Cheapest Universities in UAE
Because the cost of living in Dubai is quite high, even most ex-pats prefer to send their children to school in their home countries due to the low and expensive education available in the UAE.
Indians, Pakistanis, and select UK curriculum schools are the only people who may benefit from a cheaper education. Apart from the aforementioned, the only thing you’ll find here is incredibly expensive education.
Despite all of the aforementioned indices, there are some universities that you might consider to be a little less expensive in pursuit of your education. The following are some of Dubai’s low-cost universities attached with their tuition fee:
List of Cheap Universities in UAE
1. University of Sharjah
Undergraduate tuition fees start at AED 31,049 ($8,453) per year.
Graduate tuition fees start at AED 45,675 ($12,435) per year.
Tuition Fees for Undergraduates https://www.sharjah.ac.ae/en/Admissions/fees-scholar/Pages/thf.aspx
The University of Sharjah, sometimes known as UOS, is a private educational institution in University City, United Arab Emirates. The university was founded by Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammed Al-Qasimi to address the region’s academic needs. The University of Sharjah is the cheapest in the UAE for international students, with undergraduate tuition fees starting at $8,453 a year.
It is currently ranked as one of the greatest universities in the United Arab Emirates and Asia, as well as one of the best ‘young’ colleges in the world.
UOS, which has locations in Kalba, Dhaid, and Khor Fakkan, offers the most approved programs in the country. It currently offers 54 bachelor’s degrees, 23 master’s degrees, and 11 doctoral degrees.
Sharia & Islamic Studies, Arts & Humanities, Business, Engineering, Health, Law, Fine Arts & Design, Communications, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Science, and Informatics are just a few of the degrees available.
2. Aldar University College
Undergraduate tuition fees start at AED 36,000 ($9,800). per annum
Graduate Program Tuition: N/A (Bachelor’s degrees only)
Fees for Undergraduates https://www.aldar.ac.ae/fees/
Aldar University College was founded in 1994 to provide students with practical experience and industry-relevant skills. This low-cost institution in the UAE also provides associate degrees and English language courses in addition to bachelor’s degrees. To accommodate students’ varied schedules, these classes are offered on weekdays (mornings and evenings) as well as weekends.
Learners can major in Engineering (Communications, Computer, or Electrical), Automatic Control Systems, or Information Technology at Aldar University College. There are other degrees available in Business Administration, Accounting, Marketing, Finance, Industrial Management, Hospitality, and Public Relations.
Even overseas students are eligible for scholarships at Aldar University College. Deserving applicants are currently eligible for a 10% discount per semester. If that isn’t enough, overseas students can also labor for 6 hours a day to help pay for their studies at Aldar.
3. American University in the Emirates
Undergraduate tuition fees start at AED 36,750 ($10,005) per year.
Graduate tuition fees start at AED 36,750 ($10,000) each year.
Tuition Fees for Undergraduates https://aue.ae/en/tution-fees/
The American University of the Emirates, or AUE, was established in 2006. Through its seven colleges, this private institution in Dubai International City provides a wide range of programs. Business Administration, Law, Education, Design, Computer Information Technology, Security & Global Studies, and Media & Mass Communications are among the specialties available.
Sports Management (Equine Track), Knowledge Management, and Sports Law are among the distinctive Master’s degrees offered by AUE. Postgraduate programs in Business Administration, Security & Strategic Studies, Diplomacy, and Arbitration are also available.
The AACSB International (for its business programs) and the Computing Accreditation Commission (for its computing programs) both accredit AUE (for its IT courses).
Studying in the UAE on a budget — what the fees above actually mean
Tuition is only one line in the budget, and on its own it is a poor guide to whether you can afford to study in the UAE. A country with low tuition and high living costs can end up more expensive than one with higher tuition and cheap accommodation. Work out the total annual cost before you compare anywhere.
How to check a tuition figure before you rely on it
Fee figures on any website — including this one — go out of date. Universities revise tuition annually, and governments change policy. Before you rely on a number:
- Open the university’s own website and find the fees page for international or non-national students. That is the only figure that counts.
