Did you know this?
Dubai’s branch-campus scene may hog the limelight, but the rest of the UAE hosts 123 federally licensed universities. For the 3.57 million-strong Indian diaspora that calls the Emirates home, and for students in India who want to study abroad, this is good news. The UAE is quickly becoming a top choice for Indian students wishing to study abroad. And with good reasons.
Entry-level diploma programmes in the UAE cost around AED 30,000. Flagship postgraduate programmes cost upwards of AED 120,000. Most bachelor’s degrees are clustered between Sharjah and Ajman at AED 30,000-70,000. In Dubai, bachelor’s degrees range between AED 40,000-100,000.
Al Ain University has one of the lowest tuition fees of AED 18,000 annually. Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai, charges between AED 35,500 to 48,000 per year. These rates are significantly lower than many Western countries. Currently, over 219,000 Indian students are enrolled in UAE universities.
Look beyond Dubai’s skyscrapers to find “dream degrees” that are far more affordable and accessible. Sharjah offers 59% lower living costs compared to Dubai. Include rent and food, and you can easily cut 18–25 % off your annual budget. In addition, the UAE offers a large number of internships and employment opportunities.
Note: When exploring affordable universities across the UAE, it’s essential to find options that fit your budget without compromising on quality or career prospects. GradRight’s university search platform makes this easy by providing personalized, AI-driven shortlists tailored to your academic profile, career goals, and financial capacity. This means you can discover well-ranked programs across the UAE—including in cities like Sharjah and Ajman—that match your affordability criteria and offer strong job placement support.
To fund your education smartly, GradRight’s loan search platform connects you to 15+ trusted Indian banks and NBFCs, offering competitive education loans with no cosigner or collateral requirements. With personalized negotiation help and fast approvals, you can secure funding that fits your financial plan, reducing stress and maximizing your investment.
Together, these tools help you confidently choose and finance an affordable university in the UAE.
Cost-of-Attendance 101: Tuition vs Living Across the UAE
Your annual student budget comprises two separate buckets. The first one is campus-set tuition fees, and the second is your living costs. While the first is fairly certain, your living cost, driven by rent and groceries, is less predictable.
2025 student surveys show the following realistic living ranges. All figures are calculated per year, based on shared accommodation and public transit:
| Emirate | Typical Monthly Spend (AED) | Annual Range (AED) | Cheapest Driver |
| Dubai | 4500 – 6500 | 54000 – 78000 | Metro pass & PBSA dorm |
| Abu Dhabi | 3500 – 5000 (3 470 ex-rent + 3 700 off-centre flat) | 45000 – 60000 | Bus pass & outer-city housing |
| Sharjah | 3200 (ex-rent) + 2 500–3 500 rent | 35400 – 46000 | University City roommate share |
| Ajman / RAK | 2000 (ex-rent) + 1 250–2 000 rent* | 25000 – 32000 | Studio or triple dorm |
*At Ajman, private studio leases for AED 15,000–25,000 per year. Utilities average AED 200–400 per month.
In Dubai, rent alone constitutes 45-50% of a student’s budget. Transport averages 12-15% with monthly Nol/Swift bus passes.
A tight budget should also account for currency fluctuations. The rupee’s recent 3% mid-year gain against the dollar/AED is likely to decline soon. On a four-year course costing AED 35k annually, every 3% slide adds ₹ 95,000 to the cost.
Choosing CAA-accredited affordable universities: The right quality filters
When it comes to higher education, affordability alone isn’t enough. Quality matters too, in the most tangible way. When choosing a UAE university, you should check for accreditation along with the tuition fees. Many CAA-accredited affordable universities in the UAE offer value for your money. Accreditation, star ratings and built-in earning opportunities mark out a genuine bargain.
KHDA stars (only for Dubai): Choose campuses with a minimum 3-star overall rating on the 2022 Rating of Higher Education Institutions list. With this, you can ensure the recognition of your educational credentials globally.
CAA licence (all seven emirates): Check the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) database. A green-tick license is the minimum legal threshold for visa issuance.
Programme ROI: Salary snapshots on LinkedIn predict the average wage of a bachelor’s degree holder in Dubai is AED 16,000 monthly (2024). However, graduates in STEM fields and business majors are paid substantially more. Prioritise degrees from institutions with high ROI.
