Summary
- A modest 3% depreciation in INR adds over ₹86,000 to a 4-year study cost of ₹ 35 lakh.
- These are assigned by the regulators in Dubai, which rate branch campuses on a scale from 1 to 5 stars.
- Together, these tools empower you to make a confident, affordable, and strategic choice for your studies in Dubai.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai has some interesting statistics. It claims that around 42,000 students are currently enrolled in Dubai’s universities (2024). This is a 20% increase in enrollment numbers from the previous academic session.
Traditionally, the USA, the UK and Australia have been the preferred study destinations for Indian students. But in recent years, Dubai has emerged as a preferred alternative.
There is a substantial diaspora of Indians in Dubai, totalling nearly 4 million. Proximity to India and a tax-free earning potential are two main attractions. Budget-friendly, world-class education is another reason. A tax-free salary means every dirham not borrowed increases your ROI. What’s more, the country also permits graduates to stay on a one-year job search visa.
Dubai study costs range between AED 30,000 to AED 120,000 annually. However, 56 out of the 160 listed institutions on Edarabia charge tuition lower than AED 50,000. If you calculate the savings in rupees (approx ₹22.5 per dirham), the gap between an “affordable” and a “premium” campus exceeds ₹16 lakh over four years.
Note: When considering affordable universities in Dubai, it’s important to not only find the right program but also ensure your finances are well planned. That’s where GradRight’s university search platform can help. It uses AI-powered data to shortlist Dubai universities that fit your budget, academic goals, and career plans—so you avoid costly trial and error.
After shortlisting universities, managing the cost becomes easier with GradRight’s loan search platform. You get access to loan offers from 15+ trusted banks and NBFCs, including options with no cosigner or collateral, competitive interest rates, and personalized negotiation assistance. This means you can secure funding that fits your budget, helping you maximize your ROI from Dubai’s tax-free salary benefits.
Together, these tools empower you to make a confident, affordable, and strategic choice for your studies in Dubai.
Next, let’s explore some of the best affordable universities in Dubai for Indian students in 2025.
Cost of attendance: tuition fees vs living expenses
Affordability matters, and now you know why. The next step is to split your total education costs into two components – tuition and living costs. Lifestyle choices and exchange rates often lead to added unplanned expenses. Splitting your total cost will help you avoid sticker shock in the future.
Most Indian students share a room, prepare meals, and take the Metro. It allows them to cap living expenses between AED 26,000–40,000 annually. Housing constitutes about 45% of total living expenses, and transport costs around 15%.
Rent is one thing, but currency exchange rate is another. A modest 3% depreciation in INR adds over ₹86,000 to a 4-year study cost of ₹ 35 lakh. This highlights the importance of tracking FX rates in real time.
Here is a breakdown of monthly living costs in Dubai:
| Expense Category | Typical Cost (AED / month) |
| Rent (shared room in student-friendly area) | 3250 – 4500 |
| Public-transport pass (student Nol, all zones) | 170 |
| Groceries & household basics | Approx 1000 |
| Books & study materials | Approx 200 (average of AED 1500 – 2500 per year) |
| Night-out / entertainment | Approx 600 |
Key metrics to evaluate affordability and academic value
Knowing the headline cost is half the puzzle. The other half is figuring out which institutions truly justify every dirham spent. Reputation, accreditation, and learning outcomes distinguish a genuine bargain from a regrettable compromise. In this section, we will show you how to trim Dubai’s long list of universities to spend-smart options.
Selection Criteria for Affordability & Quality
KHDA Stars: These are assigned by the regulators in Dubai, which rate branch campuses on a scale from 1 to 5 stars. Stick to 3 stars or better to ensure your degree has global recognition.
MOE Equivalency: Select programs that are recognised by the Minister of Education. Only campuses accredited by the MOE can issue certificates needed for work permits.
Programme ROI: Analyse the median graduate salary for your specialisation on LinkedIn. Also, verify if the course includes a paid co-op term.
