How to study in Dubai without IELTS
After you graduate from high school, your next thoughts naturally turn to the “major” you wish to study. This point decides your course in life and given the academic requirements, tuition fees, economic conditions and the career pathways, it’s not a decision to be rushed or made lightly. The ‘where’ matters as much as the ‘what’, especially if the degree you’re eyeing is located in a different country that is far away from home; and all things familiar. Previously, Western countries had a considerable monopoly over the education sector, but–strict language requirements, tightened immigration policies and limited sponsorship opportunities, have created a shift, with increased interest in how to study in Dubai without IELTS.
The Arab Emirate has stepped up to the plate, offering academic excellence, world-class infrastructure and long-term settlement options that attract Indian students. Moreover, several universities in Dubai do not rely on the IELTS score for admission decisions and accept alternative language tests that demonstrate proficiency.
If English competence tests previously held you back from pursuing your passion, then this blog is for you. Read on to take your first step toward your dream university!
Why Study in Dubai Without IELTS?
When someone says “Dubai”, you instantly picture spiralling skyscrapers and opulent shopping malls. However, in recent times, what cements Dubai’s mark on the map is its scholastic contributions and academic diversity.
According to Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), there is a 29% uptick in international student enrolments for the academic year 2024-25, with 3 more international universities greenlit to welcome a new cohort for 2025-26. These universities include IIM-A, The American University of Beirut, Lebanon and the Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Expanding floorspace and waiving off the IELTS requirement are signs that Dubai offers inclusive education by staying agile.
While the IELTS (acronym for International English Language Testing System) is a standardized and widely accepted test for study, work and migration-related processes, it has been perceived as a barrier to attracting talent in high volume. This is why many universities around the world have discontinued it as a gauge of language proficiency and consider applications through an objective meritocratic system that accepts alternative language proficiency exams.
It’s important to remember two things:- Alternative language proficiency tests are not an inferior metric.
- University standards aren’t automatically low because they exempt candidates from taking the IELTS.
If you wish to study in Dubai without IELTS, here are some reasons that will help you make an informed decision;
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Strategic Education Overhaul
In October 2024, Dubai’s KHDA announced E33, an education and learning development strategy that positions the U.A.E. as a premier educator through all stages, from early childhood to higher studies. The E33 framework focuses on 5 goals, which are to:
- Raise the parent/guardian satisfaction rate to 90% and above.
- Equip students with essential lifelong skills and equal opportunities in the job market.
- Ramp up university expansion and add 70 more top-ranked universities by 2033.
- Attract 50% more overseas candidates and increase student enrolments 2x by 2033.
- Champion cultural diversity while respecting Emirati values.
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Diverse Academic Offerings
Universities and colleges in Dubai offer 500+ multidisciplinary academic programs, enabling students to explore lucrative tracks that lead to fulfilling careers. Private schools alone boast 17 curricula that embody academic standards followed in other parts of the world, which also makes the transition into the country easier for those who are used to a certain prescribed format. The most popular degrees are in business and management, while also having programmes in engineering, healthcare and medical sciences, space and arts & humanities. The government has actively partnered with leading international space agencies in the U.S, India and Japan, encouraging education in space research, climate change and environmental sustainability. These partnerships have encouraged the Emirate to invest in modernising and upgrading facilities and equipment, which students can make use of to harness their potential.
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Postgraduate Employment Opportunities
Anyone considering studying abroad wants a good return on their investment and the U.A.E. does not disappoint in this regard. In 2023, the country’s total employment to population ratio (%) was 76.8%. While many countries have ramped down hiring, the U.A.E. maintains a positive employment record.
Employment prospects are favourable for three key reasons:
- Course Recognition: Several hundred courses offered at university level in Dubai are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), the Emirate’s Quality Assurance Agency for higher education. The accreditation improves your employability because it offers verifiable credibility, which employers value. ~85% of graduates who study an accredited course land jobs within 6 months of finishing their degree.
- Lucrative hiring pool: With increased investments in AI and infrastructure, the real estate and technology sectors are booming, adding more jobs to the hiring pool.
- Transferability: Some courses taught at American, Australian and British universities allow talented students to transfer to their Western counterparts after some semesters in Dubai. They can subsequently apply for optional practical training (OPT) and stay for a year to gain work experience.
- Tax-free salaries: Many countries levy complicated tax structures that eat into your earnings. Landing a job in the U.A.E. lets you earn without being taxed. While you may not land a great paycheck at your first job, subsequent switches promise higher wages, increasing your savings.
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Public Transportation
Dubai is connected by two metro routes, stopping at 55 places. While it’ll require considerable travel planning, especially if your campus is located in Knowledge Park, you can make use of the buses to move around. Some universities offer free and frequent shuttles for convenience.
