Why UAE
The United Arab Emirates, in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, extends along part of the Gulf of Oman and the southern coast of the Persian Gulf. Its neighbors are Saudi Arabia to the west and south, Qatar to the north, and Oman to the east. Most of the land is barren and sandy.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a highly modern Middle Eastern country located in the southeastern portion of the Arabian Peninsula. The country has borders with Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar. The UAE was formed in 1971 as a federation of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Qaiwain. The UAE is a popular tourist destination that blends a rich cultural tradition dating back more than 2,500 years with modern cities that boast skyscrapers, museums, art galleries, golf courses, spas and theme parks.
Why Study in the UAE?
In the past decade, the number of universities offering programs to international students has nearly doubled and about 1,000 foreign students now study in the UAE. The majority of international students are from the US, UK, France, Canada, Australia and India. Master’s degrees are available in a wide range of subjects, with the most popular programs being information technology (IT), business, management and marketing. The UAE recently made IT a top priority and as a result, IT education is blossoming at universities in the country. Many master’s programs are aimed at non-UAE professionals who work in the UAE and are taught in languages other than Arabic, primarily English. In addition, many programs offer both full and part time studies, evening classes and accelerated programs with year-round attendance.
Tuition and Program Duration
Public universities are free at all educational levels to UAE citizens. Tuition varies widely at the international universities depending upon school and type of master’s program. Typical annual tuition runs from about 10,000 US dollars to about 24,000 British pounds.
Most master’s degrees require 1-2 years to complete with full time attendance. Part-time programs can take up to 5 years; however, some accelerated part time programs can be completed in as little as one year.
Academic Year
The typical academic year includes two semesters, although some accelerated programs use a three- semester system with somewhat compressed schedules. Fall semester runs from September through December or January and spring semester runs from January or February through June.
Post-Graduate Opportunities
There are many opportunities for both UAE citizens and ex-pats to work in the UAE after graduation. Major industries include trade, transportation and logistics; hospitality and tourism services; banking and financial services; retail and commercial expansion; education; law; media and health. UAE citizens with master’s degrees are highly sought after by all private industries, as currently the vast majority of private industry employees are ex-pats.