Top scholarship programmes in the UAE
Looking for reputable scholarships in the UAE? Apart from reducing or eliminating tuition costs, academic scholarship programmes allow gifted applicants to reach their full potential and boost their chances of pursuing fruitful careers in the future. Many universities in the country offer grants to recognise the outstanding academic achievements of students and provide them with financial assistance to complete their higher education. We have compiled a list of top scholarships in the UAE which allow international students to study in the country and also those that cater to UAE Nationals.
UAE scholarships for International Students
Many academic institutions offer fully funded scholarships in the UAE to international students who wish to continue their education in the country, based on mutual agreements between the UAE and foreign governments. Here are some top scholarships in the UAE that are accepting applications from foreign students.
IRENA SIDS Lighthouses Internship
Those looking to study in the UAE with scholarship can consider International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) SIDS Lighthouses Internship. Students currently enrolled in a Master’s/PhD program or recently graduated (within 6 months) from an undergraduate program can apply.
This postgraduate scholarships in the UAE, focuses on sponsoring international students, with a priority for these subjects:
- Renewable Energy
- Climate Change
- Energy Policy/Law
- Project Finance
- Engineering Economics
- Energy Data/Statistics
- Sustainable Development
- International Relations
It offers students a great opportunity to get a quality education and build a successful career.
- Course level: Masters or PhD programme
- Scholarship worth: Fully funded
International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship at Zayed University
Those looking for a Dubai scholarship for undergraduate programmes may consider Zayed University (ZU). Zayed University is recognised by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which means that their academic initiatives are also recognised internationally.
The Undergraduate Merit Scholarship from the ZU is open only to international applicants, with students from any nationality welcome to apply. There is the President’s Award, which covers the entire fee for students who have a minimum of 3.6 GPA. Academic Merit Scholarship covers 50% or 25% of the fee.
Undergraduate Family Grant is awarded to families who have enrolled more than one child in the university. It offers 25% discount on each sibling after the first.
- Course level: Undergraduate
- Scholarship worth: Up to 100% of tuition fees
UAEU’S Space Science Scholarship under the Arab Space Pioneers Program
The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) is Arab students to apply for Arab Space Pioneers Scholarship. Candidates must have a B.Sc. degree in one of these fields; Space Science, Physics, Engineering (Mechanical and Electrical Engineering), Computer Engineering and IT, GIS, or Remote Sensing.
Furthermore, a minimum GPA of 3.3 in Bachelor degree is needed. The candidate must not be employed or have any other financial sponsorship. Additionally, a minimum score of 6 in IELTS is needed.
The benefits include:
- 100% tuition waiver
- Monthly stipend
- Health insurance (if needed)
- Bonus based on availability and candidate’s performance
Visit the official university website to apply.
- Course duration: 2 years
- Scholarship worth: 100% waiver of tuition fees
International Scholarships at Khalifa University
Among the top scholarships in the UAE is one for international students by Khalifa University. There are three categories:
- Masters scholarship for any nationality. There are three tiers to this programme with the top tier students getting 100% tuition fee waiver, free accommodation, mobilisation and demobilisation flights, coverage of the UAE visa application fees, medical insurance coverage and more.
- PhD scholarship is also for international students with tiered benefits including complete tuition fee waiver, on campus free accommodation, mobilisation and demobilisation flights, coverage of the UAE visa application fees, monthly stipend of AED 20,000 with a chance to earn additional allowance as per the university criteria, medical insurance coverage, a commitment to work with Khalifa University or a nominated entity upon graduation and more.
- China Scholarship Council – Khalifa University of Science and Technology (KU) Joint PhD Scholarship is only for Chinese nationals. 100% tuition fee waiver, stipend from the University and the Council, free accommodation, mobilisation and demobilisation flights, coverage of the UAE visa application fees, medical insurance coverage, textbooks from the university and more.
As one of the best universities in Abu Dhabi, Khalifa University can be ideal for foreign students looking to pursue masters or PhD in the UAE.
- Course level: Masters or PhD
- Scholarship worth: 50% to 100% tuition fee waiver
Scholarships in the UAE for Emirati students
Apart from academic programmes that cater to international applicants, there are also several scholarship programmes in the UAE that focus on giving the same opportunities to local aspirants. These are the best scholarships in the UAE for local applicants:
TRA BETHA Programme
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) offers the BETHA programme for graduate and undergraduate students. Through its ICT Fund, the TRA aims to enhance the country’s education sector in ICT-related courses.
The scholarships are available in disciplines like Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science and many other disciplines.
The BETHA programme has given hundreds of scholarships and enabled local students to study in the best institutes. Here are some of the eligibility requirements:
- Applicant must be Emirati nationals and provide proof of the fact
- Must not have received financial assistance or scholarship from another programme
- Must have applied for specialisation in Telecommunications and Information Technology
Several universities in the country are accredited in the BETHA programme.
Masaar Programme for College Scholarships
Launched by the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the Masaar programme offers college scholarships to the UAE high school graduates. The initiative enables Emirati students to pursue further studies in various disciplines in accredited universities across the UAE.
Open only to UAE nationals, the programme requires applicants to possess one of three qualifications — a Diploma, Higher Diploma or a Bachelor’s Degree. The goal is to prepare them to take up civil jobs in the Federal Government sector.
Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University Scholarships
The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) also offers one of the popular Emirati scholarship programs. Students who graduate with 90% average and wish to wishes to enrol in any undergraduate program at HBMSU in the same academic year of high school graduation can apply for this scholarship. A fee waiver of tuition along with admission fee is part of the benefits.
One must maintain minimum a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.50 out of 4.00 to continue the scholarship.
Furthermore, there’s another scholarship for tuition remission of 20% based on academic performance. Similarly, full-time staff at Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University can apply for a 20% scholarship after they have completed their probation.
ADNOC Scholarship program
The ADNOC Scholarship programme enables Emirati students to apply for graduate and post-graduate programmes in leading global universities and also those in the UAE. The key purpose of the initiative is to encourage UAE Nationals to engage in academics that are relevant to the future of the ADNOC Group.
The authority sponsors students who apply to study for one of the following disciplines in one of the approved university.
• Energy & Sustainability
• Chemical Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Geoscience
• Engineering Project Management
• Financial Engineering for Engineers
• Law
• Finance
• Economics
• Data Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Materials Science
• Computer Science
• Natural Language Processing
• Energy Engineering
Eligibility requirements differ for UAE Nationals who want to use the ADNOC scholarship to study abroad. For a full list of conditions, visit the ADNOC website.
FAQs
WHICH ARE THE MOST POPULAR UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES IN DUBAI?
If you want to search for academic opportunities, here’s a list of the top universities and colleges in Dubai.
WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION IN THE UAE?
Check out our blog, which details the services and functions of the UAE’s Ministry of Education.
That’s all for our list of top scholarships in the UAE. There are plenty of opportunities for both international and national students. If you prepare nice and early, you could benefit from a life-changing experience that can help you build a dream career.
Besides these programmes, you can consider scholarships offered by Dubai universities.
