Scholarships in Dubai for International Students

International students have a variety of scholarship options available to them in Dubai for both undergraduate and graduate level studies. Some of the universities that provide these scholarships include the University of Birmingham Dubai, the Canadian University Dubai, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, and the American University in Dubai. Indian students can apply for many of these opportunities, subject to university-specific eligibility requirements.

The scholarships provided at Dubai universities vary from those that provide partial reductions on tuition to those that cover large percentages of tuition costs. Scholarships can be considered along with admissions and some are applied for separately.

One distinction is important before you start applying: Dubai and the UAE are not interchangeable when searching for scholarships. Some popular scholarships in UAE are offered by universities in Abu Dhabi or Al Ain rather than Dubai. This guide separates Dubai-based opportunities from other UAE scholarships so you can shortlist them accurately.

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Top Scholarships in Dubai for International Students

Several universities in Dubai provide financial support to academically strong international students. Here is a quick comparison of some of the main opportunities to consider.

Scholarship amounts, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines can change between intakes. Before applying, check the university’s official scholarship page for the latest requirements and award details.

These are primarily university scholarships in Dubai, meaning eligibility and funding are determined by the individual institution rather than through one central Dubai scholarship application.

1. American University in Dubai Scholarships

The American University in Dubai (AUD) offers different financial assistance and scholarship opportunities. One prominent award is the H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Scholarship.

This award has been founded in order to reward academic excellence, taking into account financial need. This award can be availed by eligible undergraduates regardless of their nationality.

Eligibility

Students generally need to:

• Have a strong secondary-school academic record.
• Demonstrate financial need where required.
• Meet AUD’s undergraduate admission requirements.
• Fulfil the conditions attached to the particular scholarship.
• Maintain the required academic standing to continue receiving an award.

The H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Scholarship has historically considered applicants with a high-school grade average of approximately 90% or its equivalent.

Scholarship Benefits

Depending on the decision of the scholarship committee, eligible recipients may receive a partial or full tuition waiver.

The exact amount is not guaranteed simply by meeting the minimum eligibility criteria. Students should confirm the current award terms and application cycle directly with AUD.

2. Emirates Aviation University Chancellor’s Scholarship

Students interested in aviation, engineering, business, and related fields can explore scholarships at Emirates Aviation University (EAU).

The Chancellor’s Scholarship is one of the university’s major merit-based awards and is intended for students with exceptional academic records.

Eligibility

Undergraduate applicants may be expected to have:

• An excellent secondary-school academic record.
• Around 95% or an equivalent final-year result.
• IELTS Academic 6.0 or an equivalent English proficiency score.
• Strong personal qualities and the ability to contribute to the university community.

Recipients are also expected to maintain excellent academic performance during their studies.

Scholarship Benefits

The Chancellor’s Scholarship can cover up to 100% of tuition fees.

A tuition scholarship, however, does not guarantee that all educational expenses are paid for; there are other expenses like registration fees, books, fees of partners, among others, that may still be paid by the student.

The deadlines differ based on the entry term; hence, candidates need to ascertain the most recent deadline from the Emirates Aviation University rather than using an old deadline.

3. University of Birmingham Dubai Chancellor’s Academic Merit Scholarship

The University of Birmingham Dubai offers merit-based scholarships to eligible students entering foundation, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs.

Academic achievement plays a central role in determining the scholarship amount, making this a particularly relevant option for students seeking scholarships in Dubai for international students and those with strong grades.

Undergraduate Eligibility

For CBSE students, the scholarship is awarded at different levels based on academic performance:

Students following A Levels, IB, American, and other curricula are assessed according to the corresponding academic criteria.

Applicants generally need to receive and accept an eligible offer from the Dubai campus and complete applicable deposit requirements.

Postgraduate Eligibility

Postgraduate scholarships are similarly based on previous academic achievement.

The exact scholarship percentage depends on the applicant’s degree classification, GPA, percentage system, and applicable criteria for the intake.

Scholarship Benefits

The standard Chancellor’s Academic Merit Scholarship can provide up to 30% tuition fee support.

Students may come across references to awards reaching 50%, but these should not be confused with the standard Chancellor’s Academic Merit Scholarship. Higher awards may be offered separately under specific or invitation-only schemes.

4. Canadian University Dubai Academic Excellence Scholarship

Canadian University Dubai (CUD) offers an Academic Excellence Scholarship for students with strong academic results.

In contrast to an all-or-nothing scholarship, the scholarship can work on a number of tuition waiver levels in accordance with academic performance.