- Varied Accommodation Options There are several types of accommodations available at the intersection of leading universities, like the Yugo Dubailand, the Myriad, KSK Homes and more, which offer All-In-One services for students to make settling in smoother and hassle-free. The campuses are manned and safe, with advisors who are approachable and helpful. A few universities even include meals in the fees, which saves you the trouble of cooking or eating out frequently.
- Revised Visa Policies The Visa processing time has been shortened to 10-15 days, meaning that you won’t have to endure a long wait for the decision. You can monitor and track the status through the AI-powered Salama system. What’s more, student visa policies have been revised for practicality. While the standard student visa is renewable on a yearly basis depending on the length of the course, high-performing students securing 90% in their school records qualify for a 5-year long-term student visa. The Golden visa route is also offered to academically brilliant university students who score a GPA of 3.5 (for A-grade universities) and 3.8 (for B-rated universities). This option lets them remain in the country for 10 years without being sponsored, which is beneficial to employers and graduates alike.
- Increased Focus on Innovation and Research The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) announced funding for 24 research projects from 13 universities in cutting-edge fields, which are all supported by the DFF’s Research, Development and Innovation Initiative (RDI) that was launched in September 2024. Another interesting move by the RDI is undoubtedly its partnership with the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) to strengthen biotechnology and information communication technology research. The grant offers U.A.E.-based researchers up to AED 250,000 (split into AED 125,000 per project) to carry out work in bioengineering and environmental technology. Through such measures, eligible and qualified scholars get opportunities to further their research.
- Cultural Melting Pot Several expat communities call Dubai home, with many first, second and even third-generation residents immersed in its cosmopolitan life. Indians constitute 40% of the population, with 42% of Indian students enrolled in various universities. You get to see a side to life that’s different from yours while also maintaining ties to home, making it the optimal intersection. For those who regard personal safety as a primary factor to settle, Dubai consistently scores high, earning 84/100 in the overall safety index.
Universities in Dubai offering no IELTS programs
| University Name | Academic Programs | Assessment Alternative to IELTS |
|---|---|---|
| American University in Dubai (AUD) | Business, Engineering, Arts | Waives IELTS for students who obtained an English-medium education or via an internal English assessment/interview. |
| University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) | IT, Engineering, Business | Accepts proof of language comprehension through administering its own UOWD English test, TOEFL, PTE. |
| Middlesex University Dubai (MDX) | Data Science, Law, Media | Accepts UK GCSE/IGCSE English, proof of prior English-medium study, TOEFL, PTE, or the MDX English test. |
| Murdoch University Dubai | Journalism, Cybersecurity, IT | Proof of English-medium education, TOEFL, or PTE qualification accepted; an interview may follow. |
| Heriot-Watt University Dubai | Engineering, Business, Fashion | Accepts students with English-medium schooling, internal assessment/interview, PTE, TOEFL. |
| Canadian University Dubai | Communication, Health, IT | Proof of English-medium study, TOEFL, PTE accepted. |
| Manipal University Dubai | Biotechnology, Design, IT | Accepts English-medium instruction certificate, TOEFL, PTE. |
| Amity University Dubai | Hospitality, Aerospace, Business | Accepts English-medium instruction certificate, TOEFL, PTE, may run interview. |
| British University in Dubai | Business, Architecture, Law | Accepts English-medium schooling or alternative English tests. |
| Zayed University | Environmental Science, Affairs | Proof of comprehension through schooling in the English medium, followed by internal proficiency assessment. |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Dubai | Engineering, Computing | Accepts English-medium certificates, may run interviews or accept alternative tests such as TOEFL. |
| Britts Imperial University College | Business, Management, IT | Offers flexible admission criteria. Conducts internal evaluation and accepts any English language proficiency test. |
| Nest Academy of Management Education | Management, Events, Sports | Accepts English-medium education and internal English evaluation. |
| Euclea Business School | Business, HR, Marketing | English-medium schooling accepted. May ask for an internal assessment. |
Application Process for Studying in Dubai- Getting Started
Whether you opt to study in Dubai without IELTS and with another language competence test, follow the steps below to simplify the process and shorten the timeline:
- Conduct independent research into schools and programmes and curate a list according to those disciplines that interest you. Do not fret if this step seems to demand all of your effort and energy. You can reach out to the team at Fateh Education whose advisors will do the heavy lifting for you – right from obtaining all required documentation to exam prep and visa applications.
- Talk to Alumni and start networking even before you land in Dubai. This will help you to know what kind of career pathways to take after you complete the course.
