Zayed University

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Zayed University (ZU) is a prominent public federal university in the United Arab Emirates, named after the nation’s founding father—Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It was established in 1998 with the initial aim of providing higher education to Emirati women; later, in 2008, it opened its doors to male students as well.
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Tuition Fees, Cost of Living & Accommodation at Zayed University

Cost Of Living

AED 34000

Undergraduate Fees International Students

AED 75000

Post Graduate Fees International Students

AED 63100

Bachelors

  • AED 11000
  • AED 19000

Masters

  • AED 19000

Zayed University Departments

  • College of Arts and Creative Enterprises
  • College of Business
  • College of Communication & Media Sciences
  • College of Interdisciplinary Studies
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences
  • College of Technological Innovation
  • College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • College of Technological Innovation
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences

Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of Zayed University

Zayed University places great emphasis on bilingual education, cultivating leadership skills, and combining modern academic programs with cultural values. It offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs across eight colleges that reflect regional demands, including technological innovation, business, media, and health sciences.

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Distinguished Alumni of Zayed University

Infrastructure & Facilities at Zayed University

 

The Abu Dhabi campus, designed by Hadi Teherani and completed in 2011, spans around 77 hectares with a built-up area of 188,500 m², featuring fluid forms and shaded outdoor spaces to promote interaction and cultural symbolism  .

The campus comprises 28 buildings covering approximately 220,000 m² across 187 acres, including a convention center, multipurpose halls, auditorium, and an award-winning shared library.

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Zayed University Student Life

Student life at ZU thrives in an environment rich with opportunities. Beyond academics, students engage in a variety of social, cultural, artistic, and recreational activities organized by both peers and staff. This vibrant scene includes student clubs, events, and multicultural gatherings—all aimed at holistic development and community integration.

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Zayed University Career support

Zayed University’s Student Careers and Alumni Department plays a pivotal role in guiding students and fresh graduates:

 

Offers one-to-one career counseling, covering career planning, CV and cover letter preparation, interview strategies, and job search techniques  .

Houses dedicated resources like the Career Lounge, personality assessments (e.g., MBTI), career option information, and labor market research tools  .

Conducts career development workshops on CV building, networking, interview preparation, and workplace readiness  .

Runs structured internship programs, such as Edaad and World of Work (WOW), to prepare final-year students for employment through personalized placement, evaluations, and academic credit.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Admission Requirements at Zayed University

Bachelor’s (Undergraduate) Admission Requirements

High School Credentials:

 

UAE MoE (Advanced/Elite): minimum 70%

General/Applied: minimum 80% 

 

UK A?Levels: at least 2 A?Levels, grade C or higher (excluding Arabic/Islamic Studies) 

International Baccalaureate (IB): Diploma with minimum 2 HL subjects (grade?5), or IB Certificate with 21 points including two subjects with grade ≥?5 

BTEC: Level?3 Diploma with at least 2 Merit grades 

Standardized Tests (English/Math):

 

English: EmSAT 1250, or IELTS ≥?5.5, or TOEFL iBT ≥?71 (varies by program) 

Math: EmSAT Math (e.g., 750–900 depending on program), or SAT Math, or ZU internal test if required 

Portfolio Requirement: For arts/design programs (e.g., Animation, Graphic Design), applicants must submit a portfolio showcasing creative skills

 

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Campus
Recruitment By top Companies

The Student Careers and Alumni Department delivers comprehensive career counseling, employer engagement, internship placement, on-campus employment, and alumni services designed to enhance job-readiness.

    Notable Achievements of Zayed University

     

    Accredited by both the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Its U.S. accreditation was reaffirmed in June 2024, extending validity until 2030/31 .

    Ranked 19th in the 2024 QS World University Arab Rankings.

     

    Achievements

    01.
    4‑Star Institutional Rating (Global Star Rating System)

    Earned a four‑star rating covering eight categories—including teaching, employability, academic development, internationalisation, facilities, social responsibility, and inclusiveness—an independent testament to its academic quality.

    Year
    Unspecified
    02.
    Outstanding University with the Most Participating Students at UAE Game Makers Competition

    Zayed University received this honor following a successful game development workshop led by the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises. The award underscores the university’s commitment to fostering creativity, experiential learning, and student engagement in digital arts.

    Year
    2025
    03.
    Faculty Recognized Among World’s Top 2% Scientists

    Twelve faculty members were honored in the Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientist Ranking, providing global recognition of their significant research contributions across various scientific fields.

    Year
    2024

    Notable Innovation, Research & Development Zayed University

    The Research Office supports an active research culture via internal grants like the Research Incentive Fund (RIF) and the Provost’s Research Fellowship Awards  .

    In 2014, it invested approximately 4.6 million AED in internal research funding  .

    The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, launched in 2010, encourages sustained student-faculty collaborative research, culminating in publications in international academic journals  .

    The College of Technological Innovation (CTI) conducts applied research in areas such as smart cities, IoT, cybersecurity, digital forensics, and data science, with programs accredited by ABET and CAA

     

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    Notable Innovation

    01.
    Cross-Discipline Accelerator & Fab Lab Pilot

    Pilot programs in collaboration with Dubai Futures Accelerators included the setup of a fabrication laboratory and an entrepreneurship club. These initiatives later contributed to the launch of the formal Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre—a foundational infrastructure enhancing hands-on prototyping, creative ideation, and startup development.

    Year
    2016-17

    University Ranking of Zayed University

    687
    351
    595

    Region: Arab Region

    114
    86
    20
    32
    Computer Sciences
    301-350
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    301-400
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    Law LLB
    301-350
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    Education
    351-400
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    Business management
    401-450
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