Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a postgraduate degree that focuses on Business Management by training the students for leadership roles. Due to lucrative salaries and good career prospects, there has been a rise in demand for affordable Online MBA programs globally.
This blog is aimed at prospective MBA students to guide them towards cost-effective Online MBA programs available on the upGrad platform, program details, and the benefits of Online MBA on their career path. Ensure that you enrol in a course that is globally recognised from a reputed institute, and you will have a successful Management career ahead.
Why the UAE for an Online MBA?
- The online MBA programs in the UAE let you study from anywhere in the world, at any time you please. This is why it becomes so easy to balance such education with other important commitments in your life, such as work.
- The UAE has a strong economy and a strategic location. These factors give you access to a thriving job market not only in that country but also throughout the Middle East and beyond.
- Since Dubai is a global business hub, these online MBA programs offer the opportunity to interact with peers, industry experts, and professors from all over the world.
- You do get good online MBA programs in the UAE that are economical compared to others of the same quality, especially the conventional on-campus programs.
- The colleges and universities that offer online MBA programs in the UAE continually update their curricula to reflect a rapidly changing business landscape. This ensures you always learn the most relevant skills for the best jobs in the market.
- Technological infrastructure is another primary reason you should choose the UAE for an online MBA.
Admission and Eligibility for MBA in the UAE in 2025
- In general, to be admitted to an MBA program in the UAE, you need a bachelor’s degree of three or four years from a recognized university, with a minimum score of 50-60%. This depends on the institution, though. Some universities might also accept you in your final UG year.
- Some programs may require at least 2 years of work experience. This, however, applies mainly to the full-time executive MBA programs.
- You also need a minimum score to prove your English proficiency. For a paper-based exam like TOEFL, it can be around 550. For IELTS, you may need a minimum of 60. Some universities also require a minimum EmSAT score of 1400!
- Many MBA programs in the UAE require either a GRE or GMAT score. However, certain universities prefer to prioritise academic achievement and professional experience instead.
Comparing Top Affordable Online MBA Programs for UAE Learners
Many affordable online MBA courses are available for learners in the UAE to pursue from the comfort of their homes. These programs are offered by some of the best universities in the world and are readily available on the upGrad platform.
In this section, we will compare the online MBA programs from the three best universities on upGrad:
| Features | Edgewood University | Golden Gate University (GGU) | Liverpool Business School |
| Average Cost Range | AED 23,900 | AED 33,030 | AED 34,900 |
| Duration | 14 months | 15 months | 18 months |
| Accreditation | HLC | WASC | WES-recognised |
| Popular Specialisations | ResearchOrganisational Leadership and Change | FinanceAdaptive Leadership | N/A |
| Learning Mode | Online and optional on-campus immersion | Online and optional on-campus immersion | Online and optional on-campus immersion |
| Ideal For | Working professionals | Working professionals | Working professionals with 3-8 years of experience |
| Career Support Offered | Program Coordinator | Industry mentors | 24*7 support |
| Networking Opportunities | Alumni status | Live interaction with alumni | Alumni status |
Source: upGrad
1. Average Cost Range of Online MBA
The course fee for the Online MBA program can vary depending on the university chosen. Course fees for some of the top universities on the upGrad platform are:
- Edgewood: AED 23,900 (includes 55% scholarship on on-campus fees)
- GGU: AED 33,030 (includes 70% scholarship on on-campus fees)
- Liverpool: AED 34,900
2. Duration of Online MBA
Course duration also varies depending on the university chosen. Here is the duration for each of these universities:
- Edgewood: 14 months
- GGU: 15 months
- Liverpool: 18 months
3. Accreditation
All the university partners on upGrad platforms have relevant accreditations and recognitions. Details for these universities are:
- Edgewood: ACBSP and HLC accreditation, WES recognised
- GGU: WASC accreditation
- Liverpool: WES recognised, AACSB International member
4. Popular Specialisations
Universities offer varied specialisations. Check out the options before enrolling.
