Universities in Dubai Academic City: Programs, Fees & more

People living in Dubai have access to a diverse academic community that includes some of the best universities in the UAE. Launched in 2007, Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) serves over 27,000 students around the world and offers wholesome academic opportunities. There are a number of universities in Dubai Academic City that offer foundation, graduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs in diverse fields.

Being an extremely multicultural city, as a student, if you are moving to DIAC, you can definitely find your social circle in Dubai. Planning to enrol? Let’s take a look at the best universities in DIAC and their fees, programs, contact information and more!

List of the Top Universities in Dubai Academic City

Choosing your university is an important decision, during which we need to factor in several criteria. Earlier most expat families preferred to send their children to institutes outside the UAE to pursue their higher education. But since the inception of DIAC, many students are choosing to remain in the country and select from the list of universities in Dubai International Academic City.

Murdoch University Dubai

Students in a Library — Library of Murdoch University in Dubai is well-equipped with books apart from courses to engage students

One of the most respected institutions from Australia, Murdoch University is also located in the academic hub of Dubai. This Dubai Academic City university aims to promote education and learning that allow students to forge their future in the global community. Students who want to continue their programs while working part-time are in luck as the university allows them to work within the free zones.

Students have access to a number of facilities in the university including lecture theatres, a library, a film studio, a computer lab and an editing suite. A digital database also connects students with the main campus in Australia.

Undergraduate Program: BA, BBus, B Communication, Journalism, Computer science and Cybersecurity
Postgraduate Programs: MBA and health care management
Diploma and Foundation Programs: Essential Mathematics, Management, Diploma of Business, Diploma of Communication
Fees: Foundation programs (AED 44,100 – AED 56,400), Undergraduate programs (AED 172,200), Postgraduate programs and certifications (AED 29.4k – AED 110k). Fees for courses in Murdoch University are subject to change based on the individual choices. So it’s best to double check the information directly with these universities in Academic City Dubai.
Contact: +971-4-435-5700

Birla Institute of Technology and Science

BITS is one of the best universities in DIAC — A view of classroom in BITS Pilani Dubai that is of the best universities in Dubai Academic City. Image credit: BITS Pilani official website

BITS is an Indian institute that is operational since 2000 in Dubai and is dedicated to technology and engineering education. The Dubai campus of BITS also offers postgraduate programs in business administration (MBA). There are over 1500 students enrolled from over 20 countries.

BITS is one of the best universities in Dubai with its alumni holding positions in companies such as Emirates Airlines, Dell, Apple, Microsoft and more. The campus features hostels to accommodate the international students with utmost convenience. Additional facilities include a clinic on the campus, gymnasium, a mess and a supermarket.

Undergraduate Programs: BBA, BE, Research programs
Postgraduate Programs: ME, MBA and Ph.D
Fees: Undergraduate programs (AED 50,500), Post Graduate (AED 31,300) per semester
Contact: +971-4-275-3711

American University in the Emirates

AUE Dubai — AUE has been recognised as one of the international institutes in the list of universities in Academic City Dubai and is known for celebrating local occasions such as the UAE National Day . Image credit: AUE official website

One of the leading international universities in the DIAC is the American University in the Emirates (AUE). It features a diverse culture with students from across the world. AUE aims to offer multidisciplinary degree programs that prepare students to avail of prosperous employment opportunities.

AUE in Dubai features a number of ultramodern facilities where students can pursue their interests and hobbies. For instance, there is a library and indoor play area, where students can relax. Other facilities include a prayer room, food court and dining area. For students who seek accommodation, there is an off-campus housing that has full access to the campus.

Graduate programs: IT, BBA, Law, Humanities, Digital Animation, Crisis Management and More.
Postgraduate programs: MA, MBA, MIT, Master in Criminal Science, Master in Intellectual property and more
Fees: Graduate programs (AED 3675 – AED 4725 per course), MBA programs (AED 3000 – AED 11,025 per course)
Contact: +971-4-449-9000

University of Dubai

DIAC is also home to one of the most respected local academic institutions, University of Dubai. It offers accredited degrees in IT, Law and Business management programs to fulfil the educational needs of undergraduates, postgraduates and professionals. The University of Dubai in DIAC aims to stimulate educational environment to prepare future leaders while providing international standards of education.

This university employs an outstanding faculty to promote enthusiastic and skilled teaching methods. If you want to enrol here, you will be encouraged to think critically and act creatively to learn diverse perspectives. The University of Dubai is committed to improving your technical and interpersonal skills.

Undergraduate programs: BBA, Electrical Engineering and Information System Security
Postgraduate programs: MBA, Master in Law and PhD
Fees: AED 2,300 – AED 330,000
Contact: +971-4-556-6800

Heriot-Watt University

Heriot watt campus — A view of Herriot Watt Campus in Dubai that is one of the best in theDubai Academic City universities list. Image credit: Heriot Watt official website

Based in Scotland, Heriot-Watt University also has campuses in Malaysia and Dubai. The university promises to offer an opportunity to thrive personally and academically during your academic tenure. Developing leadership skills and confidence in your chosen profession is at the core of the university values. British expats moving to Dubai can enrol in its DIAC campus, while they can transfer their credits to study in Malaysia or the UK campus with Go Global intercampus exchange program.

This is one of the top British universities in Dubai Academic City, making it sought after with students interested in acquiring an international education right here in the UAE. The web-based integrated learning environment also enables students to engage in virtual learning at Heriot-Watt University. It includes lecture notes, assignments and program courses for convenient learning. It is also a heaven for engineering students as it features prototyping trainers, soldering stations, function generators and other equipment.

