Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi: Admission, Fees and Scholarships

Khalifa University of Science and Technology (KU) is Abu Dhabi's public research university for engineering, the natural sciences, computing and health. It placed 147th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and became the first UAE university inside the QS top 150. International applicants apply through KU's own portal and pay no undergraduate application fee, but they must meet curriculum-specific grade rules, reach IELTS Academic 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79, hold a UAE Ministry of Education equivalency certificate and, if shortlisted, pass KU's on-campus admission tests. Undergraduates pay $680 (AED 2,500) per credit hour, about $22,120 (AED 81,250) a year, and merit scholarships of 25–100% are assigned automatically in the offer letter.

Who KU suits, and who should look elsewhere

KU makes sense for a strong maths-and-science student aiming at engineering, computing or a lab science who is comfortable with competitive, test-based selection. It does not teach business, design, media or psychology at bachelor's level. In exchange you get lower per-credit tuition than the private American and British campuses, federal accreditation and a merit scholarship system open to international students.

For business, architecture or communication, compare American University of Sharjah and American University in Dubai. If your grades are borderline or you need a foundation year, a Dubai branch campus such as Middlesex University Dubai is a more realistic entry point. The wider landscape is covered in universities in the UAE, and every StudyU university profile for the Emirates is listed under study in the UAE.

Programs

KU's 2026 admission-requirements table lists 17 bachelor's programs:

• Engineering: aerospace, biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, energy, mechanical and petroleum engineering, plus engineering systems and management.
• Natural sciences: earth and planetary sciences, physics, chemistry, cell and molecular biology.
• Computing and mathematics: computer science, robotics and artificial intelligence, applied mathematics, statistics and data science.

The program decides which science KU checks. Physics is compulsory for every engineering degree and for earth sciences, physics, robotics and applied mathematics; chemistry needs chemistry; cell and molecular biology accepts chemistry or biology; computer science accepts any of the three. Check KU's program-requirements table before you choose.

At graduate level KU lists more than 20 master's programs and about 20 PhD fields across its colleges of engineering and physical sciences, computing and mathematical sciences, and medicine and health sciences. Recent additions include robotics and autonomous systems, digital health, public health and health systems management, the last offered as a dual degree with Johns Hopkins University's Carey Business School. Some graduate programs are reserved for UAE nationals; if a program does not appear in the application form, that is the usual reason.

Accreditation and degree recognition

KU holds a federal licence and all its programs are accredited by the CAA of the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Nine bachelor's engineering programs are also accredited by ABET's Engineering Accreditation Commission, and two science degrees by its Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission. Federal accreditation matters if you plan to work in the UAE public sector or continue studying in the country. If you will use the degree at home, check your own country's recognition procedure early; applicants from Russia, for example, apply to the Glavexpertcentr online.

Undergraduate admission

Academic requirements

KU publishes requirements by school system. The common rules for international applicants are:

1. Graduation from high school no more than two years before the intake (for the 2026 cycle, 2024 or later).
2. Mathematics plus one science (physics, chemistry or biology, depending on the program) in the final school year.
3. A minimum grade for your curriculum: 80% in the required subjects for the American diploma, SABIS, CBSE and Pakistani boards; three AS/A Levels including maths and a science at grade C plus five IGCSEs; a full IB Diploma with 24 points; 14 in the French Baccalaureate; 4.0 in the final year for the Russian system.
4. A UAE Ministry of Education equivalency certificate. Students still waiting for it can start classes with a ministry no-objection letter.
5. IELTS Academic 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79. The online IELTS is not accepted.

An SAT Math score of 700 or more is optional but strengthens the file. You may apply with first-term Grade 12 results (or predicted grades for British and IB students) and upload English scores later, but the file is only processed once they arrive. Applied-stream graduates are not eligible.

Documents

• attested high school certificate, or current transcript if not yet issued;
• final reports for the two previous school years, with the school's grading scale;
• IELTS or TOEFL score report;
• passport name page and a passport-size photo;
• good conduct certificate;
• a recorded video that replaces the admission interview.

KUAT tests and video interview

Shortlisted applicants sit the Khalifa University Admission Test (KUAT) on campus. Each subject is a 90-minute computer-based test of 40 multiple-choice questions. The maths paper covers algebra (30%), precalculus — functions, logarithms, trigonometry (60%) — and geometry (10%); the second paper is physics or chemistry depending on the program. Invitations arrive at least 10 days ahead, rescheduling is possible up to three days before, and a no-show without notice is an automatic rejection. Applicants with outstanding school results may be exempted.

The video interview assesses English, understanding of the chosen profession, commitment, reasons for choosing KU and leadership potential. Decisions usually follow 4–6 weeks after all steps are complete. Admitted undergraduates have five working days to accept the offer and pay a $1,360 (AED 5,000) deposit that is credited towards fees and is not refunded if the student does not enrol.

Timing

In the Fall 2026 cycle, general applications for international students opened on 17 November 2025, screening began on 1 December and the deadline was 2 March 2026. KUAT sessions ran from February to April, offers went out between 12 January and May, and final transcripts had to be submitted on 1–11 July. KU says the Fall 2027 timeline will be announced separately. Plan for a similar window: English test results by December, application in January or February, and time to travel to Abu Dhabi for KUAT in spring. Russian citizens can stay in the UAE visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, which covers a KUAT trip; other nationalities should check their own entry rules before booking.

Scholarships for international undergraduates

There is no separate scholarship application. KU evaluates every admitted international student and maps them to a tier stated in the offer letter:

Slots are limited and meeting minimum criteria does not ensure an award. The full package with free housing and transport that you may see described online applies to UAE nationals, and most external sponsors (ADNOC, federal ministries) also fund nationals.