Fee shields: Some universities offer to freeze tuition for early applicants. Others provide 10 to 30% “guideline discounts”.
Built-in earnings: Many UAE universities offer co-op programs with built-in paid internships. Paid co-op educational or internship terms can reduce costs by 15% to 20%.
Top 10 affordable universities in the UAE for Indian students
You don’t need to break the bank to choose the right university in the UAE. The country has several affordable institutions that provide world-class education.
Below are the top 10 affordable universities in the UAE:
| # | University | Emirate | KHDA / CAA 2022-24 status | QS 2025 WUR | Flagship majors ≤ 50 k | Tuition band (AED/yr) | Basic XII / IELTS entry | Indian alumni† |
| 1 | University of Sharjah | Sharjah | CAA active | 434 | Engineering, Medicine, IT | 37-45 k | 60 % + IELTS 6.0 | Approx 7,000 |
| 2 | Ajman University | Ajman | CAA active | 477 | Dentistry, Engg., Business | 28-48 k | 50 % + IELTS 6.0 | Approx 2,500 |
| 3 | BITS Pilani Dubai | Dubai | 5★ KHDA | 801-850 | BE, BPharm, CS | 37.5-53 k | 60 % PCM + IELTS 6.0 | 6,000 + |
| 4 | MAHE Dubai | Dubai | 5★ KHDA | 901-950 | Engineering, Design, Media | 24-48 k | 60 % + IELTS 6.0 | 7,000 + |
| 5 | Gulf Medical University | Ajman | CAA active | — | Pre-med, Pharmacy, Physio | 30-50 k (select) | 60 % PCB + IELTS 6.0 | Approx 1,000 |
| 6 | RAK College of Dental Sciences | RAK | CAA active | — | Bachelor of Dental Surgery | 35-49 k | 60 % PCB + IELTS 6.0 | Approx 300 |
| 7 | Skyline University College | Sharjah | CAA active | — | BBA, IT, Tourism | 40-44.5 k | 50 % + IELTS 6.0 | Approx 1,200 |
| 8 | Synergy University Dubai | Dubai | KHDA-listed (rating pending) | — | BBA, Hotel Mgmt. | 18.35 k (flat) | 50 % + IELTS 6.0 | Approx 800 |
| 9 | SZABIST Dubai | Dubai | 2★ KHDA | — | BBA, Computing | 18-24 k | 50 % + IELTS 6.0 | Approx 1,500 |
| 10 | University of Dubai | Dubai | CAA active | 851-900 | Business, IT, Law | 12-23 k | 50 % + IELTS 6.0 | Approx 5,000 |
†LinkedIn alumni numbers are approximate counts of members who list the campus as their alma mater and ‘India’ as their location; they change in real time.
Exploring UAE scholarship options
In this section, we explore scholarships, early-bird discounts, and zero-fee EMI remittance. These options can reduce a further 15-25% from the listed tuition fees.
Before signing a fee-lock agreement, comb through the details for any “hidden fee”. Most private campuses offer merit scholarships, early-bird promotions, or bank-sponsored zero-interest payment plans. With some creativity, combining just two of these levers can reduce your expenses by 25%.
Key ways to save
| Route | What it is | Typical Value |
| Institutional tuition discounts | Private UAE colleges award 15-30 % off list price; BITS Pilani Dubai’s merit ladder starts at 20 % for 75 %+ board scores | AED 7 – 12 k/yr |
| Early-bird grants | Ajman University offers a 25 % first-semester waiver if you enrol before May each year | approx AED 6 – 10k one-time |
| Fee-freeze plans | Several campuses guarantee the same tuition for four years when the first semester is paid by June (e.g., U of Sharjah payment policy) | Beats future 3-5 % hikes |
| 0 % EMI on credit cards | FAB and Mashreq convert semester bills into 6–12-month instalments with zero processing fee | Spreads cash flow, no interest |
| Family & sibling rebates | Second child or same-family enrolments earn 5–10 % tuition relief at many CAA colleges | AED 2 – 5 k/yr |
Earn while you learn on a pocket-friendly UAE campus
While discounts may reduce the invoice, salaries can trim the net cost further. Many students leverage the obligatory internship to recover 20% of their tuition costs prior to graduating. The generous “no income tax” policy ensures you get 100% of the wages earned.