Undergraduate Programs: BA, BBA, BE, BSc and other programs
Postgraduate Programs: MA, MBA, ME and MSC
Contact: +971-4-435-8700

Institute of Management Technology Dubai

IMT alumni Dubai — Alumni posing for a photograph on a ceremony at IMT. Image credit: MIT official website

IMT is an international business school that aims to train students in the business management profession. This university was established in 2006 and was among the first universities in DIAC to set up a full-fledge campus. With its accreditation by the Ministry of Education UAE, it offers degree programs for graduate and postgraduate students from a multitude of nationalities.

With its international quality curriculum, outstanding faculty and ultramodern facilities, IMT ensures a unique learning environment for students. The campus also features a library, learning halls and other areas for extra-curricular activities. Overall, IMT not only enhances your learning exposure but also promises an exciting start to a managerial career.

Undergraduate Programs: B.Com, BBA
Postgraduate Programs: MBA and MBA Executive
Fees: AED 145k (BBA 4-years) AED 94k (MBA 2-years)
Contact: +971-4-422-7244

Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University

Humdan smart university Dubai — Building of Hamdan Smart University in Dubai Academic City. Image credit: HSU official website

The mission of HBMSU is to promote excellence in teaching and learning methods that directs students towards their career goals. It is one of the few universities in Dubai Academic City to offer flexible and interactive learning programs. For instance, HBMSU offers its professional programs through its Cloud Campus that disseminates learning through 60-90 second videos. This micro-learning approach ensures maximum knowledge retention.

The online learning program is also associated with social media and a digital library that promotes distance learning. There are over 5000 courses on this Cloud Campus to ensure an engaging, affordable and interactive learning experience.

Undergraduate Programs: Bachelors in Business Administration, HR, Islamic banking, hospital management and more
Post Graduate Programs: MBA, MBA Islamic banking, MBA project management
Fees: Undergraduate (AED 97,416 for 123 credit hours), Postgraduate (AED 72,000 – 85,000 for 36 credit hours)
Contact: +971-4-424-1111

Amity University Dubai

With an experience of over 25 years, Amity University Dubai is a leading education group that has various institutes in Dubai, right from pre-schools to Ph.D. level universities. Their university campuses are also located in New York, China, Singapore and London that accommodate over 150,000 students.

Amity University Dubai in Academic City offers over 300 different courses for business management, art, banking and construction programs among others.

The Dubai campus of the university features a number of indoor and outdoor places for studying and socialising. Whether you want to mingle with classmates or engage in physical activity after a long day, there are outdoor spaces to suit yourself.

Undergraduate Programs: BA, BBA, Bachelors in HR and Bachelors in Islamic banking and more
Postgraduate Programs: MBA, MA, Masters in Project Management, Masters in Banking
Fees: AED 35k – 50k for graduate programs and AED 35k – 55k for postgraduate programs
Contact: +971-4-455-4900

The British University in Dubai

Founded in 2004, the British University in Dubai pioneered research-based postgraduate programs in the city. This international institute is associated with other British Universities to deliver a high-quality curriculum and learning to students. BUiD offers multidisciplinary programs ranging from business to industrial engineering for postgraduate and doctoral level.

The DIAC campus of BUiD features a modern physics lab, architecture lab, engineering lab as well as software and hardware labs.

Registered students can also access the e-learning system and a digital library that enhances the learning experience of students. Other facilities on the campus include a recreation room that is home to indoor sports and gaming options for the students.

To promote competitive spirit, there are also gaming and photography competitions on the campus.

Programs: Bachelors in Business Management, accounting, industrial engineering, computer science software engineering and artificial intelligence
Doctoral and Postgraduate Programs: MBA, Masters in Finance
Fees: Bachelors programs (AED 225k – AED 250k) and Doctoral programs (AED 165k) for entire programs
Contact: +971-4-279-1473

Curtin University of Dubai

computer lab in campus — The Curtin University is one of the new universities in Academic City Dubai

Are you in search of a university that offers a combination of academic and extracurricular activities? You are in luck as Curtin University Dubai in the DIAC is a creative hub for learning and development for the students. Curtin University offers business management, IT, Arts and Engineering courses from the Australian curriculum. It is one of the best Australian universities in Dubai to offer an opportunity to receive a degree directly from Australia.

Life at Curtin University Dubai is very pleasant for students as they can engage in sports, indoor games and numerous other activities. For instance, the university offers training sessions for football, table tennis, basketball and more. Besides this, students can also try recreational activities like PlayStation, Xbox, pool tables, table tennis and more.

Undergraduate Programs: Bachelors in Business Management, IT, Computing, Engineering and Arts
Postgraduate Programs: MA, MBA, Master of International Business and Master of Supply Chain
Fees: AED 170k for commerce programs and AED 243k for engineering programs
Contact: +971-4-245-2500

Other universities in Dubai Academic City include Esmod Dubai that is a French fashion institute which offers courses for fashion designing.

Nest Academy of Management Education offers courses of business management, event management and sports management.
SP Jain School of Global Management offers graduate and postgraduate programs in the business management field.
UK College of Business Computing is another institute that focuses on IT and Business Management courses.
Manipal Academy of Higher Education is another Indian institute in the UAE to offer management, engineering and IT programs.
Emirates Aviation University is the only institution in the Academic City that is dedicated to aviation engineering.

There you have it, this is the list of universities in Dubai Academic City. Apart from Dubai International Academic City universities, you can also explore some of the best universities in Dubai located in other parts of the city.

If you want to enrol in a university in Academic City, Dubai Silicon Oasis is the closest community that offers the best affordable studios in Dubai. As a student, if you are looking for more options, there are some top universities in Abu Dhabi to rely on.