HIGHER EDUCATIONCLASSIFICATION

2018 / 19TABLE OF CONTENT01 | INTRODUCTION

302 | FACTSHEET

403 | METHODOLOGY604 | THRESHOLDS

805 | PRE-REQUISITES

906 | OVERALL RESULTS

907 | SUMMARY

1008 | CORE CRITERIA CATEGORIES

1109| LEARNING ENVIRONMENT CRITERIA CATEGORY

1210 | SPECIALIST CRITERIA CATEGORY

1210 | ADVANCED CRITERIA CATEGORIES

1311 | INSTITUTIONAL STARS RATINGSINTRODUCTIONHIGHER EDUCATION CLASSIFICATIONThe Higher Education Classification represents a milestone and symbolises a newmaturity in Dubai’s higher education sector. The last 10 years have seen student
enrolment more than double, from 12,000 students in 2008, to almost 30,000
students today. As the sector continues to grow, so too does the need for atransparent and robust rating framework that will enable institutions to showcase
their strengths and that will also provide the public with helpful, relevant data to
inform higher education decision-making.
The Higher Education Classification has been developed by QSTM in collaboration
with KHDA, and aligned with the QS StarsTM methodology, which is used andunderstood by many countries and providers around the world. Minor variations inmethodology reflect input received through consultation with private universities
and the desire to incorporate UAE governmental priorities such as wellbeing in theframework.
Like QS StarsTM, Higher Education Classification evaluates universities against
a range of performance indicators based on a rating system. It awards Stars toan institution based on a range of criteria. The rating breakdown by category
serves to highlight institutional strengths and to serve as a developmental tool,by identifying areas where increased focus and deployment of resources could
improve institutional rating in the future.
Higher Education Classification team,KHDA

HIGHER EDUCATION CLASSIFICATION | 18/19

HIGHER EDUCATION CLASSIFICATIONFACTS & NUMBERS

ACADEMIC YEARCURRICULUM

2017 - 2018

INSTITUTIONSBRITISHINDIAN

17 OUT OF 2583NUMBER OF FACULTY

AUSTRALIANFRENCH99531

NUMBER OF STUDENTSPAKISTANIIRANIAN1116,517

NUMBER OF GRADUATES4,949

NUMBER OF PROGRAMMES282

NEW INSTITUTIONS AND INSTITUTIONS ON PROBATION EXCLUDED4KNOWLEDGE AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

The Higher Education Classification has been adapted from QS StarsTM to align with, and be relevant to, HigherEducation environment. The following are definitions of Stars and Higher Education Classification framework.

DEFINITION OF RATINGSONE STARRATINGTWO STARRATING

THREE STAR
RATING

FOUR STAR
RATINGFIVE STAR
RATINGFIVE STAR
PLUS
RATING1000

A 1-star institution provides a good standard of education to students and has the necessary organisational
structure to enable progress and development.

100

A 2-star institution provides a good standard of education to students and has demonstrated progress inHigher Education Classification Core Criteria categories including Teaching, Research, Employability andInternationalisation.

250

A 3-star institution provides a high standard of education to students and has demonstrated strengths inCore Criteria categories including Teaching, Research, Employability and Internationalisation. They also madeprogress in other categories including Learning Environment, Programme Strength and Advanced Criteria.

400

A 4-star institution offers an excellent standard of education to students and has demonstrated strengths
across all Higher Education Classification categories including Core Criteria categories, Learning Environment,Programme Strength and Advanced Criteria categories. Graduate skill sets are attractive to employers. 4-star
institutions meet pre-requisites in Research and Internationalisation.

550

A 5-star institution offers a world-class standard of education and has demonstrated strengths acrossall Higher Education Classification categories including Core Criteria categories, Learning Environment,Programme Strength and Advanced Criteria categories. It has a global reputation and has highly regarded
international research and teaching standards. Graduates are sought after by employers. 5-star institutions
meet pre-requisites in Teaching, Research, Employability and Internationalisation.

700

A 5+-star institution demonstrates all the qualities of a 5-star institution, and in addition, is recognised asa leader in global higher education. It attracts high performing students and faculty. Graduates from suchinstitutions readily find employment in both public and private sectors. 5-star institutions meet pre-requisites
in Teaching, Research, Employability and Internationalisation and achieve a 5 stars rating in all categories.

