UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The United Arab Emirates is a country that, over the past two decades, has transformed from a desert into one of the main educational hubs of the Middle East. People do not come here for centuries-old academic traditions like those of Oxford or Harvard. They come for something else — for modern, practically oriented education (above all in business, technology and hospitality management), a comfortable and very safe life, as well as the unique experience of living in an international hub where hundreds of cultures and nationalities meet — from Americans to Indians, from Britons to Chinese. Unlike Europe, where many universities require knowledge of the local language, in the UAE teaching is conducted almost exclusively in English, and the country is actively attracting international students by simplifying visa procedures and offering post-study work programmes. For Russian-speaking students an important advantage is visa-free entry for tourists and a comparatively straightforward procedure for obtaining a student visa.

What students typically come to study

For school students. The Emirates is a huge market of international schools where you can study under practically any curriculum: British (IGCSE, A-Level), American (High School Diploma with Advanced Placement courses — AP), French, German, Indian and others. Unlike the boarding schools of Switzerland or the United Kingdom, most schools in the UAE are day schools, and only a small number offer full boarding accommodation.

One of the best-known boarding schools is Swiss International Scientific School Dubai (SISD), located in the Dubai Healthcare City district. The school offers a choice of several programmes, as well as a language-immersion programme with bilingual teaching in English and German, French or Arabic. Students live in a residence on campus, in rooms for 1–4 people. It was recently announced that a branch of the legendary British school Harrow International School will open in Abu Dhabi, which will probably also offer boarding accommodation. However, most international children who study in the UAE live with their parents or relatives. A purely boarding-style «separation from the family» for a child without their parents is a rare phenomenon in the Emirates compared with Europe. 

For university students. This is precisely where the main goal of most international students lies. In the 2024/2025 academic year, the 66 higher education institutions of the UAE recorded a record intake: 57,035 new students, which is 13% more than the previous year. International students make up more than 35% of the total number of learners. International students come mainly from South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and, increasingly, Europe. In Dubai alone the number of university students exceeds 30,000.

Among international students, particularly popular programmes are those in business and management, engineering and information technology, hospitality management (the country's calling card), medicine (dentistry and pharmacy), as well as aviation. The Emirates attracts students not only with the affordable cost of education compared with the USA and Europe, but also with enormous career prospects: the headquarters of hundreds of international companies are located here.

What studying is like

Secondary education. If you are specifically interested in the boarding option, there are very few such schools. The main stars in this market are Swiss International Scientific School Dubai (SISD), Repton School Dubai and Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills. But it is important to understand: the UAE is not a country where it is customary to send a child off to boarding school alone on a mass scale, as is done in Switzerland or England. The concept of boarding is only just taking shape here. Most children from Russian-speaking families in the UAE live with their parents, who often work in the Emirates.

Higher education. This is a true «mecca» for students. Many campuses of the world's leading universities operate in the UAE. Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) and Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP) are home to branches of universities from the United Kingdom (Middlesex, Heriot-Watt, Birmingham, Wollongong), Australia, India (BITS Pilani), America and France (Sorbonne Abu Dhabi), the Paris Sorbonne. The study programmes do not copy local standards but represent a full-fledged Western education: students receive the same degrees as at the main campus, while having the option to transfer to the parent campus at any time — this is the so-called «transfer» between campuses. For example, the University of Birmingham in Dubai offers students a programme where they can begin their studies in the UAE and finish them in England. This is a huge plus: a British university degree at a price lower than in Europe.

Visa requirements

Citizens of countries outside the Persian Gulf states require a student visa to study in the UAE. The process of obtaining one is relatively simple compared with the USA or Europe, but it requires a sponsor. Most universities in the UAE take on the role of sponsor. Once you are enrolled, the university arranges the visa instead of an employer or a relative. This is a huge advantage.
Requirements for obtaining a visa:

• Confirmation of enrolment from the university; a passport valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry;
• Proof of financial means (a bank statement with a balance of at least 20,000 dirhams or a sponsorship letter from parents);
• A medical certificate (tests for HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis);
• A certificate of no criminal record (sometimes required for certain specialisations).

The student visa fee varies depending on the university and the urgency. Usually the processing services through the university cost 3,000–5,000 dirhams, plus 300–500 dirhams for a medical insurance policy (which is mandatory, but cheap compared with the USA). Some universities also require a refundable deposit (around 3,000 dirhams). Thanks to the introduction of the digital Salama platform, the visa issuance time is now just 10–15 working days. In 2025 the UAE Pass platform was launched, allowing you to obtain an Emirates ID and other documents online without visiting offices.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• The UAE is one of the safest countries in the world. The level of street crime is practically zero.
• Universities are equipped with the very latest technology, with world-class laboratories.
• You receive a degree from a British or Australian university while paying less than in London or Sydney.
• A convenient and fast visa. Without the long months of waiting and interviews typical of US visas.
• The «Golden Visa» for high achievers — a real chance to build a career in the region.
• Universities, shops, signs, documents — everything is in English; Arabic is needed only for dealing with government bodies and elderly people.

Cons:

• The climate. From May to October the air temperature exceeds +40°C. Going outside during these months is extremely difficult. Practically all of life — sporting and outdoor — takes place either in air-conditioned premises or in the early morning or late evening.
• The high cost of living. Rent and many services in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are comparable to London or Zurich.
• Cultural and legal particularities. This is a country with Muslim legislation. Foreigners there are not required to observe strict religious rules, but for loud music after midnight, public displays of affection, swearing and, all the more, for public intoxication you can receive a heavy fine or even imprisonment followed by deportation (especially in the Emirate of Sharjah). This is unfamiliar to Europeans.