Dubai has become a major international education destination, with universities offering British, American, Australian, and Canadian degree programmes across business, engineering, computing, media, law, medicine, and the social sciences. For the 2027–28 academic year, Dubai scholarships may provide partial or substantial tuition support, but most awards do not automatically cover accommodation, visa costs, transport, health insurance, or living expenses. Applicants must therefore compare the scholarship percentage with the complete cost of attendance before accepting an offer.
The current scholarship landscape includes merit awards, financial-hardship assistance, sports and talent scholarships, school-partnership grants, and limited full-tuition opportunities. The most competitive awards may be open to all nationalities, while others are limited to UAE nationals, Arab nationals, Lebanese students, UAE residents, specific school graduates, or students entering a particular programme. Academic averages, English proficiency, portfolios, interviews, deposits, and renewal CGPAs are common requirements.
This updated 2027–28 guide replaces unsupported 2026 claims with information taken from current university scholarship pages. Because several Dubai universities publish rolling or intake-based deadlines instead of one annual date, students should confirm the final deadline directly with the institution. The article also distinguishes between a full tuition scholarship and a partial tuition waiver, so applicants can plan their budget accurately.
Study Grants and Scholarships in Dubai
Dubai universities generally require students to apply for admission before the scholarship committee can assess their eligibility. Some scholarships are automatic, meaning the admissions team reviews the academic documents already submitted. Others require a separate form, financial statement, portfolio, recommendation letters, or interview. A scholarship award usually remains conditional on accepting the offer, paying a deposit, enrolling full-time, meeting minimum credit-hour requirements, and maintaining a specified academic result.
The 10 opportunities below were selected because they represent current, verifiable, and high-value scholarship routes at established Dubai campuses. They include undergraduate and postgraduate options, but the study level is different for each award. Applicants should not assume that an award available for an undergraduate programme is also available for a master’s or doctoral programme.
Students comparing study destinations can also review this guide to international scholarships for college before deciding whether a Dubai tuition waiver, a scholarship in another country, or a university-based financial-aid package is the best option. The internal resource is for general comparison only; the university’s official scholarship terms control eligibility and award decisions.
Top 10 Scholarships in Dubai for 2027–28
1. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Scholarship at AUD
The American University in Dubai offers the H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Scholarship for undergraduate study. The award is open to applicants of all nationalities and all undergraduate programmes. High-school applicants should generally have at least a 90% average or equivalent, while the scholarship committee also considers demonstrated financial need. The scholarship may provide a partial or full tuition waiver, subject to committee approval and the published terms.
The award is granted for the first academic year and may be maintained until graduation if the recipient continues to satisfy the academic and scholarship conditions. AUD states that these scholarships are awarded in fall semesters only. Applicants should submit the admission application and then use the dedicated AUD Scholarship Portal when the relevant application window opens. No unsupported 2027 deadline should be copied from an old article; the portal and AUD admissions office should be checked for the active cycle.
2. Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Full Scholarship at the University of Dubai
The University of Dubai lists the Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Full Scholarship as a 100% scholarship awarded annually to three students from any nationality. Recipients may pursue study in one of three colleges: Dubai Business School, Engineering and Information Technology, or Law. Because the award is limited to only a small number of students, applicants should demonstrate exceptional academic performance and complete the University of Dubai admission process carefully.
The university also lists broader academic discounts for undergraduate students. New students with a high-school score of 95% or above may qualify for a 50% discount, while students with a score of 90% or above may qualify for a 30% discount, subject to continuation requirements. These discounts are not identical to the full scholarship, and students should ask the university which award applies to their programme, intake, and nationality.
3. Canadian University Dubai Academic Excellence Scholarship
Canadian University Dubai offers Academic Excellence Scholarships for undergraduate students based on secondary-school results. The published structure provides a 50% tuition waiver for students with an academic average of 99% or above, 40% for averages from 95% to 98.9%, 30% for 90% to 94.9%, and 20% for 85% to 89.9%. These awards are tuition reductions, not complete living-cost scholarships.
