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Cheap Universities in UAE: Tuition Fees Compared

The cheap universities in UAE we found, based on fees published on official university pages in October 2026, are HBMSU (online, from AED 792 per credit for core courses), Ajman University (from about AED 1,200 per credit) and Manipal Dubai (from AED 43,575 a year) (university fee pages, Oct 2026). Most Dubai branch campuses charge AED 60,000 or more a year (university fee pages, Oct 2026).

Below is a table of ten universities with tuition exactly as published, the true total cost of a degree, scholarships that reduce it, and how to make sure a low fee still buys a recognised degree.

Lowest annual fee in Dubai (published)
Manipal Dubai, AED 43,575 for the evening BBA, Sept 2026 batch (Manipal fee page, Oct 2026)
Lowest per-credit fee
HBMSU, AED 792 per core credit (online BBA in Accounting; fee page, Oct 2026)
Typical UK/Australian branch campus
AED 61,000 to 65,000 a year (Curtin and Middlesex fee pages, Oct 2026)
Federal university, non-nationals
AED 2,500 per credit at Zayed; AED 2,661 at UAEU for 2026-27 (university fee pages, Oct 2026)
Scholarships
Up to 50% (Amity); up to 30% (Birmingham Dubai)
Fees checked
October 2026, university fee pages

Cheap universities in UAE: published tuition compared

The table shows undergraduate tuition exactly as each university publishes it. Universities price in three ways (per credit hour, per year, or per whole programme), so read the unit before comparing.

UniversityLocationPublished undergraduate tuitionSource
Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart UniversityDubai (online/blended)Bachelor's: AED 792 to 1,200 per credit (core) and 1,000 (general); totals AED 104,280 to 141,000Fee page, seen Oct 2026
Ajman UniversityAjmanUndergraduate from about AED 1,200 per credit (Law, Mass Communication) to AED 1,575 for Management and Marketing; BDS AED 2,668 (2025-26 brochure)Fee page, seen Oct 2026
Manipal Academy of Higher Education, DubaiDubai Academic CityAED 43,575 to 57,750 per year, incl. VAT (September 2026 batch)Fee page, seen Oct 2026
Curtin University DubaiDubai Academic CityAED 182,700 total for most 3-year bachelor's; AED 260,400 for 4-year Mechanical EngineeringFee page, seen Oct 2026
Middlesex University DubaiDubai Knowledge ParkAED 64,557 per year; AED 193,671 for a 3-year degree (2026-27)Fee page, seen Oct 2026
Amity University DubaiDubai Academic CityAED 2,100 to 2,200 per credit, excl. VAT, before bursaries (BBA 123 credits)Fee page, seen Oct 2026
Zayed University (non-nationals)Abu Dhabi and DubaiAED 2,500 per credit hourFee page, seen Oct 2026
UAE University (international students)Al AinAED 2,661 per credit for most programmes from 2026-27 (120 credits = AED 319,320)Fee page, seen Oct 2026
Canadian University DubaiDubai (City Walk)AED 2,134.65 to 2,527.88 per credit; page says rates effective from 2023-24Fee page, seen Oct 2026
American University in DubaiDubai Media CityAED 106,050 per year for 12 to 16 credits a semesterFee page, seen Oct 2026
Fees exclude accommodation, visa, books and application or registration fees unless stated. Several universities add one-off charges: Manipal lists AED 3,150 application and registration for undergraduates, Curtin AED 3,500 registration, and Amity a AED 500 registration fee each semester plus a refundable deposit (university fee pages, Oct 2026). Some prices include 5% VAT and some do not.

Cheapest universities in UAE we found

Converted to a rough annual figure (our calculation, assuming 30 credit hours a year where fees are per credit), the lowest published undergraduate fees on our list are:

  1. HBMSU: about AED 24,000 to 36,000 a year of study at its per-credit rates, and fully online or blended, so you can keep working (HBMSU fee page, Oct 2026).
  2. Ajman University: about AED 36,000 to 47,000 a year for many business, IT, law and media programmes at 2025-26 rates (Ajman fee brochure, Oct 2026).
  3. Manipal Dubai: AED 43,575 to 57,750 a year as published, the lowest annual fees we found among Dubai branch campuses (Manipal fee page, Oct 2026).

Above those, the per-year cost of UK and Australian branch campuses we checked is around AED 61,000 to 65,000 (Curtin's AED 182,700 three-year total works out to AED 60,900 a year; Middlesex publishes AED 64,557) (university fee pages, Oct 2026). US-style universities charging per credit are higher: AUD's full-time rate is AED 106,050 a year (AUD fee page, Oct 2026).

Cheap universities in Dubai are often Indian branch campuses or offer evening study. At Manipal, the evening BBA (AED 43,575) costs less than the day BBA (AED 50,925) (Manipal fee page, Oct 2026).

