour (AED 1,200 to AED 2,700 per credit), which comes to roughly AED 36,000 to AED 81,000 per year depending on the degree.

7. Britts Imperial University College

Location: Sharjah, Dubai, and Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
Accreditation: Operates locally under authority permits such as KHDA, SPEA, and RAK DOK as an academic support, pathfinding, and vocational training entity. It is not an independently licensed, degree granting university under the federal CAA. Degrees are conferred through distance or transfer arrangements with foreign partner universities.
Global Ranking: Unranked.
Programs Offered: Vocational diplomas, pathway awards, BBA, and MBA programs delivered in partnership with foreign institutions.
Tuition: Annual costs fall between AED 25,000 and AED 40,000 depending on the awarding foreign body.

8. Curtin University Dubai

Location: Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), Dubai
Accreditation: Licensed by the KHDA in Dubai and holds federal institutional accreditation from the CAA. Degrees are conferred directly by Curtin University Australia.
Global Ranking: The home campus, Curtin Australia, ranks #174 globally in the QS World University Rankings.
Programs Offered: Cyber Security, Information Technology, Business Administration, Architectural Science, Mechanical Engineering.
Tuition: Standard three year undergraduate programs total AED 182,700, averaging AED 60,900 per year.

9. City University Ajman (CU Ajman / CUA)

Location: Ajman, UAE
Accreditation: Fully licensed and accredited federally by the UAE Ministry of Education CAA. Programmatic endorsements include AQAS Germany (Media) and HCERES France (Law).
Global Ranking: Holds a 5 star rating in QS Stars, though unranked in the primary global top 1000 QS numerical tables.
Programs Offered: Business Administration, Law, Information Technology, Public Relations & Advertising, Education.
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition costs between AED 35,000 and AED 42,000 annually.

10. De Montfort University Dubai (DMU Dubai)

Location: Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), Dubai
Accreditation: Branch campus licensed by KHDA and CAA. Qualifications are conferred directly by De Montfort University Leicester, UK.
Global Ranking: Unranked independently in QS, since it is evaluated under the parent UK institution.
Programs Offered: Cyber Security, Data Analytics, Architecture, Interior Design, Fashion Communications, Law.
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition ranges from AED 45,000 to AED 65,000 annually.

StudyAbroadly: Study Abroad & International Education Consultant

Picking a university is only part of the journey. Getting admitted, funded, and through a visa interview is a whole other process, and this is where an agency like StudyAbroadly comes in. StudyAbroadly is a Nigeria based study abroad agency that also supports students from Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and other African countries applying to universities in the UK, Canada, USA, Malta, and parts of Europe.

Here is what we offer:

• Course and university selection guidance: Tailored advice on course selection, university fit, and career goals to help students understand their options.
• Application support: Step by step help with university applications, including document review, SOP and Letter of Recommendation checks, and communication with partner universities.
• Scholarship and funding guidance: Support finding scholarships, grants, and funding opportunities, along with financial planning tips to make studying abroad more affordable.
• Student visa support: Full visa preparation, including forms, documents, sponsor letters, financial proof, mock interviews, and SOP review for the UK, Canada, US, Malta, and other destinations.
• Payment plan information: Guidance on tuition payment options such as installments, deposit plus balance, or pay as you study arrangements, where universities offer them.
• Support for non standard profiles: Placement help for applicants with HND, third class degrees, or study gaps, matching them to schools that accept top up, PGD, or pathway programs.
• IELTS free options: Access to a network of universities in the UK, Canada, USA, Germany, the Netherlands, and other countries that do not require IELTS.

You might still be comparing universities, or you might be ready to start an application. Either way, having someone review your documents and walk you through visa steps can save a lot of guesswork. With the ten schools above and the kind of hands on support StudyAbroadly provides, Nigerian and other international students have a clearer route to studying in the UAE and beyond.