Students must normally register for at least 12 credit hours. For the fall semester, CUD’s published scholarship deadline is July 7, while the spring deadline is December 20. These dates should be treated as recurring reference dates until CUD publishes the final 2027–28 schedule. Scholarship applications and supporting documents must be submitted through the process stated by CUD, and late or incomplete applications are not considered.
4. University of Birmingham Dubai Chancellor’s Academic Merit Scholarship
The University of Birmingham Dubai offers an Undergraduate Chancellor’s Academic Merit Scholarship worth up to 30% per year. Eligible applicants are automatically considered through the admissions process, so the university does not require a separate scholarship form for this award. A student must receive an offer for a full- or part-time course, and scholarship eligibility is reviewed after the conditional offer is issued.
The university normally confirms the scholarship by email within 10 working days after the relevant review. To secure the award, the applicant must accept the offer and pay the deposit by the date stated in the offer letter. The scholarship cannot be deferred, and students must pay the portion of tuition not covered by the award. Corporate, partnership, alumni, and progression awards may also be available, but their percentages and terms differ.
5. Middlesex University Dubai Academic Excellence Scholarship
Middlesex University Dubai offers an Academic Excellence Scholarship ranging from 10% to 50% for eligible UAE-based applicants entering the International Foundation or undergraduate programmes. The percentage is connected to the applicant’s academic qualification, with the published table setting different thresholds for A Levels, CBSE, IB, American diplomas, Pakistani boards, and other education systems.
Applicants generally submit the university application, accept the offer, and pay the required AED 3,000 deposit. The scholarship may apply in each year of study if the recipient satisfies the conditions, but all awards remain subject to university discretion. International students may also be eligible for an International Study Grant at foundation, undergraduate, or postgraduate level. Because the amount depends on eligibility and intake, international applicants should contact admissions rather than assume that the UAE-based Academic Excellence table applies to them.
6. Heriot-Watt University Dubai Merit and Programme Scholarships
Heriot-Watt University Dubai maintains a range of scholarships and discounts for students at its Dubai campus. The official page lists general awards such as the GCC and UAE Regional Student Grant, Future Made for Success Scholarship, Duffin Family Future Shapers Scholarship, full advance fee payment discount, and corporate-company discounts. It also lists programme-specific awards, undergraduate and postgraduate merit scholarships, engineering merit scholarships, sports and community opportunities, alumni awards, and family scholarships.
The current page does not provide one universal award value or one deadline for every scholarship. Applicants should therefore avoid repeating older figures without checking the individual scholarship page. The correct process is to identify the programme, review the linked award conditions, apply for admission, and ask the Dubai admissions team whether a separate scholarship submission is required for the 2027–28 intake.
7. RIT Dubai Undergraduate Academic and Global Tigers Scholarships
RIT Dubai offers several undergraduate scholarship routes. Its academic scholarship is based on high-school percentage and ranges from 5% for an average of 80%–84.99% to 45% for an average above 98%. RIT Dubai also lists a 30% Dean’s Scholarship for selected fields, a 20% Tiger Journey Scholarship with limited seats, financial aid of up to 50%, extracurricular awards, corporate awards, and athletic scholarships of up to 50%.
International students may be eligible for the Global Tigers Scholarship, listed at 40% of first-year tuition for a limited number of new international students. RIT Dubai states that awards are generally valid for one academic year for undergraduate students and are reassessed based on academic performance and other conditions. Applicants should register for the required credit hours, submit complete financial documents when applying for financial aid, and contact admissions for the exact 2027–28 application window.
8. University of Wollongong in Dubai Academic Merit Scholarship
The University of Wollongong in Dubai offers a Bachelor’s Academic Merit Scholarship covering 15% to 50% of tuition fees each trimester. The award is open to students of any citizenship who are applying as new entry-level bachelor’s students and meet the academic and admission criteria. Scholarship places are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so delaying an application may reduce the chance of receiving the preferred percentage.
