Education in Dubai: A Guide to the UAE’s College System

Dubai, crowned with the romantic title “City of Gold”, is both an emirate and city of UAE. It is one of the most well-known regions of the United Arab Emirates and a hub of immigrants and tourists. Dubai’s beauty is in the diversity of its inhabitants and its unique blend of modernity with Arab customs and cultures.

Many people move every year to the city for employment and education purposes. Especially during recent years, Dubai universities have made prominent progress in academic excellence. There are also numerous employment opportunities that fresh graduates can avail to build themselves a shining future.

More than 65 commendable universities and colleges currently exist in Dubai. In this guide, we will take a look at what the Dubai education sector has to offer. Along with mentioning some of the institutes that are highly recommended for continuing further education.

The Higher Education System in Dubai

Dubai’s education sector largely follows along the same lines as the rest of the UAE. But it differs in the sense that it integrates education systems from many other countries as well. You will find colleges following British, American, French, Australian, Pakistani, Canadian, Indian, and more models of education. And that is beside the basic UAE curriculum pattern itself.

Students coming from the UK, US, or any international region are taught in English. But those who do not claim Arab heritage must also take classes for Arabic. While Arab and Muslim students have Islamic studies as a compulsory subject. The public colleges and universities use Arabic as a primary mode of communication with English as a second language. But almost every private university teaches in English as they cater to expatriates in a larger number.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is the one in charge of Dubai’s higher education sector. While the licensing of institutes and accrediting degree programs is overseen by the Commission for Accreditation. It is the responsibility of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority to regulate and assure quality education is delivered within Dubai. The most in-demand subjects chosen by students in Dubai are:

• Engineering
• Architecture
• Computing
• Design
• Business administration
• Finance
• Tourism
• Energy
• International Relations

Unlike ACC which checks for stand-alone accreditation the KHDA checks for equivalency between Dubai degree programs and ones taught abroad. If you are an international student, its best to choose an institute that offers internationally recognized accreditation. This way applying for overseas employment becomes easier.

Academic Institutes in Dubai

Fifty-eight private universities and colleges along with five public institutes constitute Dubai’s higher education sector. They serve both local and international students.

Depending on the regulations of the autonomous administration of each institute, there are variations in subjects and degree programs. For instance, some universities offer specialization in select subjects only. And others have only postgraduate or undergraduate programs available.

There is also a difference between local colleges and branch campuses. The former is based and founded in Dubai, while the latter originates abroad with a campus in the emirate. From hereon we will explore details about some of the well-known colleges and universities in Dubai.

Al Ghurair University

AGU is a private local institute that prioritizes the provision of skills and knowledge which contributes towards building a better community. Licensed by MOHESR, AGU is spread across three colleges that offer bachelor’s degrees. These are:

• The College of Business Studies
• College of Computing
• College of Engineering and Applied Sciences

For more creative-minded students AGU also has a School of Design which allows them to choose interior designing as a career.

University of Dubai

UD is a nationally and internationally accredited institution located in the central city. It was specifically founded to address the skill gap in the workforce. The following are the degree programs offered for bachelors by the university:

• Marketing
• Management
• Business Administration
• Finance
• Banking
• Human Resource Management
• Economics
• Entrepreneurship
• Supply chain and logistics
• IT

The Master’s degree programs are available for Law, Business Administration, and Information Systems.

Biotechnology University College Dubai

This biotech institute is accredited by MOHESR and offers both under and post-graduate programs. The offered subjects include:

• Biotechnology
• Environmental and agricultural study
• Medical and pharmaceutical study
• Forensics
• Petroleum and industrial study
• Bioinformatics

Alongside that, there is a foundation program, scholarship scheme, and foreign student exchange program for candidates to avail themselves. BUC also has an attractive modern campus with opportunities for professional training and internships.

The Higher Colleges of Technology

HCT is one of the largest higher-learning institutes in the United Arab Emirates. Two of its seventeen campuses are located in Dubai which is Dubai Women’s College and Dubai Men’s College. The offered programs are:

• Computer and Information Science
• Business
• Applied Communication and Engineering
• Education
• Health Sciences (exclusive to DWC)

There are also graduate programs offered by DMC in the following subjects:

• Business Administration
• Engineering Management
• Communication Tech
• Construction Engineering

The campus has a promising range of sports, educational, recreational, and technological facilities available for students.

American University in Dubai

This is a branch campus of American InterContinental University originally located in Atlanta, Georgia. The Dubai campus is right next to Dubai Internet City, Palm Islands, and Dubai Media City. The AUD also boasts both UAE and US accreditation for its programs.

The basic model of education implemented at AUD is US-style and open to both national and foreign students. The University is segmented into these departments:

• Art and Design
• School of Arts and Sciences
• School of Architecture
• School of Education
• Business Administration
• Mohammed bin Rashid School for Communication
• School of Engineering

Final Thoughts

It must be evident by now that Dubai has much to offer in the way of academics. However, studying at a highly accredited college is also very demanding as a scholar. At AssignmentMaker UAE we offer you excellent assistance to relieve your stress regarding all types of assignments. Our aim is to lessen the burden of students and help them focus on ongoing lessons. Contact us immediately with your requirements and we will provide you with quality content delivered on time.