How to Study in UAE for Free: Scholarships, Eligibility & Application Guide

Latest Update: Dubai’s education reforms now include enhanced international scholarship programs, longer-term student visas, and career support to ensure 90% of graduates in fields like AI, sustainability, and business secure employment by 2033 making UAE a more attractive destination for global students. 

Study is UAE for Free is possible via the fully-funded scholarships at the top Saudi Arabian universities such as Khalifa University, UAE University (UAEU), and Mohamed bin Zayed University of AI. They have full tuition, monthly stipends, and accommodations, and other benefits that these institutions offer.

As a case in point, Khalifa University extends up to 25,000 AED (approx. 5.7 lakhs/year) towards a monthly stipend in addition to fully funded tuition, housing, and transportation. UAEU, having a population of more than 17,500 students, generously supports merit-based and research scholarships. 

More than 27,500 international students of more than 150 nationalities are studying in the academic centers, such as Dubai International Academic City. This guide tells you how you can apply, what is covered, and how you can plan to enhance your education in the UAE, all this without any tuition fees.

Must Read: Study in Dubai: Indian Students' Academic Journey Unveiled

How Can You Study in the UAE for Free?

Yes, it’s possible to study in the UAE for free or without paying tuition, especially if you secure a government-funded or university-specific scholarship. Many UAE universities offer generous financial aid for international students, including Indians.

Here’s what you need to understand about the different types of funding:

What Is the Difference Between Tuition-Free and Fully Funded Programs?

• Tuition-Free Programs: These cover only your academic fees. You’ll still need to manage accommodation, travel, visa, and living expenses.
• Fully Funded Programs: These cover everything, tuition, housing, living stipend, flight tickets, and sometimes even health insurance.
• Partial Scholarships: These cover a portion of your tuition or living costs. You’ll need to fund the rest yourself.

Which UAE Scholarships Offer Full Funding?

Here are a few major fully funded options:

• Khalifa University Graduate Scholarships
• Mohammed Bin Zayed University Scholarships
• United Arab Emirates University Scholarships

Each covers tuition, monthly stipend (around AED 8,000 to 10,000 = approx  INR 1.8 to  INR 2.2 lakh/month), accommodation, and medical insurance. Some also cover airfare.

Do UAE Government Scholarships Cover Indian Students?

Yes. Programs like the ICT Fund Scholarship and Emirates Foundation Awards accept Indian nationals in science, technology, and engineering fields.

The UAE has a number of universities and even government agencies providing full scholarships, including tuition fees, accommodation, monthly allowances, and even air transport. These are very competitive scholarships, which are, however, available to academically bright international students, including those from India.

What Are the Top Scholarships to Study in UAE for Indian Students?

These scholarships offer full or partial funding to support Indian students in pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral studies in the UAE. Most cover tuition fees, while a few include living expenses, accommodation, health insurance, and flights.

What Does the MBZUAI Scholarship Offer to Indian Students?

MBZUAI is a graduate-level AI university in Abu Dhabi and grants a full scholarship to every accepted graduate student (master's and PhD). The international applicants, including those in India, are covered against tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, and given their visa.

Feature	Details
Level	Master’s and PhD
Fields of Study	Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, AI
Tuition Fees	Fully covered
Monthly Stipend	MSc: AED 8,000 (~INR 1.8 lakh) PhD: AED 10,000 (~INR 2.2 lakh)
Housing Allowance	Additional AED 5,000 (~INR 1.1 lakh) for married PhD students
Accommodation	Provided on campus
Health Insurance	Covered
Visa Sponsorship	Yes
English Requirement	IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 90 / EmSAT 1550
GRE Requirement	Optional (recommended for PhD)
Application Deadline	Early: Jan 15, 2025 (Closed) Final: May 31, 2025 (Closed)
Application Mode	Online through the MBZUAI portal

What Do Khalifa University Graduate Scholarships Offer to Indian Students?

Khalifa University is among the leading research universities in the UAE that awards full scholarships to international students who intend to study a master's degree and a PhD degree. The scholarships are merit-based and emphasize the areas of science, engineering, and technology.

Feature	Details
Level	Master’s and PhD
Fields of Study	Engineering, Computer Science, Information Security, Applied Chemistry, etc.
Tuition Fees	Fully covered
Monthly Stipend	MSc: Up to AED 8,000 (~INR 1.8 lakh) PhD: Up to AED 12,000 (~INR 2.7 lakh)
Accommodation	On-campus housing or allowance provided
Health Insurance	Covered
Visa Sponsorship	Yes
Additional Benefits	Textbook support, conference funding, and flight ticket (annual)
English Requirement	IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 91
GRE Requirement	Optional but recommended
Application Deadline	April 30, 2025 (tentative)
Application Mode	Online via Khalifa University admissions portal

What Do United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) Scholarships Offer to Indian Students?

