Dubai application FAQs

We are not a franchise; the University of Birmingham has established itself within the International Education Hub in Dubai.

Our campus space has been developed and tailored to complement the programmes that we offer in Dubai.

Our Phase 1 site opened in autumn of 2017 and marked us out as the first global top 100 and Russell Group University to establish a campus in Dubai. We now occupy a prominent position at the heart of Academic City, following the completion of Phase 2, with the opening of our new campus in 2022.

Find out more about our Dubai campus

70% of staff live and work here in Dubai and 30% are flying faculty from the UK.

When you graduate from the University of Birmingham Dubai, your transcript will say Dubai, but you will be awarded a University of Birmingham degree certificate, which will only mention the UK. 

To find out more information about the University of Birmingham Dubai you can register your interest and download our Dubai prospectus.

Alternatively, you can submit your queries to the relevant department.

See a full list of our undergraduate programmes in Dubai Explore our undergraduate subject areas in Dubai

See a full list of our postgraduate programmes in Dubai Explore our postgraduate subject areas in Dubai

We offer a range of part-time postgraduate courses which are a flexible combination of weekday evenings and weekends which are designed to accommodate working professionals. Please refer to course pages for further information.

See a full list of our postgraduate programmes in Dubai Explore our postgraduate subject areas in Dubai

At present, our Dubai campus does not offer any programmes online. However, the Edgbaston campus does have a range of online courses.

Find out more about online learning at the University of Birmingham

A foundation year is a year for those who have not completed 13 years of education as per the British curriculum, it has been designed as a preparation year for the first year of studies.

IGCSEs, and other qualifications that are at the same level as GCSEs in the UK education system, on their own are not considered sufficient for entry to the foundation. We would normally expect qualifications to be broadly equivalent to the UK AS-Level qualification.

Learn more about our foundation entry requirements

Our four-year programmes include an integrated foundation year, which may be required depending on your prior education (for instance, if you have completed 12 years of study instead of 13). This foundation year is designed to fully prepare you for your undergraduate studies and help you acclimatise to the university environment.

Additionally, we offer the following integrated master’s programs, which span four years (or five years if the foundation year is included):

• MSci Biomedical Science
• MEng Computer Science and Software Engineering
• MEng Mechanical Engineering

Tuition fees, entry requirements, modules, and more can be found on each of the course pages.

Search for a course

Please visit your chosen programme page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Search for a course

We accept BTEC Extended Diplomas, BTEC Level 3 Extended Diplomas and BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas in conjunction with A-levels. To see if your qualification and grade meet the requirements for a programme, please get in touch with our Admissions Team. 

If you are successful in your application to study full time on one of our undergraduate programmes*, you will have the opportunity to apply to study in the UK at our beautiful Edgbaston campus in Birmingham during your second year of study. 

*Students on the following programmes are not currently eligible to apply for the Dubai to UK Exchange Year programme as these programmes are not offered by the University’s Edgbaston campus: 

• BSc Business Management with Economics
• BSc Business Management with Finance
• BSc Business Management with Psychology
• BSc Psychology with Business Management
• BSc Computer Engineering

Explore studying in the UK at our Birmingham campus

We do not offer transfers but, for most of our undergraduate programmes, students can take part in an exchange year which means they will study their second at our beautiful Edgbaston campus in the UK. We require 60% to be achieved over two semesters in Year 1. 

For the programmes listed below, the final year or two years are completed in the UK:

• BSc Biomedical Science (last year in the UK)
• MSci Biomedical (last two years in the UK)
• MEng Computer Science and Software Engineering (last year in the UK)
• MEng Mechanical Engineering (last two years in the UK) 

For the programmes listed below there is also a 20% cohort threshold.

• BSc Computer Science
• BSc Artificial Intelligence & Computer Science
• MEng Computer Science & Software Engineering (if student wants to go in 2nd year, noting the last year is also mandatory in the UK)

This is to maintain the vibrancy of our student cohort and community.  

Students on the following programmes are not currently eligible to apply for the Dubai to UK Exchange Year programme as these programmes are not offered by the University’s Edgbaston campus: 

• BSc Business Management with Economics
• BSc Business Management with Finance
• BSc Business Management with Psychology
• BSc Psychology with Business Management
• BSc Computer Engineering 

Further information and eligibility for studying in the UK

No, your visa will be cancelled upon graduation, upon cancellation you will have 30 days to leave the country, unless you have been sponsored by a family member or employer. 

Your term dates may vary depending on your chosen programme. More information will be provided in your offer letter.

View University of Birmingham Dubai term dates

For undergraduate students the fees paid in your first year will remain the same across all years of study. Students will be charged per year of study. Tuition fee information is listed on the course page.

See a full list of our undergraduate programmes on our undergraduate courses page Find out more on tuition fees

For all postgraduate programmes, students will be charged per year of study. Tuition fee information is listed on the course page.

See a full list of our postgraduate programmes on our postgraduate courses page Find out more on tuition fees

Yes, you can pay the full fee or in installments on the following dates (upon request once you join).

