Your ultimate guide to the universities in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has an abundance of educational institutes available for students of all ages. This includes some of the best universities known for their undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. If you are considering enrolling in one of these top Abu Dhabi universities, here is all the information you may need.
LIST OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN ABU DHABI
Our list of best universities in Abu Dhabi includes some of the most prestigious names in the emirate.
The universities in Abu Dhabi come with state-of-the-art facilities, with campuses including computer/research labs, libraries, student lounges, prayer rooms and a parking area, in some cases.
We have included some of the best colleges and other licensed higher education institutes in the emirate, so you can choose one that is ideal for your academic needs.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at these universities.
PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN ABU DHABI
MOHAMED BIN ZAYED UNIVERSITY OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (MBZUAI)
Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) is a research-based academic institute in Abu Dhabi. MBZUAI offers MSc and PhD programmes in the field of Artificial Intelligence to promote scientific research and development in the UAE.
Students who meet the university’s admission criteria can avail of a 100% scholarship for Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Computer Vision for full-time degree programmes.
- Best for: Machine Learning, Computer Vision
- Location: Masdar City, Abu Dhabi
- Fees: Subject to the course
- Contact: +971-2-811-3331
RABDAN ACADEMY
Rabdan Academy is a government university accredited by CAA. Founded in 2013, the institute offers professional qualifications as well as vocational short courses.
Students can enrol for programmes like Business Continuity Management (BCM), Policing and Security (PAS), Integrated Emergency Management (IEM) or Intelligence Analysis (MIA).
The domains for short courses range from policing and security to business management.
- Best for: Business management, Policing and security
- Location: Al Dhafeer Street, Abu Dhabi
- Fees: Contact for a complete fee structure
- Contact: +971-2-599-9111
HIGHER COLLEGES OF TECHNOLOGY (HCT)
Higher Colleges of Technology is a public university that was established in Abu Dhabi in 1988. HCT is officially recognised by the Ministry of Education UAE and is also ranked as one of the best universities in Abu Dhabi.
Students can choose from its business and science degrees, among other disciplines. The institute has a separate campus for men and women.
- Best for: Business Communication, Applied Media, Engineering Technology and Science
- Location: Hazza Bin Zayed Street, Al Dhafrah, Abu Dhabi (Women’s Campus) | Al Saada Street W / Shakhbout Bin Sultan Street, Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi (Men’s Campus)
- Fees: Subject to the course | AED 2,100 – AED 2,500 per credit hour (Summer Courses)
- Contact: +971-800-69-428
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES UNIVERSITY
Having a large student body of over 20,000 pupils, the UAE University is one of the top universities in Abu Dhabi. This is accredited by the Ministry of Education UAE and is located in the suburban area of Al Ain.
The university offers an array of undergraduate and graduate programmes. Students can choose from a range of disciplines, ranging from law to engineering.
The university also grants scholarships, fellowships and graduate assistantships to meritorious students.
- Best for: Law, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Engineering, Food and Agriculture
- Location: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, Al Ain
- Fees: AED 1,900 – AED 3,000 per credit hour for international students applying for undergraduate courses | AED 1,600 – AED 3,000 per credit hour for graduate programmes
- Contact: +971-3-767-3333
ZAYED UNIVERSITY ABU DHABI
Named after H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, Zayed University is one of the top-ranked universities in Abu Dhabi. It was opened in 1998 to create the right learning opportunities for deserving students.
Zayed University caters to UAE Nationals along with international students who have completed a high school diploma in their respective countries.
Students can apply for courses in design, animation, business and IT streams.
- Best for: Animation, Business Transformation, Graphic Design, Interior Design
- Location: Khalifa City C, Abu Dhabi
- Fees: AED 84,000 – AED 128,000 (Average)
- Contact: +971-2-599-3111
PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN ABU DHABI
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY (NYU) ABU DHABI
Founded in 2010, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) is one of the most popular international universities in the capital. The institute is accredited by the Ministry of Education UAE and has over 2,000 students.