- Check the academic year the figure applies to. A 2023 fee table tells you very little about what you will pay in 2026/2027.
- Confirm whether the price is per year, per semester or per credit. Per-credit pricing is common and makes cheap-looking programmes expensive.
- Check whether international students pay a different rate. In many systems local and EU students pay far less than everyone else.
- Email the admissions office and keep the reply. A written quote protects you.
A live example of why this matters: Norway’s public universities were free for everyone until 2023, when parliament introduced cost-covering fees for non-EU/EEA students — and non-European enrolment fell by roughly 80% within two years. In June 2025 the government proposed letting institutions set their own fees again, including at zero, from August 2026. Anyone relying on a five-year-old “tuition-free” article would have got it badly wrong in both directions.
Entry route: in the UAE the student visa or residence permit is normally sponsored by the university itself once you accept an offer, rather than applied for independently. Confirm with the admissions office exactly what they sponsor and what you must arrange, including medical tests and attestation of your certificates.
Language of instruction: most degree programmes in the UAE are taught in the local language, with a smaller selection available in English — usually at postgraduate level. Check the language of instruction for your specific programme before anything else, because this single detail rules out more applicants than tuition cost does. Where an English-taught programme exists, ask whether an IELTS or TOEFL waiver applies to Nigerian degree holders.
Build a realistic total-cost budget
Before applying to any institution in the UAE, price all of the following. Applicants routinely underestimate the second half of this list:
- Tuition for international students, for the correct academic year
- Application and acceptance fees, which are usually non-refundable
- Accommodation — on-campus versus private rent can differ enormously
- Living costs — food, transport, data, utilities
- Health insurance, which is compulsory in most study destinations
- Visa or permit fees, plus biometrics and courier charges
- Flights, and a return flight if the visa requires proof of one
- Proof of funds — money you must show you hold, on top of what you actually spend
- Document costs — transcripts, notarisation, apostille, translation, courier
- The naira exchange rate, and how a further depreciation would affect year two
How to bring the cost down honestly
- Apply for scholarships in parallel, not afterwards. Most funding deadlines fall before or alongside admission deadlines, not after.
- Look at government scholarships from the UAE itself. Many countries fund international students directly, and these are often less competitive than the famous named awards.
- Ask about assistantships and tuition waivers at postgraduate level. Teaching or research assistantships can cut or eliminate tuition.
- Ask about fee instalments. Many institutions allow termly payment, which matters when you are converting naira.
- Check student work rights on your visa — how many hours, and whether you may work at all. Never plan a budget that depends on illegal work.
- Compare smaller cities. Rent outside the capital is often the single biggest saving available.
A warning about agents
No agent can guarantee you admission or a visa. If someone promises either in exchange for money, walk away. Legitimate agents are paid by institutions, publish their registration details, and will never ask you to send money to a personal account. Apply directly to the university wherever you can — almost every institution accepts direct applications, and it is free or cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Can Nigerians study in the UAE?
Yes. Nigerian students are admitted to institutions in the UAE subject to meeting the academic entry requirements, the language requirement and the immigration rules set out above.
Is the cheapest university the best choice?
Not automatically. Check that the institution is recognised by the national regulator in the UAE and, if you plan to return home or move on, that its degrees are accepted where you intend to work. A cheap degree from an unrecognised institution costs you everything.
Do I need IELTS to study in the UAE?
It depends on the programme and the institution. Where teaching is in English, many institutions waive the test for applicants whose previous degree was taught in English — which covers most Nigerian graduates. Always confirm in writing before paying for a test.
How much money do I need to show?
That is set by the immigration authorities, not the university, and it changes. Check the official government source for the UAE shortly before you apply, because the figure is usually updated annually.
Can I work while studying?
Some countries permit limited part-time work on a student visa and some do not. Confirm the rule for your specific visa type, and treat any earnings as a supplement rather than the basis of your budget.
Related guides
- International scholarships for Nigerians
- Best scholarships for Nigerians and Africans
- More study-abroad and scholarship guides
Tuition fees, visa rules and proof-of-funds thresholds change every year. Always confirm the current figures on the official university and government websites for the UAE before you apply or pay anything.