UAEU, which is the oldest and the first university in the UAE, is providing full scholarships to international doctoral and Master students that also including applicants from India. Some scholarships cover tuition, a monthly stipend, housing, etc.

Feature	Details
Level	Master’s and PhD
Fields of Study	Science, Engineering, Education, IT, Business, Law, Humanities, and more
Tuition Fees	Fully covered
Monthly Stipend	Varies by program: Up to AED 10,000/month (~INR 2.2 lakh)
Accommodation	Provided on campus or covered by housing allowance
Health Insurance	Included
Visa Sponsorship	Yes
Additional Benefits	Research funding, conference support
English Requirement	IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 79
GRE Requirement	Required for select programs
Application Deadline	February & September intake (check program-specific dates)
Application Mode	Online through UAEU graduate portal

What Do Al Qasimi Foundation Doctoral Research Grants Scholarships Offer to Indian Students?

This award is meant for PhD students undertaking field research in the UAE, in particular focusing on public policy, education, urban planning, or health. It is a fully funded chance for international scholars, including those who belong to India.

Feature	Details
Level	PhD (Doctoral Research)
Fields of Study	Public Policy, Education, Urban Development, Health
Tuition Fees	Not applicable (funds field research)
Monthly Stipend	AED 5,500 (~INR 1.2 lakh)
Accommodation	Provided in Ras Al Khaimah
Research Support	Round-trip airfare, visa support, research office space, field coordination
Health Insurance	Included
Visa Sponsorship	Yes
English Requirement	Strong English writing skills required
Eligibility	Enrolled in a PhD program; research must be UAE-relevant
Application Deadline	March 1, 2025 (Closed)
Application Mode	Online through Al Qasimi Foundation website

What Do Abu Dhabi University Scholarships Offer to Indian Students?

Abu Dhabi University Awards scholarships are merit-based and need-based and various potential students. There is also a scholarship that covers the full tuition fee for the top-performing candidates, which is the H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarship. This is a very competitive scholarship for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Feature	Details
Level	Bachelor’s and Master’s
Fields of Study	Engineering, Business, Law, Arts, Education, Health Sciences, and more
Tuition Fees	Up to 100% tuition coverage (for H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarship)
Monthly Stipend	Not typically included
Accommodation	Separate discounts are available, but are not fully covered
Health Insurance	Included for some scholarship tiers
Visa Sponsorship	Yes
English Requirement	IELTS 6.0+ / TOEFL iBT 60+
Eligibility	Strong academic record (GPA 3.7+/4.0), leadership qualities
Application Deadline	Summer and Fall 2025 intakes vary by program
Application Mode	Online via ADU official portal

What Does a ‘Fully Funded’ Program in UAE Cover?

So, what is the meaning of being fully funded when one is offered a scholarship to study in the UAE? It is not only free tuition. The outstanding scholarships pay for all you require to live and study in comfort, and not zap your savings.

The breakdown goes like this:

Coverage Area	Description	Average Value (INR)
Tuition Fee	Full academic fee for the entire course duration	INR 8–20 lakh/year
Housing	Free on-campus accommodation or a housing allowance	INR 3–6 lakh/year
Living Stipend	Monthly allowance to cover food, transport, and personal expenses	INR 1.5–2.5 lakh/month
Health Insurance	Basic health cover for medical consultations, emergencies, and medicines	INR 50,000–75,000/year
Airfare	One-time or annual round-trip economy ticket between India and the UAE	INR 40,000– INR 60,000
Visa Cost	Covers student visa fee and medical fitness test	INR 20,000– INR 30,000

Note: The amounts mentioned in the table are approximate and may vary depending on the currency exchange rates.

Who Is Eligible to Study in UAE for Free?

Fully funded scholarships in the UAE are competitive. Indian students applying to top universities need to meet academic, language, and profile requirements. Here's a breakdown of what makes a strong candidate.

What academic qualifications are required for UAE scholarships?

Most UAE scholarships have minimum academic thresholds. Here's what Indian students typically need:

Undergraduate (UG):

• 85% or higher in Grade 12 from CBSE, ICSE, or State Boards
• (UAEU and Khalifa University specify this for merit-based undergraduate scholarships)

Postgraduate (PG):

• First-class bachelor's degree (60%+ or GPA above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale)
• Some scholarships prefer candidates with a STEM or technical background, especially for AI, Engineering, or Data Science programs

Are English proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL mandatory?