Eligibility

Students applying for the Academic Excellence Scholarship generally need to:

• Meet CUD’s admission requirements.
• Demonstrate excellent academic performance.
• Enrol in the minimum required course load.
• Maintain the required CGPA to retain the scholarship.

Students generally need to enrol in at least 12 credit hours per semester to meet the scholarship’s course-load requirement.

Scholarship Benefits

The Academic Excellence Scholarship can offer up to a 50% tuition waiver.

For those students who have attained a high-school average grade of 99% or more, the university offers them a 50% tuition fee waiver. On the other hand, those students who have grades that range from 95% to 98.9% may get a 40% tuition fee waiver.

Scholarship application deadlines are listed as:

• Fall semester: July 7
• Spring semester: December 20

Students should verify these dates before applying because scholarship calendars can change.

5. Middlesex University Dubai Scholarships

Middlesex University Dubai provides scholarships, grants, and study awards for students joining different levels of study.

International applicants at the foundation, bachelor’s, and master’s levels may be able to access financial support depending on the award available for their intake.

Eligibility

Eligibility can vary considerably between awards. Applicants may need to:

• Apply to an eligible Middlesex University Dubai program.
• Receive an admission offer.
• Accept the offer within the specified period.
• Complete the required deposit payment.
• Meet academic or other scholarship-specific conditions.

Scholarship Benefits

Funding varies by scholarship or grant, so there is no single percentage that applies to every international student.

Students applying for the 2026-27 academic year should check the current scholarship and grant options rather than relying on previous 2025 deadlines or award amounts.

6. Heriot-Watt University Dubai Future Made for Success Scholarship

Heriot-Watt University Dubai offers the Future Made for Success Scholarship for eligible students joining its Dubai campus.

It can be particularly relevant to students who have already received an admission offer and are preparing to confirm their place.

Eligibility

Applicants need to:

1. Hold a conditional or unconditional offer from the university.
2. Meet the conditions attached to their admission.
3. Complete the required scholarship/application steps.
4. Make the required tuition deposit within the applicable period.

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship offers up to AED 5,000 for eligible students. For the 2026 intake, the listed application deadline is 12 September 2026.

Which Dubai Scholarships Can Indian Students Apply For?

Scholarships can be applied for by Indian students in a number of Dubai-based universities, but the criteria for application differ according to university, course, and scholarship itself. Academic standing is frequently taken into account, but other criteria may include leadership skills, accomplishments, or even financial requirements.

Scholarships can either be automatic or require an additional application process. The students also have to maintain a certain GPA. Be sure to verify the current eligibility requirements as UAE scholarships have restrictions on the countries and levels of studies available.

Here is a quick comparison of Dubai scholarships that Indian students may be eligible for:

For Indian students, academic marks can play a particularly important role. For example, University of Birmingham Dubai publishes scholarship thresholds specifically applicable to qualifications such as CBSE.

Students should nevertheless look beyond the maximum advertised scholarship amount. A 50% tuition scholarship at one institution could still leave you with a larger overall expense than a smaller award at another university with lower tuition or living costs.

Compare the final cost after scholarship, not just the scholarship percentage.

What Documents Do You Need for Dubai Scholarship Applications?

Requirements differ between universities, but preparing your documents early can make the application process much easier.

You may be asked for:

• Academic transcripts and certificates
• Passport copy
• University admission offer
• English language proficiency scores
• IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or another accepted test result
• Statement of Purpose (SOP), where applicable
• Letters of Recommendation (LORs), where applicable
• CV or résumé for selected postgraduate programs
• Scholarship application form
• Evidence of extracurricular achievements
• Financial documents for need-based scholarships

Merit scholarships may place most of the weight on grades, whereas need-based awards can require additional evidence about your financial circumstances.

Always follow the document checklist for the particular scholarship rather than submitting the same generic application everywhere.

Other Scholarships in UAE for International Students

When researching scholarships in UAE, students often find opportunities at Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates University, and Abu Dhabi University.

These can be valuable options, but they should not be described as Dubai university scholarships because the institutions are located elsewhere in the UAE.

Khalifa University Scholarships

Khalifa University is located in Abu Dhabi and is particularly known for science, engineering, technology, and research.

Scholarship support for eligible postgraduate students can include benefits such as:

• Tuition fee support
• Monthly stipends for qualifying awards
• Medical insurance
• Research-related support

The exact package depends on the scholarship tier, degree, and applicant’s eligibility.

For students seeking fully funded opportunities in the UAE rather than restricting their search to Dubai, Khalifa University may therefore be worth considering.

United Arab Emirates University Scholarships

United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) is based in Al Ain.

