UAE University Fees in 2025–2026 by Course, Universities & Emirates

Key Summary

• UAE university fees for 2025–2026 vary widely by course, university type, and emirate, with annual tuition ranging from AED 30,000 to AED 150,000+, especially for professional programs like Medicine, MBA, Engineering, and AI.

• International branch campuses and universities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi generally charge higher fees, while local universities and institutions in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Ajman offer comparatively more affordable options.

• Unlike centrally regulated systems, UAE tuition fees are institution-driven, meaning costs differ significantly based on program specialisation, credit structure, and global affiliations, making early fee comparison essential for budgeting.

Explore UAE university fees for 2025–2026 with complete course-wise tables. Compare undergraduate and postgraduate tuition costs by university, country, and study field to plan your education budget accurately.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the fastest-growing global education hubs, attracting thousands of international students annually, particularly from India, Africa, and Europe. With a strong focus on innovation, partnerships with top international universities, and modern campuses across key emirates such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, the UAE offers quality education across disciplines such as Engineering, Business, Medicine, IT, Humanities, and more. However, unlike some Western destinations where fees are highly regulated or subsidised, tuition in the UAE varies significantly by institution, emirate, program level, and nationality. 

For the 2025–2026 academic year, this comprehensive fee guide breaks down undergraduate and postgraduate tuition costs by course, university, and emirate, providing international students with accurate benchmarks for planning their education and budgets.

UAE University Fee Structure 2025–2026

Tuition fees in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are not centrally regulated by the government; instead, they are set independently by each university or institution, which means fees can vary significantly between campuses and programs. Overseas branch campuses of top international universities often charge higher tuition comparable to their home campuses, while local UAE institutions provide a mix of competitive and premium pricing depending on program reputation, accreditation, and facilities.

In general, fees in the UAE are influenced by:

• University type: Local UAE public/private, international branch campus, or partnership program
• Level of study: Undergraduate (UG) vs. Postgraduate (PG)
• Course category: Engineering, Business, Science, Medicine, Law, IT, etc.
• Emirate/location: Dubai and Abu Dhabi tend to be higher cost compared to Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah
• Duration and credit hours: Most universities charge per credit hour

Because of these variables, the UAE fee structure is best understood as a range rather than fixed amounts. The tables in this guide will break down tuition by student category, course type, and institutional clusters to give you clear benchmarks for planning.

UAE Fees Overview for Undergraduate & Postgraduate Courses in 2025–2026

Below, we have provided a table showcasing the UAE fees overview for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in 2025-26.

Institution Type	Undergraduate Fees / Year	Postgraduate Fees / Year
Public Universities (UAE Nationals only)	Subsidised / Limited to locals	Subsidised / Limited to locals
Local Private Universities	AED 30,000 – 60,000	AED 35,000 – 75,000
International Branch Campuses	AED 45,000 – 90,000	AED 50,000 – 100,000+
Business Schools & Specialised Institutions	AED 50,000 – 100,000+	AED 60,000 – 120,000+
Medicine & Health Sciences	AED 80,000 – 130,000+	AED 90,000 – 150,000+

Average Undergraduate Fees by Course Category in the UAE

University tuition fees in the UAE vary primarily by course specialisation, institution type, and whether the university is a local institution or an international branch campus. Professional, industry-oriented, and regulated programs generally carry higher fees due to infrastructure costs, accreditation requirements, and market demand. The table below provides average annual tuition fee ranges across major UG course categories in the UAE for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Course Category	Average Tuition Fees / Year
Engineering & Technology	AED 40,000 – 90,000
Computer Science & IT	AED 40,000 – 85,000
Business & Management	AED 45,000 – 100,000+
Medicine & Health Sciences	AED 80,000 – 150,000+
Architecture & Design	AED 45,000 – 95,000
Science & Mathematics	AED 35,000 – 70,000
Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences	AED 30,000 – 60,000
Law	AED 45,000 – 90,000
Media, Communication & Journalism	AED 35,000 – 70,000
Hospitality & Tourism Management	AED 40,000 – 85,000

Engineering & Technology Undergraduate Fees in the UAE

Undergraduate engineering and technology programs in the UAE are offered by both local universities and international branch campuses. Tuition fees vary depending on accreditation, laboratory infrastructure, and industry partnerships, with specialised and internationally affiliated programs generally charging higher fees.

