One app for all your study abroad needs
Pursuing your academic goals in the United Arab Emirates is made possible through the Abu Dhabi University (ADU) Scholarships for 2025-2026. ADU offers a wide range of scholarships for high-achieving students from all backgrounds, covering both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. These scholarships provide financial support, from partial tuition fee waivers to comprehensive, full-ride opportunities like the esteemed Chairman’s Scholarship and the H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarship. Whether you’re seeking a merit-based award for your academic excellence or a complete funding package, ADU has a scholarship to help you succeed.
| Institution Name | Abu Dhabi University |
| Established year | 2003 |
| Acceptance Rate | Not officially stated, but some sources suggest it’s around 75%. |
| Location | Dubai (UAE) |
| Scholarships For | Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and PhD degrees |
| Website | https://www.adu.ac.ae/ |
Discover the wide range of available scholarships, carefully gather the required documents, and submit your application through the ADU official website before the deadlines to unlock your path to a world-class education at Abu Dhabi University.
This Blog Includes:
List of Top Scholarships of Abu Dhabi University
For the 2025-2026 academic year, Abu Dhabi University offers several scholarships for international students. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence and provide financial assistance. Here is a table outlining the top scholarships offered by Abu Dhabi University for international students for the 2025-2026 academic session, along with their important details:
| Scholarship Name | Award Amount | Application Deadline |
| H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarship | 100% tuition waiver, plus waiver on application, registration, student services, and health fees. | The deadline to confirm admission and scholarships for the Fall 2025 semester is August 11, 2025. |
| Academic Scholarship | Up to a 50% tuition fee waiver. | Varies by semester. For the Fall 2025 semester, the registration deadline for newly admitted students is August 23, 2025. |
| Athletic Scholarship | 25% tuition fee waiver. | Varies by semester. For the Fall 2025 semester, the registration deadline for newly admitted students is August 23, 2025. |
| Merit-Based Graduate Scholarship | 25% tuition fee waiver. | Varies by program. The application deadline for the Fall 2025 semester is June 30, 2025, while the Spring 2026 deadline is November 15, 2025. |
| Alumni Scholarship | 20% tuition fee waiver. | Varies by semester. The application deadline for the Fall 2025 semester is June 30, 2025, while the Spring 2026 deadline is November 15, 2025. |
| Family Tuition Waiver | Varies: 15-25% tuition waiver for each student, depending on the number of family members enrolled. | Varies by semester. For the Fall 2025 semester, the registration deadline for newly admitted students is August 23, 2025. |
Also Read: How to Study in Dubai for Free?
Top 5 Abu Dhabi University Scholarships For International Students
Here are the five best Scholarships for International Students at Abu Dhabi University 2025, along with details on each one.
Athletic Scholarships
The Athletic Scholarship at Abu Dhabi University is for students who excel in both academics and sports. It offers a 25% tuition fee waiver for students who are active participants on an ADU sports team, serving as a player, coach, or captain. To be eligible, students must maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.75. This scholarship is renewable each semester, provided the student remains enrolled at ADU and continues to meet the GPA and athletic participation requirements. To apply, students must first be admitted to the university and then submit an application form, along with their academic transcripts, a letter of recommendation from their coach, and a copy of their passport.
| Particulars | Detail |
| Funding Amount | 25% waiver on tuition fees |
| Eligibility | Active sports team player, coach, or captain with a minimum CGPA of 2.75. |
| Application Deadline | Varies by semester. For the Fall 2025 semester, the registration deadline for newly admitted students is August 23, 2025. |
Academic Scholarships
The Academic Scholarship is a merit-based award designed to recognize and support students with outstanding academic records at Abu Dhabi University. The scholarship provides a tuition fee waiver of up to 50%. For newly admitted students, the award amount is based on their high school average. For continuing students, it requires a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.60 for two consecutive semesters to maintain eligibility. The scholarship also requires students to be enrolled full-time, with a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. To apply, students must first be admitted to the university, after which they can access the online application through their student portal.
