Higher education institutions in the United Arab Emirates need to be recognized by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), which operates as part of the Ministry of Education. [1] While the Ministry of Education is the federal governing body for higher education and education in general, some emirates might still have their own agencies which oversee certain aspects of higher education within the emirate, such as Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) or Abu Dhabi's Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).
Only institutions that have received CAA accreditation from the Ministry of Education are listed below.
Emirate | Institute name | Common abbreviation | Year established |
---|---|---|---|
Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Polytechnic | ADPoly | 2010 |
Abu Dhabi School of Management | ADSM | 2010 | |
Abu Dhabi University | ADU | 2003 | |
Al Ain University | AAU | 2004 | |
Al Khawarizmi International College | KIC | 1985 | |
Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy | AGDA | 2014 | |
Emirates Academy for Identity & Citizenship | EAIC | 2008 | |
Emirates College for Advanced Education | ECAE | 2007 | |
Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies, Abu Dhabi Campus | EIBFS | 2000 | |
Fatima College of Health Sciences | FCHS | 2006 | |
Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi Campus | HCT | 1988 | |
INSEAD, Middle East Campus in Abu Dhabi | INSEAD-ME | 2007 | |
Joint Command and Staff College, Abu Dhabi | JCSC | 1991 | |
Khalifa Bin Zayed Air College | KBZAC | 1982 | |
Khalifa University | KU | 2007 | |
Liwa College of Technology (formerly Emirates College of Technology) | LCT | 1993 | |
Mohammed bin Zayed University for Human Sciences | MBZUH | 2013 | |
National Defense College | NDC | 2013 | |
New York University, Abu Dhabi | NYUAD | 2007 | |
Police College Abu Dhabi | PCA | 1985 | |
Rabdan Academy | RA | 2013 | |
Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Naval College | RBSAM-NC | 1999 | |
Sorbonne University, Abu Dhabi | SUAD | 2006 | |
United Arab Emirates University | UAEU | 1976 | |
Zayed II Military College | ZIIMC | 1972 | |
Zayed University, Abu Dhabi Campus | ZU | 2003 | |
Ajman | Ajman University | AU | 1988 |
City University College of Ajman | CUCA | 2011 | |
Gulf Medical University | GMU | 1988 | |
Western University College [2] | WUC | 2022 | |
British University College [3] | |||
Dubai | Abu Dhabi University, Dubai | ||
Al Dar University College | |||
Al Falah University [4] | |||
Al Ghurair University | |||
American College of Dubai | |||
American University in Dubai | |||
American University in the Emirates | |||
Amity University Dubai | |||
Atlas Educational Institute Dubai [5] | |||
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani | |||
British University in Dubai | |||
Canadian University Dubai | |||
The College Of Fashion And Design Dubai | |||
City, University of London Dubai Centre | |||
Curtin University | |||
Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation | |||
Dubai Medical College For Girls | |||
Dubai Pharmacy College For Girls | |||
Dubai Police Academy | |||
Emirates Academy Of Hospitality Management | |||
Emirates Aviation University | |||
Emirates College For Management And Information Technology [on probation, no new admissions] | |||
Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies, Dubai | EIBFS | 2014 | |
Esmod French Fashion Institute | 2006 | ||
European University College [on probation, no new admissions] | |||
Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University | |||
Heriot-Watt University | |||
Higher Colleges Of Technology - Dubai Branch | |||
Hult International Business School | |||
Imam Malik College For Islamic Sharia And Law | |||
Institute of Management Technology - Dubai | |||
Islamic And Arabic Studies College – Dubai | |||
Islamic Azad University | |||
Jumeira University | |||
London Business School | LBS | ||
Maktoum Bin Hamdan Dental University College [on probation, no new admissions] | |||
Manipal University | |||
MENA College of Management [6] | |||
Lincoln University of Business and Management [7] | |||
Michigan State University in Dubai | |||
Middlesex University Dubai | |||
MODUL University Dubai | |||
Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government | |||
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences | |||
Moscow University for Industry and Finance (Synergy) | |||
Murdoch University Dubai | |||
Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai | |||
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland | |||
S P Jain School of Global Management | |||
SAE Institute | |||
Saint Joseph University | |||
Saint-Petersburg State Economic University | |||
Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology | |||
Strathclyde Business School Dubai | SBS | 1995 | |
The National Institute for Vocational Education | NIVE | ||
The University of Manchester Worldwide | |||
University Of Balamand In Dubai [on probation, no new admissions] | |||
University of Birmingham Dubai | |||
University of Bradford Regional Hub, Dubai | |||
University of Dubai | |||
University of Exeter[ citation needed ] | |||
University of Jazeera [on probation, no new admissions] | |||
University Of Modern Sciences [on probation, no new admissions] | |||
University of South Wales, Dubai | |||
