A year of undergraduate study in the UAE costs from $17,580 (AED 64,557) at Middlesex University Dubai to $30,190 (AED 110,876) at American University of Sharjah in 2026/27, while tuition at NYU Abu Dhabi is $68,574. Master's programmes cost $20,830–47,350 in total. On top come application and registration fees, a seat deposit, the student visa with insurance — about $1,420 (AED 5,200) a year on American University in Dubai's schedule, excluding a refundable deposit — and housing: a campus room costs from $2,940 to $7,620 per academic year. Based on official fee schedules, tuition plus housing comes to roughly $25,000–36,000 a year before food and personal spending.
| At a glance | 2026/27 figures |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's, annual fee | $17,580–30,190 at private universities and branch campuses; $68,574 at NYU Abu Dhabi |
| Bachelor's, per credit hour | $440–570 (AED 1,620–2,085) at Abu Dhabi University, $720 (AED 2,661) at United Arab Emirates University |
| Master's, whole programme | $20,830 (Middlesex, MSc) to $47,350 (American University in Dubai, MBA) |
| Visa and insurance | $540 (AED 2,000) visa fee + $870 (AED 3,200) insurance at American University in Dubai |
| Campus housing, per year | $2,940–6,810 (Abu Dhabi University), from $5,450 (Khalifa University), $4,630–7,620 (American University in Dubai) |
| Exchange rate | $1 = AED 3.6725 (the dirham is pegged to the dollar) |
Why UAE prices are hard to compare
Universities charge in three ways, which is why figures on comparison sites often do not line up.
- A flat annual fee. UK branch campuses work this way: Middlesex University Dubai charges $17,580 (AED 64,557) for 120 credits a year and bills extra credits separately.
- A semester fee for a full load. American University of Sharjah and American University in Dubai quote a price for 12–16 credits a semester and charge more if your plan needs extra credits.
- A credit-hour rate. United Arab Emirates University, Abu Dhabi University and Khalifa University multiply a rate by your credits, so your annual total depends on your load.
VAT at 5% is the other variable. American University in Dubai includes it; American University of Sharjah adds it to the application and student activities fees; Abu Dhabi University adds it to all fees except housing and transport.
Bachelor's tuition by university
| University | Emirate | 2026/27 fee | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex University Dubai | Dubai | $17,580 (AED 64,557) a year, $52,740 for 3 years | flat fee for 120 credits; rate held for continuing students with passing grades |
| Abu Dhabi University, business | Abu Dhabi | $490 (AED 1,800) per credit; 30 credits ≈ $14,700 | credit rate + one-off $780 (AED 2,850) registration |
| Abu Dhabi University, engineering | Abu Dhabi | $540 (AED 2,000) per credit; 30 credits ≈ $16,340 | same |
| Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi | $58,570 (AED 215,100) for 3 years, ≈ $19,520 a year | fixed for the whole degree, includes $740 (AED 2,700) a year admin fee |
| United Arab Emirates University | Abu Dhabi | $720 (AED 2,661) per credit; 30 credits ≈ $21,740 | international students admitted from 2026/27 |
| Khalifa University | Abu Dhabi | about $22,120 (AED 81,250) a year | $680 (AED 2,500) per credit, university estimate for a normal load |
| American University in Dubai | Dubai | $29,420 (AED 108,050) a year | $28,880 (AED 106,050) tuition + $540 (AED 2,000) services fee |
| American University of Sharjah | Sharjah | $30,190 (AED 110,876) a year | one price for all majors at 12–16 credits |
| NYU Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi | $68,574 tuition; full-year estimate $90,434 | need-based financial aid |
The "30 credits" totals are our estimate of an annual load for comparison purposes; in the US model a full load is 12–16 credits a semester. Your programme's study plan gives the exact figure.
Heriot-Watt Dubai and University of Birmingham Dubai list fees on each programme page, so they are not in the table. Birmingham Dubai keeps the first-year fee unchanged for the whole course.
Master's: price of the whole programme
| University | Programme | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex University Dubai | most MSc programmes | $20,830 (AED 76,491) |
| Middlesex University Dubai | MBA / Executive MBA | $23,110 (AED 84,872) / $32,010 (AED 117,548) |
| Khalifa University | MSc | about $40,840 (AED 150,000), $1,360 (AED 5,000) per credit |
| American University in Dubai | MSc: 10 courses at $3,950 (AED 14,490) | $39,460 (AED 144,900) |
| American University in Dubai | MBA: 12 courses | $47,350 (AED 173,880) |
| Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi | two-year master's programmes | $39,050–45,310 (AED 143,400–166,400) |
| Abu Dhabi University | MBA and most master's | $800 (AED 2,940) per credit |
For research versus taught routes and funding, see our guide to master's degrees in the UAE.
