Should you study in the UAE?
Dubai hosts branch campuses of British, Australian and Indian universities, clustered in Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park. Teaching is in English, the degree is awarded by the parent university, and the city is a regional hub for business, finance, hospitality and logistics. It costs more than Malaysia or Thailand, so it suits families who have done the sums.
Taught in English- $9,000–20,000
- Tuition a year
- IELTS 5.5+
- Language needed
- Work with a permit
- Part-time work
- $900–1,500
- Living costs a month
UAE works well if…
- You want a British or Australian degree taught in English without the fees of London or Sydney.
- You are drawn to business, hospitality, finance, logistics or aviation, where Dubai employers sit close to the classroom.
- You want a modern, international, English-speaking city within a day’s travel of home.
Choose somewhere else if…
- Your budget is under about $15,000 a year all in. Malaysia and Thailand give you a similar degree for much less.
- You are relying on part-time work. Students need a work permit and their university’s consent, and hours are limited.
- You hope to settle long term. Residency depends on employment and is not automatic after graduating.
If two of these apply to you, ask us about Malaysia or Thailand, where the same kind of degree costs far less.
From matriculation to a Dubai degree
Three to four years, with a foundation year first if your results or English fall short.
- Before you apply · 2–4 months
IELTS and documents
Sit IELTS, which most programmes ask for at 5.5 to 6.0, and have your matriculation transcript notarised, translated and attested as the university requires. Requirements differ between campuses, so we confirm yours first.
- Entry · up to 1 year
Foundation year, if needed
If your matriculation result or your English falls short of direct entry, a foundation or diploma year bridges the gap. It is a common, normal route.
- Years 1–3
Bachelor’s degree
Usually three years for a British-style degree and four for some others. The certificate is awarded by the parent university, and we confirm this for each programme.
- After graduation
Work, or move on
Graduates with a job offer can move to an employment visa. Many students use the degree to start in the Gulf, or continue to a master’s elsewhere.
Higher than Malaysia, lower than Singapore
Dubai sits between the two on fees, but housing is the part that surprises families. Budget the whole year, not just tuition.
$15,000–25,000
The university usually asks for evidence you can cover the first year’s tuition and living costs. The exact figure depends on the institution, so we confirm it before you apply.
| Stage | Per year | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation year | $6,000–10,000 | 1 year, if needed |
| Branch campus bachelor’s | $9,000–20,000 | 3–4 years |
| Master’s | $12,000–25,000 | 1–2 years |
| Living costs | $900–1,500 / mo | Housing is the biggest part |
Indicative 2026 ranges. Part-time work needs a permit and your university’s consent, so do not count on it in the funding plan.
Our UAE partners
Explore our current partner institutions and programmes. We can explain the application routes and support available for your chosen course.
Questions Myanmar families ask us
Short answers to what families ask most about UAE. We confirm the details for your own case on the call, because rules and figures change.
Is a Dubai branch campus degree the same as the home campus one?
The degree is awarded by the parent university, and we confirm this for each programme because a few courses are run with a local partner. The campus is smaller than the home campus, and fees are lower than in London or Sydney.
How much IELTS do I actually need?
Most programmes ask for IELTS 5.5 to 6.0. If your English falls short, a foundation or diploma year can bridge the gap. We tell you the level each campus actually requires.
What does it really cost once housing is included?
Tuition is about $9,000 to $20,000 a year and living costs about $900 to $1,500 a month, with housing the biggest part. Together that is roughly $20,000 to $38,000 a year, depending on the programme and where you live. These are indicative 2026 ranges, and we work out your own figure.
Can I work part-time on a student visa?
Students need a work permit and their university's consent, and hours are limited. Do not count on it in your funding plan.
How does the UAE student visa work?
The university sponsors your student visa after you accept an offer. Our visa team prepares your documents and checks them before the university applies. The exact steps and fees depend on the university and the emirate.
Can I stay and work in the UAE after graduating?
Not automatically. Residency depends on employment, and graduates with a job offer can move to an employment visa. Many students start work in the Gulf, or continue to a master's elsewhere.
Talk to a counsellor about studying in UAE
David Dhakal and the Think Asia team have placed 3,000+ Myanmar students abroad across all our destinations. Thirty minutes, free, at the office or on Viber.