Published academic thresholds vary by curriculum. For example, the 50% category requires high results such as 98% for several secondary-school systems, while the 25% and 15% categories have lower thresholds. To retain the award, students must enroll in the required number of subjects, avoid failing grades, and maintain the applicable WAM. UOWD’s current page lists 2026 deadlines, including June 15, July 15, and August 20 for different curricula; 2027 dates must be confirmed when released.
9. Murdoch University Dubai Academic Merit Scholarship
Murdoch University Dubai offers Academic Merit Scholarships ranging from 15% to 40% of total tuition fees across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Eligibility is automatically assessed from the academic results submitted with the admission application, so a separate scholarship application is not normally required. The award can generally be combined with the 5% Early Bird discount and/or a 5% partner-school bursary, subject to the official terms.
Murdoch also states that a 100% university scholarship may be awarded each trimester to a current Dubai student who achieves the most outstanding results, with a minimum 85% result and coverage for up to 12 credit points. This is not a guaranteed full-degree award for new international applicants. Murdoch’s scholarships are tuition fee waivers and do not cover living expenses, accommodation, transport, health cover, or student-visa costs. Students should apply for admission in the relevant trimester and ask admissions for the current 2027–28 deadline.
10. RIT Dubai Financial Aid and Athletic Scholarship
RIT Dubai’s financial-aid and athletic scholarship routes provide a second distinct option for applicants whose profile is based on financial need or sporting achievement rather than only academic grades. Financial aid can reach up to 50% and requires family financial documents such as bank statements, salary certificates, rental information, education-fee records, and other evidence of financial circumstances. The athletic award can also reach up to 50% for eligible students competing in sports such as soccer, volleyball, cricket, or basketball.
Applicants should submit evidence of athletic results, videos, coach or teacher references, and other requested documents. Scholarships are competitive, generally reviewed annually, and may require full-time enrollment and minimum academic performance. This opportunity is not a fully funded living stipend; it reduces tuition and must be combined with a realistic budget for accommodation, visa, transport, health insurance, and personal costs.
For readers comparing additional funding opportunities, the scholarships category provides a broader starting point. Use the category to discover options, then confirm whether each award is available for Dubai, the 2027–28 intake, the applicant’s nationality, and the chosen study level.
Scholarship Coverage
Most Dubai university awards listed in this guide are tuition waivers or fee discounts. They may cover a percentage of tuition but usually do not automatically include accommodation, meals, transport, books, health insurance, visa charges, flights, or personal spending. AUD’s Gebran Tueni Media Scholarship is an example of a more extensive award because its official page describes tuition, dormitory, and visa-charge coverage for eligible Lebanese students, while other awards are primarily tuition reductions.
A scholarship of 50% does not mean that the entire cost of studying in Dubai is 50% of the original budget. Applicants must calculate the remaining tuition, accommodation, food, transport, health cover, student visa, deposits, books, and emergency funds. Some universities also require payment of a deposit before confirming an award. The deposit may be non-refundable or may be credited against tuition, so students should read the terms before paying.
Students searching for postgraduate funding can also compare the master’s scholarships category and the guide to fully funded master’s scholarships in Italy. These internal resources are not Dubai awards, but they help applicants compare tuition coverage, living support, country requirements, and application deadlines.
Eligibility Criteria
The general eligibility requirements differ by university, but most applicants need an offer of admission to an eligible programme, official academic transcripts, a valid passport, and proof of English proficiency when required. Depending on the scholarship, the university may also request a personal statement, financial-hardship evidence, recommendation letters, a sports portfolio, a creative portfolio, an interview, or proof of membership in a partner organization.
Applicants should pay attention to the distinction between nationality and residency. The AUD Sheikh Mohammed scholarship is open to all nationalities, the University of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan scholarship is listed for three students from any nationality, and the RIT Global Tigers award is specifically for international students. By contrast, ICT Fund awards at AUD and the University of Dubai are generally restricted to UAE nationals and specific technology programmes.
Academic percentages are not directly interchangeable across school systems. A 95% result in one curriculum may be assessed differently from an IB score, A-Level tariff, American diploma, or Pakistani board result. Submit the official grading scale and do not convert grades without instructions from the university.
