Khalifa University
Abu Dhabi, UAE
The UAE's top-ranked research university, particularly strong in petroleum engineering, aerospace, and AI (home to MBZUAI partnerships). All instruction in English. Generous scholarships available.
Last updated

Location
Abu Dhabi
Established
2007
Degree levels
Bachelor's, Master's, PhD
Instruction
English-taught
Rankings
Rankings are published annually by their respective organisations and change every year. Confirm the current-year position on the official ranking website before relying on it.
How to apply
Direct via Khalifa
Region
Middle East →Admission tests
IELTSInternational English Language Testing System
Listed for this university: IELTS / TOEFL
British Council / IDP IELTS / Cambridge University Press & Assessment · Year-round (test dates and session times vary by test centre)
SATDigital SAT
Listed for this university: SAT (some programs)
College Board · 8 weekend test dates a year (2026–27: Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Mar, May, Jun; same for U.S. and international)
Requirements change from one intake to the next — confirm the current ones on Khalifa University’s official site (opens in a new tab) before you apply.
Applying to universities in the Middle East
- Application platform
- Direct via university
- Intakes
- Fall (Aug/Sep) · Spring (Jan)
- Student visa
- Student Residence Visa
- Working while studying
- Generally restricted; some universities permit on-campus work.
Official sources: UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research · Study in Saudi — Saudi Ministry of Education. Visa and work rules change — verify on the official source before relying on them.
Popular fields of study
Source: Khalifa University official website. Details here are for guidance only — tuition, deadlines, rankings and eligibility change every academic year, so confirm on the official university site before applying.
Related / Next steps
NYU Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
American University of Sharjah
Sharjah
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
Abu Dhabi
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Thuwal
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