| Particulars | Detail |
| Funding Amount | Up to 50% waiver on tuition fees. |
| Eligibility | For new students, based on high school average. For continuing students, a minimum CGPA of 3.60 for two consecutive semesters. Must be enrolled full-time (minimum 12 credit hours). |
| Application Deadline | For the Fall 2025 semester, the deadline is August 23, 2025 |
University Scholarships
The “University Scholarship” at Abu Dhabi University is specifically for students who are residents of the UAE or nationals of GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries. It is designed to support students who have newly graduated from secondary school and enroll at ADU within two years of their graduation. The scholarship offers a tuition fee waiver ranging from 15% to 50%, with the exact amount determined by the student’s high school average. To maintain the scholarship, a student must be enrolled in a full-time status (with a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester) and maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.60 for two consecutive semesters.
| Particulars | Details |
| Funding Amount | 15% to 50% waiver on tuition fees. |
| Eligibility | Requires a minimum CGPA of 3.60 for two consecutive semesters to maintain. |
| Application Deadline | For the Fall 2025 semester, the deadline is August 23, 2025. |
Family Tuition Waiver
The Family Tuition Waiver at Abu Dhabi University is a scholarship program that lets families with more than one student at the university avoid paying tuition fees. The waiver amount depends on the number of family members enrolled.
- 15% waiver for 2 family members enrolled
- 20% waiver for 3 family members enrolled
- 25% waiver for 4 or more family members enrolled
To be eligible, family members must be enrolled in Undergraduate degree programs and maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.5. This is a great opportunity for families to save on the cost of education and make higher education more affordable for their education.
| Particulars | Details |
| Funding Amount | 15% to 25% waiver on tuition fees. |
| Eligibility | Requires each student to maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.5. |
| Application Deadline | For the Fall 2025 semester, the deadline is August 23, 2025. |
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarship
The H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarship is Abu Dhabi University’s most distinguished and generous scholarship program. It is a full-ride scholarship that covers 100% of the tuition fees, as well as application, registration, student services, and health fees. This highly competitive award is specifically for top-achieving students, and is typically offered to the top 20 graduates of public secondary schools in the UAE who enroll at ADU in the fall semester immediately following their graduation. To maintain the scholarship, a student must be enrolled on a full-time basis (minimum 12 credit hours) and maintain a high Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.70.
| Particulars | Details |
| Funding Amount | 100% waiver on tuition, application, registration, student services, and health fees. |
| Eligibility | For new students who are among the top 20 graduates of public secondary schools in the UAE. Must maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.70 to renew. |
| Application Deadline | For the Fall 2025 semester is August 11, 2025. |
Factors Affecting Selection For Abu Dhabi University Scholarship 2025
Several factors can affect your eligibility and chances of enrolling in Abu Dhabi University Scholarships for 2025-2026.
- For most scholarships, you need to have good academic grades. Depending on the university and level of study, the minimum GPA ranges from 2.5 to 3.70.
- For graduate courses, some scholarships may look at scores on standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, or GRE.
- Some scholarships are only for students from the UAE or specific other countries.
- Some scholarships may be aimed at specific fields of study or research.
- Extracurricular activities like leadership and sports success can be worth points depending on the scholarship.
- Some scholarships give more funding amount to students who can show they need it.
- Most scholarships depend on you being able to meet the University’s English Language standards.
- It is very important that your statement of purpose is well written and shows off your skills while also fighting with the scholarship goals.
- There may be a lot of applicants for prestigious scholarships, so it’s important to stress what makes you stand out from other applicants.
- For each scholarship, there may be extra standards that are unique to Abu Dhabi University’s objectives and goals.
Also Read: Study in UAE For International Students
FAQs
To get into a bachelor’s degree program, you need to have a high school diploma. People who want to get a master’s degree must have a bachelor’s degree and a CGPA of at least 2.5 on a scale of 4.0.
Abu Dhabi University is the biggest private university in the UAE. It wants to be the best university for students in all seven Emirates and the rest of the area.
Abu Dhabi University is a highly-ranked institution both globally and within the Arab region. It is ranked #191 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025 and #391 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Additionally, it is ranked 12th in the QS Arab Region University Rankings 2025.
RELATED POSTS
Exploring study abroad scholarships? Not sure how to go about it? Let the professionals at Leverage Edu take care of your academic journey! You may enlist the assistance of Leverage Edu specialists to assist you with the application process so that you can realize your goals. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.
60,000+ students trusted us with their dreams. Take the first step today!