New York University Abu Dhabi
New York University Abu Dhabi
New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) is a highly selective liberal arts and research university on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, and one of the three degree-granting portal campuses of New York University's global network, alongside New York and Shanghai. Opened in 2010, NYUAD awards the New York University degree, a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, and is licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education and accredited through NYU by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Students come from more than 115 countries into a fully residential campus community with an average class size of about 14. The academic experience combines a signature Core Curriculum, a required senior Capstone project, and the chance to study away across NYU's worldwide network of campuses and academic centres. Financial aid is need-based: the university calculates demonstrated financial need from the CSS Profile and awards need-based institutional grants. Alongside its undergraduate majors across the arts and humanities, sciences, social sciences and engineering, NYUAD offers selected master's programmes, fully funded PhD study through NYU's Global PhD Student Fellowship, and MBA and Executive MBA study through Stern at NYUAD.
4 years · Undergraduate
4 years · Undergraduate
4 years · Undergraduate
4 years · Undergraduate
4 years · Undergraduate
4 years · Undergraduate
USD 68,574 as published, converted at the pegged rate of 3.6725
Published 2026-27 undergraduate tuition is USD 68,574 per year (approximately AED 251,800). The full cost of attendance also includes health insurance (USD 2,424), housing (about USD 6,000), food (about USD 5,800) and books (about USD 1,730). Financial aid is need-based: NYU Abu Dhabi calculates demonstrated financial need from the CSS Profile and awards need-based institutional grants, so many students pay less than the published price.
Aid is based on a student and family demonstrated financial need, calculated by the Office of Financial Aid from the CSS Profile and awarded as need-based institutional grants. The CSS Profile is filed once, prior to admission (NYU school code 2785).
Covers tuition, housing, meals, health insurance, books and study travel. Awarded to all admitted UAE nationals and children of an Emirati mother or father, on a merit basis via admission, for all four years.
A need-based personal-support award for UAE nationals; requires filing the CSS Profile.
NYU Abu Dhabi is one of the most selective universities in the world, admitting undergraduates once a year for September entry through a holistic, two-step process. Applications are made through the Common Application and are reviewed for academic excellence, meaningful extracurricular involvement, character, and a commitment to a global, interconnected community. The most competitive applicants are then invited to Candidate Weekend, the final stage of selection. Financial aid is need-based and calculated from the CSS Profile, which is filed once prior to admission.
Apply through commonapp.org and pay the USD 85 application fee (fee waivers are available). NYU Abu Dhabi is one of NYU's three portal campuses on the Common App.
Your school submits the Common App School Report and transcripts. Provide one letter of recommendation (it does not have to be from a teacher) and complete the Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS).
Standardized testing is optional. Applicants whose native language is not English submit English proficiency results, unless they have studied in an English-only curriculum for three years.
To be considered for need-based aid, submit the CSS Profile (NYU code 2785) by the financial-aid deadline for your decision plan.
The most competitive applicants are invited to Candidate Weekend, the second and final step of selection, experiencing student life on the Saadiyat Island campus before final decisions.
NYU Abu Dhabi admits undergraduates once a year for September (Fall) entry. Graduate and PhD study also begins in the Fall.
Early Decision I: Binding early application. Decisions released around 15 December. Financial aid (CSS Profile) due 10 November.
Early Decision II: Second binding early round. Decisions released around 15 February. Financial aid (CSS Profile) due 10 January.
Regular Decision: Non-binding round. Decisions released around 1 April. Financial aid (CSS Profile) due 1 February.
NYU Abu Dhabi arranges and sponsors the UAE entry permit and student residence visa for enrolled students. The process begins after you accept your offer; for students residing outside the UAE the entry-permit step begins within about 60 days of arrival, and admitted students receive visa information in May.
NYU Abu Dhabi is a fully residential university on Saadiyat Island, where students from more than 115 countries live and learn together. Every undergraduate is guaranteed and required to live on campus for all four years, in residential colleges that combine living and learning. Campus life spans athletics and recreation, the arts, dozens of student-run groups, and access to NYU's global network, all supported by a dedicated health and wellness centre and student affairs team.
Living on campus is an integral part of the NYU Abu Dhabi experience: on-campus housing is guaranteed and required for all four undergraduate years. Students live in residential colleges, each led by a Residential College Director with a trained Resident Assistant on every floor.
The Career Development Center supports students from their first year through graduation with individualised advising, professional mentorship, employer networking, and guidance on prestigious global awards and fellowships.
NYU Abu Dhabi occupies a purpose-built, pedestrian-only campus on Saadiyat Island of about 38 acres - NYUAD publishes a 4-hectare north site and an 11.3-hectare south site, 425,000 gross square metres in all - designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects and occupied in August 2014. It is a fully residential, walkable campus that brings academic buildings, research facilities, the Arts Center, athletics venues and student residences together in one place.
The central research library, with print and digital collections, special collections and archives, subject-specialist librarians, and access to NYU's global library network.
A performing-arts complex housing the 700-seat Red Theater, the 250-seat Black Box, the 150-seat Blue Hall and a 60-seat screening room, plus rehearsal rooms, film editing studios and workshops.
A professionally equipped exhibition space at the campus entrance for experimental and traditional work across all media.
Twelve shared, research-grade facilities, from sequencing and biomedical imaging to advanced manufacturing and microscopy, serving every discipline.
A makerspace-style shared lab for design, robotics, AI and automation, for prototyping and experimentation.
A full fitness centre with cardio, resistance and free weights, plus a separate women's gym.
A competition-length swimming pool at the centre of campus.
A three-court performance gym for basketball, badminton, volleyball, futsal and netball, plus a show-court arena.
Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive
Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of NYU Abu Dhabi as of 6 August 2026, having served as Interim Vice Chancellor from 2024. A professor of biology at NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU New York, he was previously NYUAD's Provost from 2010 to 2020.
Provost
Dean of Arts and Humanities
Dean of Social Science
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New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
