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Some of the best universities in UAE include Khalifa University, the United Arab Emirates University, the University of Abu Dhabi, the University of Sharjah, and many more.

Best Universities in UAE: QS World Rankings, Fees & Courses in 2025

Some of the best universities in UAE include Khalifa University, the United Arab Emirates University, the University of Abu Dhabi, the University of Sharjah, and many more. To identify the best universities that are right for you to apply for admission, there are certain parameters and factors that you need to take into consideration and understand. The location of the United Arab Emirates offers a unique experience for international students who want to study abroad, as Dubai is also home to a variety of universities while providing a unique and exciting environment. This is the reason why students opt for universities in Dubai.

 

To explore the best universities in UAE, we will look into their various parameters and their respective specifications for their academic offerings in particular, including but not limited to the courses offered at universities in the UAE, the tuition fees for students from abroad, and the global ranking of universities, based on the classification system of QS (Quacuarelly Symonds). While looking at this list of universities in UAE, we will come across some of the regionals, and some other universities that are international based on their respective origins. Let’s begin to count them out in a sequence that follows a similar pattern to QS World Rankings.

Best Universities in UAE: Based on the QS World Rankings 

To look at some of the best universities in UAE, the biggest factor to consider is how the QS has ranked the universities in order of their respective quality. For those who are not familiar with the QS, it is an abbreviation for Quacquarelli Symonds. It is a group of non-profit individuals who analyse the various aspects of the universities suitable for higher education, giving them the right range of rankings, sometimes even more than the global rankings. Here are the top-ranked universities in UAE for international students based on the QS Global University Rankings:

Khalifa University: 1st in UAE by QS

One of the best universities in UAE, Khalifa University is located in Abu Dhabi, with a global position of 177 in the QS World Universities Rankings. This makes it the highest-ranking university in the UAE by far for students from around the globe, and it is known for its partnerships with the government and industry. Khalifa University tuition fee is $10,000-15,000 per year. Some of the popular courses are as follows:

 

  • Mechanical Engineering

  • Aerospace Engineering 

  • Artificial Intelligence

  • Data Science 

  • Biomedical Engineering 

  • Nuclear Engineering 

 

United Arab Emirates University: 2nd in UAE by QS

The United Arab Emirates University is not only one of the best universities in UAE, but also the oldest university in the country that has a large population of Emirati students (local students from the UAE). Located in Al Ain, the United Arab Emirates University is topped with a number of 229 in the QS World Universities Rankings. The tuition is about $8,000-13,000 per year, with a wide range of courses available in both STEM and humanities, with the following popular ones:

 

  • Civil Engineering 

  • Environmental Engineering 

  • Petroleum Engineering 

  • Education and Psychology 

  • Law and Sharia

 

American University of Sharjah: 3rd in UAE by QS

The American University of Sharjah is best suited for architecture. One of the best universities in UAE, it has high standards of education, similar to the rest of the USA institutions, and offers an American-style education in liberal arts. It has a 272 rating on the QS World Universities Rankings list for the top universities in UAE. Located in Sharjah, the tuition fees of the American University of Sharjah are $20,000-25,000 per year. These are the most popular courses for students:

 

  • Architecture 

  • Interior Design 

  • Business Administration 

  • Computer Science 

  • Mass Communication 

 

University of Sharjah: 4th in UAE by QS

Another top-ranked university in Sharjah, the University of Sharjah, is ranked at 328 in the QS World Universities Rankings. One of the best universities in UAE, it has a great history of blending modern technology with traditional values by focusing on Islamic culture, heritage, and law. The annual tuition fees at the University of Sharjah range between $10,000 and $18,000. Health sciences and medical students have a lot more to learn from the university-affiliated teaching hospitals and clinics. The following are some of the most popular courses in the University of Sharjah:

 

  • Medicine

  • Health Sciences

  • Pharmacy 

  • Islamic Studies

  • Law 

  • Business

 

