# Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD), established in 2006, is a higher education institution located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The university was founded under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, through a partnership between Sorbonne Université in Paris and the Government of Abu Dhabi, under the administrative oversight of the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK). Its academic programmes are provided by Sorbonne Université and Université Paris Cité.
The programmes are developed and offered by Sorbonne Université in the fields of arts, humanities and data, science and engineering; and by Université Paris Cité in the fields of law, business and economics. SUAD degree programmes follow the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). Programmes are taught in French or English.

## Academic programmes

SUAD's academic offerings are divided into three schools:
* School of Arts and Humanities
** Taught in French
*** Foundation Year Intensive French
*** Bachelor in Applied Foreign Languages
*** Bachelor in French Literature
*** Bachelor of Geography and Planning
*** Bachelor in History
*** Bachelor in History of Art and Archaeology
*** Double Bachelor in Philosophy and Sociology
*** Master in Teaching French as a Foreign Language
** Taught in English
*** Master in Applied Sociological Research
*** Master in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
*** Master in History of Art and Museum Studies
*** Master in Marketing, Management, Communication, Media
*** Master in Sustainable Environmental Engineering and Law
*** Master in Urban Planning and Development
* School of Law, Economics and Business
** Taught in French
*** Bachelor in Economics and Management
*** Bachelor in Law
** Taught in English
*** Master in Applied Foreign Languages: Specialty Management and International Business
*** Master in Banking and Finance
*** Master in Health Economics
*** Master in International Business Law
*** Master in International Law, International Relations and Diplomacy
*** Master in Sustainable Environmental Engineering and Law
* School of Data, Science and Engineering
** Taught in English
*** Foundation year in Sciences
*** Bachelor in Physics
*** Bachelor in Mathematics, Specialization in Data Science for Artificial Intelligence
*** Master in Physics Specialization in Non-Destructive Characterization with Applications for Cultural Heritage
*** Foundation Year in Records Management & Archival Science
*** Bachelor in Records Management and Archival Science
*** Master in Records Management and Archival Studies

## Accreditation

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) operates under the administration of the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) and the academic leadership of Sorbonne Université in collaboration with Université Paris Cité.
The degrees are awarded by Sorbonne Université and Université Paris Cité. All SUAD programmes are evaluated by the Higher Council for the Evaluation of Research and Higher Education (HCERES) and accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. Furthermore, all programmes are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA). These degrees are recognised worldwide.

## Research and innovation

SAFIR Institute (Sorbonne Abu dhabi For Innovation and Research)
Research at SUAD is carried out within SAFIR Institute. It focuses its research on the areas of Sorbonne Université and Université Paris Cité, as well as the fields of the professors based in the Abu Dhabi campus. The research strategy, outlined in the strategic plan 2024-2028, is aligned with Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030 to support national priorities for the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Since October 2024, SAFIR hosts seven research centers focusing on seven strategic research themes:
* Artificial Intelligence and Digital Policy
* Heritage and Material Science
* Environment and Sustainable Development
* Global Societies, Cultures, Cities and Arts
* Applied Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science
* Humanities, Languages and Education
* Health and care
The research activities at SUAD are conducted in close collaboration with International research institutes and labs in France and in the Gulf region, along with local and international industrial and governmental stakeholders (Veolia, EAD, Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, National archives....).
In alignment with Sorbonne Université’s areas, two institutes have been established in Abu Dhabi to support research on artificial intelligence and marine issues.
The Ocean Institute was established in 2024 and to develop Interdisciplinary and transnational research Institute on ocean issues.
Several labs in France and in the region have an antenna, delegate staff at SUAD and active collaborations around research projects.

## Campus and facilities

Located on Al Reem Island, SUAD's 93,000-square-metre campus features modern classrooms, laboratories, auditoriums, and a library housing the largest collection of French literature in the Gulf region. The campus also includes on-site student housing and a sports complex featuring a large sports hall, gymnasium, dance studio, climbing walls, a martial arts room and multiple sports courts.
Schools:
* School of law, Economics and Business
* School of Data, Science and Engineering
* School of Arts and Humanities
Teaching language: French, English
System: European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)
Student diversity: over 60 Nationalities
Number of students: 1400+
Campus Size: 93,000 m²