Mandatory co-ops:
BITS Pilani Dubai’s 7-month Practice-School paid internships and MAHE’s capstone placements are typically AED 3,000–4,000 per month.
Legal framework:
Article 8 of Federal Decree-Law 33/2021 lets full-time students work up to 20 hours a week on part-time contracts once a MoHRE permit is issued.
No personal tax:
The UAE income tax rate is 0%, meaning every dirham earned is received in full.
Campus opportunities:
Library, lab and peer-tutoring roles pay AED 35-40 per hour and don’t need an extra visa if arranged through the university careers office.
Application roadmap to affordable universities for Indian students
Getting a secure admission seat and the discount that comes with it depends entirely on the timing. Miss one paperwork step and you may forfeit scholarships, visa slots or even your place in the cohort. This month-by-month checklist will keep you ahead of every deadline.
| When | Milestone |
| Jan–Mar | Sit for IELTS/TOEFL (aim ≥ 6.0) and shortlist CAA-accredited programmes |
| May | CBSE/ISC results released → scan & notarise marksheets the same week |
| May–Jun | Submit online applications; many universities waive or cut fees during early-bird windows |
| Jun | Apply for MOE Equivalency; upload attested docs to the portal (2-day issuance after verification) |
| Jul | Receive offers, pay the first-semester instalment to activate the tuition freeze |
| Aug | University issues electronic visa request; arrange health cover if not bundled |
| Sep | Fly to UAE; complete Emirates ID biometrics and open a local bank account |
Understanding UAE student visa cost & health insurance
Students must be wary of ‘hidden costs’ outside of tuition. Factor these mandatory numbers before confirming affordability for a zero-fee scholarship bursary.
- Student-visa bundles: Student visa costs AED 5,460 for applicants outside the UAE and AED 7,350 for in-country applicants. These prices include basic health insurance and an Emirates ID. Express submission is priced at AED 8,715.
- Refundable caution deposit: Universities hold AED 3,000 as a caution fee in case the visa gets cancelled.
- Annual renewal: approx. AED 2,150 per annum after first issuance (varies by emirate and service speed).
- Standalone health cover: Basic student plans can be purchased from DHA-approved insurers for AED 1,500-2,000 annually.
Hidden savings & smart spending hacks
There are plenty of ways to stretch your student budget in the UAE. From discounts to strategic currency use, small changes can lead to 4-figure savings. These student-tested methods help reduce your monthly expenses to a large extent:
| Hack | Why it works |
| Lock FX early | Load a multi-currency card when INR spikes; avoiding the typical 2.5 % mark-up on each outward remittance saves approx ₹7,500 per semester |
| Share DIAC rooms | Twin rooms in Muwaileh, Sharjah list at AED 1,250/month versus AED 2,500+ for a Dubai studio |
| Buy used textbooks & laptops | Facebook “Used School Books UAE” group trades course books at 40–60 % of the retail price |
| Tap alumni gigs | Indian seniors often outsource tutoring, design or coding tasks—side income of AED 1,000–1,500/month reported on student forums |
FAQs
1. Which universities are truly affordable in the UAE?
The University of Sharjah, Ajman University, BITS Pilani Dubai, MAHE Dubai, and Skyline University all charge under AED 50,000 yearly. With CAA or KHDA compliance, these institutions make up the most affordable universities UAE list.
2. How much are tuition fees at cheap colleges in Dubai?
Tuition fees at cheap colleges in Dubai cost around AED 35,000 annually for business or IT degrees. Engineering programs are around AED 45,000. These figures are much lower compared to Western universities.
3. What is the average living cost for students in Sharjah?
The living cost in Sharjah is 20% cheaper than in Dubai. Shared accommodation, metro-linked buses, and student meal plans average AED 35,000 annually.
4. Do budget universities in Ajman offer scholarships or discounts?
Yes, Ajman universities grant merit awards, fee freezes and sibling discounts that slash tuition by 15% to 25%.
5. How much does a UAE student visa cost each year?
UAE student visa cost AED 6k-7k. This includes issuance of Emirates ID, medical checks and insurance cover. Renewals are around AED 2k yearly.
6. How can I hedge against rupee fluctuations when paying fees?
Load multi-currency forex cards or wire cash in advance during favourable INR rates.
