Study in the UAE: Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah

Study in the UAE (Dubai) for students from Uzbekistan

A British degree from Middlesex in Dubai, American-style study at AURAK in Ras Al Khaimah and affordable Britts Imperial programmes with campuses in Sharjah, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah — including an option without IELTS. Here is what it costs, what English you need and how the student visa works.

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OPAL Education

UAE (Dubai)

TAS

Tashkent

DXB

Dubai

a year, bachelor’s: from $6,000
option with B1 English (Britts Imperial): no IELTS
recommended age, bachelor’s: 18–⁠35
bachelor’s degree: 3–⁠4 years

Why · UAE (Dubai)

Why students choose this country

01
A British degree in Dubai
Middlesex University Dubai is the London university’s first overseas campus, open since 2005. It has 7,100+ students from 120+ countries and a 5-star rating from KHDA, Dubai’s education regulator.
02
You can start without IELTS
At Britts Imperial your English is assessed in an online interview, and no certificate is required for the UK and French programmes. If your level is not there yet, you first take one trimester of academic English at no extra charge.
03
American-style study, ranked by QS
The American University of Ras Al Khaimah is ranked 608th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and holds a QS Stars “5 Stars Plus” rating. Teaching is in English, and every bachelor’s degree includes a compulsory internship.
04
Visa through the university
Your one-year student visa is arranged by the university, which acts as your sponsor. Middlesex Dubai and AURAK do not list a bank statement among the documents; instead you pay the visa fee, a deposit and part of the tuition.
05
A budget that is easy to plan in dollars
The dirham is pegged to the US dollar at $1 = AED 3.6725, so fees quoted in dirhams are easy to convert, and Britts Imperial quotes its prices in dollars.
06
Part-time work with a permit
You can work while studying with a permit from the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), which your employer applies for. It brings experience and pocket money, not a way to cover tuition.

Levels of study

Programmes and entry requirements

Ages are recommended: within these ranges admission and visas go most smoothly for students from Uzbekistan. If you are older, message us and we will look at your case.

Language course

English course

Cost: $4,000 for 6 months · $5,000 for 12 months
Duration: 6 or 12 months
Recommended age
Language and level
Requirements

Certificate in General English at Nest Academy (Dubai), through Britts Imperial Global Education.

Foundation

Foundation year

Cost: AED 50,301 (≈ $13,700) at Middlesex Dubai, 2026/27
Duration: 1 year
Recommended age
Language and level: IELTS 5.5 (no band below 5.0)
Requirements: Middlesex University Dubai admits school leavers from Uzbekistan to its International Foundation Programme first, then to the bachelor’s.

Bachelor’s

Bachelor’s degree

Cost: $6,000 a year at Britts Imperial; ≈ $16,400–⁠17,800 a year at AURAK and Middlesex
Duration: 3–⁠4 years
Recommended age: 18–⁠35
Language and level: Britts Imperial: B1, no IELTS (interview); AURAK: IELTS 5.0; Middlesex: IELTS 6.0
Requirements: School certificate. AURAK’s engineering and IT degrees need 80%+ in maths and physics or the Accuplacer test.

Britts Imperial and Middlesex: 3 years; AURAK: 4 years (architecture: 5).

Master’s

Master’s and MBA

Cost: $10,000 for 2 years at Britts Imperial; AED 75,600–⁠98,345 (≈ $20,600–⁠26,800) per programme at AURAK and Middlesex
Duration: 1–⁠2 years
Recommended age: up to 40
Language and level: Britts Imperial: no IELTS (interview); AURAK: IELTS 6.0; Middlesex: IELTS 6.5
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree. AURAK’s MBA asks for a 2.5+ GPA and an interview.

Full-time master’s and MBA programmes take 1 year at Middlesex and AURAK, 2 years at Britts Imperial.

Universities · UAE (Dubai)

Universities we help students get into

Sharjah, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah · Private college offering partner-university programmes

Britts Imperial Global Education

Language course
Foundation
Diploma
Bachelor’s
Master’s
MBA

Britts Imperial Global Education (Britts Imperial University College in its brochures) teaches in three emirates: Sharjah (BIG Education Institute), Dubai (Nest Academy, Dubai Internet City) and Ras Al Khaimah (the Royal Roads University campus). Degrees are awarded by partners — Royal Roads University (Canada), Eucléa Business School and ESTIAM (France); UK diplomas at levels 3–⁠7 are awarded by ATHE and CTH.

Bachelor’s: $6,000 a year after the discount (list price $11,000)
Master’s (2 years): $6,000 + $4,000 after the discount (list price $12,000 a year)
Diploma (1 year): $6,000
English course: $4,000 for 6 months · $5,000 for 12 months
Visa, insurance, Emirates ID: about $1,200

Requirements

A school certificate with 50%+ (bachelor’s) or a bachelor’s degree (master’s). No IELTS is needed for the UK and French programmes — English is checked in an online interview; without a certificate the first trimester of academic English is free and a second one, if needed, costs $1,000. Royal Roads’ Canadian programmes require IELTS Academic 6.5 (no band below 6.0).

