Study in UAE for Free 2026

Yes, studying for free in the UAE is possible for international students through fully-funded scholarships offered by top universities like Khalifa University, MBZUAI, and Al Qasimia University, covering tuition, accommodation, living stipends, and more, often for merit-based programs, especially in AI and research. While UAE citizens study for free at government institutions, international students must seek these competitive scholarships, which can be merit-based or program-specific, with deadlines often in December.  

Top Fully Funded Scholarships in the UAE 2026 

UAE universities offer competitive, fully funded scholarships for 2026 intakes, covering tuition, monthly stipends, housing, insurance, and travel for international students in undergraduate, master's, and PhD programs. These target high achievers in STEM, business, medicine, and humanities, with applications opening soon for autumn/spring 2026 semesters. Merit-based selection favors candidates with a GPA of 3.5+ and has research potential 

University	Scholarships Available
MBZUAI	Automatic Full Scholarships (MSc/PhD AI)
Abu Dhabi University	H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarship
Khalifa University	Graduate Scholarships (STEM Masters/PhD)
UAE University (UAEU)	Full ride & assistantships (UG/PG)
Al Qasimia University	International Scholarships

Let’s discuss them in detail,  

1. Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) Scholarships 

MBZUAI typically offers full funding, including tuition waiver, stipend, visa, health insurance, and housing support to admitted full-time MSc and PhD students, subject to admission and funding conditions. 

Comprehensive Benefits Table:  

Category	Coverage Details
Tuition	100% tuition waiver for MSc and PhD programs
Stipend (International Students)	MSc: approx. ₹3.79 lakh/month  PhD: approx. ₹4.28 lakh/month
Additional Support	Student visa sponsorship, health insurance, and on-campus housing option (housing fees may be deducted from stipend)
Eligibility	GPA 3.2/4.0, GRE optional (PhD), IELTS 6.5, strong interest in AI research
Application Requirements	Academic transcripts, SOP, 2-3 LORs, CV
Program Duration	MSc: 2 years  PhD: 4 years
Unique Perks	Conference travel funding, advanced AI lab access, strong placements with the UAE government and industry

2. Abu Dhabi University (ADU) H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarship 

Abu Dhabi University offers this flagship scholarship to empower top-performing UAE students, providing full support to pursue higher education and contribute to national development. The scholarship ensures that financial constraints do not hinder academic excellence. 

Scholarship Overview:  

Category	Details
Coverage	Tuition, textbooks, health insurance, and on-campus accommodation (if applicable), for up to 4 years or until graduation
Eligibility	Academic: Top 20 UAE public high school graduates in their fall semester of graduation  Enrollment: Full-time (≥12 credit hours per semester)  Language Proficiency: EmSAT scores per UAE Ministry guidelines: Minimum Math 1200, English 1600, Arabic 900 (or equivalent exams)
Maintenance	Minimum CGPA: 3.70  Minimum Course Load: 12 credit hours per semester (except Winter & Summer)  Coverage Limitation: Does not cover repeated courses (F, WA, W grades)
Application	Begins post-admission via the ADU Financial Aid portal using the student ID; formal approval by the Office of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Perks	Merit recognition, priority housing, access to career fairs with UAE firms, and alumni networking opportunities

3. Khalifa University (KU) Scholarships 

Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi offers merit-based scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students, supporting UAE Vision 2031 and fostering innovation in STEM fields such as AI, robotics, aerospace, and sustainable energy. Scholarships are awarded based on academic performance and strategic priorities, with benefits varying depending on the program and tier. 

Undergraduate Scholarships:  

Khalifa University categorizes scholarships into three tiers based on academic merit: 

Tier	Coverage
Tier I	Full tuition fee coverage plus all required textbooks provided free of cost
Tier II	Partial tuition waiver (50% or 75%) plus all required textbooks provided free of cost
Tier III	Only textbooks provided initially; eligible students may receive up to 30% tuition remission (Active Student Scholarship) after achieving a CGPA ≥3.8 over at least 12 credit hours

Key Points: 

• Eligibility is determined during the admission process; no separate scholarship application is required. 

• Number of slots is limited, and meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee an award. 

• Benefits and conditions may change at the University’s discretion. 

Postgraduate Scholarships: 

Category	Details
Coverage	Tuition fee waiver; other benefits such as stipends, research grants, and travel support may be offered based on merit and funding availability
Eligibility	Merit-based admission, GPA 3.5+, GRE optional, research proposal may be required
Fields of Study	STEM programs, including AI, aerospace, energy, and engineering
Application Timeline	Rolling admissions; key deadlines for Fall 2026 intake are Jan 15,  2026 & May 1, 2026
Notes	For exact stipend and research grant figures, students should confirm with KU directly

4. UAE University (UAEU) Scholarships & Fellowships 

UAE University offers scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships to attract talented graduate students, especially in STEM and strategic sectors like renewable energy, transportation, health, water resources, technology, and space. Awards are budget-dependent, and meeting eligibility does not guarantee approval. 

