The United Arab Emirates has announced new regulations that significantly tighten the eligibility criteria for Emirati students seeking to study abroad, basing approvals largely on international university rankings.
According to the UAE’s Ministry of Education, the move is part of a broader national strategy to better prepare students for the country’s evolving job market. The new criteria prioritize both overall and subject-specific global university rankings to ensure academic programs align with the UAE’s workforce needs.
While the government has not officially confirmed which rankings will be used, the QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, and the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU, or Shanghai Rankings) are expected to serve as key references due to their international recognition.
Ranking Requirements by Study Destination
The updated framework outlines the following academic eligibility conditions:
General requirement: The chosen university must rank among the top 50 globally in the student’s intended field of study.
For students studying in the U.S. or Australia: The university must be ranked within the top 100 both in the chosen field and in overall global rankings.
For other English-speaking countries (excluding the U.S. and Australia): Institutions must rank within the top 200 globally in both the chosen academic field and overall.
For non-English-speaking countries: The institution must fall within the top 300 globally in both the academic discipline and overall rankings.
The UAE’s Committee for Education, Human Development and Cultural Affairs (EHCD) emphasized that aligning scholarship opportunities with national development goals is critical. “These standards reflect a clear vision to elevate the overseas higher education experience,” the EHCD stated.
The new policy is also intended to ensure that degrees obtained abroad are compatible with the requirements of the UAE job market and national development agenda.
Implications and Transition Period
Non-compliance with the new criteria may lead to non-recognition of academic qualifications in the UAE. This could affect eligibility for employment, promotions, study leave, exam leave, thesis evaluations, and related government benefits within federal institutions.
Students currently enrolled in overseas institutions—whether self-funded or on scholarship—will be granted a one-year grace period, effective from June 2, to align with the new standards.
A special committee, led by the EHCD Secretariat, has been formed to review exemption requests on a case-by-case basis.
This latest policy is part of a broader reform initiative aimed at streamlining and modernizing international education processes. Earlier this year, the UAE’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research reduced documentation requirements for degree authentication and simplified the licensing process for foreign universities seeking to establish campuses in Dubai.
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