Abu Dhabi University: 5th in UAE by QS

Abu Dhabi University is a great place for students of business, as it has an AACSB-accredited MBA program, and ranks among the top 5% universities globally in terms of business education. Among the best universities in UAE, it ranks 391 out of the top universities in the world in QS World Universities Rankings. Located in Abu Dhabi, it has a variety of programs aligned with the industry, including the following courses:

 

  • Business

  • Finance

  • Cybersecurity 

  • Aviation Management 

  • Public Health

 

Ajman University: 6th in UAE by QS

Ajman University is a very good option for students who are looking for budget-friendly and practical experience in their higher education classes. It offers a strong learning opportunity for health sciences students, especially for those who are interested in dentistry, which is what makes it one of the best universities in UAE. Located in Ajman, it has a ranking of 440 in the QS World Universities Rankings. The top courses include the following:

 

  • Dentistry 

  • Pharmacy 

  • Architecture 

  • Marketing

  • Entrepreneurship

 

Al Ain University: 7th in UAE by QS

Al Ain University in Al Ain is a growing university in the UAE with a strong academic presence and a high academic profile as a private university in the Middle East. It is ranked at 558 in the QS World Universities Rankings. The students who are interested in the public sector have a higher education score, since it focuses on educational technology and legal education. Ranked as the best universities in UAE, it offers career-oriented education for a tuition fee of $8,000-11,000 per year. These are popular courses in Al Ain University:

 

  • Information Technology 

  • Educational Leadership

  • Law

  • Mass Communication

 

American University of Ras Al Khaimah: 8th in UAE by QS

Situated in Ras Al Khaimah, the American University of Ras Al Khaimah follows a US-style teaching and learning approach, which has earned it accreditation in both the UAE and the United States. It focuses on the education of sustainability and renewable energy development, making it a great place as one of the best universities in UAE for students to learn about sustainable development. QS World Universities Rankings is 591 for the American University of Ras Al Khaimah, which has a tuition of around $9,000-14,000 per year. The students opt for the following popular courses in the American University of Ras Al Khaimah:

 

  • Civil Engineering 

  • Renewable Energy 

  • Business Innovation 

  • Computer Engineering 

 

Zayed University: 9th in UAE by QS

With two campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Zayed University is one of several top universities in Dubai top 10. However, the Abu Dhabi campus has been a very successful one in the rankings of universities across the world. Zayed University’s Abu Dhabi campus is one of the best universities in UAE, and ranked 595 in the QS World Universities Rankings. It has been named the most influential academic institution in the country for its focus on government services careers, Emirati culture, and women’s education and leadership positions. Some of the most prominent courses include the following topics:

 

  • International Affairs

  • Tourism

  • Cultural Heritage 

  • Visual Communication 

  • Information Technology 

  • Network Security

 

Canadian University Dubai: 10th in UAE by QS

Among the best universities in Dubai, Canadian University Dubai is accredited by the Ministry of Education in the UAE. Located in Dubai’s vibrant City Walk District, it is ranked as 604th in the world by the QS World Universities Rankings Index. With a strong rating of the top universities across Dubai, it has a high ranking among the best universities in UAE, with a tuition rate that stands between $18,152 and $32,675 per year.

 

  • Architecture 

  • Interior Design

  • Communication, Advertising, and Public Relations 

  • Engineering, Applied Science, and Technology 

  • Management (Business Administration, Accounting, and Finance)

 

Final Thoughts

Students in the UAE experience a vibrant and diverse culture that opens up their perspectives and offers an opportunity to learn in a multicultural environment. There are Indian universities in Dubai, too, and all the top-tier universities in the United Arab Emirates provide modern amenities, including smart classrooms and digital libraries. The students can expect to find student clubs and societies, which help them adjust to their new environment. Students pursuing studies at the best universities in UAE, can also enjoy the international expos, tech conferences, art festivals, and cultural events, adding to the overall experience of studying in the UAE.

Looking for affordable universities in Dubai? Contact Education Vibes to learn more about pursuing your higher education in the UAE.