Main Scholarship & Fellowship Programs 

Program	Eligibility	Benefits & Duration
Chancellor’s Fellowship	Graduate students in STEM/strategic sectors; GPA ≥ 3.8/4.0; no other sponsorship	50% tuition waiver; valid until graduation as long as GPA is maintained
Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA)	Full-time Master or PhD students; accepted into program	Financial support for research projects; duration varies per project
Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA)	Active graduate students; GPA ≥ 3.0/4.0; no other sponsorship	Monthly stipend; 1 year, renewable
Graduate Administrative Assistantship (GAA)	Active graduate students; GPA ≥ 3.0/4.0; no other sponsorship	Monthly stipend; 1 year, renewable
PhD Fellowship	PhD students with GPA ≥ 3.3/4.0 in Master; dissertation in UAE priority sectors; no other sponsorship	Full tuition waiver, monthly stipend, health insurance; 4 years; optional bonus from research projects

Note: UAEU also offers other program-specific scholarships, including: 

• TDRA, ICT Fund Scholarship Program 

• The Hamdan bin Rashid Scholarship Program (Master of Educational Innovation) 

• MSc Space Science: Arab Space Pioneers Program 

• PhD Studentships in Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, Biology, Climate Action, and Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering 

5. Al Qasimia University International Scholarships 

Al Qasimia University in Sharjah offers international scholarships for students from outside the UAE. These scholarships provide financial support, housing, travel allowances, and other benefits for students fully dedicated to their studies. 

Bachelor’s Degree International Scholarship 

Eligibility Criterion	Benefit Type	Details
International student from outside UAE	Monthly Stipend	Paid in summer only
Full-time study	Travel	One-way ticket after completing 50% of the study plan
GPA ≥ 2.0	Visa/Residency/ID	Covered by the university
No work allowed	Health Insurance	Provided as per university policies

Note: Housing and Transportation are On-campus provided 

Master’s Degree Scholarship: 

Eligibility Criterion	Benefit Type	Details
Equivalent bachelor’s degree and Full-time study	Research & Teaching Assistant Support	Financial support for assistantship duties
GPA ≥ 3.3/4.0	Tuition	Covered by the university
Approved to work as Research & Teaching Assistant	Full-Time Study	Required throughout program duration

Key Notes: 

• Scholarship continuity depends on maintaining academic standing and full-time study. 

• Students must follow university regulations and behavioral norms. 

• Work outside scholarship duties is not allowed; violation may lead to cancellation. 

Step-by-Step Application Process for UAE Fully Funded Scholarships 

Applying for a fully funded scholarship in the UAE requires careful planning, preparation, and adherence to university requirements. While each university may have specific instructions, the general process is similar across most programs: 

Step	What to Do	Pro Tips
1. Research Scholarships	Visit official university scholarship pages; shortlist programs matching your field	Bookmark deadlines; download PDFs
2. Verify Eligibility	Check GPA, language scores, and age limits	Convert grades if needed; contact admissions for borderline cases
3. Collect Documents	Passport, Academic transcripts, LORs, CV, health certificate	Ensure 6+ months passport validity; scan clearly
4. Prepare SOP / Proposal	SOP for all; PhD candidates submit a research proposal	Keep concise, highlight program fit and goals
5. Submit Online Application	Create an account, upload documents	Submit 7+ days before the deadline; save confirmation
6. Interview Prep	Prepare for Zoom/Skype if required	Know program details and UAE context; do mock calls
7. Acceptance & Visa	Receive offer; university sponsors visa	Follow the instructions for the visa and Emirates ID
8. Pre-Departure	Book flights, arrange housing, insurance, and attend orientation	Confirm travel docs; pack as per university guidelines

Note: Deadlines vary by university, program, and admission cycle. Always check the official university website or admissions office for the latest dates before applying 

UAE Student Visa Essentials for Free Study 

International students awarded fully funded scholarships must secure a UAE student visa to legally study and reside in the country. The visa process is generally sponsored by the university and requires several standard documents to comply with UAE immigration regulations. 

Requirement	Details	Notes
Sponsorship	University provides visa sponsorship for scholarship recipients	Part of the scholarship package; no separate application needed in most cases
Documents Needed	Valid passport (6+ months), university acceptance letter, and medical certificate	Students must ensure passport validity and acceptance confirmation
Medical Examination	Mandatory UAE-approved health test	Conducted at approved centers; part of the visa requirement
Application Submission	Through the university or GDRFA portal	Students do not submit independently; the university usually guides the process
Visa Duration & Renewal	Typically, valid for 1 year, renewable	Renewal depends on continued enrollment and university sponsorship
Emirates ID & Residency	Registration post-arrival for the Emirates ID	Required for all foreign residents in UAE

Conclusion 

Studying in the UAE for free in 2026 is achievable through a variety of fully funded scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Leading universities like MBZUAI, Abu Dhabi University, Khalifa University, UAEU, and Al Qasimia University offer comprehensive financial support covering tuition, stipends, housing, and health insurance, especially for high-achieving international students. 

Success requires careful planning: verify eligibility, prepare strong applications, and stay updated on official deadlines. By leveraging these opportunities, students can gain world-class education in the UAE, access cutting-edge research, and build a global career network all without the burden of tuition costs. 

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