NYU offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programmes in art and engineering streams. The university also offers postdoctoral research opportunities.
- Best for: Art and Media, Psychology, Engineering Programmes
- Location: Saadiyat Marina District, Abu Dhabi
- Fees: Subject to the course
- Contact: +971-2-628-5511
SYSCOMS COLLEGE
Operating since 1990, Syscoms College is a venture of Lulu Group in Abu Dhabi. The university aims to prepare students for the future with its well-planned curriculum and a variety of IT, soft skills, language and IATA courses. The college also offers virtual classes and corporate training.
- Best for: Cloud Computing, C/C++, Java, SQL, Oracle Programming, Graphic Designing
- Location: Airport Road, Near Corniche, Abu Dhabi | Mashreq Bank Building, Near Al Ain Mall, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi
- Fees: Subject to the course
- Contact: +971-2-635-5554 (Abu Dhabi Campus) | +971-3-765-7575 (Al Ain Campus)
SORBONNE UNIVERSITY ABU DHABI
A branch of the celebrated Sorbonne University in Paris, this university in Abu Dhabi was established in 2006. It is a private university having around 1,000 students. The co-educational institute is officially accredited by the Ministry of Education UAE.
Sorbonne University offers undergraduate and graduate programmes across art, sciences and business divisions.
- Best for: Law, Economics and Management, Archaeology, History and Philosophy
- Location: Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi
- Fees: From AED 48,700 per year
- Contact: +971-2-656-9555
KHAWARIZMI INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE (KIC)
Established in 1985, Khawarizmi International College (KIC) is one of the best universities in Abu Dhabi with two campuses in the emirate. This is accredited by the UAE’s Ministry of Education and is known for its highly qualified staff.
KIC offers associate and undergraduate programmes as well as short courses across a range of disciplines. Students can also apply for scholarships at KIC. The institute offers up to 50% scholarships on all new admissions.
- Best for: Business Administration, Healthcare and Medical, Islamic Finance
- Location: Near Deerfields Mall, Al Bahia, Abu Dhabi | Next to Al Towayya Park, Al Meryal, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi
- Fees: Varies with course
- Contact: +971-2-201-5000 (Abu Dhabi) | +971-3-708-7777 (Al Ain)
ENGINEERING UNIVERSITIES IN ABU DHABI
NEW YORK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (NYIT)
The New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) opened up in Abu Dhabi in 2005. It is a co-educational institute and is accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education. You can choose from a variety of graduate and postgraduate programmes at this university.
The university offers scholarships and financial aid to facilitate international students.
- Best for: Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Location: CERT Technology Park, Al Muroor Road, Next to Dusit Thani Hotel, Abu Dhabi
- Fees: Subject to the course
- Contact: +971-2-206-5855
KHALIFA UNIVERSITY
Established in 2007, Khalifa University is one of the most prestigious engineering institutes in Abu Dhabi. In order to be eligible for admissions, students must have good academic credentials and score well on the entrance exam. The university has a stringent admission rate of 0-10%, which makes it quite a selective university.
Khalifa University is also known for offering the top scholarships in the UAE.
- Best for: Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering
- Location: Zone 1, Abu Dhabi
- Fees:
- From AED 3,333 per credit hour (Undergraduate Programmes)
- From AED 5,000 per credit hour (Graduate Programmes)
- From AED 6,666 per credit hour (Postgraduate Programmes)
- Contact: +971-2-312-3333
ABU DHABI UNIVERSITY
Accredited by both the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Ministry of Education UAE, Abu Dhabi University is one of the highly selective engineering universities in the city.
Abu Dhabi University offers an array of engineering programmes, ranging from cyber security to software courses.
The university also has an internship programme for students who are in the third or fourth year of undergraduate studies. The programme usually lasts four to six weeks, covering 120 to 230 working hours.