9005HIGHER EDUCATION CLASSIFICATION | 18/19

METHODOLOGY
Higher Education Classification has been adapted from QS StarsTM to alignwith, and be relevant to, the Dubai Higher Education environment.

CORE CRITERIA CATEGORIESPOINTSTEACHING 150
Faculty student ratio 50
Completion rate 40
Satisfaction with teaching and learning 20
Faculty with terminal degree 40
EMPLOYABILITY 150
Campus employer presence 50
Graduate employment rate 50
Career centre / Career service support 50
RESEARCH 150
Papers per faculty or creative scholarly output 40
Citations per paper 40
Faculty publishing in Scopus indexed journals 40
Faculty presenting at international conferences 15
Research showcasing 15
INTERNATIONALISATION 150
International faculty 20
International collaborations 50International students 20
Inbound exchange students 20
Outbound exchange students 20
International diversity 20

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT CRITERIA CATEGORY
FACILITIES 100
Sporting facilities 20
Student activity centre / Student clubs or20
Flexible learning spaces
Student accommodation (access) 20
IT infrastructure 20
Online library resources 206KNOWLEDGE AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

METHODOLOGY
Higher Education Classification has been adapted from QS StarsTM to alignwith, and be relevant to, the Dubai Higher Education environment.

SPECIALIST CRITERIA CATEGORYOVERALL PROGRAMME STRENGTH 200Graduate employment rate 20
Completion rate 20
Satisfaction with programme of study 30
Faculty student ratio 10
Innovative teaching and learning 20
Internationally/Nationally recognized50
accreditations
KHDA Quality assurance reviews 50

ADVANCED CRITERIA CATEGORIES (2 OUT OF 4)
ARTS & CULTURE 50
Arts and culture facilities 15
Concerts, events, and exhibitions 15
Artistic and cultural accolades 10
Community art and cultural investment 10
WELLBEING 50
Staff development & wellbeing 10
Student wellbeing policy 10
Overall satisfaction & happiness 10
Satisfaction with academic support 10
Satisfaction with learning resources 10
INNOVATION 50
Patents 10
Incubation facilities & accelerators 10
Documented start-ups & alumni new ventures 10
Industrial partnerships 20
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY & INCLUSIVENESS 50
Voluntary work 10
Environmental impact 10
Scholarships and bursaries 10
Inclusiveness (access & policy) 10
Gender balance 107

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THRESHOLDS
Higher Education Classification has been adapted from QS StarsTM to align with, andbe relevant to, the Dubai Higher Education environment.

CORE CRITERIA CATEGORIESONE STAR RATING15TWO STAR RATING35

THREE STAR RATING60

FOUR STAR RATING

85

FIVE STAR RATING105

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT CRITERIA CATEGORY100

ONE STAR RATING

10TWO STAR RATING

25

THREE STAR RATING

40

FOUR STAR RATING

55

FIVE STAR RATING

70

SPECIALIST CRITERIA CATEGORY200

ONE STAR RATING

20

TWO STAR RATING

50

THREE STAR RATING

80

FOUR STAR RATING

110

FIVE STAR RATING140

ADVANCED CRITERIA CATEGORIES

815050ONE STAR RATING

5

TWO STAR RATING

15

THREE STAR RATING

20

FOUR STAR RATING

30

FIVE STAR RATING35

KNOWLEDGE AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

PRE-REQUISITESTo achieve a 4- or 5 star rating the pre-requisites below should be met.

PRE-REQUISITES TO ACHIEVE A 4 STAR RATING:
Must have at least 2 citations per faculty member
Must have at least 15% of International students

PRE-REQUISITES TO ACHIEVE A 5 STAR RATING:
Must have at least 3 Citations per paper
Must have at least a Completion rate of 75%
Must have at least 25% international students
Must have at least 85 points in the Employability category
Must have at least a 75% score for International diversity

OVERALL RESULTS
In total, 17 international branch campuses in Dubai, and quality assured by UQAIB (UniversitiesQuality Assurance International Board), participated in this first iteration of Higher Education
Classification, edition 2018-2019. The number of institutions accounts for 68% of international
branch campuses in Dubai and 26.6% of all higher education institutions operating in Dubai.