Course	Average UG Tuition Fees / Year
Mechanical Engineering	AED 45,000 – 85,000
Civil Engineering	AED 40,000 – 80,000
Electrical Engineering	AED 45,000 – 85,000
Chemical Engineering	AED 50,000 – 90,000
Computer Engineering	AED 45,000 – 85,000
Biomedical Engineering	AED 50,000 – 95,000

Computer Science & IT Undergraduate Fees in the UAE

Computer Science and IT undergraduate programs are among the most in-demand courses in the UAE due to strong employment opportunities in technology, data, and digital industries. Fees vary based on course specialisation and university brand value.

Course	Average UG Tuition Fees / Year
Computer Science	AED 40,000 – 80,000
Information Technology	AED 38,000 – 75,000
Software Engineering	AED 45,000 – 85,000
Data Science	AED 45,000 – 90,000
Artificial Intelligence	AED 50,000 – 95,000
Cybersecurity	AED 45,000 – 90,000

Business & Management Undergraduate Fees in the UAE

Business and management programs in the UAE are widely available, especially at international branch campuses. Tuition fees are influenced by institutional reputation, global accreditation, and curriculum structure.

Course	Average UG Tuition Fees / Year
Business Administration (BBA)	AED 45,000 – 85,000
Management	AED 40,000 – 80,000
Finance	AED 45,000 – 90,000
Marketing	AED 40,000 – 85,000
International Business	AED 45,000 – 90,000
Entrepreneurship	AED 45,000 – 85,000

Science & Mathematics Undergraduate Fees in the UAE

Science and mathematics undergraduate programs in the UAE are typically more affordable than professional programs, especially at local institutions. Fees increase at universities offering strong research or international affiliations.

Course	Average UG Tuition Fees / Year
Physics	AED 35,000 – 65,000
Chemistry	AED 35,000 – 65,000
Biology	AED 35,000 – 65,000
Mathematics	AED 30,000 – 60,000
Environmental Science	AED 35,000 – 70,000

Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Undergraduate Fees in the UAE

Arts and social science programs are among the more affordable study options in the UAE. These courses are offered at both local universities and international campuses with varying fee structures.

Course	Average UG Tuition Fees / Year
Psychology	AED 35,000 – 65,000
Sociology	AED 30,000 – 60,000
International Relations	AED 35,000 – 70,000
Economics	AED 40,000 – 75,000
Political Science	AED 35,000 – 65,000

Architecture & Design Undergraduate Fees in the UAE

Architecture and design programs require studio-based learning and specialised software, which contributes to higher tuition fees compared to general arts courses.

Course	Average UG Tuition Fees / Year
Architecture	AED 50,000 – 95,000
Interior Design	AED 45,000 – 90,000
Graphic Design	AED 40,000 – 80,000
Fashion Design	AED 45,000 – 90,000
Animation & Multimedia	AED 45,000 – 85,000

Law Undergraduate Fees in the UAE

Law undergraduate programs in the UAE are offered by both local and international universities, often with options to study UAE law, international law, or dual jurisdictions.

Course	Average UG Tuition Fees / Year
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)	AED 45,000 – 90,000
International Law	AED 50,000 – 95,000
Corporate Law	AED 50,000 – 95,000

Hospitality & Tourism Undergraduate Fees in the UAE

Hospitality and tourism programs benefit from the UAE’s strong global tourism sector. Fees reflect industry training, internships, and practical exposure.

Course	Average UG Tuition Fees / Year
Hospitality Management	AED 45,000 – 85,000
Hotel Management	AED 45,000 – 90,000
Tourism Management	AED 40,000 – 80,000
Event Management	AED 40,000 – 85,000

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Average PG Fees by Course Category in the UAE

Postgraduate tuition in the UAE varies by field of study and institution type, with specialised and professional programmes generally carrying higher fees. This table summarises the typical annual postgraduate tuition fee ranges across major course categories for international students in the UAE.

Course Category	Average PG Fees / Year
Engineering & Technology	AED 50,000 – 105,000
Computer Science & IT	AED 50,000 – 110,000
Business & Management	AED 55,000 – 130,000+
Medicine & Health Sciences	AED 60,000 – 150,000+
Law	AED 55,000 – 125,000
Science & Mathematics	AED 45,000 – 90,000
Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences	AED 45,000 – 95,000
Architecture & Design	AED 50,000 – 115,000
Hospitality & Tourism Management	AED 55,000 – 120,000

Engineering & Technology Postgraduate Fees in the UAE

Postgraduate engineering programs in the UAE are offered by both local universities and international branch campuses, with strong emphasis on applied learning, research labs, and industry collaboration. Tuition fees vary based on specialisation, accreditation, and the international standing of the awarding institution.

