Tuition is only one part of what makes a university affordable. For students planning to study in UAE, scholarships, fee waivers, sibling discounts, and flexible payment plans can bring the cost of a degree down by a large margin. The schools below all lean on this kind of support to help international students manage their education costs and stay enrolled.

This list brings together admission details, programme options, and scholarship information for twelve universities in the UAE, giving you a clearer picture of where the savings come from before you apply. It also highlights the different types of institutions available to students who want to study in UAE, including branch campuses, private colleges, and vocational education hubs.

One thing worth flagging up front is that these schools are a mix of branch campuses, private colleges, and vocational education hubs, not the full roster of UAE universities. Some hold national accreditation from the Ministry of Education’s Commission for Academic Accreditation, while others operate under local free zone licensing, such as KHDA in Dubai or RAK DOK in Ras Al Khaimah, with degrees conferred directly by an overseas parent institution, not through national CAA attestation.

1. Emirates Aviation University (EAU)

Emirates Aviation University leans into its namesake industry, with undergraduate options in Aviation Management, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence, plus applied bachelor’s degrees in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, and a top up BSc (Hons) in Air Transport Management. At the postgraduate level, students can pursue an MSc in Aerospace Engineering, an MSc in Data Science & AI, an MSc in Aviation Safety and Security, or an MBA focused on aviation, alongside a general MBA track.

Admission at the undergraduate level calls for a High School Diploma, with UAE Secondary Certificate holders needing 60 to 70 percent depending on the track, or an equivalent such as A-Levels, along with an IELTS score of 6.0 overall (or TOEFL iBT 61, EmSAT 1100). Postgraduate applicants need an accredited bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.5 out of 4.0, and an IELTS score between 6.5 and 7.0.

Where EAU actually becomes budget friendly is its scholarship structure:

• Chancellor’s Scholarship, covering up to 100 percent of tuition for top high school achievers
• Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship, covering up to 50 percent
• Sibling discount of 10 percent
• Alumni discount of 20 percent off postgraduate tuition

2. GBS Dubai (Global Business Studies)

GBS Dubai operates as a vocational and diploma focused institution, not a traditional degree granting university. Its Pearson BTEC HND Level 4 and 5 programs cover Business, Digital Technologies (including Cyber Security and AI Solutions), Construction Management, and Health and Social Care Practice, alongside International Extended Diplomas at Levels 2 and 3 and ACCA preparation courses. At the postgraduate end, GBS runs a Global Investment Banking Analyst Programme as a professional pathway, though it does not grant independent master’s degrees directly, since it works under KHDA and UK vocational awarding frameworks.

Applicants to the diploma and HND programs need a High School Certificate, Grade 12 completion, or a BTEC Level 3 qualification, plus an English proficiency assessment or an IELTS score of 5.5.

For affordability, GBS Dubai points to regional merit discounts, early bird enrolment fee waivers, and flexible payment installments, which makes it one of the more accessible entry points on this list.

3. Hult International Business School Dubai

Hult keeps its undergraduate offering focused, with a single Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). Postgraduate students have far more range: a Global One Year MBA, an Executive MBA, and master’s degrees in International Business, Finance, and International Marketing.

Undergraduate admission calls for a High School Diploma, IB, or A-Levels with solid academic performance, a personal statement, an admissions interview, and an IELTS score of 6.0 or above. Postgraduate applicants need an accredited bachelor’s degree, with MBA tracks asking for at least three years of relevant work experience (Master’s tracks accept 0 to 3 years), plus an interview, written essays, references, and IELTS 6.5 or higher.

Hult’s scholarship offerings include Global Merit Scholarships across categories like Social Impact, Entrepreneurial Impact, and Women in Business, along with Senior Leaders awards and need based financial aid.

4. Middlesex University Dubai

Middlesex covers a wide academic base at the undergraduate level, with BA, BSc, BEng, and LLB options in Business Management, Accounting & Finance, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Law, Psychology, and Media & Graphic Design. Postgraduate programs include MSc degrees in Data Science & AI, Cyber Security, Finance & Investment, Human Resource Management, and Applied Psychology, plus full time and executive MBA options.