Fee Protections: A few universities cap the annual increase in tuition fees. Some also offer discounts for siblings, and permit 4-6 interest-free instalment payments.
Earnings Potential: Look for co-op programs in Dubai. Co-op programs combine classroom learning with relevant industry experience. Students are paid salaries against structured internships included in the program. A co-op wage of AED 3,000 – 4,000 per month effectively reduces tuition costs by 15-20%.
Top 10 budget-friendly universities for Indian students
With a defined metric, now it is time to visit the campuses that meet affordability standards. Below are the top 10 universities in Dubai that offer sustainable, budget-friendly programs.
| # | University | KHDA Star Rating* | QS WUR 2025 | Top Subjects | Annual Tuition (AED) | Basic Eligibility | Indian Alumni (LinkedIn) |
| 1 | SZABIST Dubai | 2★ (2022) | — | BBA, BS Computer Science | 18,000 – 24,000 | 50 % XII + IELTS 6.0 | 40,666 total. Approx 1000 Indians |
| 2 | Synergy University Dubai | Not yet rated (2024) | — | BBA, Hospitality, IT | 18,350 (flat) | 50 % + IELTS 6.0 | 662 alumni |
| 3 | ASTI Academy | KHDA-licensed vocational institute | — | Engineering Diplomas | 4,000 – 30,000 | 45 % + IELTS 5.5 | 16,356 followers (proxy) |
| 4 | Al Dar University College | Licensed (no star) | — | BBA, IT | 18,700 – 48,000 | 50 % + IELTS 6.0 | 5,555 followers |
| 5 | MAHE Dubai | 5★ (2022) | #901 – 950 | Engineering, Design | 37,500 – 43,000 | 60 % PCM + IELTS 6.0 | Approx 7,000 alumni |
| 6 | BITS Pilani Dubai | 5★ (2022) | #801 – 850 | BE Engg, BPharm | ≤ 53 000 | 60 % PCM + IELTS 6.0 | 11,752 followers |
| 7 | Al Ghurair University | Licensed (no star) | — | IT, Business | 35,000 – 50,000 | 50 % + IELTS 6.0 | — |
| 8 | Jumeira University | Licensed | — | Islamic Studies, HR | 36,000 – 50,000 | 50 % + IELTS 6.0 | 73,184 followers |
| 9 | University of Dubai | Not star-rated (HEC page) | #851 – 900 | Business, IT, Law | 2,415 – 23,200† | 50 % + IELTS 6.0 | 6,743 alumni |
| 10 | Amity University Dubai | 4★ (2022) | #1001 – 1200 | CS, Aerospace Engg | 35,000 – 58,000‡ | 50 % + IELTS 6.0 | 5 622 alumni |
*KHDA star system (5 = excellent overall quality).
†Rounded estimates drawn from LinkedIn alumni groups.
Scholarship opportunities
After shortlisting universities, the next obvious step is to look into scholarship opportunities. Waivers, scholarships, grants, and flexible payment options can reduce the overall burden. However, sticker prices seldom tell the whole story.
Most colleges, banks, and exchange houses often offer hidden discounts. Identifying these discounts can help you save thousands of rupees even before your program starts.
- Institutional grants at private universities range between 20%-30% of tuition. BITS offers 10 – 40% merit slabs while Amity has a flat 30% launch grant.
- “Tuition-lock” plans are reserved for early-bird applicants. With tuition lock, a first-semester payment made in June guarantees a 4-year rate freeze.
- Remitting rupees via mobile apps can cut transfer costs by 3.5% on average.
Earning potential: co-ops, on-campus jobs, and part-time work
While extra funding is a boon, nothing compares to dirhams that you earn yourself. Dubai’s co-op culture facilitates structured work-study programs for students. Next, we break down how internships and part-time jobs add value to your student journey.
Mandatory co-ops: BITS and MAHE include a 7-month Practice-School or capstone internship. Typical internship packages for engineering interns range from AED 3,000–4,000 per month.