Students beginning studies in September:

• 1^st November
• 1^st February
• 1^st May

Students beginning studies in January:

• 1^st March
• 1^st June
• 1^st September

Yes, they are same as the UK campus as we deliver the same content and high-quality education as our home campus, the main different is cohort sizes, we have a smaller student to staff ratio when it comes to teaching. We also offer several scholarships to benefit those who choose to study with us.

We offer several scholarships. Please note that they cannot be combined, and some are invitation only. The University does not at present offer course specific scholarships. 

You are not required to apply for scholarships, scholarships will be automatically assessed and awarded after an applicant receives an offer, accepts, and satisfies the deposit payment. The only exceptions being: 

• Corporate - You must provide evidence by producing an employee card.
• Alumni - A copy of the alum's University of Birmingham degree certificate is required and only eligible for family members of students who have successfully completed the programme from Dubai or Edgbaston.

Visit our scholarships page

The University of Birmingham Dubai only offers partially funded scholarships up to the value of 30%* and does not provide fully-funded scholarships. 

*With the exception of invitation only scholarships, which cover up to 50%.

We have several scholarships available, most of which apply to all years of study, including our student exchange year in the UK. The exceptions to this, where the scholarship doesn’t apply to all years or changes in the percentage of scholarship given are as follows: 

• The Emirati Excellence Scholarship is a 50% scholarship in year one, reducing to 20% in each subsequent year. 

• The Chancellors Academic Merit Scholarship (based on predicted grades), applies to all years of study except for the Undergraduate Students who are on 2+2 and 2+1 programmes: 

BSc Biomedical Science (last year in the UK)

MSci Biomedical (last two years in the UK)

MEng Computer Science and Software Engineering (last year in the UK)

Meng Mechanical Engineering (last two years in the UK)

Visit our scholarships page

The University of Birmingham Dubai’s partially funded scholarships apply to tuition fees only.

No, students do not have to maintain a GPA or grades once they join, it also is automatic and does not have to be renewed.

Scholarships cannot be deferred and will not apply to any re-sit exams.

We offer students support with their visa applications. The University of Birmingham Dubai provides a straightforward visa sponsorship service for students on a full-time programme who are not UAE residents. This allows our students to study and reside in the country for a 12-month period, renewable each year to cover the duration of your programme. 

To qualify for the University of Birmingham Dubai visa sponsorship and to start the process you should have received an unconditional offer for your full-time programme and have completed the online registration process.

Find out more about the visa process and costs 

We have the IST (International student team) based in the UK which can provide visa support for your exchange year in the UK.

Additional costs whilst studying at our Dubai campus may include:

• Housing
• Food
• Transportation
• Visa
• Medical insurance
• Additional books (only if required)

Visit our cost of living page

The University of Birmingham Dubai does not offer a student loan or home fee status. 

You must be able to fund both your tuition and cost of living, such as visa, accommodation, groceries, and transport. For approximate expense costs in Dubai as a student, please see our cost of living page.

Choosing to study with the University of Birmingham at our Dubai campus is an exciting decision and you may have many questions on how to apply and what to do next.

Follow the steps outlined on our 'how to apply' page

You do not need to apply via UCAS.

Follow the steps outlined on our 'how to apply' page

There’s no application fee to apply to study with us. This applies to both UAE residents and international students.

No, you can apply with a predicted/1^st term result of Grade 12/Year 13 before you have your final grades, but they will be required for your offer to be made unconditional and subsequently accept your place.

Applicants are advised to apply at the earliest to secure their seat in their programme of choice, understand and receive support for their pending conditions, and to allow for sufficient time for processing of additional services (visa, transportation, accommodation etc).

You will receive a decision within 10 working days of your application being received.

If you have not received an offer after this period or you require support with the application process, please contact our Admisisons Team.

As you are not applying via UCAS this does not count towards one of your five choices.

Please refer to our international pages and view entry requirements for specific information for your country or region.

Once you receive your offer letter from us, you will be able to make your deposit payment of AED 5,000 via HSBC. This is required to secure their place on the programme this is non-refundable unless the student is unable to meet our entry requirements. 

You may pay your deposit via bank transfer, or noqoodi payment link if you are based in the UAE. 

Visit our tuition fees page to find our payment details

In exceptional circumstances, a deposit may also be refunded if you are prevented from commencing your studies by matters outside your control (other than those referred to above), for example a change in your personal circumstances including your ability to fund your studies, a serious illness or a death in your immediate family.  The University reserves the right to deduct an administration fee of £100 from the deposit in these circumstances.

We would encourage you to accept your place by the date stated on your letter. However, if you do require extra time please contact us using the details provided within your offer letter.

Our offer letters are standard and include the full tuition fees. Scholarships are automatically assessed and awarded once an applicant receives a conditional offer, accepts it, and completes the deposit payment. After the deposit is paid, a scholarship confirmation will be issued, detailing your entitlement, which will also be kept on record.

If details on your application are incorrect or you need to make an update, you may do this via the Application Portal.