- Edgewood: Research, Organisational Leadership and Change, Business Analytics
- GGU: Marketing, Adaptive Leadership, General, Business Analytics, Finance
- Liverpool: Marketing Management, Business Communication, Accounting and Finance
Also read: Exploring Different Types of Online MBA Programs
5. Learning Mode
Most of the programs on upGrad are in online mode. You can check further details below:
- Edgewood: Online + Optional on-campus
- GGU: Online + Optional on-campus
- Liverpool: Online + Optional on-campus
6. Ideal For
The affordable Online MBA programs are primarily designed for working professionals. Details as per the university vary:
- Edgewood: Suitable for working professionals with a Bachelor’s degree
- GGU: Suitable for working professionals with a Bachelor’s degree (any specialisation)
- Liverpool: Suitable for entrepreneurs or working professionals with 3-8 years of work experience or Bachelor’s degree holders with 2 years of work experience, and a minimum of 50% marks
7. Career Support Offered
Let’s check out the career support services offered by these universities:
- Edgewood: Program Coordinator, 24*7 support with chatbot
- GGU: Live sessions, guidance from industry mentors
- Liverpool: Program Coordinator, WhatsApp channel for queries
Also read: Career Scope & Job After MBA in the UAE
8. Networking Opportunities
Even though our programs are online, they offer ample networking opportunities. They offer:
- Edgewood: Alumni status and peer learning
- GGU: Interaction with alumni and faculty and interactive networking sessions
- Liverpool: Mentorship with industry experts
Most Economical MBA Programs in the UAE – Top Universities and Fee
The following table offers the fee information of the most economical MBA programs in the UAE:
| University | Fee |
| Edgewood University | AED 23,900 |
| Golden Gate University | AED 33,030 |
| Liverpool Business School | AED 34,900 |
| Ajman University | AED 60,000 |
| American University in Dubai | AED 66,117 – AED 79,357.25 |
| British University in Dubai | AED 85,000 |
| Abu Dhabi University | AED 88,200 – AED 97,020 |
| University of Sharjah | AED 138,600 |
Sources: upGrad, Shiksha, and official websites of the universities
Salary Insights for MBA Degree Holder in the UAE
The following table provides the salaries for MBA degree holders in the UAE in different roles:
| Job Role | Salary |
| Strategy Consultant | AED 180,000 – AED 348,000 |
| Product Manager | AED 180,000 – AED 336,000 |
| Management Consultant | AED 168,000 – AED 324,000 |
| Brand Manager | AED 180,000 – AED 300,000 |
| Finance Manager | AED 156.000 – AED 300,000 |
| Marketing Manager | AED 144,000 – AED 300,000 |
| Investment Banker | AED 89,088 – AED 300,000 |
| IT Manager | AED 120,000 – AED 240,000 |
| Human Resources Manager | AED 120,000 – AED 240,000 |
| Business Development Manager | AED 96,000 – AED 240,000 |
| Operations Manager | AED 96,000 – AED 240,000 |
| Digital Marketing Manager | AED 72,000 – AED 240,000 |
| Business Analyst | AED 96,000 – AED 216,000 |
| Financial Analyst | AED 96,000 – AED 216,000 |
Source: Glassdoor, Indeed, and Payscale
Benefits of Choosing an Online MBA for UAE Professionals
If you are interested in pursuing affordable Online MBA programs, research the university and programs well to reap the benefits. Some of the advantages of an Online MBA in the UAE are:
- Flexibility: The best part about an online program is the flexibility it offers. It ensures that professionals can balance work commitments with their higher studies.
- Affordable: Online programs typically have lower tuition fees compared to traditional on-campus programs. The students also save money on travelling and accommodation expenses. So, it is beneficial for those with financial instability.
- Global network: Pursuing an online program means that you will have peers from around the world. This can help you expand your network connections globally, which can positively impact your career in the future.
- Time management: MBA leads a job role in the Leadership and Management field. Online learning enables you to manage your time to accommodate personal and professional commitments. This can be a valuable asset for your future employers to demonstrate your time management skills.
- Technological advancement: If you are pursuing an online program, you are a step ahead with technology, as several digital tools are required. This technological advancement can be a benefit in this tech-driven era.
Learn Affordably and Grow Globally with upGrad’s Online MBA Offerings
upGrad UAE offers affordable Online MBA programs that can enhance your leadership skills and help you build a successful career. Listed below are some of our best MBA programs:
Master of Business Administration from Golden Gate University
MBA from GGU can be completed in 15 months, and it has WASC accreditation.
Students can choose any of the five specialisations offered:
- Finance
- Business Analytics
- Marketing
Master of Business Administration from Edgewood University
MBA from Edgewood University can be completed in 14 months.
The specialisations offered in this program are:
- Research
- Business Analytics
- Organisational Leadership and Change
Master of Business Administration from Liverpool Business School
MBA from Liverpool Business School has WES recognition and can be completed in 18 months.
Explore more insights in our related blogs:
- Executive MBA vs Traditional MBA in the UAE
- Average Salary for an MBA Graduate in the UAE
- MBA Interview Questions & Answers
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FAQs on Affordable MBA Programs in UAE
Ans: Yes, if you do proper research, then you can find affordable MBA programs that are accredited and recognised by employers globally.
Ans: Yes, if you have completed your MBA from a globally recognised institute, you can get these job roles in the UAE:
1. Human Resource Executive
2. Marketing Executive
3. Supply Chain Executive
Ans: Yes, some institutes provide ample networking opportunities in online MBA programs too. Check the upGrad website for such courses.
Ans: Affordable MBAs are usually online programs with low tuition fees and offer high flexibility. Traditional programs are on-campus with less flexibility and high tuition fees. But they provide more networking opportunities.
Ans: Yes, upGrad offers affordable MBA programs for residents of the UAE as well. We have a partnership with several reputed universities. You can check our website for eligibility details.
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