The expansion will boost Dubai’s total number of overseas university branches to 40, with strong interest from other major universities in final discussions or pending approval – signalling both growing demand and the sustained confidence in the Dubai 2033 vision.
The universities confirmed to begin operations in the academic year 2025/26 include the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad – with a Business and Management program currently ranked 27th globally in the QS World University Rankings by subject – Lebanon’s American University of Beirut – ranked 237th globally in the QS World University Rankings – and Saudi Arabia’s Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences.
Meanwhile, existing universities are scaling up their programs in artificial intelligence, sustainability, and financial technology – areas viewed as critical for future workplace developments.
Our aim is to enhance the global competitiveness of Dubai’s graduates
Wafi Dawood, KHDA
“Dubai’s initiative to attract the best global universities, endorsed by The Executive Council, reflects the emirate’s international stature. Dubai’s visionary leaders have ensured all the resources necessary to position the emirate as a global leader and a top destination for students and prestigious international higher education institutions,” stated Wafi Dawood, CEO of the Strategic Development Sector at KHDA.
“This initiative aligns with the social and economic goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, and the Education 33 Strategy, which represents a transformative vision for Dubai’s education system. Our aim is to enhance the global competitiveness of Dubai’s graduates, increase educational tourism tenfold by 2033, integrate a new generation of Emiratis into the workforce and future sectors, and contribute to doubling Dubai’s economy over the next decade, positioning the city among the world’s top three economic hubs.”
According to the KHDA, enrolments at higher education institutions in Dubai saw a record 20% increase in overall student enrolment, and 29% increase in international student enrolment in the 2024/25 academic year. A total of 42,026 students are now enrolled at 41 private higher education institutions in Dubai – the highest number to date.
These institutions offer more than 700 academic programs to prepare learners with the skills necessary for success in industries of the future, and those aligned with the strategic vision of the emirate.
By 2033, 50% of students admitted to universities in the Emirates’ higher education institutions will be international students, adding AED 5.6 billion (USD$1.52 bn) to the gross domestic product (GDP), and placing Dubai among the top 10 locations in the world for university study.
While the growth of branch campuses offers students a wider range of internationally accredited degrees without having to leave the region, critics note that the research output of these campuses remains limited.
In response to such concerns, the UAE authorities have begun to introduce policies to elevate academic quality and innovation. Dubai’s Executive Council, through the KHDA, recently launched a star rating system that includes research performance as a formal research criterion, encouraging campuses to enhance their R&D capacity.
Moreover, licensing processes have also been streamlined, with faster approvals now tied to graduate outcomes and research benchmarks.
With the UAE in a race against time as it pits itself against other countries with international education hubs, the country aims to remain a significant contributor in the MENA region as it pushes for global higher education rankings.
