6 Most Valuable International Scholarships in United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is made up of seven states, or emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm al-Quwain. There are six universities in the United Arab Emirates that are listed among the best universities in the world.

If you are interested in pursuing your studies at an UAE university and you need financial assistance to support your studies, and perhaps your stay in the UAE too, you may want to check out the list of international scholarships in United Arab Emirates below.

Khalifa University of Science and Technology GRTA Scholarship

Graduate Research / Teaching Assistant scholarships are intended to support qualified international students enrolled in graduate programs. The scholarship provides generous remuneration and benefits that include:

• • Full coverage of tuition fees
  • Medical insurance coverage for students under the Khalifa University visa
  • Support to attend international research conferences
  • The indicative monthly stipend for GRTA Scholarship is as follows (subject to change):
    • During MSc: AED 8,000
    • During PhD: AED 10,000

Khalifa University Scholarship for International Undergraduates

A range of undergraduate scholarships offered to non-UAE nationals.

• • President’s Scholarship (full scholarships): A limited number of full scholarships for non-national students with outstanding academic performance and personal qualities. Candidates must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher and be admitted into an Engineering or Science degree program.
    • For non-UAE students with a CGPA ≥ 3.3, the scholarship will cover 100% of tuition fees (for both College of Engineering and College of Science)
    • For non-UAE students with a CGPA 3.0-3.29, the scholarship will cover 75% of tuition fees (for both College of Engineering and College of Science)
    • For non-UAE students with a CGPA 2.0-2.00, the scholarship will cover 50% of tuition fees (for both College of Engineering and College of Science)
    • Non-UAE students with a CGPA < 2.0 are ineligible to receive the scholarship.
  • Khalifa University Scholarship (partial scholarships): Awarded to non-UAE students with excellent academic performance and personal qualities, who possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
    • For non-UAE students with a CGPA ≥ 3.0, the scholarship will cover 50% of tuition fees in the College of Engineering and 75% of tuition fees in the College of Science.
    • For non-UAE students with a CGPA 2.5-2.99, the scholarship will cover 25% of tuition fees in the College of Engineering and 50% of tuition fees in the College of Science.
    • For non-UAE students with a CGPA 2.0-2.49, the scholarship will cover 10% of tuition fees in the College of Engineering and 25% of tuition fees in the College of Science.
    • Non-UAE students with a CGPA < 2.0 are ineligible to receive the scholarship.
  • Self-pay Scholarships: Designed to help students who strive for recognition of their academic vigor after not initially qualifying for a scholarship.
    • For non-UAE students with first year CGPA ≥ 3.8, the scholarship will cover 20% of tuition fees in the College of Engineering and 30% of tuition fees in the College of Science.
    • Non-UAE students with first year CGPA < 3.8 are ineligible for the scholarship.

ADNOC Scholarships in United Arab Emirates

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) offers scholarships in UAE for masters, doctoral, and bachelor level of studies in specialized disciplines at prestigious institutions, both within the UAE and abroad. Candidates must be accepted by one of the approved academic institutions for a course of study with an approved academic major, be medically fit, have passed interview with ADNOC Scholarship Department, and, if applicable, have obtained military service release letter to receive the scholarship. Additionally, specific requirements apply as the following:

• • For students studying overseas
    • Undergraduate program:
      • High school certificate (or equivalent) in science stream (or equivalent)
      • Average final examinations results of not less than 90% from an accredited school with minimum achievement of 85% in each science subject
      • TOEFL (or equivalent) score of 80 and above / IELTS 6.0 and above
    • Postgraduate program:
      • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 (or equivalent) in undergraduate or master’s program from an approved academic institution
      • TOEFL score of 100 and above / IELTS 7.0 and above
  • For students studying in the UAE
    • Undergraduate program:
      • High school certificate (or equivalent) in science stream (or equivalent)
      • Average final examinations results of not less than 85% from a school recognized in terms of academic excellence by MoE, ADEK and KHDA with minimum achievement of 85% in each science subject
      • TOEFL (or equivalent) score of 80 and above / IELTS 6.0 and above
    • Postgraduate program::
      • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 (or equivalent) in undergraduate or master’s program from approved academic institution
      • TOEFL score of 100 and above / IELTS 7.0 and above
  • For students enrolling in a Cadetship Program
    • High school certificate (or equivalent) in science stream (or equivalent)
    • Average final examinations results of not less than 80% from a school recognized in terms of academic excellence by MoE, ADEK and KHDA
    • Acceptance letter from one of the accredited Marine academic institutions, with the course of study in a maritime discipline
    • Meet requirements for vaccination and Liberian Medical Examination

