Top Universities in Dubai Offering International Scholarships; Many individuals only know Dubai as that country associated with luxury and tourism but that is not all, Dubai has emerged as a global educational destination. A good number of students are beginning to choose Dubai because of its world-class universities, modern campuses and also generous scholarship opportunities, so you don’t need to be surprise why studying in Dubai is becoming more attractive than ever.
In this guide, we’ll be discussing the top universities in Dubai offering international scholarships this 2025 and the good part is that is that it is not limited to one program. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for undergraduate, postgraduate, or phD scholarships. This guide will definitely give you all the necessary information you need to start your journey.
Why Study in Dubai?
Let discuss some of the reasons many international students has started dreaming of relocating and studying in Dubai and below is some of the reasons:
- Strategic Global Location: we all know that Dubai is a tourist country but it universities is situated between East and West
- Multicultural Environment: Over 80% expat population
- Global Campuses: UK, US, and Australian universities has different branches in Dubai
- Tax-Free Student Jobs: Work part-time while studying and aside that, it is a tax free for international students
- Scholarship Opportunities: there are numerous scholarship opportunities waiting for international students in Dubai
Top Universities in Dubai Offering Scholarships
University of Dubai
University of Dubai runs scholarships such as Merit-based and funded scholarship and in this kind of scholarships they do the following:
- Offers partial to full tuition fee waivers
- Scholarships under this category is open for Bachelor’s and Master’s students
- The criteria is solely based on academic excellence and financial need
Popular programs under this category are:
- Business Administration
- Information Systems and
- Law
How to Apply:
- First thing to do is to apply for admission
- Then submit your scholarship application along with transcripts and financial documents
- Deadlines vary each semester
You can Visit: www.ud.ac.ae
2. American University in Dubai (AUD)
American University in Dubai (AUD) is the type of scholarship that is both merit-based & athletic and hardship financial grants and under this category it covers up to 100% of tuition for high achieving students and also encourages leadership, academics and sports international students
How to Apply:
- You will first apply for a program at AUD
- Then submit scholarship documents during the admission process
Visit: www.aud.edu
3. Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus
This university runs a scholarships that is based on academic excellence, family scholarship and post graduate merit scholarship. In this category it covers up to 50% tuition fees and available for both Undergraduate and postgraduate international students. In this category, there’s automatic consideration for high achievers. It is eligible to international students in the field of:
- Engineering
- Business and
- Artificial Intelligence
Visit: www.hw.ac.uk/dubai
4. Murdoch University Dubai
In this university, scholarship such as Vice chancellor’s Excellence Awards, Regional and Academic Achievement scholarships are all awarded. It covers about 25-40% tuition waivers and is meant especially for international students from Africa, Asia and the Middle East. It is meant for international students in the area of:
- Media and Communication
- Psychology
- Business
Visit: www.murdochuniversitydubai.com
5. Middlesex University Dubai
This university runs both Academic merit, sports & creative talents and Regional grants for African and Asian students’ scholarships. It covers about 20%-50% tuition and also offers discount to people that applied earlier, finally, it promotes inclusive and global talents. In case you’re interested and is wondering how to apply, here is how:
- You would be automatically assessed during admission
- You also have to Submit additional documents if applying for talent-based grants
Visit: www.mdx.ac.ae
General Eligibility Criteria for Scholarships in Dubai
Most Dubai universities consider the following:
- Strong academic records because most universities in Dubai prioritize academic excellence even though some have other scholarships offers
- Proof of English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Motivation letter or personal statement which is one of the major documents that will get you a scholarship
- Letters of recommendation from your employer or lecturers
- Financial documents (for need-based aid)
It is important that you apply early, and don’t forget to write your motivation letter very well to align with the scholarship values.
Scholarship Application Deadlines in 2025
For simplified view and better understanding, we are going to put both university and application deadline in a tabular form below:
| University | Application Deadline |
| University of Dubai | Rolling, varies by program |
| American University in Dubai | April 15 (Fall Intake) |
| Heriot-Watt University Dubai | June 1 (UG), July 15 (PG) |
| Middlesex University Dubai | July 1 |
| Murdoch University Dubai | June 30 |
It is important and better to verify deadlines from the school official website to avoid rush hour application.
Student Testimonials
“I received a 50% scholarship from Middlesex University Dubai, their application process was smooth, and the multicultural environment is amazing!”
— Naomi, Kenya
“Studying in Dubai gave me global exposure and access to a UK degree without leaving the Middle East.”
— Rohan, India
Can You Work While Studying in Dubai?
The honest answer is yes! International students in Dubai can now work part-time during semesters and full-time during holidays, provided they secure a work permit. Make sure you adhere to the work conditions that is associated to your study visa.
Part-time job options:
- Campus assistant
- Retail worker
- Internships at multinational companies
Working while studying helps support tuition and living costs and also help you gain a lot of experiences while studying.
How to Start Your Application
Here’s a quick checklist:
- Choose your preferred university
- Check eligibility requirements
- Gather all academic and financial documents
- Write a strong convincing motivation letter
- Submit your application before the deadline
- Follow up and prepare for visa processing
Conclusion
It no longer a news that studying in Dubai offers global quality education, cultural diversity, and scholarships that reduces financial burdens. We are already aware that several universities in Dubai offer partial or full funding to international students especially this 2025. This is like a life time opportunity so follow this guide and make this dream come true.
Don’t relent, all you have to do is to read and understand this article and be prepared, then go ahead and apply. Your scholarship in Dubai awaits you.