Academic Calendar

Intakes & Application Timelines in United Arab Emirates

Plan your application strategy with our guide to United Arab Emirates's university intake periods, application deadlines, and critical timelines for international students.

United Arab Emirates Academic Calendar

2026-27

Annual Intake Periods

Autumn start (AUS Fall 2027 classes start on 23 August 2027. Heriot-Watt University Dubai starts in September and January.)

January start (AUS Spring 2027 classes start on 11 January 2027. BITS Pilani Dubai classes begin on 25 January 2027.)

Summer start (AUS) (AUS Summer 2027 classes start on 31 May 2027.)

Deadlines for the January 2027 start

BITS Pilani Dubai Campus (BPDC): last date 15 December 2026. AUS Spring 2027 applications close on 24 December 2026.

Most universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) start in autumn (August or September) and in January. American University of Sharjah (AUS) also has a summer start. AUS calls the August start "Fall", the January start "Spring" and its application rounds "periods".

Intake Periods

Start Dates at UAE Universities

Each university sets its own start dates.

Main start

Autumn start

August or September

Key Information

BPDC classes for 2026-27 began on 31 August 2026. BPDC September 2027 applications open on 15 February 2027.
AUS Fall 2027 classes start on 23 August 2027.

Application Period

AUS: 26 October 2026 to 20 May 2027 (Fall 2027)

AUS takes Fall 2027 applications in three periods: Period One 26 October 2026 to 7 January 2027, Period Two 8 January to 18 March 2027, Period Three 19 March to 20 May 2027.

Second start

January start

January

Key Information

BITS Pilani Dubai: last date 15 December 2026, classes 25 January 2027.
AUS: deadline 24 December 2026, classes 11 January 2027.

Application Period

Until 15 December 2026 (BITS Pilani Dubai) or 24 December 2026 (AUS)

Khalifa University (KU) has no bachelor's start in January 2027.

AUS only

Summer start

May

Key Information

AUS Summer 2027 applications open on 18 January 2027.
Deadline 13 May 2027.

Application Period

18 January to 13 May 2027

Classes start on 31 May 2027.

Tip

Apply early. AUS gives decisions only on set dates for each period.

Critical Timelines

Key Dates for 2026-27 and 2027

Dates at AUS, BITS Pilani Dubai and Khalifa University.

22 October 2026

AUS began taking Spring and Fall 2027 applications

Applications for both starts opened on 22 October 2026. Fall 2027 Period One began on 26 October 2026.

15 December 2026

BITS Pilani Dubai last date, January start

This is the last date. After it, BITS Pilani Dubai may take you if it has seats left.

24 December 2026

AUS Spring 2027 deadline

Classes start on 11 January 2027.

7 January 2027

AUS Fall 2027 Period One ends

Decisions come between 11 and 28 January 2027.

15 February 2027

BITS Pilani Dubai September 2027 applications open

For students finishing school in 2027.

20 May 2027

AUS Fall 2027 Period Three ends

Decisions come between 2 May and 3 June 2027. Late applicants can apply from 21 May to 24 June 2027 and get a decision by 15 July 2027.

Dates Change

Always check your university's page before you apply.

Academic Structure

How the University Year Works

Most UAE universities split the year into two main semesters (half a study year each), autumn and spring, with a shorter summer term at some.

Two semesters (autumn and spring)

AUS and BITS Pilani Dubai both use two semesters a year.

Key Dates

AUS Fall 2027 classes start

23 August 2027

AUS Spring 2027 classes start

11 January 2027

Academic Structure

Autumn and spring, plus a summer term at AUS.

Special Academic Periods & Considerations

Beyond the standard academic calendar, there are several special periods and features to be aware of

Orientation

New students attend orientation before classes. AUS Spring 2027 orientation week starts on 4 January 2027.

Tip

Orientation comes before classes. Ask your university for its orientation date.

Application Planning

Timelines by Student Type

What to prepare for bachelor's and master's applications.

Application Process	Undergraduate Students	Graduate Students	International Students
English test (IELTS or TOEFL iBT)	AUS: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80. Khalifa University: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79.	Khalifa University master's: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 91	BITS Pilani Dubai: you need an English test only if your school did not teach in English. Ask other universities.
Marks needed	AUS: 65% in each of the last three years (Indian and Pakistani boards). BITS Pilani Dubai: 60% overall and in Physics, Chemistry and Maths (PCM).	Khalifa University master's: CGPA (cumulative grade point average) 3.0 out of 4.0	Rules differ for Indian and Pakistani school boards. See the AUS line under Undergraduate.
Letters and essays	AUS: personal statement and two school recommendation letters	Khalifa University master's: statement of purpose and two recommendations	-

Tip

Your university applies for your visa. At AUS, give it your visa papers at least two months before you arrive. Also leave time for attestation (official stamps that say a paper is real).