The United Arab Emirates offers six scholarship routes in this set: four fully funded awards, one partial tuition-waiver scheme and one government programme whose funding level is listed as full or partial. They sit at very different universities and suit very different students, from school leavers chasing an undergraduate place to graduate researchers in artificial intelligence and STEM. This page lists every one with a link to its full guide.
All six UAE scholarships at a glance
| Scholarship | Funding | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| American University of Sharjah President's Scholarship | Fully Funded | March 19, 2026 (Fall 2026 intake) |
| Khalifa University Scholarship for International Students | Fully Funded | March 2, 2026 (Fall 2026); September 15, 2026 (Spring 2027) |
| MBZUAI Scholarship (Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence) | Fully Funded | December 15, 2025 final; November 15, 2025 priority (Fall 2026 intake) |
| NYU Abu Dhabi Need-Based Financial Aid | Fully Funded | Early Decision November 1, 2025; Regular Decision January 5, 2026 |
| UAE Government Scholarships for International Students | Full / Partial | Varies, confirm on official site |
| Abu Dhabi University Merit Scholarships | Partial Funding | Rolling, tied to each intake's admission deadline (Fall/Spring) |
Fully funded awards at Emirati universities
Four scholarships here are listed as fully funded, and they split cleanly by level. Two are for undergraduates, one is for graduate students in STEM, and one is for research students in AI.
Undergraduate: Sharjah and NYU Abu Dhabi
The American University of Sharjah President's Scholarship is described as the most prestigious undergraduate award at AUS. It covers 100% of tuition and lab fees, plus a monthly stipend, on-campus housing and annual round-trip airfare. That airfare line matters for a Pakistani family, because travel is a real cost that many awards leave out. It is meant for exceptionally high-achieving international students, so expect a very competitive field. The deadline listed is March 19, 2026 for the Fall 2026 intake. Full details.
NYU Abu Dhabi Need-Based Financial Aid works differently. It is need-blind and need-based, and it can cover up to 100% of tuition, housing, meals, health insurance and even travel for admitted international undergraduates, regardless of citizenship. You do not apply for a separate prize; aid is tied to admission. The dates listed are Early Decision on November 1, 2025 and Regular Decision on January 5, 2026, both for the Fall 2026 intake. Full details.
Graduate and research: Khalifa and MBZUAI
The Khalifa University Scholarship for International Students is merit-based and covers full tuition, a monthly stipend, medical insurance and visa costs. It is aimed at outstanding international undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields at Khalifa University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi. It is the only one here with two listed intakes: March 2, 2026 for Fall 2026 and September 15, 2026 for Spring 2027. Full details.
The MBZUAI Scholarship is the simplest to understand. It is awarded automatically to every admitted full-time MSc and PhD student at the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi, and it covers tuition, a substantial monthly stipend, visa sponsorship and health insurance. The listed deadline is December 15, 2025 as the final date, with November 15, 2025 for priority review, for the Fall 2026 intake. The work is all in getting admitted. Full details.
Partial and government options
The Abu Dhabi University Merit Scholarships are tiered tuition waivers for international undergraduate and graduate applicants. Waivers go up to 50% for bachelor's students and up to 25% for graduate students, based on academic performance. Deadlines are rolling and follow each intake's admission deadline, Fall or Spring. This is a discount, not a free ride, so you would need to budget for the remaining tuition and living costs. Full details.
The UAE Government Scholarships for International Students are programmes run by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for students pursuing higher education in the country. Funding is listed as full or partial, and the deadline varies, so confirm both on the official site before planning around it. Full details.
Which UAE scholarship fits your profile
For a Pakistani student finishing school, the two undergraduate fully funded routes are the strongest on paper, because both cover housing and travel as well as tuition. AUS is a merit award, while NYU Abu Dhabi is need-based, so your family's finances may point you toward one over the other. If you already hold a bachelor's degree, Khalifa suits STEM, and MBZUAI is the clear pick for AI, since funding comes with admission. ADU is the backup: easier to reach, but only partly funded.
Check the deadlines first. Several listed dates are for the Fall 2026 intake and may already have passed, so look at the individual guide and the official website for the current cycle before you start.
Preparing your documents
Start collecting transcripts, identity documents and recommendation letters early, because each university sets its own requirements and you will often send similar papers to several. Our documents checklist for international scholarships covers the common items, and the scholarships guide for Pakistani students explains how to compare options more widely.
Frequently asked questions
Which UAE scholarships are fully funded?
The American University of Sharjah President's Scholarship, the Khalifa University scholarship, the MBZUAI scholarship and NYU Abu Dhabi need-based aid are listed as fully funded. The government scholarships are listed as full or partial.
Is there a scholarship for AI students?
Yes. MBZUAI automatically awards its scholarship to every admitted full-time MSc and PhD student.
Can undergraduates apply?
Yes. AUS and NYU Abu Dhabi target undergraduates, Khalifa accepts undergraduate and graduate applicants in STEM, and ADU offers waivers for bachelor's and graduate students.
How much do the ADU merit scholarships cover?
Waivers go up to 50% for bachelor's students and up to 25% for graduate students, depending on academic performance.
When is the government scholarship deadline?
It varies. Confirm it on the official site.
Where to go next
Open the individual guide for each scholarship above, then check the official university or ministry website for the latest dates and requirements before you apply.