Graduate scholarships may include full or partial tuition coverage, textbooks, housing, medical insurance, visa processing and travel support; PhD awards add a monthly stipend. Tick the scholarship box in the application to be considered.

Master's and PhD admission

• Master's: a relevant bachelor's degree with a CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 (or UK upper second), TOEFL iBT 91 taken at a test centre or IELTS Academic 6.5 within the last two years, two referees who receive an online form, a 500–1,000-word statement of purpose and an interview.
• PhD: a master's with CGPA 3.25+, or a bachelor's with CGPA 3.5+ and a GRE quantitative score of 150+ for direct entry; a 500–1,000-word research statement. Supervisors are assigned by KU, so contacting one first is optional.
• Graduates of universities outside the UAE need an equivalency certificate for their degree from the UAE Ministry of Education; KU warns that the process is lengthy, so start it early.

You may apply to one program per semester, and admitted applicants are normally notified within eight weeks of the deadline. For Spring 2027 only PhD admissions were open, until 28 September 2026. For a country-level view, see master's in the UAE.

Costs

KU charges by credit hour. The rates below were in force when checked and apply to the 2026/27 intake:

A first-year student without a scholarship should budget about $27,570 for tuition and a double room, before food, insurance, phone, a laptop and flights. Transport between campuses and from residences to campus is free. With a Tier II award, tuition drops to roughly $5,530 a year and housing becomes the largest item.

Fees are paid by Visa or Mastercard online or by bank transfer to First Abu Dhabi Bank; transfer charges are the student's responsibility. Students paying from Russia can find legal routes in how to pay for studies abroad from Russia. Country-wide price ranges are in cost of studying in the UAE.

Housing

Residences are allocated to international students and to students from outside Abu Dhabi, with priority for first-year and international students. Men and women live in separate halls, and summer housing depends on availability. KU may revise housing fees during the year, capped at 5% per academic year. Graduate students with stipends have housing deducted from their monthly payment.

Student visa and work

After admission, KU sponsors the student residence visa, subject to approval by UAE immigration. Expect a medical test, biometrics and an Emirates ID after arrival; funded graduate students may have visa fees and insurance covered. The general process is explained in UAE student visa. KU's Work Study scheme offers paid on-campus roles in offices and research projects; any off-campus work depends on the rules attached to your visa.

KU compared with two other UAE options

Preparation timeline

1. 12–15 months before start: choose a program and confirm you have the required final-year science.
2. Spring to autumn of the previous year: prepare IELTS Academic and, optionally, SAT Math; review the KUAT syllabus.
3. December to February: apply via the undergraduate portal with first-term grades, record the video, upload English scores.
4. Spring: sit KUAT in Abu Dhabi, receive the offer and scholarship tier, pay the deposit within five working days.
5. Summer: obtain the final certificate, complete the UAE equivalency, send final documents, book housing and start the visa.

Common mistakes

• Treating KU as a paper-only admission. Shortlisting, on-campus tests and a video interview are part of selection.
• Applying too late after school. Graduates older than two cycles are not eligible for bachelor's entry.
• Taking IELTS Online. Only IELTS Academic from a test centre counts.
• Choosing a program without the matching science. No final-year physics usually closes engineering programs.
• Assuming the Emirati package applies to you. International tiers are competitive and can cover textbooks only.
• Leaving the equivalency until August. Without it or a no-objection letter, you cannot register for classes.

FAQ

Can international students apply to Khalifa University?

Yes. International applicants inside and outside the UAE use KU's online portal. They must meet the grade rule for their curriculum, IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79, and the equivalency requirement, and shortlisted candidates sit KUAT on campus.

How much does Khalifa University cost for international students?

Undergraduates pay $680 (AED 2,500) per credit hour, or about $22,120 (AED 81,250) a year at a normal load. Master's students pay $1,360 (AED 5,000) per credit, about $40,840 for a standard-length program. Housing, insurance and travel are extra.

Does KU offer scholarships to international students?

Yes, on merit. Admitted international undergraduates are placed in one of five tiers ranging from full tuition coverage to textbooks only. There is no separate form, the tier appears in the offer letter, and places are limited.

Which tests do I need for KU?

IELTS Academic 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79 for bachelor's entry. Shortlisted applicants take KUAT in maths plus physics or chemistry, each 90 minutes on a computer at KU. SAT Math of 700+ is optional but can support the application.

Is there an application fee?

Not for bachelor's applicants. Master's and PhD applicants pay $54 (AED 200) including VAT. Admitted undergraduates pay a $1,360 (AED 5,000) seat deposit that is later credited towards their tuition.

Does KU provide student housing?

Yes. Priority goes to first-year and international students. A double room costs $2,720 (AED 10,000) per semester and single occupancy $5,450 (AED 20,000); halls for men and women are separate.

How can StudyU help with a KU application?

Checking your school record against KU's rules, program choice, a KUAT preparation plan, documents, the video interview and the visa file are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Admission and the scholarship tier are decided by KU's admissions committee, and the residence visa is issued by UAE immigration authorities.

Sources

• KU: undergraduate admissions — curriculum requirements, KUAT, documents
• KU: Fall 2026 undergraduate admission, deadline 2 March 2026
• KU: undergraduate admission FAQs
• KU: undergraduate scholarships and postgraduate scholarships
• KU: fee and payment guidelines, housing and transport
• KU: postgraduate admissions and FAQs
• KU: CAA and ABET accreditation and graduate programs
• KU: 147th in QS World University Rankings 2027, 18 June 2026
• Consular Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry: visa-free entry to the UAE, 90 days in any 180

USD amounts use the fixed peg of $1 = AED 3.6725; KU figures were checked on 29–30 September 2026 (rounding: $1 below $100, otherwise $10).

If you want to know whether your school record fits KU's rules and which program matches your subjects, send an application.

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