Yes. Almost all UAE universities require proof of English proficiency.

• IELTS: Minimum 6.0–6.5
• TOEFL iBT: Score of 80–100
• Duolingo: Accepted by some institutions as an alternative
• Waivers: May be available if your prior education was in English (check university-specific policies)

What additional factors improve your chances?

While meeting minimum academic scores is essential, competitive scholarships also look at your overall profile:

• Strong Statement of Purpose (SOP) and impactful Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
• Research alignment with faculty interests (especially important for master's and PhD applicants)
• Internships or work experience in your field
• Leadership roles or extracurricular achievements in school or college

How to Apply for Scholarships in the UAE?

Applying for scholarships in the UAE isn’t complicated, but it does require careful planning and a strong application. Here's a step-by-step guide tailored for Indian students.

What is the application process like for Indian students?

The application process for fully funded scholarships in the UAE generally follows this sequence:

1. Research universities and scholarships
   Shortlist institutions offering programs and scholarships relevant to your goals.
2. Check eligibility criteria
   Review academic requirements, language tests, and specific documentation needs.
3. Prepare the required documents
   Get transcripts, test scores, SOPs, and LORs ready in the accepted formats.
4. Submit an online application
   Apply through the official university portal before the deadline.
5. Attend interviews (if any)
   Some programs, especially research-based ones, may require a virtual interview.
6. Receive the offer and start the visa process
   Upon admission, proceed with the UAE student visa application and travel prep.

What documents do I need to submit?

Make sure you have all required documents scanned and ready. Commonly requested documents include:

Document	Purpose
Academic transcripts	To verify your grades from high school or undergraduate
Statement of Purpose (SOP)	To explain your goals, interests, and motivation
Letters of Recommendation (LORs)	Academic or professional endorsements
Resume/CV	Your academic and work profile in a snapshot
English proficiency scores (IELTS / TOEFL)	Mandatory for most universities
Valid passport	Proof of identity and nationality
Portfolio (if applicable)	Required for creative fields like design or architecture

What Is the Cost of Studying in UAE Without Scholarships?

Studying in the UAE without a scholarship can be expensive. Tuition fees vary by university and program, and living costs depend on the emirate (e.g., Dubai is costlier than Sharjah). Here’s a breakdown of average expenses for international students:

Here is the Estimated Cost Table (Without Scholarships):

Expense Type	Estimated Cost (AED/year)	INR Equivalent (Approx.)
Tuition Fees	40,000 – 100,000	INR 9 –  INR 22 lakh
Student Accommodation	15,000 – 35,000	INR 3.3 –  INR 7.7 lakh
Living Expenses	15,000 – 25,000	INR 3.3 –  INR 5.5 lakh
Health Insurance	2,000 – 3,000	INR 44,000 –  INR 66,000
Visa Fees + Emirates ID	3,000 – 4,000	INR 66,000 –  INR 88,000
Airfare (Round Trip)	30,000 – 50,000 (per year)	INR 66,000 –  INR 1.1 lakh

Note: The amount  mentioned in the table are approximate and may vary depending on the currency exchange rates.

Also Read: What is the Cost of Living in UAE?

What Are the Best Courses to Study in the UAE for Free?

Several UAE universities offer full scholarships for high-demand programs, especially in science, technology, and business. Here’s a list of top courses and their scholarship availability:

Below are the Top Courses with Scholarship Options in the UAE: 

Course/Field	Scholarship Available	Recommended University
Artificial Intelligence	Yes	MBZUAI (Mohamed Bin Zayed University of AI)
Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil)	Yes	Khalifa University, AUS
Computer Science / IT	Yes	University of Sharjah, Khalifa University
Business Administration / Management	Yes	Abu Dhabi University, American University of Sharjah
Health Sciences / Public Health	Yes	University of Sharjah, Gulf Medical University
Design / Architecture	Partial	American University in Dubai
Data Science / Machine Learning	Yes	MBZUAI, Khalifa University
Renewable Energy / Sustainability	Yes	Masdar Institute (via Khalifa University)
Law / International Relations	Partial	University of Dubai, Abu Dhabi University

Is IELTS or TOEFL Required for Scholarships in UAE?

As well most fully funded scholarships in UAE require evidence of English language proficiency (at least the Indian students trying to get into the PG or PhD). This is how the scores should look by breakdown and where you may receive a waiver.

What are the official score requirements for major UAE universities?

To qualify for fully funded scholarships in the UAE, Indian students typically need to meet specific English language proficiency benchmarks. 