Discounts and scholarships

The college lists a discount of 50% or more for all students — the prices above already include it. From the second year, top students can win awards of 30% to 100%, based on results and on a competitive basis.

Intakes: February, June, October
Students from 55+ countries (college figure)
Transfer to 40+ partner universities in 10+ countries — with 60%+ grades and their entry rules met
Free transport from student housing to campus

Programmes (12)

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) — Royal Roads University
Bachelor of Hospitality & Tourism Management (BHTM) — Royal Roads University
Master of Business Administration (MBA) — Royal Roads University
Bachelor in Cybersecurity, Cloud, Systems & Networks — ESTIAM
Bachelor in Data Design and Applications — ESTIAM
MSc Big Data & Artificial Intelligence — ESTIAM
MSc Development Web & Mobile — ESTIAM
BBA in Sports Management — Eucléa Business School
BBA in Events Management — Eucléa Business School
MBA in Healthcare Management — Eucléa Business School
ATHE Level 4 & 5 Diploma in Business Management — Nest Academy
Certificate in General English — Nest Academy

Official website

Dubai · Overseas campus of a UK university

Middlesex University Dubai

Foundation
Bachelor’s
Master’s
MBA

The London university’s first overseas campus, opened in Dubai in 2005. Students earn a UK Middlesex University degree and study at the Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai International Academic City campuses. The university describes itself as Dubai’s largest UK university.

Foundation (1 year): AED 50,301 (≈ $13,700)
Bachelor’s: AED 64,557 a year (≈ $17,600)
Master’s (MSc, MA, LLM): AED 76,491–⁠98,345 per programme (≈ $20,800–⁠26,800)
MBA: AED 84,872 per programme (≈ $23,100)

Requirements

School leavers from Uzbekistan enter the Foundation year (IELTS 5.5, no band below 5.0). Bachelor’s: IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5); master’s: IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL and PTE are also accepted.

Discounts and scholarships

International students can receive an International Study Grant; the amount is at the university’s discretion and confirmed by admissions. Academic Excellence Scholarships of 10–⁠50% are for applicants studying in the UAE only.

5-star KHDA rating (university figure)
7,100+ students from 120+ countries
Bachelor’s intakes: January and September
Partner residences from AED 2,200 a month

Programmes (12)

International Foundation Programme
BA Honours Business Management
BA Honours Accounting and Finance
BA Honours International Business
BA Honours Marketing
BA Honours Graphic Design
BSc Honours Psychology
BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Digital Forensics
BEng Honours Computer Systems Engineering
MBA (General)
MSc Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
MSc International Banking and Finance

Official website

Ras Al Khaimah · Public, non-profit American-style university

American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK)

Language course
Bachelor’s
Master’s
MBA

A university in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, north of Dubai. Founded in 2009 on the base of George Mason University’s campus there, it teaches in English on the American credit system. Bachelor’s degrees take 4 years and include an internship; residence halls are next to campus.

Bachelor’s: AED 30,130–⁠32,600 a semester (≈ $16,400–⁠17,800 a year)
Technology and service fees: AED 1,500 a semester
MBA (1 year, 30 credits): AED 75,600 per programme (≈ $20,600)
Residence hall: AED 5,600–⁠6,600 a semester in a shared room

Requirements

School certificate: grades are converted to the UAE scale — 70%+ for business, 75%+ for engineering, plus 80%+ in maths and physics (or the Accuplacer test). IELTS Academic 5.0 or Duolingo 80 for bachelor’s, IELTS 6.0 for master’s; without a certificate you can start with the university’s English programme.

Discounts and scholarships

For first-year students of all nationalities, on a competitive basis: 15–⁠40% for school grades (20% from 90%, 40% from 97%) and 70% with 99% plus IELTS 7.0. Master’s: 20% with a GPA of 3.25+.

608th in the QS World University Rankings 2027
QS Stars: 5 Stars Plus, the first in the UAE (university figure)
Accreditation: CAA (UAE), SACSCOC (US), QAA (UK)
1,500+ students from 60+ countries

Programmes (12)

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA)
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Official website

Universities update fees and requirements every year. Before you apply, we confirm the current intake’s conditions with the university and give you the exact amount. Data checked: 8 October 2026

Budget

How much it costs to study in the UAE

Guide figures for the 2026/27 academic year. UAE universities charge in dirhams (AED), which are pegged to the dollar: $1 = AED 3.6725.

