Symbiosis International University Dubai
About Symbiosis International University Dubai
Symbiosis International University Dubai is the first international campus of Symbiosis International (Deemed University), the Pune-based multi-disciplinary university with UGC Category-I status, more than 45,000 students from 85 countries, and a legacy reaching back to 1971. The Dubai campus began operations in September 2024 at Block 14, Dubai Knowledge Park, and was formally inaugurated that November by His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan and India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. Teaching is in English on a credit-based semester system across business, commerce, computing, engineering, media and psychology. The university is licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education (institutional license 2024-2027), with 24 programmes accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation and a KHDA educational services permit; it describes itself as the first Indian university to open in the UAE with both CAA and MoE accreditation from day one. Signature pathways include a BBA dual degree with Aston University UK (two years in Dubai, two in Birmingham), a B.Com with integrated ACCA preparation, a 153-credit B.Tech in Computer Engineering, and an MBA powered by SIBM Pune, supported by inaugural merit scholarships and partner student housing.
Programmes Offered
18 ProgrammesBBA (Honors) Finance
BBA4 years · Undergraduate
BCA Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
BCA4 years · Undergraduate
B.Tech Computer Engineering
BTech4 years · Undergraduate
BA (Honors) Media & Communication: Digital Marketing & Advertising
BA4 years · Undergraduate
B.Sc (Honors) Psychology
BSc4 years · Undergraduate
BBA (Honors) Marketing
BBA4 years · Undergraduate
All 18 programmes by subject
Business & Finance
- BBA (Honors) Finance (BBA)
- BBA (Honors) Marketing (BBA)
- BBA (Honors) Human Resource Management (BBA)
- BBA (Honors) Logistics & Supply Chain Management (BBA)
- BBA (Honors) Artificial Intelligence & Business Analytics (BBA)
- BBA Dual Degree (with Aston University, UK) (BBA)
- B.Com (Honors) with ACCA Preparation (BCom)
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) (BBA)
- Bachelor of Commerce (with ACCA Preparation) (BCom)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) (MBA)
Computer Science
Engineering
Media & Communication
Tuition & scholarships
Annual tuition is quoted excluding VAT; 5% VAT applies (AED 42,000 becomes 44,100 inclusive, the B.Tech's 53,550 becomes 56,228, the MBA's 45,000 becomes 47,250). One-off and yearly charges from the 2025-26 fee schedule: refundable security deposit AED 4,000; B.Tech lab deposit AED 2,000; BBA Dual Degree one-time Aston registration fee AED 25,000 (26,250 with VAT); ACCA preparation for B.Com AED 9,000 plus VAT, paid separately; graduation fee AED 500 plus VAT; backlog fee AED 500 plus VAT per occurrence; visa and medical insurance AED 6,000 per year inside the UAE or AED 5,000 from outside, renewal AED 3,500, cancellation AED 800 inside / AED 2,100 outside; bonafide letters AED 150. Hostel (partner providers) and STS transport are billed monthly at provider rates.
Scholarships & discounts
Merit-based scholarships for all undergraduate programmes, awarded on the basis of the nationality, sex and academic credentials uploaded with the application form. Published in the University Catalogue 2025-26; approval is subject to meeting the admission and scholarship criteria.
All Emirati female applicants to undergraduate programmes are eligible for a significant scholarship covering a substantial portion of the programme fees throughout their studies (University Catalogue 2025-26).
Merit-based scholarships are offered to undergraduate and graduate students; the scholarship or fee waiver is granted at the time of acceptance alongside a fee payment plan. Current amounts via scholarships@siu-dubai.ac.ae.
Admissions & entry requirements
Admission runs in rounds for the Fall (September) and Spring (January) intakes: an online application with documents, an Admissions Committee interview for shortlisted applicants, then an offer accepted by paying the first instalment. Merit scholarships are assessed automatically from the application documents, and the university sponsors UAE student visas.
Apply Online with Documents
Submit the application at siu-dubai.ac.ae/apply-now with academic records, English scores, a personal statement, recommendations and CV (AED 250 application fee).
Interview & Offer
Shortlisted applicants interview with the Admissions Committee; selected students receive an offer letter by email.
Accept by Paying the First Instalment
Pay the first instalment (an advance of 10% of annual tuition per the application portal) to accept; scholarships and a fee payment plan are confirmed at this stage.
Provisional Admission & Enrolment
Receive the Admission Confirmation Letter, complete remaining formalities and present original documents for verification at enrolment.
Entry requirements by level
Intakes & deadlines
Second intake for most programmes, including the MBA's daytime, evening and weekend batches.
Fall Applications Close: The 2025-26 calendar closed Fall applications on 25 August with first-semester fees due 31 August; expect similar timing for 2026 entry.
Student Visa Window: University visa applications for the Fall intake are processed in the first three weeks of August; apply earlier if you need sponsorship.
Scholarship Awards: Merit scholarships for the Fall intake are finalised in June, with the waiting list announced through July.
Required documents
8 totalThe university sponsors UAE student visas: AED 6,000 per year including medical insurance for applicants already inside the UAE, or AED 5,000 from outside; renewal is AED 3,500 per year and cancellation AED 800 (inside the UAE) or AED 2,100 (outside). Fall-intake visa applications are processed in early August, and a medical fitness test and Emirates ID application form part of the process.
Life at the campus
Student life at the inaugural Dubai campus is built around a close-knit founding cohort: a Student Council and Student Ambassadors programme, a Sports Committee, year-round festivals and cultural events, and service-learning projects, all drawing on the parent university's 85-country Symbiosis community.
Accommodation
There is no on-campus hostel; the university arranges housing through partner student residences billed monthly at provider rates.
Career services
Career advising runs alongside academics: industry interactions, mock interviews, CV coaching and a Career and Placement Cell that manages internships and the placement process (students need 90% attendance to participate). MBA cohorts get structured internship, placement and career-readiness engagement, with 40+ recruiting employers presented for the MBA.
Clubs & societies
Facilities & campus
The campus occupies Block 14 of Dubai Knowledge Park, TECOM's education and human-resources cluster on Al Sufouh Road. Facilities include a Learning Resource Centre with print and e-resources, advanced computing and engineering labs (including Cisco Networking Academy certification labs), a student recreation lounge with pool table, carrom, chess and board games, and a snack bar; larger sports and housing amenities come through partner providers.
Learning Resource Centre
Library with print collections, e-resources, databases and digital learning materials.
Advanced Computing & Engineering Labs
Computing and engineering laboratories supporting the BCA, B.Tech and analytics programmes.
Cisco Networking Academy Lab
Cisco-partnered lab delivering certifications in AI, Python, cybersecurity and CCNA.
Smart Classrooms
Technology-enabled teaching rooms across the Block 14 campus.
Student Recreation Lounge
Bean-bag lounge with pool table, carrom, chess, Jenga and board games.
Sports Committee Programme
Student-run leagues, tournaments and activity days through the Sports Committee.
Counselling & Wellbeing Centre
Individual counselling plus meditation and yoga sessions.
Career & Placement Cell
Career advising, mock interviews, industry interactions and placement support.
Campus leadership
Dr. Anita Patankar
Executive Director, Symbiosis International University Dubai
Leads the Dubai campus as Executive Director, bringing more than four decades in higher education and the founding of the Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts in Pune.
Prof. (Dr.) S. B. Mujumdar
Founder and President, Symbiosis
Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar
Principal Director, Symbiosis; Chancellor, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)
Dr. Ramakrishnan Raman
Vice Chancellor, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)
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Questions & answers
Getting to campus
Symbiosis International University Dubai, Block 14, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai, UAE
