Private Universities in the UAE (2026 List)

A highly selective liberal arts and research campus of New York University on Saadiyat Island, granting full NYU degrees. It offers one of the most generous need-based financial aid programs in the world.

One of the most prestigious private universities in the Gulf, delivering an American-style education in architecture, engineering, business and arts & sciences from its University City campus.

A leading private university with campuses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai, offering business, engineering, health and arts programs. Among the highest-ranked private universities in the UAE.

The new Dubai campus of India's top-ranked IIM Ahmedabad, delivering postgraduate management and MBA-level programs to the region.

Established in 1988 as the UAE's first private university, Ajman University offers affordable dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, business and media programs and has one of the world's highest international-student ratios.

The Dubai campus of the UK's University of Birmingham, a Russell Group university, with a purpose-built campus in Dubai International Academic City awarding the same UK degrees.

The new Dubai campus of Lebanon's prestigious, US-accredited American University of Beirut, offering American-style degrees in business, engineering, computer science and the sciences.

The first international campus of India's prestigious IIT Delhi, opened in 2024 in Abu Dhabi. It offers B.Tech, M.Tech and PhD programs in engineering, energy and sustainability, with degrees conferred by IIT Delhi.

The Dubai campus of the UK's University of Exeter, a Russell Group university, offering UK degrees in business, computing, data science and related fields.

A branch campus of France's Sorbonne University on Reem Island, delivering French-model higher education in Arabic, French and English. Degrees are identical to and accredited in France.

A specialized health-sciences university in Dubai Healthcare City (part of Dubai Health), offering medicine, dental medicine, nursing and biomedical programs with affiliated teaching hospitals.

One of the oldest international branch campuses in the UAE, awarding Australian-accredited degrees in business, IT, engineering and finance from its Dubai Knowledge Park campus.

The Dubai campus of Scotland's Heriot-Watt University in Dubai Knowledge Park, awarding identical UK degrees with strengths in engineering, business and the built environment.

The Dubai campus of India's renowned BITS Pilani in Dubai International Academic City, offering rigorous engineering degrees identical to the Indian campus with a strong placement record.

The Dubai campus of the US-based Rochester Institute of Technology in Dubai Silicon Oasis, awarding American degrees in engineering, computing, cybersecurity and business.

The Dubai campus of Hult International Business School, a triple-accredited global business school with rotation campuses in Boston, London, San Francisco and Dubai.

The Dubai campus of Australia's Curtin University in Dubai International Academic City, awarding Australian degrees in business, IT, engineering and data science.

Opened in 2024 as a partnership between Switzerland's Les Roches and DCT Abu Dhabi, this is Les Roches' first Middle East campus, blending Swiss hospitality pedagogy with Emirati culture at Zayed Sports City.