OPEC Scholarship Award for International Development

Scholarships offered to nationals of developing countries, for study in any country. Nationals of OFID Member Countries (Algeria, Ecuador, Gabon, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela) are ineligible to apply. The Award will cover the full cost of tuition fees, including any supplementary fees, required by your academic institution. It will also cover one round trip flight between your home country and the university, health insurance, a relocation grant to help you cover additional costs of moving, and a monthly allowance for one year. To be considered for the scholarship, you must have obtained or be on the verge of completing your undergraduate degree with a Baccalaureate from an accredited college / university, or its equivalent. You must also select a subject of study that pertains to OFID’s core mission, such as: economics of development (poverty reduction, energy and sustainable development), environment (desertification), or other related science and technology fields.

United Arab Emirates University Scholarship Programs

Various scholarships for international students to study at the United Arab Emirates University.

• • Graduate Research Assistantship: Granted to graduate students to work on research projects under the supervision of faculty members. Recipients will receive monthly stipend (the amount depends on the research grant budget).
  • Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA): Designed for full-time graduate students who participate in teaching activities at the University to exchange for financial support. Recipients will benefit a monthly stipend.
  • Graduate Administrative Assistantship (GAA): Designed for full-time graduate students who participate in administrative activities at the University to exchange for financial support. Recipients will receive a monthly stipend.
  • PhD Scholarship: Full and continuous financial support for high achieving graduate students in certain majors at UAEU. Students will benefit the following:
    • Full tuition waiver
    • Monthly stipend
    • Health insurance (if needed)
    • Extra bonus of up to AED 3,000 from supervisor’s external research project, or up to AED 2,000 from supervisor’s internal research project
  • PhD Fellowship: Full and continuous financial support designed for high achieving graduate students to pursue their graduate studies at UAEU. The benefits include:
    • Full Package:
      • Full tuition waiver
      • Monthly stipend
      • Health insurance (if needed)
      • Extra bonus of up to AED 3,000 from supervisor’s external research project, or up to AED 2,000 from supervisor’s internal research project
    • Basic Package:
      • Full tuition waiver
      • Health insurance (if needed)
      • Additional work (optional) as Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) or Graduate Administrative Assistant (GAA) up to 20 hours per week upon availability by the College or College of Graduate Studies (up to AED 4,000)
      • Extra bonus of up to AED 3,000 from supervisor’s external research project, or up to AED 2,000 from supervisor’s internal research project
  • PhD Tuition Payer: For high achieving graduate students who are employed and wish to pursue their graduate studies at UAEU on part-time basis. The benefits include:
    • Optional work as Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) or Graduate Administrative Assistant (GAA) up to 10 hours per week upon availability by the College or College of Graduate Studies (up to AED 2,000)
    • Extra bonus of up to AED 3,000 from supervisor’s external research project, or up to AED 2,000 from supervisor’s internal research project

Abu Dhabi University Scholarships

A variety of scholarship programs offered at Abu Dhabi University.

• • H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarship: Available to the top 20 public secondary school graduates across the UAE who are newly admitted and join ADU in the fall semester of the year that they graduate from high school only. The scholarship is applicable to the period of time the student is enrolled at ADU on a full-time basis (registered with a minimum of 12 credit hours).
  • Chairman Scholarship: Available to academically exceptional students who are newly graduated from secondary school and join ADU in the same year as their secondary school graduation. The scholarship is applicable to the period of time the student is enrolled at ADU on a full-time basis (registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours).
  • University Scholarship: Awarded to UAE residents and GCC national candidates who have newly graduated from secondary school and join ADU within two years of their secondary school graduation. The scholarship is worth from 10% up to 50% waiver on tuition fee per campus based on the student’s high school average.
  • Academic Scholarship: Available to continuing students who obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.60 for two consecutive semesters. The scholarship will be applicable to the period of time the student is enrolled at ADU with full-time status (registered with a minimum of 12 credit hours).
  • Merit-Based Graduate Scholarship: For students with an undergraduate CGPA of at least 3.5 (or equivalent), who pursue their postgraduate studies at ADU. The scholarship is a 25% waiver on tuition fees.

There are six international scholarships in United Arab Emirates. Simply visit each link above for further information regarding to which scholarship you want to apply.