Top Universities in the UAE 2026: The Definitive Ranking
The top universities in the UAE for 2026, ranked by reputation and QS position. See the leading government and private universities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Each year the UAE strengthens its position as a regional education hub. Here are the top universities in the UAE for 2026, based on QS World and Arab Region rankings, employer reputation and academic strength.
The leading universities
- Khalifa University (Abu Dhabi) — the UAE's #1, strong in engineering, science and AI
- United Arab Emirates University (Al Ain) — the oldest and largest national university
- New York University Abu Dhabi — a highly selective liberal-arts and research campus
- American University of Sharjah — the top private university in the Gulf
- University of Sharjah — a comprehensive government university strong in health sciences
- Ajman University — a leading affordable private university with global recognition
- Abu Dhabi University — AACSB-accredited, with campuses across the Emirates
Rising and specialist institutions
MBZUAI leads the world in dedicated AI education, Mohammed Bin Rashid University is the standout for medicine and dentistry in Dubai, and Russell Group branch campuses like the University of Birmingham Dubai and University of Exeter Dubai bring top UK degrees to the UAE.
How to choose from the top universities
The 'best' university depends on your field, budget and nationality. A top-ranked engineering school may not be the right pick for a business student on a tight budget. Use our comparison tool to weigh rankings against affordability and program fit, and request a free shortlist tailored to your goals.
See the full, always-updated list on our best universities in the UAE page.
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