University of Wollongong in Dubai. [8] | UoWD | 1993 | |
Zayed University, Dubai | |||
Fujairah | University of Fujairah | UOF | 2006 |
Higher Colleges of Technology, Fujairah Campus | HCT | 2004 | |
University of Science and Technology of Fujairah | USTF | 2019 | |
Ras Al Khaimah | American University of Ras al Khaimah | AURAK | 2009 |
Barha University, Ras Al Khaimah Campus | |||
Higher Colleges of Technology, Ras Al Khaimah Campus | HCT | ||
Ras Al Khaimah Medical & Health Sciences University | RAKMHSU | 2006 | |
Sharjah | Al Qasimia University | AQU | 2013 |
American University of Sharjah | AUS | 1997 | |
Arab Academy for Science, Technology, & Maritime Transport, Sharjah Campus | AASTMT | 2019 | |
Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies, Sharjah Campus | EIBFS | 1983 | |
Westford University College | 2009 | ||
Higher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah Campus | HCT | 1997 | |
King's Business School [9] | KBS | 2020 | |
Lincoln University of Business and Management [10] | LUBM | 2014 | |
Police Sciences Academy | PSA | 1996 | |
Sharjah Education Academy | SEA | 2021 | |
Sharjah Performing Arts Academy | SPAA | 2019 | |
Skyline University College | SUC | 1990 | |
University of Khorfakkan | UOK | 2022 | |
University of Sharjah | UOS | 1997 | |
Umm Al Quwain | Umm Al Quwain University | UAU | 2012 |
These are the universities' rankings in 2019 according to THE (Times Higher Education) [11] and in 2020 according to QS (Quacquarelli Symonds). [12] Definitions of categories used for measurement of both THE and QS are missing. It would be helpful if the UAE provided its own rankings according to its own measurement system. The Tuning Project 2000 is integrated in the THE rankings in order to accommodate local and cultural diversity and to ameliorate rankings with 'Western' bias.
Institution | 2019 (THE) | 2020 (QS) |
---|---|---|
University of Birmingham | 116 | 81 |
American University of Sharjah | 801-1000 | 371 |
United Arab Emirates University | 351-400 | 329 |
Khalifa University | 301-350 | 268 |
American University in Dubai | - | 601-650 |
University of Wollongong | 218 | 212 |
University of Sharjah | 801-1000 | 651-700 |
Abu Dhabi University | - | 701-750 |
Ajman University | - | 751-800 |
The Ministry of Education does not recognize educational institutions based in free zones. While individual Emirates are responsible for managing the standards of educational institutions within their free zones, Dubai is the only Emirate that does so through the Knowledge and Human Development Authority's (KHDA) University Quality Assurance International Board. The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is currently working on tightening rules and regulations that govern higher academic institutions within free zones in the Emirate. [13]
The American University in Dubai (AUD) is a private for-profit university in Dubai, United Arab Emirates located in Dubai Media City. It was founded in October, 1995 and considered to be the first private university established in UAE, and serves UAE nationals and international students with an American-style education.
United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) (Arabic: جامعة الإمارات العربية المتحدة) is a public research university located in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Founded in 1976 by the country's first President, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, it is the oldest university in the United Arab Emirates and offers courses in various subjects up to post-graduation.
The American University of Sharjah is a private university in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It was founded in 1997 by Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Located in University City in Sharjah, AUS has more than 5,000 students from more than 94 countries and a full-time faculty of more than 360 from 48 countries.
Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus is a satellite campus of Heriot-Watt University based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Established in 2005, it was the first campus of an overseas university to open in Dubai International Academic City.
The British University in Dubai (BUiD) (Arabic: الجامعة البريطانية في دبي) is a research-based, non-profit institution in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Founded in 2003 by the country's Vice President and Prime Minister Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum, it is licensed by the UAE's Ministry of Education's Higher Education Affairs and all its programmes are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA).
Private education in Dubai is regulated by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. The UAE Ministry of Education is responsible for public schools in Dubai. Currently, more than 90% of school education in Dubai takes place in the private sector, served by 194 private schools offering 17 different curricula to more than 280,000 students from 182 nationalities. Dubai has 26 international branch campuses of universities from 12 different countries - including the UK, Australia and India. More than 30,000 students attend these universities, with the majority studying business, engineering and media & design. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) was founded in 2006 to develop education and human resource sectors in Dubai, and license educational institutes.
