According to new rules introduced by the country’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the international rankings of an institution may now play a significant role as the UAE moves to help Emirati students prepare for working life.
Institutions chosen by Emirati students must place highly among universities worldwide, as well as in the student’s chosen field of study, based on classification criteria set out by the Ministry last year.
While the UAE government has not specified which rankings will be used to determine eligibility, global league tables such as the QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities are the favourites, given their widespread recognition.
The new rules are:
- In many cases, any institution chosen by an Emirati student must be ranked among the top 50 universities worldwide in the intended field of study.
- But if the student is studying in the US or Australia, the institution must be ranked both among the top 100 universities in the intended field and among the top 100 universities overall.
- For students studying in any other English-speaking country (excluding the US and Australia), the institution must be ranked among the world’s top 200 universities in the chosen field and also among the top 200 universities overall.
- And if the student chooses to study in a non-English-speaking country, the institution must be ranked among the world’s top 300 universities in the chosen field and among the top 300 universities overall.
According to UAE’s Education, Human Development and Community Development Council, the move is critical for enhancing Emirati students’ preparedness for the country’s job market, while also aligning international scholarship opportunities with the nation’s strategic goals, priority sectors, and future development plans.
These criteria are derived from a clear vision to elevate the higher education experience abroad
Education, Human Development, and Community Development Council
“These criteria are derived from a clear vision to elevate the higher education experience abroad,” stated EHCD.
“Non-compliance may result in these qualifications not being acknowledged for purposes such as employment, promotion, study leave, exam leave, thesis discussion, or eligibility for qualification-related benefits within the federal government sector in the UAE.”
In addition, students currently studying abroad, whether self-funded or supported by a scholarship provider, will be given a one-year grace period from the decision’s effective date, June 2, to regularise their academic status.
To assess exemption requests, a specialised committee has been formed under the leadership of the General Secretariat of the EHCD.
The UAE’s latest push to introduce a streamlined criteria is part of a long line of policy changes for outbound students.
Just this year, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research reduced the paperwork needed for international degree recognition and simplified the licensing process for higher education institutions seeking to establish campuses in Dubai.
