Higher education in the United Arab Emirates began with the opening of United Arab Emirates University in 1976. Higher education institutions in the United Arab Emirates need to be recognized by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), which operates as part of the Ministry of Education. While the Ministry of Education is the federal governing body for higher education and education in general, some emirates might still have their own agencies which oversee certain aspects of higher education within the emirate, such as Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) or Abu Dhabi's Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).
Only institutions that have received CAA accreditation from the Ministry of Education are listed below.
List of universities
Institute nameWalsh College UAE Al Ain UniversityInternational American University, Ras Al KhaimahJaipur National University, Ras Al Khaimah campusAnwar Gargash Diplomatic AcademyEmirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies, Abu Dhabi CakeHigher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi CampusINSEAD, Middle west Campus in Abu DhabiKhalifa UniversityLiwa College of Technology (formerly Emirates College of Technology)National Defense CollegeNew York University Abu DhabiRabdan AcademySorbonne University Abu DhabiBuckinghamshire New University, AjmanUnited Arab Emirates UniversityZayed II Military CollegeZayed University, Abu Dhabi CampusAjman UniversityCity University College of AjmanGulf Medical UniversityAbu Dhabi University, DubaiAmerican University in DubaiAmerican University in the EmiratesAmity University DubaiBirla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani – Dubai CampusBritish University in DubaiCanadian University DubaiCity, University of London Dubai CentreCurtin UniversityDaffodil International University, RAK CampusDubai Medical College For GirlsEmirates Academy Of Hospitality ManagementEmirates Aviation UniversityEmirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies, DubaiGBS DubaiHamdan Bin Mohammed Smart UniversityHeriot-Watt UniversityHigher Colleges Of Technology - Dubai BranchHult International Business SchoolIndian Institute of Technology Delhi - Abu DhabiInstitute of Management Technology - DubaiIslamic Azad UniversityLondon Business SchoolManipal UniversityLincoln University of Business and ManagementMiddlesex University DubaiMohammed bin Rashid School of GovernmentMohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial IntelligenceMurdoch University DubaiRochester Institute of Technology of DubaiRoyal College of Surgeons in IrelandS P Jain School of Global ManagementSAE InstituteSaint Joseph UniversitySaint-Petersburg State Economic UniversityShaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and TechnologyStrathclyde Business School DubaiSymbiosis International University DubaiThe University of Manchester WorldwideUniversity of Balamand In Dubai [on probation, no new admissions]University of Birmingham DubaiUniversity of Bradford Regional Hub, DubaiUniversity of DubaiUniversity of ExeterUniversity of Wollongong in Dubai.Zayed University, DubaiUniversity of KalbaUniversity of FujairahHigher Colleges of Technology, Fujairah CampusBahra University, Ras Al Khaimah CampusHigher Colleges of Technology, Ras Al Khaimah CampusRas Al Khaimah Medical & Health Sciences UniversityAl Qasimia UniversityAmerican University of SharjahArab Academy for Science, Technology, & Maritime Transport, Sharjah CampusEmirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies, Sharjah CampusHigher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah CampusLincoln University of Business and ManagementSkyline University CollegeFEUC Umm Al Quwain in Partnership with University for the Creative Arts, UK University of West London, Ras Al Khaimah campusUmm Al Quwain UniversityKing's Business School
Universities which are no longer/planned to cease operations University of South Wales, Dubai Michigan State University in Dubai MODUL University Dubai
International rankings These are the universities' rankings of 2024, 2025 & 2026 according to QS (Quacquarelli Symonds). Definitions of categories used for measurement of QS are missing. It would be helpful if the UAE provided its own rankings according to its own measurement system.
Institution 2024 (QS)2025 (QS)2026(QS)Khalifa University230202177United Arab Emirates University 290261229American University of Sharjah364332272University of Sharjah465434328Gulf Medical University351-400American University of Ras Al Khaimah -485591Ajman University440Al Ain University552552558Abu Dhabi University 580501391Canadian University Dubai551523604American University in Dubai 621-630601-610678University of Dubai 851-900801-850851-900Daffodil International University1001-1200Symbiosis International University641-650641-650696
Institutions located within free zones The Ministry of Education does not recognize educational institutions based in free zones. While individual Emirates are responsible for managing the standards of educational institutions within their free zones, Dubai is the only Emirate that does so through the Knowledge and Human Development Authority's (KHDA) University Quality Assurance International Board. The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is currently working on tightening rules and regulations that govern higher academic institutions within free zones in the Emirate.
New schools and universities The UAE is intensifying efforts to expand its higher education sector as it prepares to accommodate an additional 120,000 students over the next decade, addressing both population growth and the demand for high-quality education. In line with this vision, several new schools and universities are set to open in 2026 through partnerships with international institutions. Among the upcoming institutions are Harrow International School Dubai, Ash Mount School, Dubai International Academy, Queen Elizabeth’s School, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad, American University of Beirut (AUB) and Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences.
See also Commission for Academic Accreditation Dubai International Academic City Education in the United Arab Emirates Knowledge and Human Development Authority List of schools in the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education
References