The United Arab Emirates has been making immense progress in every sector, including academics. The country is full of top-class government and private universities with high educational standards. They offer the best quality education and extracurricular activities to every enrolled student. This ensures that they enter into the professional world with full preparation to thrive and beat the competition.
Sadly, many UAE-based tutees are unable to manage their expensive academic financial expenses. However, they can get sponsorship from the relevant institute or organization to continue excelling academically.
Countless universities in the United Arab Emirates offer partial and full scholarships, along with free accommodation and a monthly stipend. You’ve landed at the right place if you’re in search of such scholarships in the country as an Emirati student. We have shared the top places to look to get financial aid in 2025 via this comprehensive guide.
So, take a tour of them!
Unveiling List of the Best Value Scholarships for UAE Students in 2025
1. Khalifa University Scholarship
Khalifa University scholarship offers courses across all fields, available for both national and international students. They cover full tuition fees for tiers I and II, while 50% for tier III. Besides, they will take care of your accommodation, medical insurance, and a monthly stipend.
Anyone who has achieved top grades in undergraduate or postgraduate programs is eligible. The institute will also provide a textbook. Mobilization and demobilization flights are also available for international pupils, subject to approval. Submit your scholarship application if you want to apply for it. The application deadline is 2 September 2024.
2. Masdar Institute Scholarship
Masdar Institute scholarship covers full tuition fees, accommodation, health insurance, and a monthly stipend. Applicants who have applied for a Master’s program in engineering or science are eligible for it.
Masdar also offers PhD programs that offer full or partial options. Students who have relevant undergraduate and Master’s degrees in engineering, science, or IT are eligible for it. They must possess a minimum CDPA of 3.0 in the undergraduate degree and a minimum of 3.2 CGPA in the Master’s.
A minimum GRE quantitative score of 155 is also necessary. Prepare 3 recommendation letters, a statement of objective, and a research proposal as applicants need to submit them as well.
3. Abu Dhabi University Scholarship
The scholarship provided by Abu Dhabi University covers partial or full tuition fees. The eligibility depends on the academic excellence and financial needs of the applicants. Programs for undergraduates and postgraduates across various disciplines are available.
They will cover four years of your education if you get a yes after your application submission. In some cases, the period is less than it. Applicants may also need to present their English language proficiency certificate in a few cases.
The application process begins with formally securing your admission to ADU. You will receive a unique student ID card number. Use it to log in to your university account on their official portal. Open the section for financial aid and scholarships. The goal of Abu Dhabi University is to help pupils with constrained budgets unleash their academic excellence. And they have been succeeding in their objective so far.
4. Al Qasimi Foundation Scholarship
Al Qasimi Foundation offers full, partial, and supplemental scholarships for domestic and overseas studies. Whether at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral level, you can reach out to them to get funds. The scholarships cover full tuition fees, research grants, and a stipend for monthly expenses.
Pupils who are applying for Master’s or PhD levels and have a focus on research will be preferred. Funding will not be the same for every applicant. It will mainly depend on the university, degree programs, available budget, and co-sponsorship aid. Bachelor programs have chances of 100% tuition fees, while Master’s programs have only up to 50%.
Al Qasimi Foundation may also offer support for overseas universities. Courses related to education, health, environment, and urban planning will be a preference. The final date for application is April 2025. The general eligibility for applicants is to prove their UAE citizenship from Ras Al Khaimah and clean academic conduct records. They must also present their unconditional admission to their eligible degree programs.
5. American University of Sharjah (AUS) Chancellor’s Scholars Awards
The American University of Sharjah offers scholar awards, irrespective of gender, race, religion, or national origin. They offer a diverse range of grants and sponsorships for undergraduates, as well as graduates. They also provide profitable work-study opportunities for graduates, letting them efficiently manage their finances.
Students who require financial grants or assistance should look up to them. New students studying at AUS may qualify for a merit-based grant. Learners may also secure family tuition financial aid if their two or more elder siblings are already studying at AUS. This may cover up to 50% of expenses.
Tutees, after the results of their first semester, may qualify for additional academic financial aid. Overall, their academic excellence and extracurricular involvement will increase their chances of securing sponsorships. The best thing about AUS is that its financial aid is not limited to specific undergraduate programs. The application deadline is March 2025.
6. Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence Scholarship
Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence is another institute that offers full tuition grants in the United Arab Emirates. Students who secure it will also not have to worry about their accommodation, medical, and monthly expenses. The university will cover all these aspects. However, financial aid is available for courses related to artificial intelligence, computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, mathematics, physics, and similar fields.
Applicants who are applying for Master’s or PhD programs in AI are only eligible. Suppose if applying for an MSc program with a scholarship in MBZYAI, you must possess a degree from this university. Qualifications from any other institute recognized by the UAE’s Ministry of Education are also acceptable.
Another rule is to at least have a minimum CGPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent. The final date for application submission is 31st March 2025.
7. Zayed University Merit Scholarship
Zayed University covers both partial and full tuition fee grants for undergraduates. Students must have outstanding academic performance to become eligible for merit-based scholarships. A minimum average of 95% or equivalent IELTS score of 6.0 is also necessary. The third option is to have at least a score of 80 in TOEFL to prove your English language proficiency.
Moreover, submission of 4 to 6 hours of on-campus work assignments every week is a must. To apply, show your letter of recommendation, latest CV, and a copy of admission letters. Also, present your short statement to open up about your general aptitude, interests, and the vocation type you would like to pursue.
Don’t forget to include your ambitions and aspirations in life in your short statement to make it compelling. Attaching certificates, along with mark sheets, UAE identity cards, and rank certificates (if applicable), is also necessary.
8. Sharjah University Scholarship
Here comes the final top scholarship on our list for UAE students in 2025. Sharjah University offers full tuition fee grants and a monthly stipend that allows learners to fulfil their academic desires. The institute is contributing to the global increase in literacy rate, particularly in their country.
They are paving a path for students who excel academically to continue their studies at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. They don’t have to worry about their financial limitations once they receive sponsorships from Sharjah University. The top-class institute offers financial aid for learners across various fields.
In 2025, Sharjah University’s sponsorships will be available for national students who have graduated from high school in 2022 or later. The age limitations are to be under 25 years old. Pupils enrolled in the College of Health and Sciences or the College of Pharmacy will have higher winning chances.
Closure
Various private and government universities offer a wide range of scholarships in the United Arab Emirates. They cover full and partial tuition fees, accommodation, educational material, and a monthly stipend. Their goal is to make education more accessible and affordable for students, particularly UAE citizens.
Nonetheless, the level of sponsorship and eligibility criteria depends on various factors, including academic level, discipline, performance, and nationality. Whether you’re looking for a merit-based scholarship or financial aid, our list will help you find the suitable one.
Carry out detailed research on the one that likely suits your needs to find out their application process. Don’t delay if you don’t want to miss out on this amazing opportunity!