Course	Average PG Tuition Fees / Year
Master in Mechanical Engineering	AED 50,000 – 95,000
Master in Civil Engineering	AED 45,000 – 90,000
Master in Electrical Engineering	AED 50,000 – 95,000
Master in Chemical Engineering	AED 55,000 – 100,000
Master in Industrial Engineering	AED 50,000 – 95,000
Master in Biomedical Engineering	AED 55,000 – 105,000

Computer Science & IT Postgraduate Fees in the UAE

Computer Science and IT master’s degrees are among the most popular postgraduate choices in the UAE, driven by rapid digital transformation across industries. Fees are influenced by course depth, emerging specialisations, and the presence of international faculty or industry-backed curricula.

Course	Average PG Tuition Fees / Year
Master in Computer Science	AED 50,000 – 95,000
Master in Data Science	AED 55,000 – 105,000
Master in Artificial Intelligence	AED 60,000 – 110,000
Master in Cybersecurity	AED 55,000 – 105,000
Master in Software Engineering	AED 50,000 – 95,000
Master in Information Systems	AED 50,000 – 95,000

Business & Management Postgraduate Fees in the UAE

The UAE is a major global business hub, and its postgraduate business programs are designed for leadership, entrepreneurship, and international careers. Tuition fees are higher for MBA and specialised management programs, especially at globally ranked or internationally partnered institutions.

Course	Average PG Tuition Fees / Year
Master of Business Administration (MBA)	AED 70,000 – 130,000+
Master in Management	AED 55,000 – 100,000
Master in Finance	AED 60,000 – 110,000
Master in Marketing	AED 55,000 – 100,000
Master in International Business	AED 60,000 – 115,000
Master in Business Analytics	AED 65,000 – 120,000

Medicine & Health Sciences Postgraduate Fees in the UAE

Medical and health science postgraduate programs in the UAE require specialised facilities, clinical training, and regulatory approvals. As a result, these programs are among the most expensive study options in the country.

Course	Average PG Tuition Fees / Year
Doctor of Medicine (MD)	AED 90,000 – 150,000+
Master of Public Health (MPH)	AED 60,000 – 110,000
Master in Healthcare Management	AED 55,000 – 100,000
Master in Nursing (MSN)	AED 50,000 – 95,000
Master in Clinical Psychology	AED 55,000 – 105,000

Law Postgraduate Fees in the UAE

Postgraduate law programs in the UAE focus on international law, commercial law, arbitration, and regional legal systems. Fees vary depending on whether the degree is locally awarded or affiliated with an overseas university.

Course	Average PG Tuition Fees / Year
Master of Laws (LLM)	AED 55,000 – 110,000
LLM in International Law	AED 60,000 – 115,000
LLM in Corporate & Commercial Law	AED 60,000 – 120,000
LLM in Arbitration & Dispute Resolution	AED 65,000 – 125,000

Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Postgraduate Fees in the UAE

Postgraduate programs in arts and social sciences are generally more affordable than professional degrees, though international branch campuses may still charge premium fees for specialised curricula.

Course	Average PG Tuition Fees / Year
Master in Psychology	AED 45,000 – 85,000
Master in International Relations	AED 50,000 – 95,000
Master in Economics	AED 50,000 – 95,000
Master in Sociology	AED 45,000 – 85,000
Master in Political Science	AED 45,000 – 90,000

Architecture & Design Postgraduate Fees in the UAE

Architecture and design master’s programs in the UAE emphasise studio work, advanced software, and project-based learning. These factors contribute to higher tuition fees compared to general arts disciplines.

Course	Average PG Tuition Fees / Year
Master in Architecture	AED 60,000 – 115,000
Master in Interior Design	AED 55,000 – 110,000
Master in Urban Planning	AED 55,000 – 105,000
Master in Graphic Design	AED 50,000 – 95,000
Master in Fashion Design	AED 55,000 – 110,000

Hospitality & Tourism Postgraduate Fees in the UAE

Postgraduate hospitality and tourism programs benefit from the UAE’s strong global tourism and events industry. Tuition fees reflect the practical training, internships, and industry exposure built into these programs.