Undergraduate applicants need a UAE High School Certificate at 60 percent or above, A-Levels, an IB Diploma of 24 points or more, or a CBSE/ICSE score between 55 and 70 percent or higher, with an IELTS score of 6.0 overall and no band below 5.5. Postgraduate admission calls for the equivalent of a UK Second Class Honors degree (55 to 60 percent or higher) and IELTS 6.5, with work experience needed for MBA options.

Affordability comes through Academic Excellence Scholarships worth 15 to 50 percent off tuition, early enrolment grants, and corporate or sibling grants.

5. Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai

MAHE Dubai offers a broad spread of undergraduate degrees, including BTech programs in Civil, Mechanical, Computer Science, and Mechatronics engineering, alongside a BSc in Information Technology, a BBA, a BCom, a BArch, a BA in Media & Communication, a BSc in Interior Design, and BSc Humanities options. Postgraduate choices include MTech, MBA, MSc Information Technology, MA Media & Communication, and a Master of Design.

Undergraduate admission needs a High School Diploma or 10+2 with a minimum of 50 percent overall (and 50 percent or above in Math, Physics, and Chemistry for BTech applicants), with IELTS between 5.0 and 6.0. Postgraduate applicants need a recognized bachelor’s degree with at least 50 percent aggregate and an IELTS score of 6.0 or higher.

MAHE backs this up with Merit Scholarships worth up to 50 percent for top GPA achievers, sports scholarships, cultural grants, and a 10 percent sibling discount.

6. NEST Academy of Management Education

NEST sits closer to the vocational end of the spectrum, offering UK awarded Level 4 and 5 diplomas and Higher National Diplomas in Event Management, Business Management, Computing, Hospitality Management, and Sports Management. At the postgraduate level, it offers a Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership.

Undergraduate applicants need to have completed Grade 12, A-Levels, or an equivalent, along with proficiency in spoken and written English. Postgraduate applicants can qualify with a bachelor’s degree or with three or more years of professional work experience in management.

For cost conscious students, NEST offers merit based tuition concessions, a flexible fee schedule, and work study placement support, which can help offset living costs alongside tuition.

7. Northwood University UAE (RAK IPC)

Northwood’s undergraduate program is a BBA with majors in Finance, Management, Marketing, and Hospitality Management, with an optional minor in Business Analytics. At the graduate level, it offers a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and an MBA.

Undergraduate admission asks for a High School Diploma with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 out of 4.0, plus IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 71. Postgraduate applicants need an accredited bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.7 or above, a resume, references, and IELTS 6.5 or higher.

Northwood’s affordability comes through International Student Merit Grants worth 20 to 30 percent off fees, transfer credit allowances, and early registration discounts.

8. Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai (RIT Dubai)

RIT Dubai offers a technical leaning undergraduate lineup, with BS degrees in Electrical, Mechanical, and Industrial Engineering, Computing & Information Technologies, Cybersecurity, and a BBA with Finance, Marketing, and Management tracks. Postgraduate options include an MS in Cybersecurity, an MS in Data Analytics, an MS in Mechanical Engineering, and an MS in Professional Studies covering areas like City Science and blockchain.

Undergraduate applicants need a High School Diploma with 75 to 80 percent or higher and solid Math and Science marks, along with IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79. Postgraduate admission calls for an accredited bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 (conditional entry is available for lower GPAs), transcripts, letters of recommendation, and IELTS 6.5 or above.

RIT Dubai backs its programs with merit scholarships ranging from 5 to 45 percent based on entry grades, graduate assistantships worth up to 50 percent, and need based financial aid covering up to 30 percent.

9. SP Jain School of Global Management Dubai

SP Jain’s undergraduate lineup includes a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Data Science, and a Bachelor of Economics. At the postgraduate level, it offers a Master of Global Business, a Global MBA, an Executive MBA, a Master of Artificial Intelligence in Business, and a Master of Applied Finance and Wealth Management.