Here is the look at the official minimum scores required by leading universities:

University	IELTS (Academic)	TOEFL iBT
MBZUAI	6.0	90
Khalifa University	6.5	90
United Arab Emirates University (UAEU)	6.0+	79+

Are there waivers or alternatives to IELTS/TOEFL?

Though IELTS or TOEFL are the most widely accepted tests for scholarships in UAE, there are some substitutes & waivers also avialable depending on your academic history or the institution that you might have studied in.

Here is the deal with it:

• IELTS/TOEFL Waiver: Some UAE universities will waive English test requirements if your undergraduate degree was completed in English and the university was recognized as English-medium.
• Duolingo English Test: Select private universities mainly in applied sciences or management may accept Duolingo (105+). This is not common at research-focused public universities.
• EmSAT English Scores: For UAE residents or Indian students with local schooling, the Emirates Standardized Test (EmSAT) is a valid alternative. Minimum required scores range from 1400 to 1550, depending on program level.

What’s the Right Time to Apply for UAE Scholarships?

Timing your scholarship application right is crucial, especially since UAE universities follow fixed intake cycles and expect international students to submit everything well in advance. Let’s break it down:

When do scholarship applications usually open and close?

Most scholarships in the UAE follow a seasonal cycle, aligned with university admission deadlines. The September intake is the primary one, but a few programs also open in January. To avoid missing out, here is when you should start watching those dates:

Intake	Application Window	Notes
September Intake	February to May	Main intake for most UAE universities
January Intake	September to November (previous year)	Less common; offered by select programs only

Note: MBZUAI has an early deadline around Jan 15, and final deadline around May 31. Khalifa University often closes by April for Fall.

How early should Indian students start preparing?

Proper Planning saves everything in life (It is always wise to plan ahead of fully funded programs in the UAE). It is always a good idea to divide the prep into stages because deadlines have an issue of sneaking up to you, and every step requires time. 

Here is the practical timeline that will help you follow this process from your initial IELTS mock test to getting that student visa on your dinner table.

Task	Recommended Timeline	Why It Matters
IELTS/TOEFL Test Prep	8–12 months before deadline	Allows time for retakes if needed
Document Collection	6 months before the deadline	SOPs, LORs, and transcripts take time to draft or request
Application Submission	3–4 months before the deadline	Gives breathing room for corrections or tech issues
Visa Processing	Immediately after admission	UAE student visas take 4–6 weeks on average

What’s Student Life Like in UAE for Scholarship Holders?

Getting a scholarship in the UAE doesn’t just ease your finances, it also gives you access to some of the best campus experiences in the region. Here is  what student life looks like once you're in.

What facilities and accommodation are provided?

Most fully funded scholarship students are offered on-campus accommodation, especially at government-funded universities like MBZUAI, Khalifa University, and UAEU.

Facility	Details
Housing	Single/shared air-conditioned rooms, often with cleaning services
Furnishings	Bed, study desk, wardrobe, basic kitchen setup
Utilities	Free or subsidized internet, electricity and water
Additional Amenities	Access to gym, sports areas, computer labs, and shuttle services within the campus

What is the cultural and social life like for Indian students?

Indian and South Asian students form one of the largest international student groups in the UAE. Universities often have student-led clubs and cultural societies.

Aspect	What to Expect
Cultural Life	Celebrations of Diwali, Holi, Eid, and other festivals are organised by student bodies
Student Communities	Indian Students' Associations, South Asian language clubs, and cultural forums
Social Scene	Safe city life, malls, cafes, desert outings, music, and arts events
Language	English is the medium of instruction andis  widely spoken across UAE cities

What should students know about local rules and etiquette?

Adjusting to life in the UAE means understanding and respecting cultural norms, both on and off campus.

Rule Area	Guidelines
Dress Code	Modest dressing is recommended in public spaces (not necessarily traditional)
Public Conduct	Avoid public displays of affection; respect prayer timings
Alcohol Use	Allowed only in licensed venues for those 21+, but not on campus
Legal Sensitivities	Zero tolerance for drugs; strict cyber laws (avoid offensive posts)
University Conduct	Attendance, behavior, and academic integrity are taken seriously

Conclusion 

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan Fully Funded Scholarships in the UAE are living an international student experience, being at the forefront of education in the UAE. There is a wide range of scholarships available depending on the type of venture you be in, be it top program in machine learning, top program in engineering, or top business program, the right scholarship can cover your expenses in terms of tuition fees, living expenses, etc so long as you know where to turn, and how to prepare yourself. Indian students, with competitive academics, English level, and a convincing application, can make it to a free ride to study in the UAE.

If you are still unsure, you can book a free counseling session with upGrad and seek professional guidance! We’d be happy to help you figure this out.