From Tuition to Living Expenses: Cost of a Dubai Education!
Learn everything you need to know about Studying Costs in Dubai and get our end-to-end expert guidance.
Dubai has quickly emerged as an education hub of excellence. It is now a well-preferred destination for Indian students. Therefore, you must know the cost of studying in Dubai for Indian students for proper budget planning.
Tuition fees, in undergraduate programs, range on average from AED 37,000 to AED 70,000 per year in public universities and AED 55,000 to AED 80,000 in private universities. The postgraduate programs, however, may range from AED 45,000 to AED 90,000 for government universities and from AED 65,000 to AED 110,000 for private universities.
Dubai Universities Application Fees 2024 - 25
Dubai universities' application fees for the academic year 2024–25 are out, charting the way forward for prospective students based on the demand and competitiveness of various programs in these institutions.
The general application fees range from AED 300 to AED 3,000, depending on the nature of the course and the institution. Though some of the institutions have registered slight increases in their fees compared to previous years, it is mainly due to increased administrative expenses and a rise in the number of international applicants seeking admission.
Institution | Application Fee AED (INR) |
300 (6,900) | |
525 (12,000) | |
250 (5,700) | |
220 (5,000) | |
1500-3000 (34,300-68,600) |
Tuition Fees in Dubai Universities for International Students
This shall be the tuition fee to be paid by international students for their studies in Dubai in the academic year 2024-25, based on one's degree level and field of studies. Postgraduate degrees can cost anything from INR 11,00,000 to INR 25,00,000 per year, while undergraduate programs typically cost between INR 9,00,000 and INR 20,00,000.
International Tuition fees by Level of Study in Dubai
The city of Dubai is rapidly joining the list of most preferred countries to study abroad in various programs. Tuition fees for international students differ at the different levels of study.
For UG programs, it ranges from AED 40,000 to AED 80,000 annually. This makes it roughly about INR 9,10,000 – 18,30,000.
In PG programs, tuition may range from AED 50,000 to AED 100,000 for the 2024-25 academic session. which translates to approximately INR 11,43,000-22,90,000.
These charges are, in a nutshell, for the very best of the quality and versatile education that Dubai has to offer.
Program Name | Average Fee (INR) | Average Fee (AED) | Duration(years) |
Undergraduate | 9,10,000-18,30,000 | 40,000-80,000 | 3-4 |
Postgraduate | 11,43,000-22,90,000 | 50,000-100,000 | 1-2 |
PhD | 14,29,000-64,00,000 | 62,500-280,000 | 3-4 |
International Tuition fees by Field of Study in Dubai
The educational landscape in Dubai consists of programs that differ in fields, and accordingly, tuition fees. Tuition fees for international students will thus be different based on the field of study.
Generally, the more specialised a program is, the higher the tuition fee. The indicative tuition fees for the 2024-25 academic year vary greatly, reflecting this wide range of academic disciplines and their associated costs.
Field of Study | Level of Study | Tuition Fees (INR) | Tuition Fees (AED) |
Engineering | Undergraduate | 11,43,000-18,30,000 | 50,000-80,000 |
Postgraduate | 13,70,000-23,00,000 | 60,000-100,000 | |
Business | Undergraduate | 9,14,000-18,30,000 | 40,000-80,000 |
Postgraduate | 11,43,000-20,57,000 | 50,000-90,000 | |
Information Technology | Undergraduate | 9,14,000-18,30,000 | 40,000-80,000 |
Postgraduate | 11,43,000-22,00,000 | 50,000-95,000 | |
Architecture | Undergraduate | 11,43,000-20,57,000 | 50,000-90,000 |
Postgraduate | 13,70,000-23,00,000 | 60,000-100,000 | |
Healthcare and Medicine | Undergraduate | 11,43,000-23,00,000 | 50,000-100,000 |
Postgraduate | 15,00,000-25,00,000 | 65,000-110,000 |
Accommodation and Living Expenses in Dubai
Living Cost in Dubai for Indian Students varies to a great extent depending on location and the type of accommodation. A shared apartment in places like Deira and Al Nahda would cost, on average, AED 2,000 to 4,000 (INR 46,000-91,500) per month.
If one desires some form of privacy, studio apartment rent in places like Dubai Marina and Downtown would run from AED 6,000 to 10,000 (INR 1,37,000- 2,29,000) per month. These prices may be a little higher in city centre locations and fully furnished apartments.
In this regard, students must pay attention to their budgetary allocation and consider proximity to a university and public transport to reduce commuting expenses.
Other Expenses to study in Dubai for International Students
In addition to tuition fees and cost of living, other expenses should be taken into consideration when studying in Dubai. Such expenses may include health insurance, study materials, transportation, and any fees associated with visa processing.
The following are the approximate main costs a student in Dubai might face.
Type of Expense | Average Cost in AED | Average Cost in INR |
Health Insurance | 500-1000 | 11,400-2,3000 |
Utilities | 100-500 | 2,300-11,400 |
Study Materials | 500-1500 | 11,400-34,000 |
Public Transportation | 100-300 | 2,300-6,900 |
Visa Processing | 2000-3000 | 46,000-69,000 |
Scholarships in Dubai for Indian Students
Most universities in Dubai offer merit-based scholarships, which provide partial tuition fee coverage, indirectly easing financial pressure on students and making more funds available for living expenses. For example, the University of Dubai offers scholarships covering up to 50% of tuition fees for academically outstanding students.
The Ministry of Education in Dubai also offers a "National Scholarship Program" that provides full scholarships to outstanding students, including stipends, which will cover living expenses.
Private institutions and foundations also offer financial aid to international students. One very important example is that the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation offers scholarships to students from specific regions. Tuition fees, together with living expenses, are covered under this particular scholarship.
Another example includes some global scholarships, such as the Al Qasimi Foundation's scholarships for Arab students, which can be used at universities in Dubai.
Takeaway
High-quality education and a cultural experience are just a few of the good things that one can expect when studying in Dubai. However, Indian students must make themselves acutely aware of the cost of studying in Dubai.
An idea about this financial factor will help the students make an effective plan and support them in setting up a system to meet their expenses during their studies. Students who intend to cover their education overseas in Dubai should be able to take proper estimates of the tuition fees, accommodation, and any other expenses related to the education system.
Ready to make your student life in Dubai a reality? Get personalised guidance on tuition fees, living expenses, and more from AECC for a smooth and successful study abroad experience!
With over a decade of experience in the overseas education sector, Ankit Dogra is a marketing and student recruitment specialist with deep expertise in the Canada and UAE markets. He has a proven history of success at top multinational companies like AECC, ApplyBoard, and IDP Education.
What makes Ankit's perspective unique is his holistic understanding of the entire student journey. Beyond just admissions, he leads the Student Essential Services (SES) vertical, which includes crucial support like education loans, accommodation, GIC accounts, and money transfers. This means he doesn't just help students get into university; he helps them build their new life abroad.
As a Manager at AECC, Ankit is responsible for growing student enrollment numbers from the South Asia region for Canada and the UAE. His extensive background in digital marketing, certified by a Digital Marketing Course, allows him to provide the most current and effective advice for students navigating the modern, online world of university applications.
Ankit can help you with
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Ankit holds an MBA in Marketing, which, combined with his extensive hands-on experience, makes him a powerful guide for any student's international education journey.