Undergraduate applicants need to have completed 10+2, IB, or A-Levels, along with the SPJET entrance test or SAT/ACT scores, plus IELTS 6.0 or above. Postgraduate admission needs a recognized bachelor’s degree, GMAT, GRE, or CAT scores (or the SPJAT entrance test), a minimum of 2 to 3 years of work experience for the Global MBA track, and IELTS 6.5 or higher.

Scholarship options here include Global Merit Scholarships covering 10 to 100 percent of tuition, along with Diversity Scholarships and Women in Leadership Grants.

10. University of Hertfordshire Dubai

Hertfordshire’s undergraduate degrees cover Business Administration, Mass Communications, Computer Science, Psychology, and Law (LLB). Its postgraduate lineup includes an MSc in Computer Science, an MSc in Data Science, an MSc in International Business, and an MBA.

Undergraduate admission calls for a High School completion certificate at 60 to 70 percent or higher depending on the curriculum, plus IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5. Postgraduate applicants need a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university at 55 to 60 percent or higher, with IELTS 6.5.

On the affordability side, Hertfordshire offers High Achiever Scholarships worth up to 30 percent off, early bird enrolment grants, and sibling discounts.

11. UCA Delivered by FEUC

UCA Delivered by FEUC is a partnership between the UK’s University for the Creative Arts (UCA) and Future Education University College (FEUC) in the Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone, UAE.

This partnership brings a design focused undergraduate lineup, including BA (Hons) degrees in Graphic Design, Fashion Design, Business & Management for the Creative Industries, and Architecture. Postgraduate options include an MA in Fashion Business & Marketing, an MA in Creative Business, and an MA in Global Media & Digital Communications.

Undergraduate applicants need a High School Diploma, A-Levels, or IB, along with a creative portfolio for design and art tracks, plus IELTS 6.0 or above. Postgraduate admission needs a recognized bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject, a portfolio or project proposal for design majors, and IELTS 6.5 or higher.

Creative Talent Scholarships here can cover up to 30 percent off tuition based on portfolio quality, and there are also early enrolment fee waivers for students who apply ahead of schedule.

12. Walsh College UAE (FEUC / UAQ FTZ Platform)

Walsh College’s undergraduate program is a BBA with concentrations in Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Management, and Information Technology. At the postgraduate level, it offers an MBA, a Master of Science in Finance, and a Master of Science in Information Technology.

Undergraduate applicants need a High School Diploma with a minimum GPA equivalent to 2.0 out of 4.0, plus IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 71. Postgraduate admission calls for an accredited bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.75 or above, official transcripts, and IELTS 6.5 or higher.

Walsh backs this up with Academic Achievement Grants worth 10 to 25 percent off tuition, along with corporate partner tuition reductions.

StudyAbroadly: Expert Guidance for Your International Studies

StudyAbroadly helps students turn their international study goals into a clear plan. Choosing a university abroad involves more than finding a popular institution. Students also need to consider the right course, tuition fees, location, entry requirements, available scholarships, accommodation, visa requirements, and future career opportunities. With expert guidance, students can make informed decisions that suit their academic background, budget, and long term goals.

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• University and course selection: Find programmes that match your academic interests, career plans, and preferred study destination.
• Admission guidance: Understand university entry requirements, application deadlines, academic qualifications, and supporting documents.
• Scholarship opportunities: Learn about scholarships, grants, and other funding options that can help reduce the cost of studying abroad.
• Application support: Get guidance with preparing application forms, personal statements, CVs, recommendation letters, and other required documents.
• Visa guidance: Understand the student visa process and prepare the documents needed for your chosen destination.
• Pre departure preparation: Get practical advice on accommodation, travel arrangements, finances, and adjusting to life in a new country.

Studying abroad is a major investment in your education and future. With StudyAbroadly, students can access reliable guidance at each stage, helping them approach their international education journey with greater clarity and confidence.