Universities in the UAE

University, Higher Education and Professional courses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Further educational courses tend not to be as popular as Primary and Secondary schooling. This is usually the case when expat families decide to either all move back to their home country or send their child back home for further studies.This is more common amongst western expat families. However, the ever increasing population of the UAE has recently seen a surge in students at primary and secondary level who are showing an interest to continue their higher education studies in the UAE. This in turn has led to more centers offering undergraduate and post graduate courses in the Arts, Sciences, Business and Management and Engineering arena. Currently, the majority of institutions are based in Dubai around the Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academy areas. Abu Dhabi lacks choice at present, however plans to build a New York University Campus are underway with a potential Yale Campus for the future. Because there is a limit on number of institutions, there is also a limit on courses, so longer term, you may need to consider the additional cost of sending your child overseas for their undergraduate course. For postgraduate courses, more institutions are offering distance learning opportunities which is proving more popular among staff who cant forgo the salary to return home and study.

Below is a list of some university and higher educational institutions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These have not been vetted by us so please contact them individually for more information.
 

Abu Dhabi


Abu Dhabi University
Courses: Arts, Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology
Additional Info: This institution has also has a campus in Al Ain
Tel: +971 2 558 8999


UAE University
Courses: Business and Economics, Education, Engineering, Food Systems, Sciences, Information Technology, Humanities, Social Sciences. Additional Info: Welcomes applicants who are expats as well as nationals.
Tel: +971 3 755 5557 Fax: +9713 754 5277


Paris – Sorbonne University
Courses: The University runs a number of programmes including Archaeology and Art, French and Comparative Literature, History and Geography, Languages, Law and Music among others. All classes are taught in French. For non – French speakers, a one year French programme is offered. Additional Info: The Abu Dhabi campus is Paris – Sorbonne’s first centre outside France. The university follows the License-Masters-Doctorate (LMD) system which is a total of 3 years duration.
Tel: +971 2 509 0555 Fax: +971 2 509 0656


New York University NYU Abu Dhabi (In Development)
The website outlines plans for the development and launch of this well established university. It is intended for enrolment to begin in autumn 2010. 
 

Dubai

The American College of Dubai
Courses: Courses and Associate Degree programmes in Business Information Technology and Arts
Additional Info: Offers university level credits enabling transfers to international institutions.
Tel: +971 4 282 9992 Fax: +971 4 282 8060


American University of Dubai
Courses: Business, Information Technology, Engineering, Interior Design, Arts, Visual Communication
Tel: +971 4 399 9000 Fax: +971 4 399 8899


American University of Sharjah
Courses: Languages, Literature, Business, Finance, Communications, Architecture, Engineering, Design, Economics. Postgraduate courses also offered in Arts and Sciences, Architecture and Design, Business Management and Engineering. 
Tel: +971 6 515 5555 Fax: +971 5 515 2200


British University in Dubai
Courses: Postgraduate courses in Environmental Design of Buildings, Information Technology. Some PHD courses are also available. Additional Info: Dubai’s first postgraduate research based university. 
Tel: +971 4 391 3626 Fax: +971 4 366 4698

Dublin Business School
Courses: One year foundation course in English and Business and a one year Certificate in Business and Language (CBL) and a 3 year degree course BA (Hons) in Business Studies. 
Tel: +971 4 367 1292 

Emirates Academy of Hospital Management
Courses: Offers a range of courses in International Hospitality Management, International Tourist Management and Business and Tourism. Additional Info: This institution is owned by the Jumeirah Group, the company that owns Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Burj Al Arab and Madinat Jumeirah. Tel: +971 4 315 5555 Fax: +971 4 315 5556

Heriot-Watt University Dubai
Courses: Offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Business, Management, Finance, Accounting and Information Technology. Additional Info: One of the UK’s renowned university’s 
Tel: +971 4 361 6999 Fax: +971 4 360 4800

London Business School - Dubai-London Executive MBA
Course: A unique 2 year MBA programme run in the prestigious London Business School environment with modules offered in Dubai during the 2nd year. An optional international assignment can also be taken. In addition to the Executive MBA, the Dubai centre will run six Executive Education programmes.
Tel: +971 4 425 0182 Fax: +971 4 425 0180 

Manchester Business School
Course: Offer a distance learning and self study approach whereby professionals who are already in senior and managerial positions can attend workshops and lectures to complement their profession. 
Tel: +971 4 365 8313 Fax: +971 4 360 4505

Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Courses: Offers a range of courses in Information Systems, Media and Communication, Fashion and Interior Design at various certificate levels including undergraduate and postgraduate. 
Tel: +971 4 366 4577 

Middlesex University
Courses: Offers a range of undergraduate courses in Accountancy, Business Studies, Tourism, Human Resource Management, Marketing and Computer Science. 
Additional Info: Another popular UK university. Courses can be studied as a single or joint honours programme.
Tel: +971 4 367 8100 Fax: +971 4 367 2956

SAE Institute
Courses: Offers specialist courses in Audio Engineering, Digital Animation and Film making. 
Additional Info: This is an Australian film and multimedia training institute.
Tel: +971 4 361 6173 Fax: +971 4 368 6800

University of Wollongong
Courses: Offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Business and Information Technology, Accounting, Banking and Management.
Tel: +971 4 367 2400 Fax: +971 4 367 2760

Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Village

It is worth further researching other higher education institutions that may perhaps be setting up in Dubai. They are probably likely to associate themselves either withKnowledge village or Dubai International Academic City which is a kind of freezone for education establishments and likely to house the newer bigger entrants. Dr Ayoub Kazim, executive director of Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV) and Dubai International Academic City has explained DIAC will provide the best academic resources to both residents and expatriate students. Presently Knowledge Village has a mix of training and human resource institutions along with a few international universities. The non educational establishments has made the strategy of knowledge village appear a little bizarre, but going forward we believe there will be more educational institutions in place.