OVERALL RATINGONE STARRATINGTWO STARRATING
THREE STAR
RATING
FOUR STAR
RATINGFIVE STAR
RATINGFIVE STAR PLUS
RATINGPERCENTAGE OF INSTITUTIONSTHAT ACHIEVED THE RATING

5.9%
11.8%
17.6%
47.1%
17.6%
0.0%

Three institutions achieved a 5-star rating. The 4-star category was the largest, with eight institutionsachieving this rating. Three institutions achieved 3-star rating, two institutions a 2-star rating, andone institution a 1-star rating.

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SUMMARY
Percentage of institutions gaining a specific rating for each category.

CORE CRITERIA CATEGORIES

12345TEACHING

0.0%

11.8%

11.8%

41.2%

35.2%

EMPLOYABILITY

11.8%

17.6%

11.8%

5.9%

52.9%

RESEARCH

11.8%

11.8%

17.6%

11.8%

47.1%

INTERNATIONALISATION

11.8%

23.5%

11.8%

23.5%

29.4%

LEARNING ENVIRONMENTCRITERIA CATEGORY

12345FACILITIES

11.8%

0.0%

17.6%

5.9%

64.7%

SPECIALIST CRITERIACATEGORY

12345OVERALL PROGRAMME STRENGTH

0.0%

17.6%

17.6%

17.6%

47.1%

ADVANCED CRITERIACATEGORIES

12345

WELLBEING

0.0%

11.8%

5.9%

11.8%

70.6%

INNOVATION

0.0%

14.3%

57.1%

14.3%

14.3%

17.6%

17.6%

29.4%

29.4%

5.9%

(Submitted by 7 institutions)

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY& INCLUSIVENESS

10KNOWLEDGE AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

CORE CRITERIA CATEGORIESTEACHING
Traditionally, universities built their reputations around research output by faculty. Today’s students expect faculty tocontribute to their learning through effective, quality teaching. Universities that can demonstrate teaching excellence
will attract students and have a competitive advantage in the higher education sector.
Over 75% of institutions earned 4 stars (41.2%) or 5 stars (35.2%) in the Teaching category.

EMPLOYABILITY
Prospective students (and parents) consider future employment prospects when selecting universities and academic
programmes. Strong employability data gives universities a significant advantage. This sends students a positive signal- namely that graduates from their university are held in high regard by employers and that they stand a good chanceof finding a job after graduation themselves. The ‘employability agenda’ today is pivotal in the strategic priorities ofuniversities as it has a direct impact on student recruitment, retention and satisfaction.
Over 50% of institutions achieved a 5-star rating in the Employability category. More than 70% earned 3 stars or more.

RESEARCH
The research category enables higher education institutions to demonstrate their research assets such as research
quality and productivity. Research output should be a recognisable aspect of the strategic priorities and growth-planof the university, and should be visible in the institution’s everyday operational reality. Research outcomes contributenot only to society’s intellectual knowledge base, but also create wealth in the community in which the university is
located and beyond.
A 3-star rating or more was achieved by 76% of the institutions, with 47.1% reaching 5 stars.

INTERNATIONALISATION
There is a need for higher education institutions to cultivate a global outlook to offer students the best possible
preparation for life and careers in the 21st century. It is important for institutions to develop and articulate their own
campus-based internationalisation strategy to meet the expectations of students who increasingly want international
experiences while pursuing their university studies. Universities able to provide students with opportunities to complete
their academic programmes in multiple, global settings, will be attractive destinations for tomorrow’s students.
More than 50% of the institutions gained 4 stars or more on internationalisation; 35.3% scored less than 3 stars.

11

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LEARNING ENVIRONMENT CRITERIACATEGORY
FACILITIESThe learning environment category focuses on the physical and technological infrastructure that the university has
created to support student learning. Today’s students have high expectations about the quality and variety of learning
environments that they expect to find on campus. Institutions that provide high quality learning environments will
benefit in terms of recruitment, retention, and student satisfaction.
About 70% of the institutions have 5-star or 4-star rating for facilities; only two institutions did not achieve 3 stars.

