There is no single UAE government scholarship programme for international students. What exists instead are five genuinely fully funded scholarship tracks at specific universities, each with different eligibility requirements, stipend amounts, and application deadlines. The distinction matters because most articles about UAE scholarships describe partial merit waivers of 10% to 30% as scholarships equivalent to the fully funded packages at Khalifa University and MBZUAI. They are not. A genuinely fully funded UAE scholarship covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance, and visa fees. The best ones also include accommodation and return flights. Every scholarship worth applying for in 2026 is covered below with verified benefit details and application requirements.
Fully funded scholarships: the five programmes that cover everything
A genuinely fully funded UAE scholarship covers four things: 100% tuition waiver, a monthly living stipend, health insurance, and UAE student visa fees. The top government-funded university scholarships at Khalifa University and MBZUAI also include on-campus accommodation and return flights. That is the benchmark against which all other financial aid should be measured.
Partial scholarships from branch campuses covering 10% to 30% of tuition are tuition discounts, not full scholarships. They do not include stipends, housing, or insurance. Understanding this distinction before you start shortlisting saves months of misaligned effort.
Khalifa University Scholarship
The most comprehensive STEM scholarship in the UAE
Khalifa University offers fully funded scholarships for Masters and PhD students in science, engineering, and technology fields. The scholarship is the most financially complete package at any UAE university for STEM postgraduate students.
What it covers
| Benefit | Amount or coverage |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | 100% covered |
| Monthly stipend (Masters) | AED 8,000 to AED 12,000 per month |
| Monthly stipend (PhD) | Up to AED 40,000 per month (research-dependent) |
| Health insurance | Fully covered for international students |
| UAE student visa fees | Fully covered |
| Return flights | Covered for full-time international students (subject to approval) |
| Research conference support | Financial support to attend international research conferences |
| Post-graduation commitment | Work with Khalifa University or nominated entity for period equivalent to study duration |
Khalifa University also offers tiered undergraduate scholarships. Tier I covers full tuition. Other tiers offer partial waivers based on academic performance. Scholarship eligibility is assessed during the admission process and no separate scholarship application is required for most programmes. This means your admission application is simultaneously your scholarship application.
Eligibility
Bachelors degree from a recognised institution for Masters applicants. Masters degree for PhD applicants. Minimum GPA of 3.2 to 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for most fully funded positions. IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80 minimum for non-native English speakers. GRE or GMAT may be required for specific programmes. Open to all nationalities worldwide.
Fields covered
Engineering (all disciplines), computer science, AI, data science, aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, nuclear engineering, petroleum engineering, physics, mathematics. Not available for humanities, business, or social science programmes.
How to apply
Apply through the Khalifa University graduate admissions portal at ku.ac.ae. Your scholarship assessment happens automatically during the admissions review. No separate scholarship form needed for most programmes. Deadlines fall between January and May 2026 for Fall 2026 intake. Apply as early as possible as scholarship-funded positions are limited even when total admission capacity remains.
Official website: ku.ac.ae
MBZUAI Scholarship
Full scholarship for every admitted student, no application needed
Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence provides a full scholarship automatically to every full-time Masters and PhD student admitted. There is no separate scholarship application process. If you are admitted to MBZUAI you receive the full scholarship. This makes MBZUAI unique among UAE institutions and among the most financially straightforward graduate scholarship offers globally.
What it covers
| Benefit | Amount or coverage |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | 100% covered for all admitted students |
| Monthly stipend (MS) | AED 15,000 per month |
| Monthly stipend (PhD) | AED 17,500 per month |
| On-campus accommodation | Included |
| Health insurance | Included |
| Laptop | Provided to all admitted students |
| Visa fees | Covered |
At AED 15,000 to AED 17,500 per month MBZUAI’s stipend is the highest guaranteed graduate stipend at any UAE university and competitive globally. The AED 17,500 PhD stipend is approximately USD 4,750 per month tax-free, which exceeds typical stipends at most European and many US PhD programmes after cost of living adjustment.
Eligibility and fields
MBZUAI offers only AI-related programmes: Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, and related disciplines at Masters and PhD level. All instruction is in English. Applicants need a Bachelors (for MS) or Masters (for PhD) in a relevant technical field. Strong mathematical and programming background is expected. Ministry of Higher Education degree equivalency is required before final admission for international degree holders.