The Indian High School is a CBSE-affiliated Indian school in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was established in 1961 to provide education to the children of Indian expatriates and was the first expatriate educational institution in the UAE. The school is one of the small number of not-for-profit schools in the emirate, and is rated "Very Good" by Dubai's KHDA. It is one of the oldest and largest educational institutions in the Persian Gulf region.
The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) Arabic: جامعة ولونغونغ في دبي) is an offshore campus of the University of Wollongong in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Established in 1993, the university is located in the Dubai Knowledge Park and serves over 3,500 students from more than 108 countries.
The Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai is a satellite campus of Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, USA, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The college is located in the Dubai Silicon Oasis and started offering part-time graduate courses in Fall 2008. In 2009, the university began its full-time graduate program. RIT Dubai's first graduating class was in 2010, with the graduation ceremony taking place in Rochester, NY. In 2010, a full-time undergraduate program was started as part of the university's planned expansion. In the fall of 2011, RIT Dubai moved its campus to a new premises to accommodate the growing student body. By 2019, RIT plans to expand the campus to 1,000,000 square feet (93,000 m2) to provide facilities for 4,000 students.
Provision of education in the UAE began shortly after the establishment of the federation with the inception of the first university in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates University. Since then, the country has progressed with efforts of ensuring high literacy rates, modern programs and women's share in education. It works on improving its youths education which is why the agenda 2021 has been set. The UAE currently devotes approximately 25 percent of total federal government spending to education. As of 2019, the overall literacy rate is 96%.
Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University is the first smart university in the United Arab Emirates, established in 2002. The President of the university is the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Being the first e-learning institute in the UAE, its working model has paved the way for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR), UAE to design standards for accreditation for an e-learning institution. Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) follows in its delivery of learning a blended learning. These methods may include a mixture of face-to-face classrooms, online classrooms, and self-paced learning.
Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), informally known as Academic City, is a university town in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates along the Dubai-Al Ain Road. The project was launched in May 2006 in liaison with Dubai Knowledge Park. The regulatory authority in the DIAC is the Dubai Development Authority.
The Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) is the national quality assurance and regulatory agency responsible for evaluation and accreditation of higher educational institutions and universities in the United Arab Emirates. Established in 2000, it comes under the country's Ministry of Education.
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) was a ministry of the government in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Established in 1976, the ministry had number of departments, including the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), which provided institutional licensure and degree accreditation CAA for private universities and their academic programmes in the UAE. It housed NAPO which provided admissions and placement services for federal institutions of higher education, including United Arab Emirates University, Higher Colleges of Technology, and Zayed University, as well as the CEPA which assessed the English and math skills of MOHESR applicants to higher education. The ministry handled steps in the certificate attestation process, provides equivalency services for degrees and qualifications received outside of the UAE, and provided government scholarships for UAE nationals who wish to study overseas.
Knowledge and Human Development Authority(KHDA) (Arabic: هيئة المعرفة والتنمية البشرية) is the educational quality assurance and regulatory authority of the Government of Dubai, United Arab Emirates which is responsible for evaluation and accreditation of higher educational institutions and universities in the Emirate of Dubai. Established in 2006 by the country's Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, it is the main body that oversees the growth of private education sector in the emirate, including early childhood education centers and schools.
The Higher Colleges of Technology(HCT) (Arabic: كليّات التقنيّة العليا) is a public institute of technology with 16 campuses and facilities throughout the United Arab Emirates. Founded in 1988 by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al-Nahyan, it is the largest applied higher educational institution in the country.
Khalifa University is a public research university located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It was ranked as the 181st best university in the world by QS world university rankings of 2023.
JSS Private School is a CBSE co-educational school located in Al Safa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It offers education from Pre-kindergarten until Grade 12 and follows the CBSE curriculum aiming to promote critical and creative thinking in a holistic development model. The school was established in 2011, and is a part of JSS Mahavidyapeetha, a campus which runs a variety of educational institutes in India and the United Arab Emirates. This school has another affiliated branch called JSS International School, Dubai.
The Russian International School in Dubai is a Russian private school located in Muhaisnah 4, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It follows the Russian Curriculum, the only school in Dubai to do so. Originally established in 1996 as the Dubai Russian School; it was a villa-based school with 60 students, founded by Najibullah Najib.
Middlesex University Dubai(MDX Dubai) (Arabic: جامعة ميدلسكس دبي, romanized: Jāmiʿah Mīdilsaks Dubaī) is an offshore campus of Middlesex University London in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Situated across two locations in Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai International Academic City, the campus was inaugurated in 2005 and currently has over 4,500 students from over 110 studying across both locations. Dr Cedwyn Fernandes is the Director of Middlesex University Dubai, alongside his duties as Pro-Vice Chancellor of Middlesex University London.