# List of universities and colleges in the United Arab Emirates

Higher education institutions in the United Arab Emirates need to be recognized by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), which operates as part of the Ministry of Education. While the Ministry of Education is the federal governing body for higher education and education in general, some emirates might still have their own agencies which oversee certain aspects of higher education within the emirate, such as Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) or Abu Dhabi's Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).
Only institutions that have received CAA accreditation from the Ministry of Education are listed below.

## List of universities and colleges

* Institute name
* Abu Dhabi University
* Al Ain University
* Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy
* Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies, Abu Dhabi Campus
* Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi Campus
* INSEAD, Middle East Campus in Abu Dhabi
* Khalifa University
* Liwa College of Technology (formerly Emirates College of Technology)
* National Defense College
* New York University Abu Dhabi
* Rabdan Academy
* Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
* United Arab Emirates University
* Zayed II Military College
* Zayed University, Abu Dhabi Campus
* Ajman University
* City University College of Ajman
* Gulf Medical University
* Abu Dhabi University, Dubai
* American University in Dubai
* American University in the Emirates
* Amity University Dubai
* Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
* British University in Dubai
* Canadian University Dubai
* City, University of London Dubai Centre
* Curtin University
* Dubai Medical College For Girls
* Emirates Academy Of Hospitality Management
* Emirates Aviation University
* Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies, Dubai
* Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University
* Heriot-Watt University
* Higher Colleges Of Technology - Dubai Branch
* Hult International Business School
* Institute of Management Technology - Dubai
* Islamic Azad University
* London Business School
* Manipal University
* Lincoln University of Business and Management
* Michigan State University in Dubai (permanently closed)
* Middlesex University Dubai
* MODUL University Dubai
* Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government
* Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
* Murdoch University Dubai
* Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai
* Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
* S P Jain School of Global Management
* SAE Institute
* Saint Joseph University
* Saint-Petersburg State Economic University
* Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology
* Strathclyde Business School Dubai
* The University of Manchester Worldwide
* University Of Balamand In Dubai [on probation, no new admissions]
* University of Birmingham Dubai
* University of Bradford Regional Hub, Dubai
* University of Dubai
* University of Exeter
* University of South Wales, Dubai (closed)
* University of Wollongong in Dubai.
* Zayed University, Dubai
* University of Fujairah
* Higher Colleges of Technology, Fujairah Campus
* Bahra University, Ras Al Khaimah Campus
* Higher Colleges of Technology, Ras Al Khaimah Campus
* Ras Al Khaimah Medical & Health Sciences University
* Al Qasimia University
* American University of Sharjah
* Arab Academy for Science, Technology, & Maritime Transport, Sharjah Campus
* Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies, Sharjah Campus
* Higher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah Campus
* Lincoln University of Business and Management
* Skyline University College
* Greenwood International Institute
* Umm Al Quwain University

## International rankings

These are the universities' rankings of 2024 & 2025 according to QS (Quacquarelli Symonds). Definitions of categories used for measurement of QS are missing. It would be helpful if the UAE provided its own rankings according to its own measurement system.
| Institution | 2024 (QS) | 2025 (QS) |
| Khalifa University | 230 | 202 |
| United Arab Emirates University | 290 | 261 |
| American University of Sharjah | 364 | 332 |
| University of Sharjah | 465 | 434 |
| Heriot-Watt University Dubai | 235 | 256 |
| American University of Ras Al Khaimah | - | 485 |
| Abu Dhabi University | 580 | 501 |
| Canadian University Dubai | 551 | 523 |
| American University in Dubai | 621-630 | 601-610 |
| University of Dubai | 851-900 | 801-850 |

## Institutions located within free zones

The Ministry of Education does not recognize educational institutions based in free zones. While individual Emirates are responsible for managing the standards of educational institutions within their free zones, Dubai is the only Emirate that does so through the Knowledge and Human Development Authority's (KHDA) University Quality Assurance International Board. The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is currently working on tightening rules and regulations that govern higher academic institutions within free zones in the Emirate.