Deadlines for Fall 2026 intake were December 2025 to January 2026 based on the previous year’s pattern. Check mbzuai.ac.ae directly for current application windows as deadlines shift between intakes.
Official website: mbzuai.ac.ae
NYU Abu Dhabi Scholarship
The most complete undergraduate scholarship in the Arab world
NYU Abu Dhabi offers need-based financial aid that for eligible students covers everything: full tuition (approximately AED 175,000 to AED 200,000 per year), on-campus housing, meal plan, health insurance, and two annual return flights home. No other undergraduate institution in the UAE offers equivalent total coverage.
The NYU Abu Dhabi financial aid package is genuinely need-based not merit-based. This means academically exceptional students from lower-income backgrounds receive more generous aid than high-income students with equivalent grades. The university uses the same need assessment process as NYU New York and compares favourably to the best liberal arts college financial aid policies in the US.
Eligibility
NYU Abu Dhabi is the most selective university in the UAE. Acceptance rates are in the single digits. Successful applicants typically have strong academic records from their previous institution, strong standardised test scores (SAT or ACT for American curriculum students, A-level results for British curriculum), demonstrated intellectual curiosity beyond academics, and clear evidence of global engagement or exceptional talent in a specific area.
Financial aid eligibility is assessed through a separate need analysis form submitted alongside the academic application. All nationalities can apply and receive aid.
Official website: nyuad.nyu.edu
UAE University Chancellor’s Scholarship
UAE University offers Chancellor’s Scholarships covering full tuition for high-achieving students at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Unlike Khalifa University and MBZUAI, UAEU Chancellor’s Scholarships do not automatically include a monthly stipend for all recipients, though research assistantship stipends of AED 2,200 to AED 5,000 per month are available for postgraduate scholarship holders in research-intensive programmes.
UAEU is the most academically broad institution offering full scholarships in the UAE, covering medicine, engineering, science, law, business, humanities, education, and agriculture alongside the STEM-heavy focus of Khalifa and MBZUAI. For students in non-STEM fields who want a full scholarship at a nationally accredited UAE government university, UAEU is the primary option.
Scholarship applications require a separate application alongside the academic admission form. Deadlines are typically February to April for the September intake.
Al Qasimi Foundation Scholarship (Sharjah)
The Al Qasimi Foundation offers fully funded research fellowships and scholarships for postgraduate students in humanities, Islamic studies, social sciences, and policy research. This scholarship serves a completely different academic profile from the STEM-focused Khalifa and MBZUAI awards. For students with research interests in Middle Eastern studies, Islamic economics, Gulf policy, or education in the Arab world context, the Al Qasimi Foundation is the primary fully funded scholarship option in the UAE.
Benefits include full tuition, accommodation, health insurance, and a research stipend. The foundation is associated with the Ruler of Sharjah and focuses research on topics relevant to the Gulf region’s development and cultural heritage.
Partial scholarships and merit waivers worth knowing
Beyond the fully funded programmes, several UAE universities offer meaningful merit waivers that significantly reduce tuition cost even without covering it entirely.
| University | Merit waiver range | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| American University of Sharjah | 10% to 50% of tuition | GPA and entrance exam scores |
| University of Sharjah | 10% to 100% (Chancellor’s Award) | Academic performance |
| Abu Dhabi University | 10% to 50% of tuition | GPA and programme |
| Heriot-Watt University Dubai | 10% to 30% of tuition | Academic record from previous institution |
| Ajman University | Up to 100% for exceptional students | High school or previous degree results |
These waivers are tuition reductions not full scholarships. They do not include stipends, accommodation, health insurance, or visa fees. They are still worth applying for as a 25% to 50% tuition waiver over a four-year degree represents AED 60,000 to AED 160,000 in savings at the universities listed.
Application deadlines for 2026 to 2027 intake
| Scholarship | Typical application window | Intake |
|---|---|---|
| MBZUAI | December to January | Fall (August to September) |
| Khalifa University | January to May | Fall and Spring |
| NYU Abu Dhabi | November to January (Early Decision), January (Regular) | Fall (September) |
| UAE University | February to April | Fall (September) |
| American University of Sharjah | January to March | Fall and Spring |
Deadlines change between academic years. Always verify current deadlines directly on the university’s official website before applying. The deadlines above reflect historical patterns based on previous intake cycles.