Compare the total degree cost, not the yearly fee

A three-year degree at a higher annual fee can cost less overall than a four-year degree at a lower one. Examples from published fees:

  • Middlesex Dubai: AED 193,671 for a three-year undergraduate degree for 2026-27 (Middlesex fee page, Oct 2026).
  • Curtin Dubai: AED 182,700 for most three-year bachelor's degrees (Curtin fee page, Oct 2026).
  • Amity Dubai: BBA 123 credits at AED 2,100 equals AED 258,300 before any bursary and before VAT (Amity fee page, Oct 2026).
  • UAEU (international students): AED 319,320 for a 120-credit programme from 2026-27 (UAEU fee page, Oct 2026).

Also check how fees rise. Birmingham Dubai says undergraduate first-year fees stay the same for the whole course; other universities revise fees annually, and UAEU notes fees depend on the year a student was admitted.

Scholarships and discounts that cut costs

  • Merit scholarships: Amity advertises up to 50% scholarships on all degrees (its listed fees are before bursaries). Birmingham Dubai offers partial scholarships of up to 30%, or up to 50% for invitation-only awards, on tuition only.
  • University schemes: Manipal Dubai runs a scholarship programme for academic excellence, and Middlesex, Curtin and UOWD publish scholarship and tuition grant pages. Amounts and criteria change, so read the current terms.
  • Federal funding for Emiratis: federal universities are funded for eligible UAE nationals; Zayed University charges nationals only in specific cases such as self-funding students.
  • Financial aid: Zayed University's Student Support Unit considers aid for students whose finances may stop them continuing.
  • Instalments: HBMSU lists 0% interest instalment plans through partner banks, with a processing fee.

For government and external awards, see UAE scholarships.

Cheap online universities in UAE

Online study is the cheapest route for working adults because you avoid relocation and keep your salary. HBMSU, owned by the Dubai government and licensed by MoHESR, publishes bachelor's programmes from AED 104,280 in total (Accounting, 123 credits) and master's programmes from AED 66,000 (HBMSU fee page, Oct 2026).

Be careful with overseas online degrees. MoHESR introduced new recognition conditions in 2025 under which some distance and online programmes may get conditional approval, while some programme types are not reviewed at all (Khaleej Times, March 2025). Check recognition before paying.

Affordable universities in Dubai: where the savings are

  • Indian branch campuses: Manipal had the lowest annual fees we found in Dubai. Compare BITS Pilani, Amity and Symbiosis directly, since their fee bases differ (Amity charges per credit before bursaries).
  • Three-year UK and Australian degrees cost one year less than four-year US-style degrees.
  • Evening and weekend programmes can be cheaper and let you work.
  • Foundation year: depending on your school qualification, you may need a foundation year, which adds a year of fees. Ask whether your qualification allows direct entry.
  • Northern emirates: Ajman's per-credit fees are lower than most Dubai universities, if commuting or relocating works for you.

For all Dubai options see universities in Dubai.

Cheap should still mean recognised

  1. Check the university on the CAA institution list. The list marks many former private colleges as licence revoked.
  2. Check that your specific programme is accredited.
  3. Confirm the fee basis (per credit, per year, per programme) and whether VAT is included.
  4. Ask for all extra fees in writing: registration, labs, exams, graduation, visa.
  5. Compare scholarships before you accept an offer, as many are awarded at admission.

Questions and answers

Which is the cheapest university in UAE?

Among the fee pages we checked in October 2026, HBMSU's online bachelor's degrees and Ajman University had the lowest per-credit rates, and Manipal Dubai had the lowest published annual fees in Dubai, from AED 43,575 (university fee pages, Oct 2026).

What is the cheapest university in Dubai for international students?

Manipal Dubai publishes annual undergraduate fees of AED 43,575 to 57,750 for the September 2026 batch (Manipal fee page, Oct 2026). HBMSU is cheaper per credit but is online.

How much does a university degree cost in Dubai?

Published fees we checked range from about AED 43,000 a year at Manipal to AED 106,050 a year at AUD (university fee pages, Oct 2026). UK and Australian branch campuses we checked charge around AED 61,000 to 65,000 a year (Curtin and Middlesex fee pages, Oct 2026).

Are federal universities free for expats?

No. Zayed University charges non-national students AED 2,500 per credit hour, and UAEU charges international undergraduates AED 2,661 per credit from 2026-27 (ZU and UAEU fee pages, Oct 2026).

Can scholarships make university cheaper in the UAE?

Yes. Amity advertises up to 50% and Birmingham Dubai up to 30% (50% by invitation) off tuition, and many universities have merit awards.

Are cheap online degrees recognised in the UAE?

Degrees from MoHESR-licensed online universities such as HBMSU are recognised. For overseas online degrees, MoHESR applies specific conditions, so check before enrolling.

Sources

Last checked: 15 October 2026