Funding

Scholarships to Study in the UAE

Universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) give merit scholarships (money off for good marks), and some give aid based on need. Here are real awards, in UAE dirham (AED).

United Arab Emirates Scholarship Overview

The universities give these scholarships, not the government.

How UAE Scholarships Work

Most scholarships open to students from India and Pakistan come from universities.

Many depend on your Class 12 marks (India) or your final school marks (Pakistan), or on your bachelor's grades. Some depend on financial need.

Good to Know

Most awards cut part of your tuition. You still pay the rest, plus housing, visa and insurance.

Why Apply for Scholarships?

Cut part or all of your tuition.
Some include housing, flights or visa fees (Khalifa University master's).
Many are given for you automatically when you are admitted.

Kinds of Scholarships

UAE universities give three main kinds of awards.

Merit scholarships

Based on your marks.

BITS Pilani Dubai: 10% to 50% off the first year's tuition, by Class 12 marks.
Heriot-Watt University Dubai: 30% to 50% off, by CBSE Class 12 marks.
AUS: 10% to 20% off tuition and lab fees.

Need-based aid

Based on what your family can pay.

NYUAD: aid based on financial need, for all countries.
AUS: financial grants for students with limited money.

Full scholarships

Very competitive.

Khalifa University: full tuition for top international undergraduates.
AUS President's Scholarship: 100% of tuition and lab fees, for students schooled outside the UAE.

Rules Differ

Each university sets its own awards and marks.

University Scholarships

Awards and their main rules.

Need-Based Aid

NYUAD accepts aid applications from all students, whatever their citizenship. All its aid for non-Emirati students is based on need.

BITS Pilani Dubai: Merit Scholarships

For B.E. (Bachelor of Engineering) students in 2026-27, off the first year's tuition: 95% or more in Class 12 gives 40%, 90 to 94.9% gives 25%, 80 to 89.9% gives 15%, 70 to 79.9% gives 10%.

Heriot-Watt University Dubai: Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

CBSE Class 12 marks: 80 to 84.9% gives 30% off, 85 to 89.9% gives 40%, and 90% and above gives 50%.

Khalifa University: Scholarships for International Students

Full tuition, or 75%, 50% or 25% off tuition, plus textbooks. No separate application.

How to Find University Scholarships

Where to Look

Your university's scholarships page.
Your offer letter, which may already include an award.

Application Tips

Apply early.
Send all marks on time.
Read what each award covers.

Tips to Win a Scholarship

Simple steps that help.

Apply early

Some awards have firm deadlines. AUS financial grants for Spring 2027 close on 10 December 2026.

Send strong marks

Merit awards at BITS Pilani Dubai and Heriot-Watt University Dubai use your Class 12 marks.

Show your need

For NYUAD aid, fill in the CSS Profile (an online money form) before its deadline.

Check the rules

Each award has its own marks, deadline and conditions.

Plan the rest of the fees

At University of Birmingham Dubai, you must be able to pay the fees a scholarship does not cover.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Missing a deadline.
Not sending your predicted marks (the marks your teacher expects) or your final marks.
Thinking a scholarship covers housing and visa when it does not.