How to build a competitive scholarship application
Start 12 months before the deadline
The documents required for a competitive UAE scholarship application take months to prepare correctly. Your transcripts may need attestation by your home country Ministry of Education and then by the UAE Embassy. Your reference letters need to come from academics who know your work well enough to write specifically rather than generically. Your personal statement needs multiple drafts over several months. Starting 12 months before the deadline is not overcautious. It is realistic.
The GPA is the primary filter
For Khalifa University and MBZUAI the GPA threshold of 3.2 to 3.5 is an absolute filter. Applications below the threshold are not reviewed for scholarship consideration regardless of the quality of other materials. Check your current GPA against the threshold before investing time in an application. If your GPA is borderline, focus on your final year performance before applying.
Research experience matters more than taught coursework
For Khalifa University PhD scholarships and MBZUAI in particular, published research, conference presentations, research project experience, and letters from academic supervisors who can speak to your research ability carry more weight than taught degree results alone. If you are planning a PhD application, get involved in research at your current institution before applying. Even an undergraduate research assistantship or a published conference paper significantly strengthens a PhD application.
Document attestation: the most commonly missed requirement
Several UAE universities require foreign academic documents to be attested by the UAE Ministry of Education before final admission is confirmed. This process involves attesting documents in your home country (by the relevant Ministry of Education and often the UAE Embassy) and then getting them attested in the UAE. The process takes 2 to 6 weeks depending on your country. Start document attestation immediately on receiving your admission offer letter. Delays in attestation delay your visa process.
Are there fully funded scholarships in UAE for international students?
Yes. Khalifa University offers fully funded Masters and PhD scholarships covering tuition, monthly stipend of AED 8,000 to AED 40,000, health insurance, visa fees, and return flights for STEM programmes. MBZUAI gives a full scholarship to every admitted Masters and PhD student in AI fields including tuition, AED 15,000 to AED 17,500 monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, and a laptop. NYU Abu Dhabi offers need-based financial aid covering full tuition, housing, meals, insurance, and flights for eligible undergraduate students. UAE University offers Chancellor’s Scholarships covering full tuition for high-achieving students.
Which UAE university gives the most scholarship money?
MBZUAI provides the highest guaranteed monthly stipend at AED 15,000 for Masters and AED 17,500 for PhD students, with full tuition, accommodation, health insurance, and a laptop included for every admitted student. Khalifa University PhD scholarships can reach up to AED 40,000 per month for research-intensive positions but this varies by research grant and supervisor. NYU Abu Dhabi’s full package including tuition at AED 175,000 to AED 200,000 per year plus housing, meals, and flights is the most complete undergraduate financial aid package.
What GPA do I need for a UAE scholarship?
For Khalifa University and MBZUAI fully funded scholarships the minimum GPA is typically 3.2 to 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for Masters programmes and higher for competitive PhD positions. For the Golden Visa for outstanding students after graduation the threshold is 3.75 from a UAE university. NYU Abu Dhabi does not publish a minimum GPA as the selection is holistic, but successful applicants are typically in the top percentile of their institution. American University of Sharjah merit waivers start from a lower GPA threshold but deliver partial rather than full scholarship coverage.
Can I study in UAE for free as an international student?
Yes, through competitive fully funded scholarships. MBZUAI covers everything for admitted AI Masters and PhD students at no cost. Khalifa University fully funds STEM postgraduate students. NYU Abu Dhabi fully funds eligible undergraduate students based on financial need. These scholarships are competitive with limited positions. Khalifa University and MBZUAI focus on STEM and AI. Students in humanities, business, or social sciences have fewer fully funded options but can access partial merit waivers at several UAE universities reducing tuition by 10% to 50%.
When should I apply for UAE scholarships?
MBZUAI deadlines typically fall in December to January for a Fall intake. Khalifa University accepts applications from January to May. NYU Abu Dhabi Early Decision closes in November and Regular Decision in January. UAE University applications for scholarships are typically February to April. Start preparing your application 12 months before your target intake to allow time for document attestation, reference letters, personal statement drafts, and language test preparation. Always verify current deadlines on the university’s official website as they change between academic years.
For students researching which university offers the best scholarship relative to their academic profile, the top universities UAE 2026 covers rankings, tuition fees, and field strengths for every major institution. For understanding the visa process once your scholarship is confirmed, the UAE student visa 2026 guide covers every step from entry permit to Emirates ID. The UAE Student Guide covers everything else including banking, accommodation, and discounts in one place.
