American University of Sharjah (AUS) is a private, independent university founded in 1997 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. Set on a landmark 316-acre campus in Sharjah's University City, it is modelled on American higher education, teaches entirely in English on a credit-based system, and enrols around 6,700 students from more than 90 nationalities across its College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, School of Business Administration, and College of Architecture, Art and Design. AUS offers 33 undergraduate majors, some 49 minors, 24 master's programmes and 8 PhD programmes. AUS is licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education's Commission for Academic Accreditation and is one of the few universities in the region to hold US regional accreditation, from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (since 2004). Its engineering programmes are ABET-accredited, the School of Business Administration is AACSB-accredited, and the Bachelor of Architecture was the first programme outside North America to earn NAAB accreditation. Ranked #258 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and among the top three universities in the UAE, AUS is also ranked #1 in the country for employer reputation, reflecting its strong graduate-employment outcomes.
1 years · Undergraduate (Foundation)
4 years · Undergraduate
2 years · Postgraduate
4 years · Undergraduate
2 years · Postgraduate
4 years · Undergraduate
Undergraduate tuition is a flat AED 110,876 per year (AED 55,438/semester, 12–16 credits) for every major. Graduate tuition is per credit hour: AED 4,371/credit in Arts and Sciences and AED 5,480/credit in Engineering, Business and Architecture, Art and Design — so a typical 30-credit master's totals about AED 131,000–164,000, and the 57-credit MFA about AED 312,000. The annual figure on each graduate programme card is indicative of a standard full-time year. All fees are subject to 5% VAT, and AUS offers an extensive range of merit, need-based and athletic scholarships that can substantially reduce the cost.
The university's top merit award for first-time entering students: full tuition and lab fees plus a monthly stipend, on-campus housing, airfare and medical insurance. Requires outstanding secondary results (e.g. 98% American curriculum or 40+ IB points) and IELTS 7.0 / TOEFL iBT 94.
For high-achieving students from UAE secondary education: full tuition and lab fees plus housing and medical insurance. Requires top secondary results and IELTS 7.0 / TOEFL iBT 94 / EmSAT 1725.
Awarded automatically at admission to entering students with a 95%+ average across Grades 10–11 (plus lab fees); transfer students are not eligible.
For school-nominated students with a 95%+ average in Grades 10–11 and demonstrated leadership and community service; covers tuition, lab/technology fees and housing.
A 25% tuition discount for each sibling after the first, when two or more siblings are enrolled simultaneously as full-time undergraduates.
A renewable award for the top-performing continuing students (CGPA ≥ 3.9 with 60+ earned credits).
Need-based support for first-time students with limited resources and an admission letter (continuing students need a CGPA ≥ 2.0); amounts vary by need and academic standing and may include partial housing.
American University of Sharjah admits students for three semesters a year — Fall (the main intake), Spring and Summer — on an American-style rolling basis. Admission decisions are based on secondary-school performance, English-language proficiency and, for most majors, a mathematics admission test. International students apply from anywhere in the world and are supported through the residence-visa process.
Create an account and submit the application at apply.aus.edu, selecting the applicant type that matches your background (new, transfer, graduate).
Submit your attested secondary-school certificate and grade reports, passport/ID, photo and supporting documents.
Pay the non-refundable application fee of AED 400 + 5% VAT (AED 450 + VAT for graduate applicants).
Provide TOEFL/IELTS/EmSAT English scores and, for undergraduates, the SAT or EmSAT mathematics score before the semester begins.
The Office of Enrollment Management reviews your file and issues an admission decision.
Confirm your place by paying the AED 5,000 non-refundable seat-reservation deposit, then register for courses (and begin the visa process if you are an international student).
AUS sponsors the Sharjah residence visa for admitted international students who are not GCC nationals or UAE residents. After paying the seat-reservation deposit, students submit a visa request at least two months before arrival; AUS applies for the entry permit, and on arrival students complete a medical examination, biometrics and Emirates ID through AUS Visa & Equalization Services (VES). A one-year visa with Emirates ID is approximately AED 1,114.50; a two-year visa approximately AED 1,314.50.
American University of Sharjah is a residential, American-style campus in University City where more than 1,400 students live on campus and over 100 clubs and organisations shape a vibrant student community. Students compete as the AUS Leopards across some 33 sports teams, and Career Services — which helped AUS earn the UAE's #1 ranking for employer reputation — connects them to internships and employers across the region.
AUS is a residential campus with 12 gender-separated halls of residence — 7 for men and 5 for women — housing more than 1,400 students in a secure, multicultural community a short walk from classes, laboratories and the library.
AUS Career Services, on the first floor of the Student Centre, supports students with one-on-one advising, internships and co-ops, employer recruitment days and mentorship. QS 2027 ranks AUS #1 in the UAE for employer reputation and among the top three in the country for employment outcomes.
American University of Sharjah occupies a landmark 316-acre (128-hectare) purpose-built campus in Sharjah's University City, organised around a grand central axis anchored by a domed administration building — reported as the largest dome in the UAE at the time of construction. The symmetric, Islamic-influenced design brings academic halls, research laboratories, design studios, a major library, residential communities and extensive sports facilities into one integrated campus, about 15 km from Sharjah city and 25 km from Dubai.
A central library with around 135,000 physical items plus access to more than one million electronic books, group study rooms, quiet study areas, media viewing rooms and about 140 computers.
Specialised laboratories across the College of Engineering supporting chemical, civil, computer, electrical, industrial and mechanical engineering teaching and research.
Biology, chemistry, physics and environmental-science laboratories for hands-on undergraduate and graduate research.
Computer laboratories across the academic buildings supporting computing, data and design coursework.
Dedicated design studios and workshops for the College of Architecture, Art and Design.
A Bloomberg-equipped trading floor with market-data terminals used by the School of Business Administration for experiential finance learning.
A main auditorium hosting lectures, ceremonies and campus events.
A dedicated sports complex with indoor and outdoor facilities supporting varsity and intramural sport for the AUS Leopards.
Fitness and training facilities and programmes, with additional fitness rooms inside the residential halls.
Outdoor playing fields and courts for team and recreational sport.
The hub of campus life, housing student clubs, dining outlets and Career Services on the first floor.
On-campus medical, health and counselling services for students.
A single point for registration, records and administrative student services.
A range of dining and food outlets across the Student Centre and campus.
Prayer facilities on campus, with 24/7 security provided in partnership with Sharjah Police.
Chancellor
Appointed Chancellor of AUS in 2023, Dr. Laursen leads the university's academic mission and strategy. A distinguished engineer and former founding president of Khalifa University, he brings deep experience of building research universities in the UAE.
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost
Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Dean, College of Engineering
Dean, School of Business Administration
Dean, College of Architecture, Art and Design
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American University of Sharjah, University City, PO Box 26666, Sharjah, UAE