Britts Imperial: bachelor’s: $6,000 a year after the discount (list price $11,000)
Britts Imperial: master’s (2 years): $6,000 + $4,000 after the discount (list price $12,000 a year)
English course (Britts Imperial): $4,000 for 6 months · $5,000 for 12 months
Middlesex Dubai: Foundation (1 year): AED 50,301 (≈ $13,700)
Middlesex Dubai: bachelor’s: AED 64,557 a year (≈ $17,600)
Middlesex Dubai: master’s (1 year): AED 76,491–⁠98,345 per programme (≈ $20,800–⁠26,800)
AURAK: bachelor’s: AED 60,260–⁠65,200 a year (≈ $16,400–⁠17,800) + AED 3,000 in fees
AURAK: MBA (1 year): AED 75,600 per programme (≈ $20,600)
Housing: from AED 2,200 a month (≈ $600) with Middlesex’s partners; AED 5,600–⁠6,600 a semester in a shared AURAK room; $520 a month with Britts Imperial ($450 for the first month)
Student visa: AED 2,000–⁠5,555 + a refundable deposit of AED 2,000–⁠2,500; about $1,200 at Britts Imperial

Sources: the Middlesex University Dubai website (September 2026 intake, VAT included), the AURAK website (updated 1 September 2026) and the Britts Imperial Global Education brochure. The exact amount and payment schedule are set in your offer letter.

Visa

UAE student visa

You study in the UAE on a student residence visa. The university arranges it, so your documents go through the university — we help you prepare them.

The visa is issued for 1 year and renewed every year while you study. The university is your visa sponsor.
No embassy visit is needed: the university arranges your entry permit. After you land come the medical (blood test and X-ray), fingerprints, Emirates ID and the visa in your passport.
Middlesex Dubai asks for an unconditional offer letter, a passport valid for at least a year, 25% of the annual tuition, a visa fee of AED 5,555 (≈ $1,500, including insurance and Emirates ID) and a refundable AED 2,500 deposit.
At AURAK the fee is AED 2,000 plus a refundable AED 2,000 deposit, with insurance paid separately. At Britts Imperial the visa with insurance and Emirates ID costs about $1,200.
If you are under 18, the visa needs your parents’ written consent (NOC).
A visa can be refused if you fail the medical or have broken immigration rules before. The deposit is refunded, the visa fee is not. We will check your case before you apply.

How we help

From the first consultation to your flight

We work with every student personally — from choosing a country to the visa. We explain every step and name all costs upfront.

01
Consultation
We look at your grades, English, budget and goals — and tell you honestly which countries and universities fit.
02
Documents
We prepare your file: translated school certificate or diploma, motivation letter, references, portfolio.
03
Admission
We apply to the universities you choose, help with tests and interviews and get your offer letter.
04
Visa and flight
We help with financial documents and the visa form and advise on housing and flights.

Questions and answers

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to study in Dubai per year?

The most affordable option is Britts Imperial: a bachelor’s at $6,000 a year after the discount. A bachelor’s at Middlesex University Dubai costs AED 64,557 a year (≈ $17,600), at AURAK AED 60,260–⁠65,200 (≈ $16,400–⁠17,800). Add housing (from ≈ $600 a month in Dubai), the visa and food. We will work out a budget for your programme — get in touch.

Can I get in without IELTS?

Yes, at Britts Imperial: for the UK and French programmes your English is checked in an interview, and in our experience a B1 level is enough. Royal Roads University’s Canadian programmes need IELTS 6.5. At AURAK you can take the Oxford Online Placement Test on campus or Duolingo (80+) instead of IELTS. Middlesex Dubai asks for IELTS, TOEFL or PTE.

Can I apply straight after school (grade 11)?

Yes, but the route depends on the university. Middlesex University Dubai admits school leavers from Uzbekistan to a one-year International Foundation Programme first, then to a 3-year bachelor’s. Britts Imperial lets you start with a Foundation or diploma after grade 10 or 11. At AURAK your school certificate is recognised by the UAE Ministry of Education after you arrive — we will check your case in advance. More in study abroad after school.

Is there an age limit?

OPAL’s recommended age: 18–⁠35 for a bachelor’s and up to 40 for a master’s. These are not legal limits; the exact answer depends on the university and your study history. If you are under 18, the visa needs your parents’ written consent.

Are there scholarships or discounts?

Yes, and all of them are competitive. AURAK gives first-year students 15–⁠40% for strong school grades and 70% with 99% plus IELTS 7.0. Middlesex Dubai considers international applicants for an International Study Grant, with the amount set by admissions. Britts Imperial quotes discounted prices and, from the second year, gives top students awards of up to 100%. More in scholarships to study abroad.

Can I work while studying?

Yes, but only legally: your employer applies for a permit from the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), and the university issues a no-objection letter. Part-time work helps with pocket money and experience, but it will not pay for your studies.

Where do students live?

Middlesex Dubai offers partner residences from AED 2,200 a month (≈ $600). AURAK has residence halls next to campus: a place in a shared room is AED 5,600–⁠6,600 a semester. Britts Imperial books housing at $450 for the first month, then about $520 a month, with free transport to campus.

What happens after graduation?

You can look for work in the UAE — the employer arranges the work visa. A degree from Middlesex, AURAK or a Britts Imperial partner university lets you go on to a master’s. Keep in mind that a foreign degree must be recognised (nostrified) in Uzbekistan. Let’s talk about your plans — contact us.

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