United Arab Emirates: Language and intakes

Language requirements and intakes

Language requirement

English-medium instruction is standard at the universities checked, but each sets its own test minimums. Undergraduate examples: Khalifa University IELTS Academic 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79 (postgraduate: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 91); UAE University IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL iBT 70 (or 90% in English on the MOE Grade 12 certificate; Duolingo, TOEFL Home Edition and IELTS Indicator not accepted); Zayed University 80% in Grade 12 English or TOEFL iBT 72 on the current admissions page (an older FAQ lists EmSAT 1250, IELTS 5.5+ or TOEFL iBT 71+); Heriot-Watt Dubai undergraduate entry IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5 (PTE 50-57; TOEFL iBT 72 for tests taken before 21 Jan 2026); RIT Dubai full admission IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 79 (conditional admission IELTS 5.0-6.0 / TOEFL iBT 61-78; Duolingo and PTE not accepted for undergraduate applications); NYU Abu Dhabi requires an English proficiency test for most applicants whose first language is not English (score table not retrieved); University of Sharjah accepts IELTS, TOEFL or PTE (score table not retrieved, certificates older than two years not accepted; IELTS 5.5 exempts from remedial skills courses); University of Birmingham Dubai accepts IELTS, TOEFL or PTE (scores on a separate page not retrieved). Secondary-school certificates not following the UAE MoE curriculum usually need an MoE equivalency certificate (UAEU, Khalifa).Show moreSource

Intakes and deadlines

Two main intakes: fall (September; applications for some universities close in July-August) and spring (January/February). Zayed University: Fall (August/September) or Spring (January/February), apply by end of July/start of August (fall) or end of December/start of January (spring). University of Sharjah: Fall and Spring (admission for Fall 2026/27 stated as closed). RIT Dubai: Fall deadline 22 August, Spring deadline 8 January (early and regular phases earlier). Heriot-Watt Dubai: September and January. University of Birmingham Dubai: January or September 2027 entries. Khalifa University: undergraduate admissions will not be offered for Spring 2027; Fall 2027 applications to open (timeline not yet published). NYU Abu Dhabi undergraduate: Early Decision I 1 November, Early Decision II 1 January, Regular Decision 5 January via the Common Application (year not stated on the page).Show moreSource

Language and exam preparation →