Free courses in Dubai with a certificate do exist, and the most reliable ones are run or backed by UAE government bodies: Dubai's One Million Prompters AI course, the federal DGOV Academy, the Ibtekr innovation platform, Dubai Culture's LinkedIn Learning licences for creatives, and the Nafis Talent Programme for Emiratis. Each has different eligibility, so check who can join before you register.
This page lists free and government-funded options we could confirm, explains which ones give certificates, and covers paid online courses in Dubai for when a free option does not fit. Programmes like these open and close in rounds, so check the official page for the current intake.
- Open to anyone
- One Million Prompters (DCAI): global registration, AI prompt certificate
- Federal platform
- DGOV Academy: free courses listed on u.ae
- Arabic MOOCs
- Ibtekr: free, certificates from MBRCGI
- For Dubai creatives
- Dubai Culture and LinkedIn Learning: 2,000 licences (2026 edition)
- For Emiratis
- Nafis Talent Programme: free training with accredited providers
- For children 7 to 14
- TDRA Virtual Camp: digital certificate
Government free courses in Dubai with certificate
| Programme | Run by | Who can join | Certificate | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One Million Prompters | Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI) | Global registration | Yes, AI prompt engineering certificate | Online modules; register at dub.ai/en/omp |
| DGOV Academy | Listed on the UAE government portal u.ae | Public short courses open to all; advanced courses for government and private-sector specialists | Not stated on u.ae | Online |
| Ibtekr | Certificates from Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation (MBRCGI) | Arabic speakers | Yes | Free online courses (MOOCs) in Arabic |
| LinkedIn Learning e-Learning Initiative | Dubai Culture with LinkedIn | Dubai-based professionals in creative fields | Not mentioned in source | Online, 24,000+ courses; 2,000 licences in the 2026 edition |
| Nafis Talent Programme | Nafis (MoHRE and the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council) | UAE nationals seeking work or employed in the private sector | Professional certifications available | Courses with accredited partners |
| TDRA Virtual Camp | Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority | UAE citizens and residents aged 7 to 14 | Yes, digital certificate | Online via academy.dgov.ae |
One Million Prompters: free AI course with certificate
The Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence launched One Million Prompters in May 2024, and opened global registrations in January 2025, with a goal of training one million people in AI prompt engineering over three years. The tracks cover AI and generative AI foundations, advanced prompting for chatbots, AI tools for productivity, and generative AI for art, music and video. Gulf News describes it as free, with four one-hour online modules, and participants who complete the tracks receive a certificate.
It is a good first step for anyone, including foreigners and job seekers, because it needs no prior technical background and takes only a few hours. Keep the certificate and mention the specific tools you practised when you list it on a CV. For deeper AI study, see AI courses in Dubai.
Free online courses for Dubai creatives
Dubai Culture runs a LinkedIn Learning initiative that gives free access to more than 24,000 online courses. Gulf News reported in July 2026 that the seventh edition offers 2,000 licences for Dubai-based professionals in animation and digital media, art, cinematography, design, performing arts, photography, production and writing. You apply through Dubai Culture's website and approval follows a review. See design courses in Dubai for paid options.
Federal online platforms: DGOV Academy, Ibtekr and others
The UAE government portal u.ae lists several online training platforms:
- DGOV Academy: free courses, with short courses for the public and advanced courses for specialists.
- Ibtekr: free MOOCs for Arabic speakers, with certificates from MBRCGI.
- One Million Arab Coders: launched in 2017 as a free programme for building digital skills. Check whether a new intake is open before planning around it.
- Al Mawrid and Maaref: for federal government employees; u.ae says these are offered at competitive prices, so not all courses are free.
Free and government-funded courses for Emiratis
The Nafis Talent Programme offers free training for UAE nationals who are job seekers or already work in the private sector. It reported 58 training programmes and more than 1,600 Emirati beneficiaries, with partners including the Prime Minister's Office, Etisalat Academy, PwC Academy and Dubai College of Tourism. Fields include technology, healthcare, tourism, banking and finance, trade and retail, and education.
Dubai College of Tourism also runs a two-year Diploma in Hospitality apprenticeship for Emiratis with Marriott. The source did not say whether it is free, so ask DCT. See hospitality courses. For university funding, see UAE scholarships.
Free courses for foreigners and for ladies
For free courses in Dubai for foreigners, the clearest option is One Million Prompters, which accepts global registration, along with DGOV Academy's public short courses. Dubai Culture's LinkedIn Learning licences are open to Dubai-based creative professionals whatever their nationality, subject to approval.
For free courses in Dubai for ladies, we could not verify a current women-only free programme from an official source. Community centres and some government entities run workshops from time to time; confirm the organiser, dates and certificate before registering, and be wary of "free" courses that ask for a deposit or bank details.
Paid online courses in Dubai
When a free option does not lead to the credential you need, paid online courses in Dubai and online short courses in Dubai can still be good value. Examples we confirmed: Eton Institute's online CELTA, 10 weeks at AED 7,454.95 including VAT (Eton Institute site, Oct 2026; see teaching courses), and online exam preparation for professional certifications such as PMP or ACCA (see project management and accounting courses).
Before paying for an online course, check that the certificate is issued by a recognised awarding or professional body, and whether your employer or a UAE authority will accept online study for your purpose. For degree-level online study, see universities in Dubai.
How to check a free course is genuine
- Find the official page. Use a government domain such as u.ae, mediaoffice.ae or the entity's own site, not a social media advert.
- Check eligibility. Many programmes are for Emiratis, government staff or specific age groups.
- Confirm the certificate. Who issues it, and is it a completion certificate or a professional credential?
- Never pay a "registration fee" for a free government course unless the official site states one.
- Check the intake. Free programmes run in editions; the one you read about may have closed.
For more course formats, see short courses and diploma courses in Dubai.
Questions and answers
Are there free courses in Dubai with a certificate?
Yes. Dubai's One Million Prompters AI course gives a certificate on completion, and Ibtekr offers free Arabic online courses with certificates from MBRCGI.
Can foreigners take free courses in Dubai?
Yes. One Million Prompters opened global registration, and DGOV Academy's public short courses are open to all according to u.ae.
Are there government free courses for Emiratis?
Yes. The Nafis Talent Programme offers free training for UAE nationals who are job seekers or private sector employees, with partners including Dubai College of Tourism and PwC Academy.
Are there free courses in Dubai for creatives?
Dubai Culture's LinkedIn Learning initiative gives Dubai-based creative professionals free access to more than 24,000 online courses, with 2,000 licences in the 2026 edition.
Are there free courses for children in the UAE?
TDRA's Virtual Camp is for UAE citizens and residents aged 7 to 14, covering coding, AI and app development online, with a digital certificate.
How do I know a free course is not a scam?
Register only through an official government or provider site, check eligibility and the certificate issuer, and never pay a fee for a free government course unless the official page states one.
Sources
- Dubai Media Office: DCAI opens global registrations for One Million Prompters
- Gulf News: Free AI courses in UAE for students and adults
- Gulf News: Free Dubai government courses to help you build job skills
- u.ae: Online training
- ADSME Hub: Over 1,600 UAE nationals benefit from Nafis Talent Programme
- Dubai Media Office: Dubai College of Tourism and Marriott launch apprenticeship programme for Emiratis
- Eton Institute: CELTA certificate course in Dubai
Last checked: 15 October 2026