Dubai has transformed into one of the most exciting study destinations in the world. Zero income tax, a cosmopolitan lifestyle, world-class universities and — crucially — generous scholarship programmes that many international students simply don't know exist.

Here are the top 5 fully funded or heavily subsidised scholarships available for students wanting to study in Dubai and the UAE.

1. Khalifa University International Student Scholarship

Khalifa University International Scholarship
Fully Funded — Full tuition + AED 40,000/month stipend + accommodation + health insurance
DeadlineMarch 2026 (Fall) / September 2026 (Spring)
LevelMasters and PhD
CoursesScience, Engineering, Medicine
NationalityAll countries eligible

Khalifa University is ranked among the world's top 200 universities. The scholarship covers everything — tuition, accommodation, health insurance, visa fees and even flights home. Highly competitive but transformative.

2. MBZUAI Fully Funded AI Scholarship

Mohamed Bin Zayed University of AI Scholarship
Fully Funded — Tuition + Monthly Stipend + Housing + Health Insurance
DeadlineSee university website
LevelMasters and PhD
CoursesAI, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, NLP
NationalityAll countries eligible

MBZUAI is the world's first graduate-level AI-focused research university. If your background is in computer science, mathematics or engineering and you are passionate about AI — this is an exceptional fully funded opportunity in Abu Dhabi.

3. Middlesex University Dubai — Academic Excellence Scholarship

Middlesex University Dubai Academic Excellence Scholarship
10% to 50% tuition fee reduction
DeadlineRolling — apply early
LevelUndergraduate and Postgraduate
ApplicationAutomatic upon admission
NationalityInternational students welcome

A UK-quality education in Dubai — Middlesex University Dubai offers a British degree from a London campus, awarded in the heart of the UAE. The merit scholarship is automatic — no separate application needed.

4. University of Birmingham Dubai — Chancellor's Merit Scholarship

University of Birmingham Dubai Chancellor's Scholarship
Partial tuition fee waiver based on grades
DeadlineUpon admission acceptance
LevelUndergraduate and Postgraduate
ApplicationAutomatic based on predicted grades
NationalityAll international students

Study for a University of Birmingham degree — one of the UK's elite Russell Group universities — right in Dubai. The scholarship is awarded automatically based on your academic performance.

5. Heriot-Watt University Dubai — Women Entrepreneurs Scholarship

Shaping Women Entrepreneurs Scholarship — HWU Dubai
Up to 50% tuition fee waiver on MBA
DeadlineJanuary intake onwards
LevelMBA (Postgraduate)
EligibilityFemale entrepreneurs from GCC, 5+ years experience
ApplicationEssay + interview required

In partnership with the 30% Club GCC, this scholarship supports exceptional female entrepreneurs pursuing an MBA at Heriot-Watt University's Dubai campus. A prestigious, competitive and life-changing award.

Find All Dubai Scholarships on Scholofy

Browse our complete collection of verified Dubai and UAE scholarships — all free to search.

Search Dubai Scholarships

📋 Important Notice

Scholarship details, deadlines and award amounts change annually. Always verify current information directly with the respective university before applying. Scholofy does not guarantee scholarship availability or outcomes.

← Studying in Ireland 2025 Writing a Winning Personal Statement →