Login to the Application Portal

The deadline for new international student visas applying from outside of the UAE for the January 2025 intake are as follows:

Normal application: 13 December 2024

Express application: 20 December 2024

Visit our visa process page for information and cost

Yes, we do provide medical insurance, but only to university sponsored students. 

Visit our visa process page for information on medical insurance

The University of Birmingham Dubai does not directly provide student residences, but we work with four accommodation providers based in the local vicinity, namely The Myriad Dubai, Yugo Dubailand, and KSK Homes. These purpose built student accommodation providers are closest to campus and just a short journey away from Dubai International Academic City.

Explore our partner accomodation 

KSK Homes is located in DIAC across the parkland from the University. It is a 3 minute drive or 13 minute walk to campus. 

The Myriad Dubai is located in DIAC across the parkland from the University. It is a 4 minute drive or 10 minute walk to campus. 

Yugo Dubailand is located in Dubailand which is a 15 minute drive to campus.

To reserve accommodation with either of the providers listed, you are advised to contact them directly to make your reservation: The Myriad Dubai, Yugo Dubailand, and KSK Homes.

Yes. The student residences are gender segregated with male and female residents living separately.

The student residences offer regular shuttle transport services from their accommodation to Academic City and key locations in Dubai for residents that are part of the accommodation agreement. The University also offers some shuttle bus services along key routes for where our students live. It is not anticipated that students living in student residences would need this transport in addition to that provided by their student residence.

Students and parents are most welcome to the take a tour of student residences. To arrange arrange a tour, please contact the providers directly: The Myriad Dubai, Yugo Dubailand, and KSK Homes.

The Careers and Employer Engagement Service at the University of Birmingham Dubai work with a number of prestigious employers within the region. We work with employers and business who can support our students through a variety of activities including industry insight through workshops, mentoring, alumni networking and engagement, internships and graduate opportunities. We have successfully worked with Barclays Bank to establish and enable an annual programme of mentoring for women interested in business. We are excited to have 6 more students and graduates paired with senior Barclays staff to begin our 2023 programme. As well as Barclays, in 2023 we will be launching our Dubai alumni mentoring programme, pairing successful alumni based in the UAE with students across our subject disciplines.

Our students have had the opportunity to work at several businesses across a range of disciplines through internships made available to the University of Birmingham Dubai including copywriter roles at Wunderman Thompson, Assistant Engineers at Atkins & Partners and Marketing Interns at LEGO. In the past students have successfully gained internships at Dubai Police, Jaguar Land Rover and Estee Lauder to name but a few.

As well as employer based opportunities, we have a number of opportunities for students to explore entrepreneurship and freelance work through our student group The Innovators Hub as well as targeted Entrepreneurship activity. We have expert business owners coming and speaking with our students, including the Managing Director for Microsoft Start Ups, the Founder of Blossom and the CEO of Creative Zone.

A Student Association team (six current students) who advocate for the students, collect feedback, and arrange student led events.

Events this year have included: Welcome week, Halloween, UAE National Day, Christmas Celebration, UoBe Festival, Valentine's Day, International Women's Day, Welcoming Ramadan Celebration and much more.

We have arranged trips to: 

• Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque and Presidential Palace
• MBR Library 
• MBR Space Centre 
• Atlantis Aquaventure 
• Adventura park 
• IMG theme park
• Trip to Dubai Opera to speak to a UAE astronaut currently at the International Space Centre
• Volunteering with K9 dog centre and packing aid boxes for Syria & Turkey

We have around 36 clubs and groups open to all students, including sports teams (male, female, and mixed).

Want to find out about more about student life at the University of Birmingham Dubai? Chat directly with our friendly Student Ambassadors to get their first-hand knowledge and advice to answer your questions.

Our sports clubs include: adventure sports, power lifting, football (male), touch rugby, volleyball, badminton, basketball, table tennis, and cricket. 

If your interest is not listed, we empower our students to take ownership of their initiative and support them with their interests, encouraging them to start their own club with like minded students. 

We hold regular Open Days, both in person and online.

View the full list of our upcoming Open Days and events Register for a University of Birmingham Dubai on campus Open Day Register for a University of Birmingham Dubai online Open Day

Our campus is based within Dubai International Academic City (DIAC). 

View our maps and directions page for how to find us

Yes. The University of Birmingham Dubai provides bus transport at an additional cost to all Emirates except Abu Dhabi (unless we meet the minimum number of students required).

The cost of the bus transport services will vary depending on where you need transport from and your distance from campus.

Learn more about student transport fees

To switch to a new route, you will need to notify Student Services of your change of address and complete any necessary transfer documentation. We can then assess your request, make the necessary arrangements and advise you of any change in your transport fees. You can contact Student Services by submitting your query via the form.

If you have changed your address you should also ensure that your student record is up-to-date with your latest address.

Free parking is available. The university car parking facility has 550 car parking spaces. Students will need car parking access cards to be able to use the car parking. 

Yes. The RTA bus number 365 runs on the Dubai International Academic City route. Please refer to the RTA’s journey planner to confirm schedules and plan your trip or call the RTA at 800-9090.