Course	Average PG Tuition Fees / Year
Master in Hospitality Management	AED 60,000 – 120,000
Master in Tourism Management	AED 55,000 – 110,000
Master in Event Management	AED 55,000 – 105,000
Master in Hotel Administration	AED 60,000 – 120,000

University-wise Tuition Fees in the UAE in 2025–2026

Tuition fees in the UAE vary considerably between local institutions, international branch campuses, and specialised universities. While some local universities offer competitive pricing, international branch campuses of global universities typically command higher fees comparable to their home campuses. The table below provides approximate annual tuition fee ranges for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at prominent UAE universities for the 2025–2026 academic year.

University	Approx. Tuition Fees / Year
United Arab Emirates University (UAEU)	AED 30,000 – 50,000
Khalifa University	AED 40,000 – 80,000
American University of Sharjah (AUS)	AED 60,000 – 90,000
American University in Dubai (AUD)	AED 55,000 – 95,000
University of Sharjah	AED 35,000 – 70,000
Zayed University	AED 35,000 – 65,000
Middlesex University Dubai	AED 45,000 – 75,000
Heriot-Watt University Dubai	AED 40,000 – 70,000
Canadian University Dubai	AED 45,000 – 80,000
University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD)	AED 45,000 – 80,000
Paris-Lodron University Abu Dhabi	AED 35,000 – 65,000
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Dubai	AED 60,000 – 95,000
University of Bradford in Dubai	AED 40,000 – 75,000
American University of Ras Al Khaimah	AED 35,000 – 65,000

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City / Emirate-wise Tuition Fee Comparison in the UAE

Tuition fees in the UAE can vary across the emirates, influenced by the concentration of international branch campuses, local university presence, and the overall cost of living in each region. Dubai and Abu Dhabi — home to many international and prestigious institutions — tend to have higher average tuition ranges, while other emirates such as Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah generally offer comparatively moderate fee structures. The table below shows the typical annual tuition fee ranges for international students across major emirates in the UAE for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Emirate / City	Typical Tuition Fees / Year
Dubai	AED 45,000 – 100,000+
Abu Dhabi	AED 40,000 – 95,000
Sharjah	AED 35,000 – 80,000
Ras Al Khaimah	AED 30,000 – 70,000
Ajman	AED 30,000 – 65,000
Al Ain	AED 30,000 – 65,000
Fujairah	AED 28,000 – 60,000
Umm Al Quwain	AED 25,000 – 55,000

Most Expensive Courses in the UAE

Some university programmes in the UAE command higher tuition fees due to specialised training, industry demand, infrastructure requirements, and global accreditation partnerships. These courses, often offered by international branch campuses, business schools, and professional institutions, carry higher annual tuition compared to general academic degrees.

Course	Typical Tuition Fees / Year
Doctor of Medicine (MD)	AED 90,000 – 150,000+
Master of Business Administration (MBA)	AED 70,000 – 130,000+
Master in Artificial Intelligence	AED 60,000 – 110,000
Master in Data Science & Analytics	AED 55,000 – 105,000
Master in Cybersecurity	AED 55,000 – 105,000
Master in Finance	AED 60,000 – 110,000
Master in Architecture	AED 60,000 – 115,000
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)	AED 45,000 – 90,000
Master in Hospitality Management	AED 60,000 – 120,000
Bachelor in Animation & Game Design	AED 45,000 – 85,000

Most Affordable Courses in the UAE

The UAE also offers more affordable programmes, particularly at local universities and broader academic disciplines. These courses typically have lower tuition compared to highly specialised or internationally affiliated programmes.

Course	Typical Tuition Fees / Year
Bachelor in Arts & Humanities	AED 30,000 – 60,000
Bachelor in Social Sciences	AED 30,000 – 60,000
Bachelor in Mathematics	AED 30,000 – 60,000
Bachelor in Physics	AED 35,000 – 65,000
Bachelor in Chemistry	AED 35,000 – 65,000
Master in Education	AED 40,000 – 80,000
Master in Sociology	AED 45,000 – 85,000
Master in Psychology	AED 45,000 – 85,000
Bachelor in Economics	AED 35,000 – 70,000
Bachelor in Environmental Science	AED 35,000 – 70,000

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