- Check if you meet the eligibility criteria and make a note of deadlines so that you can reapply in case you missed it the first time. Even if the cohort runs for a season [divided into Spring, Summer and Winter intakes, for example], processing deadlines vary from university to university, so knowing how soon you should get your application in impacts the remaining steps of applying for the right visa.
- Gather and file all relevant documents, including:
- Duly filled application form.
- Academic transcripts and extra-curricular certificates.
- Copy of your current passport valid for at least 6 months.
- Passport-sized photos not older than 6 months, meeting the dimensions requirement.
- English competence tests.
- Financial statements, including the receipt for the application fee.
- Some universities may want to interview you and read a Personal Statement. Given that you do not need to take the IELTS, be prepared to demonstrate your readiness and interest in the programme by writing a persuasive and heartfelt statement. Pro tip: Interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially if it’s not in your mother tongue. If English isn’t your first language, practice interviewing in it as early as possible to improve fluency. Sit with trusted friends, a teacher, a guidance counsellor, or any family member and ask them to roleplay as an interviewer. You can pace your flow and articulate your thoughts more clearly in time for the actual interview. The point of this exercise is to help you express yourself verbally as well as in writing, so deliberate efforts will pay off.
- Given how busy professors are in the academic year, request Recommendation Letters in advance via email or in person. Letters from academic sources can give you a leg up because the lecturer can provide insights and verify your qualities as a pupil.
Visa Requirements for Studying in Dubai
- Submit proof of acceptance from a recognized university that indicates the length of the programme.
- Financial sufficiency that covers tuition, accommodation and living expenses.
- Salary certificate of the sponsor, if opting for a parent-sponsored visa.
- Certificate of Continuation for applicants aged 18+.
- Provide proof of English language proficiency, such as TOEFL, Pearson Test of English (PTE) or Cambridge English C1 and C2 exams, if a waiver has not been granted.
| Visa Type | Eligibility | Validity | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Student Visa | Enrolled in a U.A.E.-based university (undergrad/postgrad) | 1 year (renewable annually) | Sponsorship by a university or parent; must show admission letter & funds. Expat parents can sponsor children up to the age of 25. |
| Golden Visa (10-Year) | Offered to exceptional students with a solid GPA (3.5-3.8) in all university semesters | 10 years | Long-term residency; includes family sponsorship; often includes scholarship aid |
| Parent-sponsored Visa | Under 25, studying in the U.A.E., and the parent resides in the U.A.E. | Varies, usually annual | Cost-effective; students can be on their parents’ residency visa |
| Long-term Visa (5-year) | Applicable to students who score 90%+ in school exams | 5 years | Cost-effective as payment is made once. |
Conclusion
So long as English remains the language of instruction in Dubai campuses of International Universities, it’s highly unlikely that competence tests will be completely waived off. However, the good news is that your admission isn’t decided on the IELTS score alone, but on how you fare in tests equivalent to the IELTS and other factors that allow you to demonstrate your qualifications, sans the language barrier.
Excited to study in Dubai without IELTS? Let your academic excellence shine through with expert guidance from Fateh. With 21+ years of educational consulting centred around real-world insights, Fateh has made 45,000+ students’ dreams come true. It’s your turn now.
FAQs
Yes, nearly 14+ universities* approve students for program admissions without setting the IELTS exam as the baseline. In its place, some universities accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from the school you previously attended.
verified as of the date of publishing and subject to change without notice.
Manipal University Dubai, Heriot-Watt, Murdoch, The American University in Dubai and UOWD (Wollongong) are top-ranked universities that waive off the IELTS requirements.
Instead of IELTS, the following language proficiency tests are deemed acceptable by Dubai universities;
- TOEFL, with a score between 80-100
- PTE Academic with a score between 50-70
- Scoring 70%+ in tests administered in the English language.
- Cambridge English Tests with a minimum B2 first, C1-Advanced and C2- Proficient.
- Duolingo, rarer and at the discretion of the university, scores between 95-120
- EmSAT, for UAE-Based Colleges, scores between 1100-1400+
- Oxford Test of English (OTE): rarer and at the university’s discretion, score B2 and above.
While all universities require demonstrable comprehension in the English language, specific eligibility depends on the student's profile and academic programme. The consideration process is more comprehensive, with most universities basing their decision on academic backgrounds, compelling personal statements, interview performance, proof of sufficient funds and valid evidence of high performance in English-based tests.
You can raise your chances of being admitted into a Dubai-based university by
- Refining and polishing your personal statement.
- Extensive mock interview preparation.
- Obtaining references from tutors.
- Complying with documentation requirements and compiling them on time.