Application Process for Dubai Scholarships 2027–28
The first step is to select a recognized Dubai campus and an eligible degree programme. Check whether the scholarship is for undergraduate, postgraduate, foundation, or continuing students. Review the university’s admission requirements, tuition schedule, intake dates, and scholarship conditions before submitting the application.
Next, prepare a complete digital document file. Most applicants need a passport copy, academic certificates, transcripts, grading scale, English-language test result, CV where relevant, personal statement, and recommendation letters. Applicants for media, art, sports, or talent awards should prepare a portfolio that demonstrates achievement rather than simply listing activities.
Submit the university admission application through its official portal. Some scholarships, including Birmingham Dubai’s academic scholarship and Murdoch’s academic merit award, are assessed automatically from the admission file. Others, such as CUD scholarships, AUD scholarships, financial-aid awards, or sports awards, may require a separate form or supporting documents.
After receiving an offer, read the scholarship letter carefully. Confirm the percentage, duration, renewal conditions, deposit deadline, minimum credit hours, CGPA or WAM requirement, and exclusions. Accept the offer and pay the deposit only after understanding whether it is refundable, credited to tuition, or required to activate the scholarship.
Finally, maintain the award throughout the programme. Universities may review grades each semester, require full-time study, limit the number of repeat courses, prohibit combining discounts, or cancel the award after withdrawal or extended deferment. Keep copies of all scholarship correspondence and contact the official admissions or student-affairs office if your financial or academic circumstances change.
Deadlines for 2027–28
Most Dubai universities do not use one national scholarship deadline. Instead, deadlines follow fall, spring, trimester, or rolling admission cycles. The published CUD deadlines are July 7 for fall and December 20 for spring. AUD lists fall-only scholarship routes and specific deadlines for some awards, while UOWD’s current page lists curriculum-specific 2026 dates. These dates should not be presented as confirmed 2027–28 deadlines until the universities update their pages.
| University or scholarship | Current deadline guidance for 2027–28 |
| AUD scholarships | Fall-only for several awards; confirm through the AUD Scholarship Portal |
| University of Dubai | Intake-based; confirm with admissions |
| CUD | Published recurring dates: July 7 fall and December 20 spring; confirm 2027 cycle |
| Birmingham Dubai | Automatic consideration after conditional offer; offer letter controls the deposit deadline |
| Middlesex Dubai | Intake-dependent; submit application, accept offer, and pay AED 3,000 deposit if required |
| Heriot-Watt Dubai | Individual scholarship deadlines vary; check the official award page |
| RIT Dubai | Contact admissions for the active intake window; awards are competitive and limited |
| UOWD | Curriculum-specific deadlines; 2027 dates to be published |
| Murdoch Dubai | Trimester-based; no universal fixed deadline shown on the current scholarship page |
Requirements Checklist
Applicants should prepare the following documents before beginning the 2027–28 application season:
1.Valid passport and recent passport-size photograph.
2.Official high-school, diploma, or bachelor’s transcripts.
3.Certified translations when documents are not in English.
4.English proficiency result such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or an accepted alternative.
5.Admission application and offer letter where required.
6.Personal statement or statement of purpose for competitive awards.
7.Recommendation letters from teachers, employers, coaches, or academic referees.
8.Portfolio, interview preparation, or sports evidence for specialist scholarships.
9.Bank statements, salary certificates, and expense evidence for financial-aid applications.
10.Deposit payment and acceptance documents after receiving the offer.
Apply Now
Apply through the official university admission or scholarship portal linked from each university’s scholarship page. Do not pay an agent who promises a guaranteed scholarship, because universities make their own admission and scholarship decisions. Before submitting, confirm the campus location, programme eligibility, scholarship value, renewal conditions, document deadline, and whether the award covers only tuition or additional costs.
The best applicants do more than report high grades. They demonstrate academic readiness, a clear reason for choosing the programme, reliable documentation, leadership or community contribution where relevant, and the ability to fund costs that the scholarship does not cover. Start preparing early, monitor official updates, and request written clarification when a deadline or award condition is unclear.