Mandatory fees beyond tuition
| Fee | Amount | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $82–110 (AED 300–420) | Heriot-Watt Dubai $82 (AED 300), American University of Sharjah $110 (AED 400) + VAT, American University in Dubai $110 (AED 420) |
| Seat deposit | $1,360 (AED 5,000) or 10% of the annual fee | American University of Sharjah and Birmingham Dubai $1,360 (AED 5,000); Heriot-Watt Dubai 10% plus a refundable $270 (AED 1,000) |
| One-off registration | $780 (AED 2,850) | Abu Dhabi University |
| Student or services fee | $110 (AED 422) + VAT or $270 (AED 1,000) per semester | American University of Sharjah / American University in Dubai |
| Lab fees | $420–460 (AED 1,552–1,700) per course | American University of Sharjah, lab courses |
| Pre-degree English | $9,810 (AED 36,012) per semester | English Bridge Program at American University of Sharjah |
| Equipment and materials | about $1,090 (AED 4,000) for a laptop and $680 (AED 2,500) a year for materials | architecture at American University in Dubai |
Visa, Emirates ID and health insurance
Your university arranges the student residence visa, and you pay for it. American University in Dubai shows the clearest breakdown: $540 (AED 2,000) visa fee, a $820 (AED 3,000) passport deposit returned when the visa is cancelled, and mandatory insurance of $870 (AED 3,200) a year. That is $2,230 (AED 8,200) in the first year, $820 (AED 3,000) of it refundable. Middlesex University Dubai charges $1,510 (AED 5,555.22) for its visa package with the medical test, insurance and Emirates ID if you apply from abroad, or $1,970 (AED 7,235.22) from inside the country, plus a refundable $680 (AED 2,500) deposit.
Dubai's government fees for a student residence permit issued inside the country total $200 (AED 740): $54 (AED 200) for the permit, two $3 (AED 10) levies, $140 (AED 500) for in-country processing and $5 (AED 20) for delivery. RIT Dubai charges $450 (AED 1,670) for each annual renewal. American University of Sharjah charges $210 (AED 763) plus VAT (about $220) a semester for its insurance plan for university-sponsored students and those without their own policy, according to its Fall 2026 payment guide, and NYU Abu Dhabi budgets $2,416 a year. The process is covered in our guide to the UAE student visa.
Housing: campus rooms and private rentals
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Khalifa University, undergraduate sharing a double room | $2,720 (AED 10,000) per semester | sole occupancy of a double $5,450 (AED 20,000); $540 (AED 2,000) deposit; priority for first-year and international students |
| American University in Dubai | $4,630 (AED 17,000) a year shared, $7,620 (AED 28,000) single | $270 (AED 1,000) refundable deposit; singles subject to availability |
| Abu Dhabi University | $1,470–3,400 (AED 5,400–12,500) per semester | from a double with shared bath to a private room |
| Middlesex University Dubai partner residences | from $600 (AED 2,200) a month for a triple room on a 10–12-month contract | $680–950 (AED 2,500–3,500) deposit; September 2026 prices; one residence adds $410 (AED 1,500) a month for under-18s |
| Studio through Middlesex partners | $1,500–1,770 (AED 5,500–6,500) a month on an 8–12-month contract | shorter contracts cost more: an ESAW studio from September is $2,000 (AED 7,350) a month |
United Arab Emirates University does not provide housing for graduate students, who need to rent privately. For general budgeting of rent and daily costs abroad, see our guide to the cost of living for students.
Annual budget: three scenarios
StudyU calculation from official 2026/27 fee schedules. Food, transport, phone and personal spending are excluded because they depend on lifestyle and area.
| Scenario | Components | Total per year |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's at Middlesex University Dubai, triple room in a partner residence | $17,580 (AED 64,557) tuition + 12 × $600 (AED 2,200) rent | about $24,770 (AED 90,957) + housing deposit, visa and insurance |
| Bachelor's at Khalifa University, shared double room | $22,120 (AED 81,250) tuition + $5,450 (AED 20,000) housing for two semesters | about $27,570 (AED 101,250) + $540 (AED 2,000) deposit, visa and insurance |
| Bachelor's at American University in Dubai, shared room | $29,420 (AED 108,050) tuition + $4,630 (AED 17,000) housing + $1,420 (AED 5,200) visa and insurance + $110 (AED 420) application | about $35,580 (AED 130,670) + $820 (AED 3,000) refundable deposit |
By comparison, NYU Abu Dhabi estimates a full year with housing, meals, insurance, books and travel at $90,434 before financial aid.
Food, books and personal spending
Among the universities we checked, only NYU Abu Dhabi publishes a detailed 2026/27 estimate of living costs. For two semesters it allows:
| Item | NYU Abu Dhabi, 2026/27 |
|---|---|
| Food on the campus meal plan | $5,800 |
| Books and supplies | $1,730 |
| Personal expenses | $2,364 |
| Transportation (two round trips home) | $3,550 |
Without flights that is about $9,900 a year. The figures describe one campus and a student meal plan, so in Dubai with private housing the total depends on the area and your habits. As a family budgeting benchmark, add them to any of the three scenarios above: a first bachelor's year at Middlesex University Dubai with a partner-residence room, the university's visa package and these living costs comes to about $36,000.
