Business and Management Studies in the Gulf

Business and management study in the Gulf

Business and management are among the most widely offered subject areas across Gulf universities, from undergraduate degrees such as the BBA and programmes in finance, accounting, economics and marketing, to graduate study including the MBA and specialised master's degrees. Many are taught in English at internationally oriented institutions.

The exact programmes, specialisations and entry requirements vary by university, so use the official course pages to confirm what each institution offers before you decide.

Where business is well established

Several Gulf universities have well-regarded business schools. The American University of Sharjah in the UAE and Qatar University both offer established business and management programmes at undergraduate and graduate levels. Many other universities across the region offer business degrees as well.

These are starting points for your own research. Programme offerings and any accreditation change over time, so verify the current details on each university's official website.

Entry requirements and the GMAT/GRE

For undergraduate business, universities generally look at your secondary-school record and, for English-taught programmes, an English-proficiency test such as IELTS or TOEFL; some also consider the SAT or ACT. For MBA and some graduate programmes, a bachelor's degree is required, and many business schools ask for the GMAT or accept the GRE, sometimes alongside work experience.

Whether a test is required, and any score expectations, are set by each programme and change over time. There are no fixed cut-offs to quote here — confirm the current requirements on the official admissions page.

• Undergraduate: secondary-school record, IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught, sometimes SAT/ACT
• MBA / graduate: a bachelor's degree; many programmes require the GMAT or accept the GRE
• Some MBA programmes also consider work experience — check each programme's rules
• Exact tests, scores and deadlines vary by university — verify on the official site

Choosing a business programme

Look beyond the name of the degree. Compare the curriculum and specialisations, any professional or international accreditation the school holds, the internship or project structure, and the language of instruction.

We do not quote salary figures or make placement claims, because these vary by programme, employer and individual. Choose a programme that fits your goals and budget, and treat any "guaranteed job" or "guaranteed salary" claim as a red flag.

Verify before you apply

Course offerings, fees, intake dates and entry criteria are set by each university and change every academic year. No programme can guarantee admission, funding or employment.

Use the official university websites as your source of truth and confirm the current details directly before applying. This is general guidance, not professional advice.