- Best for: Cyber Security Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Software Engineering
- Location: Multiple including Zayed City, Abu Dhabi
- Average Fees: From AED 1,430 per credit hour (Undergraduate Programmes) per credit hour | From AED 2,100 per credit hour (Postgraduate Programmes)
- Contact: +971-2-501-5555
BUSINESS SCHOOLS IN ABU DHABI
ABU DHABI SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT (ADSM)
Founded by the Abu Dhabi Chamber, the Abu Dhabi School of Management is a business school that offers specialisation in entrepreneurship, management and leadership.
The university also funds research and offers scholarships and financial aid. A 10% grant on annual tuition fees is given to those who have a minimum of one immediate family member who graduated from ADSM.
- Best for: Business and Leadership
- Location: Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street, Abu Dhabi
- Fees: From AED 110,000
- Contact: +971-2-691-7811
EMIRATES INSTITUTE FOR BANKING AND FINANCIAL STUDIES (EIBFS)
The Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies (EIBFS) is another popular university in Abu Dhabi. The institute primarily provides undergraduate programmes, diplomas and certificate courses in the fields of banking and finance.
Students can enrol for Bachelors in Banking & Finance Accounting, Bachelors in Banking & Finance or Diploma in Banking and Diploma in Islamic Banking, to name a few courses.
- Best for: Banking and Finance
- Location: Next to the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research, Al Muroor Street, Abu Dhabi
- Fees: From AED 2,390 per subject
- Contact: +971-2-446-4666
EMIRATES COLLEGE FOR ADVANCED EDUCATION (ECAE)
Located in Khalifa City A, Emirates College for Advanced Education is a popular college in Abu Dhabi. It offers graduate and postgraduate programmes which are accredited by the Ministry of Education in the UAE.
ECAE has a virtual academy that enables students to access training courses online. The university also has a digital fabrication laboratory called Fablab to help engineers, educators, designers and researchers to create new, innovative ideas and bring them to life.
- Best for: Business Development, Project Management
- Location: Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi
- Fees: Subject to the course
- Contact: +971-2-509-9999
EMIRATES COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
Emirates College of Technology is one of the most popular colleges in Abu Dhabi, which was founded in 1993. In addition to its regular degrees, this co-educational institute offers a number of diplomas and associate professional degrees to support the career goals of students. The university also funds research in Abu Dhabi.
- Best for: Finance, Business, Technology, Health Sciences, Public Relations
- Location: Baniyas Tower B, Fatima Bint Mubarak Street, Abu Dhabi
- Fees: Subject to the course
- Contact: +971-600-500-606
In addition to the aforementioned institutions, you can check out these well-known universities in Abu Dhabi:
- Fatima College of Health Sciences
- Institute of Applied Technology
FAQs ABOUT LIST OF COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITIES IN ABU DHABI & MORE
HOW MANY UNIVERSITIES ARE IN ABU DHABI?
There are more than 20 universities in Abu Dhabi. While some are funded by the government, others are private universities.
WHERE IS ABU DHABI UNIVERSITY LOCATED?
Abu Dhabi University is located in Mohammed bin Zayed City.
WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR AREAS FOR STUDENTS TO LIVE IN ABU DHABI?
You can check our list of the most popular areas in Abu Dhabi for students.
That brings an end to our list of universities in Abu Dhabi UAE. There are many universities in Al Ain as well.
Other emirates in the UAE also have reputed higher education institutes for students. In fact, Sharjah has a whole neighbourhood dedicated to institutes of higher education. There are many universities in Sharjah that students can consider, including the highly acclaimed American University of Sharjah.
Similarly, the many universities in Dubai offer an array of academic programmes for students interested in building a successful professional career.
If you are keen on pursuing a career in engineering, there are several engineering colleges and universities in Dubai for you to consider. Students aiming to pursue a career as a doctor, nurse, pharmacist or allied medical professional, can look into the top medical colleges in the UAE.
The presence of such a variety of options is one of the many reasons why international students opt to study in the UAE.
Have you studied at any of these universities in Abu Dhabi? Let us know more about your experience in the comments below.
