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Why the UAE

Universities in the UAE

The register of the Commission for Academic Accreditation lists 104 active higher education institutions: 54 in Dubai, 28 in Abu Dhabi, 11 in Sharjah, 4 in Ras Al Khaimah, 3 in Ajman and 1 each in Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. Two federal institutions, the Higher Colleges of Technology and Zayed University, have campuses in several emirates.

Updated October 2026 · Figures checked 22 October 2026

Active licensed institutions in the CAA register
1041
Active licensed institutions in the CAA register
Based in Dubai
541
Based in Dubai
Based in Abu Dhabi
281
Based in Abu Dhabi
Federal public institutions
32
Federal public institutions

Universities in the UAE

Institutions on the map

Dubai: 54 institutions Abu Dhabi: 28 institutions Sharjah: 11 institutions Ras Al Khaimah: 4 institutions Ajman: 3 institutions Fujairah: 1 institution Umm Al Quwain: 1 institution
Boundaries: geoBoundaries ARE ADM1 (OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0). Source: Commission for Academic Accreditation: Higher education institutions (register)1

Choose an emirate on the map to go to its list. The counts follow the emirate given for each institution in the CAA register; the Higher Colleges of Technology and Zayed University are listed separately because they teach in several emirates. Names with a profile on this site link to it; the others link to their entry in the register.1

Who licenses universities

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) leads the sector. Its Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), set up in 1999, licenses institutions, accredits their academic programmes and publishes lists of both.3

In Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) oversees private educational institutions and certifies degrees from licensed universities; in Abu Dhabi, the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) regulates higher education institutions. In February 2025 the Ministry, working with KHDA, licensed 16 institutions in Dubai, including free zone branches of foreign universities.3,4

The Ministry reported that more than 25 new institutions were licensed and accredited in 2025, and more than 850 new academic programmes accredited.5

Federal public institutions

Source: Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research: UAE public higher education institutions2

Dubai (54)

Source: Commission for Academic Accreditation: Higher education institutions (register)1

Abu Dhabi (28)

Source: Commission for Academic Accreditation: Higher education institutions (register)1

Sharjah (11)

Source: Commission for Academic Accreditation: Higher education institutions (register)1

Ras Al Khaimah (4)

Source: Commission for Academic Accreditation: Higher education institutions (register)1

Ajman (3)

Source: Commission for Academic Accreditation: Higher education institutions (register)1

Fujairah (1)

Source: Commission for Academic Accreditation: Higher education institutions (register)1

Umm Al Quwain (1)

Source: Commission for Academic Accreditation: Higher education institutions (register)1

In several emirates (2)

Source: Commission for Academic Accreditation: Higher education institutions (register)1

The register also lists institutions whose licence is inactive, and one whose student admissions are suspended. They are not counted here. Check an institution's status and the accreditation of the exact programme in the register before enrolling or relying on a degree when hiring.1

University profiles

Federal universities

Other public universities

Armed forces and police colleges

Partnerships with foreign universities

  • NYU Abu Dhabi

    Branch of NYU on Saadiyat Island, open since 2010.

    2010 First class

    Read more

Branch campuses of foreign universities

  • RIT Dubai

    US technology institute campus in Dubai Silicon Oasis.

    2008 Established

    Read more

  • BITS Pilani Dubai

    Indian engineering institute campus in Dubai, since 2000.

    2000 Established

    Read more

  • Curtin University Dubai

    Australian university campus in Academic City, 2017.

    2017 Campus opened (September)

    Read more

  • Amity University Dubai

    Indian-network university in Academic City, since 2011.

    2011 Established

    Read more

  • IIT Delhi – Abu Dhabi

    International campus of IIT Delhi, agreed in 2023.

    2023 Agreement signed (15 July)

    Read more

  • Manipal Dubai

    Indian branch campus in Academic City, 2000.

    2000 Founded

    Read more

  • Symbiosis Dubai

    Indian university campus in Dubai, 2024.

    2024 Established (September)

    Read more

  • AUB Dubai Hub

    AUB executive education hub in DIFC, 2026.

    2026 Hub announced (February)

    Read more

  • EM Normandie Dubai

    French business school campus in Dubai, 2022.

    2022 Campus inaugurated

    Read more

  • ESCP Dubai

    European business school branch in Dubai, 2022.

    2022 Branch campus opened

    Read more

  • ESMOD Dubai

    French fashion institute in Dubai since 2006.

    2006 Opened in Dubai

    Read more

  • Fakeeh College Dubai

    Medical sciences college of the Fakeeh Care group.

    2003 Parent college founded in Saudi Arabia

    Read more

  • Georgetown Dubai

    US business school programmes in DIFC, 2023.

    2023 First programme in Dubai

    Read more

  • Hult Dubai

    US business school campus in Dubai since 2008.

    2008 Opened in Dubai

    Read more

  • IIM Ahmedabad Dubai

    Indian management institute campus, 2025.

    2025 Campus inaugurated (September)

    Read more

  • INSEAD Abu Dhabi

    INSEAD's Middle East campus, Abu Dhabi, 2007.

    2007 Centre opened in Abu Dhabi

    Read more

  • IAU Ras Al Khaimah

    US university campus in Ras Al Khaimah, 2023.

    2023 Established in Ras Al Khaimah

    Read more

  • Istituto Marangoni Dubai

    Italian fashion and design school in DIFC, 2022.

    2022 Campus opened (30 August)

    Read more

  • Luiss Dubai

    Italian business school hub in Dubai, 2024.

    2024 Master's programmes began

    Read more

  • PHBS Dubai

    Peking University business school, opening 2027.

    2027 Dubai programmes due to start (January)

    Read more

  • Plekhanov Dubai

    Russian economics university branch, 2024.

    2024 Licensed to open (2024-25)

    Read more

  • SP Jain Dubai

    Global business school campus in Dubai, 2004.

    2004 Dubai campus established

    Read more

  • SKEMA Dubai

    French business school campus in DIFC, 2025.

    2025 Campus inaugurated (February)

    Read more

  • UCL Dubai Hub

    UCL healthcare management hub in Dubai, 2026.

    2026 Plans approved by UCL

    Read more

  • UE Dubai

    German university campus in Dubai, 2023.

    2023 Campus opened

    Read more

  • Panthéon-Assas Dubai

    French law university campus in DIFC, 2018.

    2018 Dubai campus opened

    Read more

Private and not-for-profit universities

Sources

  1. Commission for Academic Accreditation: Higher education institutions (register)
  2. Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research: UAE public higher education institutions
  3. UAE Government Portal: Higher education regulatory bodies
  4. MoHESR: Ministry licenses 16 higher education institutions in Dubai (February 2025)
  5. MoHESR: 2025, driving transformational excellence in higher education

Figures checked 22 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.

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