Zayed University is a federal, government-funded university established in 1998 and named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates. It operates two purpose-built campuses, one in the Al Ruwayyah and Academic City area of Dubai and a larger flagship campus in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Founded originally as a women-only institution and opened to male students in 2008, it is today a co-educational university with gender-segregated campus facilities. Teaching follows an American-style, credit-based model delivered in English, anchored by a general education core, and the university enrols roughly 7,700 to 8,000 students across seven academic colleges. Zayed University was the first UAE federal university to earn international institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in the United States, alongside national accreditation from the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation. Several colleges hold specialised international accreditation, including AACSB for business, ABET for computing programmes, and ACEJMC for communication and media. The university offers 22 undergraduate degrees and a focused set of nine master's programmes across colleges spanning business, communication and media, arts and creative enterprises, humanities and social sciences, natural and health sciences, technological innovation, and interdisciplinary studies, and it placed #588 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, a record high for the institution.
5 years · Undergraduate
4 years · Undergraduate
4 years · Undergraduate
4 years · Undergraduate
4 years · Undergraduate
4 years · Undergraduate
Zayed University is a federal institution, so UAE nationals are generally sponsored by the government and study tuition-free for up to five years. Nationals without a sponsored seat, along with all international and self-funding students, pay a flat AED 2,500 per credit hour for undergraduate study, which is roughly AED 75,000 for a typical full-time year before any lab fees. Master's tuition is billed per credit hour at programme-specific rates. The non-refundable application fee is AED 250 plus VAT for undergraduates and AED 420 for graduate applicants, tuition can be paid in instalments across each semester, and need-based support is available through the university's Student Support Unit.
UAE nationals are sponsored by the federal government for up to five academic years, subject to seat availability. Nationals without a sponsored seat pay the standard AED 2,500 per credit hour.
Need-based financial support for self-funding students, assessed by the Student Support Unit on demonstrated financial need.
Zayed University admits undergraduates for a main Fall intake and a smaller Spring intake, based on high-school graduation, English-language proficiency (EmSAT English 1250 or an accepted IELTS or TOEFL score) and, for many majors, minimum subject grades in mathematics, English or a science. UAE nationals apply through the Ministry of Education portal; international and non-national students apply through the ZU e-services portal. Master's applicants apply directly to Graduate Admissions.
Confirm you meet the high-school, English and subject requirements for your chosen major.
Complete the EmSAT (via emsat.moe.gov.ae) or provide an accepted IELTS, TOEFL or SAT score.
UAE nationals apply via the Ministry of Education portal; international and non-national students apply through www.eservices.zu.ac.ae.
Pay the non-refundable application fee (AED 250 plus VAT for undergraduate, AED 420 for graduate).
Submit your attested high-school certificate, transcripts, passport or Emirates ID and test scores.
Admission decisions are released in the final admission period (August for Fall, December for Spring); accept your offer and enrol.
As a UAE federal university, Zayed University sponsors the student residence visa for enrolled international students who do not already hold a UAE residence visa. The visa is issued for one year at a time and is renewable on proof of continued enrolment, and mandatory UAE medical insurance is required. Students who are dependents on a UAE-resident parent's visa may study under that sponsorship instead.
Zayed University offers an active, inclusive campus life across its Abu Dhabi and Dubai campuses, supported by a dedicated Student Life office. Students join more than 30 student-run clubs, take part in the Ya Hala orientation and the First Year Ambassadors programme, and build their profile through the UniquelyZU co-curricular experience, while the Student Careers and Alumni Department connects them to internships and employers.
On-campus student residences at the Abu Dhabi campus (opened 2016) house full-time international undergraduate and graduate students who lack accommodation in Abu Dhabi. Domestic and local students are not eligible, and exchange students are housed when space allows.
The Student Careers and Alumni Department supports students and graduates with career counselling, a Student Career Portal, an internship programme run in partnership with employers, employer engagement, Career Advocate Leaders and an On-Campus Employment programme, with graduate employment support continuing for up to one year after graduation.
Zayed University operates two modern, purpose-built campuses. The Abu Dhabi campus in Khalifa City is the larger flagship, built over roughly 75 hectares with around 26 buildings, anchored by a landmark central library and a major convocation and convention centre with a theatre seating about 1,000. The Dubai campus sits in the Al Ruwayyah area beside Academic City. Both campuses provide technology-enabled classrooms, science and computer labs, art and design studios, and sports facilities.
A large central library on each campus with study and seminar spaces, digital resources and special collections.
A landmark auditorium and events venue (theatre seating around 1,000) used for graduations and conferences at the Abu Dhabi campus.
Teaching and research laboratories supporting the health, environmental and natural-science programmes.
Computing and IT laboratories supporting the College of Technological Innovation.
Studios for the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises covering fine arts, graphic and interior design.
Production facilities for animation, multimedia design and communication and media students.
Technology-driven teaching spaces with smart boards and video conferencing.
Indoor fitness facilities for students and staff on both campuses.
On-campus pool for recreation and fitness.
Gender-segregated halls for international students with dining, laundry, gym and study areas.
Campus dining and cafeteria facilities.
On-campus prayer spaces, including within the residences.
On-campus student health and first-aid clinic.
Career counselling, internships, employer events and alumni support.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Appointed President and CEO of Zayed University effective November 2025, Dr. Hall previously served as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Victoria in Canada and in senior leadership at the University of Newcastle in Australia.
Chief Strategy Officer
Chief Operations Officer
Dean of Academic Affairs and Acting Associate Provost
Dean, College of Arts and Creative Enterprises
Dean, College of Business
Acting Dean, College of Communication and Media Sciences
Acting Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Dean, College of Natural and Health Sciences
Dean, College of Technological Innovation
Dean, College of Interdisciplinary Studies
Dean, Graduate Studies
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Zayed University, Abu Dhabi Campus, Khalifa City, P.O. Box 144534, Abu Dhabi, UAE (Dubai campus: Al Ruwayyah, near Academic City, P.O. Box 19282, Dubai)