Scholarship opportunities can be available to qualifying undergraduate and postgraduate students, with awards varying according to the program and student profile.

Depending on the scholarship, funding may include full or partial tuition support.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarship at Abu Dhabi University

This scholarship needs a particularly clear eligibility warning.

The H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarship at Abu Dhabi University is not a general scholarship for international or Indian students.

It is primarily intended for high-achieving graduates of UAE public secondary schools, specifically eligible students ranked among the top 20 graduates.

For eligible recipients, benefits can include a 100% waiver of:

• Tuition fees
• Application fees
• Registration fees
• Student service fees
• Health service fees

Indian students studying outside the relevant UAE school system should therefore not assume they are eligible simply because the scholarship appears on a list of UAE scholarships.

Are Fully Funded Scholarships Available in Dubai?

Some awards can cover up to 100% of tuition fees, but fully funded scholarships in Dubai that cover tuition plus living expenses are relatively limited.

There is an important difference between:

• Full tuition scholarship: Covers 100% of tuition but may exclude living expenses.
• Fully funded scholarship: May cover tuition and additional costs such as a stipend, insurance, accommodation, or other expenses.
• Partial scholarship: Covers only a percentage or fixed amount of tuition.

This distinction matters when calculating how much money you will actually need.

Students looking specifically for scholarships covering both tuition and living expenses may want to broaden their search from Dubai to the wider UAE, including research-focused universities.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Scholarship in Dubai

Scholarships can be competitive, but a focused application can give you a stronger chance than applying to every award you find.

Apply Early
Start checking scholarships as soon as you shortlist your universities. Some awards require an admission offer first, while others have separate deadlines or limited availability. Knowing the process early gives you more time to prepare documents and avoid missing an award you could have qualified for.

Focus on Academic Performance
Many university scholarships in Dubai are based on merit. Good grades in Grade 12 or a bachelor’s degree or equivalent will have an immediate impact on the scholarship money.

Check Renewal Conditions
Getting the scholarship in your first year does not always mean you will keep it throughout your degree. Universities may require you to maintain:

• A minimum CGPA
• Full-time enrolment
• A minimum number of credit hours
• Good academic standing

Understand these conditions before calculating the scholarship’s value across your entire degree.

Build a Strong Overall Profile
Where the university considers more than grades, highlight meaningful achievements such as leadership, volunteering, competitions, research, internships, or extracurricular activities.

Specific achievements are more persuasive than a long list of generic activities.

Apply to More Than One University
Do not build your study-abroad plan around a single scholarship.

Shortlisting several universities gives you the opportunity to compare admission offers, scholarship amounts, tuition fees, and overall study costs before making a decision.

What If Your Scholarship Doesn’t Cover the Full Cost?

A partial scholarship can significantly reduce tuition fees, but you may still need to budget for the remaining tuition along with accommodation, food, transportation, visa-related expenses, health insurance, books, and personal expenses.

Start by calculating:

1. Total tuition fees for your course.
2. Scholarship amount or tuition waiver.
3. Remaining tuition after the scholarship.
4. Estimated living and other study expenses.
5. Funds available from savings or family.
6. Your remaining funding gap.

If there is still a gap, you can explore an education loan for studying abroad or other suitable funding options.

For Indian students in particular, comparing lenders can help you understand differences in interest rates, collateral requirements, repayment terms, and eligible expenses before committing to a loan.

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How to Choose the Right Dubai Scholarship

It is not necessary that the largest scholarship may be the right choice. When looking for scholarships, you should always ask yourself:

• Am I actually eligible as an international student?
• Is the scholarship applicable to my chosen course?
• How much tuition will I pay after the award?
• Does the scholarship cover living expenses?
• Is the award renewable every year?
• What CGPA must I maintain?
• Do I need a separate scholarship application?
• What happens if my grades fall below the renewal requirement?

Create a simple comparison of your shortlisted universities and calculate the expected total cost of your degree after financial aid.

That will give you a much clearer picture than comparing scholarship percentages alone.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Scholarship in Dubai

Various universities in Dubai offer scholarships to international students, including Indians, but their worth differs from one scholarship to another. While some scholarships offer you a fixed tuition waiver, others may cover a bigger chunk of the tuition fee amount.

Before deciding on a particular university, one should ensure that one meets the required requirements for the scholarship. More important is to ensure that one compares actual costs incurred after the financial aid rather than basing the selection on the advertised percentage of the scholarship offered.

If the scholarship still leaves a funding gap, Nomad Credit can help you compare study-abroad financing options and plan how to cover the remaining cost.

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