How to reduce the cost
- Admission scholarships. American University of Sharjah automatically awards 10–20% for grades of 95% or more, and a grant, merit scholarship and family discount together can cover up to 55% of tuition and fees. Khalifa University states any award in the admission offer. See our overview of scholarships abroad.
- A three-year degree. UK branch campuses in Dubai award a bachelor's in three years, the US model takes four; the total can differ by a third.
- Fixed fees. Middlesex University Dubai holds the rate for continuing students, University of Birmingham Dubai keeps the first-year fee, and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi fixes the price for the whole programme.
- The Al Ain campus. Abu Dhabi University charges less in Al Ain: $350 (AED 1,300) per credit for digital media versus $440 (AED 1,620) in Abu Dhabi.
- Hardship support. Heriot-Watt Dubai considers hardship applications from students whose circumstances change.
How tuition is paid
Universities accept bank transfers in dirhams and card payments through the student portal. Heriot-Watt Dubai lets visa-sponsored international students pay in four equal instalments, and University of Birmingham Dubai offers termly instalments. Bank charges are always yours: Khalifa University expects the full amount to arrive and does not refund overpayments under $27 (AED 100). Students paying from Russia can read our guide on how to pay for studies abroad from Russia.
Budgeting mistakes
- Reading a semester fee as annual. American University of Sharjah quotes $15,100 (AED 55,438) per semester; the year costs twice that.
- Forgetting the foundation year. If Year 1 entry is not possible, add a year: $13,700 (AED 50,301) at Middlesex.
- Ignoring annual visa and insurance renewals. They recur every year.
- Comparing rents without deposit and term. Partner residences are cheaper on 8–12-month contracts, and the $680–950 (AED 2,500–3,500) deposit is due upfront.
- Counting on part-time earnings. Work requires a separate permit and your university's consent, and American University of Sharjah allows only internships in your field on its student visa.
How StudyU helps
A full cost estimate for your shortlisted programmes, housing comparisons and scholarship paperwork are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Discounts and scholarships are decided by the university, visa fees by the emirate's immigration authority, and housing terms by the residence or landlord. See also studying in the UAE and our guide to universities in the UAE.
FAQ
For a bachelor's in 2026/27, from $17,580 at Middlesex University Dubai to $30,190 at American University of Sharjah, and $68,574 in tuition at NYU Abu Dhabi. With housing and the visa, expect roughly $25,000–36,000 a year before food, based on Middlesex, Khalifa University and American University in Dubai prices.
Free higher education is for Emirati citizens. International students can have tuition fully covered only through competitive awards such as the President's Scholarship at American University of Sharjah, Khalifa University scholarships or NYU Abu Dhabi financial aid. Grade and English requirements are high.
It depends on the university rather than the city. The lowest credit-hour rates among the schedules we checked are at Abu Dhabi University, especially in Al Ain, and the most affordable branch campus is Middlesex in Dubai. Abu Dhabi also has the most expensive option, NYU Abu Dhabi.
From $1,470 (AED 5,400) a semester at Abu Dhabi University to $7,620 (AED 28,000) a year for a single room at American University in Dubai. A shared double at Khalifa University costs $2,720 (AED 10,000) a semester. Partner residences in Dubai start at $600 (AED 2,200) a month.
Schedules for new students are reviewed annually. For enrolled students, many universities fix the fee: Middlesex University Dubai and University of Birmingham Dubai keep the first-year rate, and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi fixes it for the whole programme. Confirm this before paying a deposit.
No. The university arranges the visa, but you pay the fees, insurance and any deposit. At American University in Dubai that is $2,230 (AED 8,200) in the first year, including a refundable $820 (AED 3,000) deposit; renewal at RIT Dubai costs $450 (AED 1,670) a year.
Sources
- Middlesex University Dubai: 2026/27 fees and partner accommodation for September 2026 — checked 29 September 2026
- American University in Dubai: tuition, housing, visa and insurance
- American University of Sharjah: 2026/27 fees, Fall 2026 payment guide (PDF) and scholarships
- Khalifa University: fees, housing and payment
- United Arab Emirates University: undergraduate rates for international students and graduate rates
- Abu Dhabi University: 2026/27 rates (PDF)
- Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi: fees
- NYU Abu Dhabi: estimated annual cost for 2026/27
- Heriot-Watt University Dubai: payment
- University of Birmingham Dubai: deposit and payment
- GDRFA Dubai: student residence permit fees — checked 30 September 2026
- RIT Dubai: student visa and renewal
- Middlesex University Dubai: student visa fees and deposit, 30 September 2026
- Currency: $1 = AED 3.6725 (dirham peg); rounded to $1 below $100 and to $10 above.
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Next steps
- Master's Degrees in the UAE: Programmes, Requirements, Costs and Scholarships
- UAE Student Visa: How Universities Sponsor Residence, Timelines and Fees
- Universities in the UAE for International Students: Types, Emirates and Status Checks
- Scholarships abroad 2026: where international students study for free
- How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026
- Studying in the UAE for international applicants