No income tax: Unlike the 7.65% FICA cut in the US, Students in the UAE have no personal taxes, keeping 100% of their wages.
On-campus posts: Library or lab assistant roles are paid at AED 35–40/hour. These posts are exempt from extra permit requirements if designated through the university’s career services.
Application roadmap for Indian students
Financial strategies only make sense once an offer letter is secured. Dubai universities get more proactive with paperwork once the Indian board results are out. Even a small delay in paperwork can cost more than a tuition hike. The following roadmap keeps you on the path and helps you avoid last-minute stress.
| Month | Task | Tip |
| Jan–Apr | Short-list programmes; sit for IELTS/TOEFL | Aim for IELTS 6.0+ to clear visa and scholarship bars. |
| May | CBSE/ISC results released | Scan & notarise mark-sheets immediately. |
| Jun | Apply online; pay AED 220–350 application fee | Use a debit/credit card to start the fee-lock clock. |
| Jul | Upload MOE equivalency request; processing 10–15 days (Ministry of Education, UAE) | Track status online; courier originals only once. |
| Aug | Receive offer, pay 1st-semester fee | Many campuses allow 50 % part-payment. |
| Sep | Fly to Dubai, orientation week | Validate Emirates ID biometrics on arrival. |
Mandatory visa and health insurance costs
Submitting marksheets is only half the bureaucratic journey. You’ll also have to comply with immigration and health-insurance requirements. Here is a breakdown of visa & health-insurance costs:
- Student visa bundle: Fresh visa (AED 2,900) and medical insurance (AED 3,000) add up to around AED 6,000 at BITS. Similar packages elsewhere reach AED 7,500 when you add the express processing fee.
- Emirates ID & medical examinations: Included in the fees above. However, Security deposits (AED 2,000-3,000) are refundable only on immediate exit.
- Renewals: Visa renewals cost around AED 2,150 per year after the first 4 years.
Additional Information: Some universities automatically include health insurance within their tuition fee. Verify admission to prevent overlapping insurance plans.
Tips to minimise overall costs
Numbers within brochures tend to be conservative. Your lifestyle choices will largely decide whether you stay within budget. Simple lifestyle adjustments can go a long way in cutting costs. Here are a few examples to cut costs:
Fix FX early: Top up your monthly multi-currency card when INR spikes to hedge FX fluctuations. For example, during a 10 paise increase, AED 200 can be saved on a 2000 dirham transfer.
Purchase second-hand laptops and books: Using Facebook marketplace and Indian Alumni groups can cut costs by 60%.
Share DIAC housing: University-endorsed hostels have twin rooms that start from AED 1,250/month. On the other hand, private studios cost around AED 2,500.
Join alumni job boards: Early freelance gigs in content, coding, or tutoring add AED 1,000–1,500 to monthly cash flow.
FAQs
1. How much does it cost to study in Dubai for Indian students?
Dubai tuition fees range from AED 25,000 to AED 50,000 annually. Dubai living cost adds around AED 2,500–4,000 monthly.
2. Are there budget-friendly universities in Dubai for Indian students?
There are many budget universities in Dubai, catering to Indian students. University of Dubai and Al Ghurair University offer low-fee campus options. They also offer KHDA-approved programs.
3. Are scholarships or grants available for Indian students in Dubai?
There are many Dubai scholarships and UAE student grants available for Indian students. They are largely based on academic merit, financial need or talent. Some budget universities in Dubai offer early application discounts.
4. Can Indian students work part-time or get co-op jobs in Dubai?
Yes. University-sponsored part-time jobs are permitted. Many programs have internships and co-op jobs built into the curriculum.
5. How can I apply to Dubai universities from India in 2025?
Apply online as soon as you get your CBSE or ISC results. Submit your academic records, passport copy, IELTS scores, and visa application. Earlier submissions, like in June, unlock better fee and accommodation options.