SPECIALIST CRITERIA CATEGORYOVERALL PROGRAMME STRENGTH
In conventional university ranking systems, specialist institutions tend to be under-rated (or excluded from ratings) incomparison with comprehensive institutions, despite the fact that they may be recognised as ‘world-class’ in their given
field. This category gives institutions the opportunity to benefit from the delivery of high-quality academic programmes.
5-stars rating was the largest category with 8 out of 17 institutions, 47.1%, achieving this rating.

12KNOWLEDGE AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYADVANCED CRITERIA CATEGORIESWELLBEINGThe UAE has placed happiness and wellbeing on its national agenda, as witnessed by the appointment of a Ministerof State for Happiness and Wellbeing. This category serves as the impetus to officially recognising happiness acrossthe Higher Education sector in Dubai. This indicator captures data on how institutions are facilitating environments
which nurture and encourage the personal wellbeing and professional development of students. Institutions should also
facilitate processes and activities to support staff development and wellbeing.
The wellbeing category showed 5-star ratings for 70.6% of the institutions. None of the institutions scored lower than 2stars.

INNOVATIONUniversities have a role to play in unlocking the economic and social value of ideas by creating pathways for scientific,entrepreneurial, and creative enterprises. Higher education institutions contribute to society’s innovation potential
in a variety of ways, such as collaborating with industry and other universities; developing incubation facilities andaccelerators to nurture start-ups; and registering patents This category gives universities the opportunity to showcase
their innovative achievements.
Of the seven institutions that submitted data for innovation, two (28.6%) achieved either 4-star or 5-star rating. Four
institutions (57.1%) achieved 3 stars.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND INCLUSIVENESS
Engagement between the university and the community is an important pillar in an institution’s operations, since it
defines the way it is embedded in the society it serves. It has been globally recognized that there are two fundamental
aspects to university-community engagement: (1) to address and implement inclusiveness policies and (2) to serve thelocal community through initiatives such as sustainable development, self-management of health and wellbeing, andvoluntary activities defining outreach actions. This category gives institutions the opportunity to demonstrate the degreeof inclusiveness and social responsibility they have achieved.
One institution achieved a 5-star rating. Almost 60% of the institutions achieved either a 4-star or 3-star rating.

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INSTITUTIONAL STARS RATINGS

Teaching

Employability

ResearchAMITY UNIVERSITY DUBAIInternationalisationFacilities

Overall Programme Strength

BITS PILANI

Wellbeing

Innovation

Social Responsibility& InclusivenessOverall Stars Rating

14

CITY, UNIVERSITY OF LONDONKNOWLEDGE AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

INSTITUTIONAL STARS RATINGS

Teaching

Employability

Research
ESMOD FRENCH FASHION INSTITUTE

Internationalisation

Facilities

Overall Programme Strength

HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY

Wellbeing

Innovation

Social Responsibility& InclusivenessOverall Stars Rating

HULT BUSINESS SCHOOL

15

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INSTITUTIONAL STARS RATINGS

Teaching

Employability

Research
ISLAMIC AZAD UNIVERSITY

InternationalisationFacilities

Overall Programme Strength

LONDON BUSINESS SCHOOL

Wellbeing

Innovation

Social Responsibility& InclusivenessOverall Stars Rating

16

MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITYKNOWLEDGE AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

INSTITUTIONAL STARS RATINGS

Teaching

Employability

Research
MURDOCH UNIVERSITY

Internationalisation

Facilities

Overall Programme Strength

MANIPAL ACADEMY

Wellbeing

Innovation

Social Responsibility& InclusivenessOverall Stars Rating

SAE INSTITUTE

17

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INSTITUTIONAL STARS RATINGS

Teaching

Employability

ResearchSP JAIN

Internationalisation

Facilities

Overall Programme Strength

SZABIST

WellbeingInnovation

Social Responsibility& InclusivenessOverall Stars Rating

18

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORDKNOWLEDGE AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

INSTITUTIONAL STARS RATINGS

Teaching

Employability

Research
UNIVERSITY OF EXETERInternationalisation

Facilities

Overall Programme Strength

UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER

Wellbeing

Innovation

Social Responsibility& InclusivenessOverall Stars Rating

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Block 8, Academic City, P. O. Box: 500008, Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 364 0000 Fax: +971 4 364 0001

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