MBA courses in Dubai range from one-year full-time programmes at branch campuses of UK and Australian universities to part-time and executive MBAs for working professionals, with published 2026 fees from about AED 85,000 (Middlesex University Dubai daytime MBA) to over US$160,000 (London Business School's Dubai Executive MBA) (university fee pages, Oct 2026). Most MBA universities in Dubai teach in the evenings or in blocks so you can keep working.
Below we compare the main providers by format, location and the fee each one publishes, explain the licensing check (KHDA for free-zone campuses, the Ministry of Higher Education for federally licensed universities) and give a checklist for choosing. If a fee is not on the school's own page, we say so.
- Typical duration
- 12 months full-time; 18 to 24 months part-time or executive
- Published fee range (2026)
- AED 84,872 (MDX daytime MBA) to US$163,995 plus VAT (LBS Dubai EMBA) (university fee pages, Oct 2026)
- Formats
- Full-time daytime, evening part-time, executive blended, online
- Who licenses providers
- KHDA (Dubai free-zone branch campuses); MOHESR and CAA (federally licensed)
- Where branch campuses sit
- Mostly Dubai free zones such as Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai International Academic City
- Typical entry
- Bachelor's degree plus work experience; some ask for GMAT or GRE
MBA universities in Dubai compared
Fees below are as published or reported in 2026; check the school's own page before applying.
| School | Programme | Format | Fee | Fee source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex University Dubai | Daytime MBA | 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, daytime | AED 84,872 incl. VAT | MDX blog (Sept 2026 intake), Aug 2026 |
| Middlesex University Dubai | Executive MBA | Evening, for working professionals | AED 117,548 incl. VAT | MDX blog (Sept 2026 intake), Aug 2026 |
| University of Wollongong in Dubai | MBA | 18 months, on campus | AED 9,597 per module (total not stated) | Mastersportal listing, Oct 2026 |
| Heriot-Watt University Dubai | MBA Professional Practice | On campus, full- or part-time | Not confirmed on official page | Check with university |
| University of Manchester Middle East Centre | Global Part-time MBA; Global Executive MBA | Part-time blended; executive | Up to AED 250,000; AED 209,000 (excl. accommodation and admin) | Manchester Middle East Centre blog, Oct 2026 |
| Hult International Business School, Dubai | Executive MBA | Part-time, hybrid | AED 276,000 incl. VAT, plus AED 5,250 other costs | Hult fees page (2027-28), Oct 2026 |
| London Business School, Dubai | Executive MBA Dubai | Blended, in-person and online | US$163,995 plus 5% VAT | LBS fees page (Sept 2026 start), Oct 2026 |
| SP Jain School of Global Management | Global MBA; Executive MBA | Global MBA 1 year full-time; EMBA 18 months (Careers360 listing) | Not confirmed on official page | Check with school |
MBA formats: full-time, part-time, executive and online
Full-time MBA
Usually 12 months, daytime classes. Suits career changers and international students who will hold a student visa. Middlesex Dubai lists January, April and September intakes for its daytime MBA.
Part-time MBA courses in Dubai
Evening or weekend classes over about two years while you keep your job. Middlesex Dubai's daytime MBA can also be taken part-time over two years, and Manchester runs its Global Part-time MBA from its Dubai centre.
Executive MBA (EMBA)
For managers with substantial experience. Classes are often in blocks (several days a month) with online study between. LBS and Hult both describe their Dubai EMBAs as blended or hybrid.
Online MBA courses in Dubai
Fully online MBAs from foreign universities are widely marketed. Before enrolling, check whether the degree can be attested and recognised in the UAE for your purpose (employment, government jobs, further study). Recognition rules for online degrees are stricter than for campus study, so ask the Ministry of Higher Education's equivalency service or your employer first.
Short MBA courses
Searches for "short MBA courses in Dubai" usually lead to mini-MBA certificates or executive education. These are not MBA degrees. See leadership and management courses and short courses in Dubai.
Is the MBA recognised in the UAE?
Two regulators matter:
- KHDA licenses higher education providers in Dubai's free zones, which is where most international branch campuses sit (Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai International Academic City). KHDA's higher education directory listed 40 universities in October 2026.
- The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR), through the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), licenses institutions and accredits programmes federally. Manchester's Middle East Centre, for example, states it is licensed by the ministry with CAA-accredited programmes.
For a government job or further study you may need your degree attested and given equivalency by the ministry. Ask the university in writing whether its MBA graduates have obtained equivalency.
MBA admission requirements in Dubai
- A recognised bachelor's degree (attested if from abroad).
- Work experience: full-time MBAs often ask for 2 to 3 years; executive MBAs usually more.
- English: IELTS or TOEFL if your previous study was not in English.
- GMAT or GRE: required by some schools, waived by others. SP Jain lists GMAT, GRE and its own test among accepted exams.
- CV, statement of purpose, references and an interview.
For background on degrees and foundation routes see undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Dubai.
What an MBA in Dubai really costs
Beyond tuition, budget for:
- VAT at 5% where not included (LBS quotes fees excluding VAT).
- Student visa if you are not already a UAE resident: universities publish fees such as AED 7,140 for a new visa at Curtin Dubai, including a refundable AED 3,000 deposit (Curtin visa policy, July 2026). See UAE student visa.
- Living costs: the University of Birmingham Dubai estimates about AED 6,860 a month for a student, excluding visa (university site, Oct 2026).
- Global trips or residencies on executive programmes, which may be extra.
- Lost income if you study full-time.
MBA scholarships in UAE
Business schools publish their own scholarships and financing. London Business School lists scholarships and financing for its Dubai EMBA on its fees page. Some employers sponsor part-time or executive MBAs, often in return for a service commitment, so ask your HR team before paying yourself. Ask each school for early-application discounts, alumni discounts and instalment plans, and get any award in writing. More options are on our UAE scholarships page.
How to choose an MBA in Dubai
- Licence check: confirm KHDA or MOHESR licensing for the Dubai campus, and that the degree is awarded by the parent university.
- Same degree as home campus: ask whether the certificate is identical to the home-campus degree.
- Total cost: full programme fee including VAT, materials, trips and visa.
- Timetable: evening, weekend or block teaching that fits Dubai working hours and travel.
- Class profile: ask for average work experience and industries, not marketing claims.
- Accreditation and rankings: if a school cites AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS or a ranking such as the Financial Times, check it on the accreditor's or publisher's site.
- Attestation: if you will need the MBA for a government job or a licence, check equivalency rules first.
Questions and answers
How much does an MBA cost in Dubai?
Published 2026 fees range from AED 84,872 for Middlesex Dubai's daytime MBA to US$163,995 plus VAT for London Business School's Dubai Executive MBA (university fee pages, Oct 2026). Executive programmes cost the most.
Can I do a part-time MBA in Dubai while working?
Yes. Middlesex Dubai offers its MBA over two years part-time, and Manchester, Hult and LBS run part-time, hybrid or blended executive formats.
Which universities in Dubai offer an MBA?
Examples include Middlesex University Dubai, University of Wollongong in Dubai, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, the University of Manchester Middle East Centre, Hult, London Business School and SP Jain.
Is an online MBA recognised in the UAE?
It depends on the university and your purpose. Check attestation and equivalency rules with the Ministry of Higher Education and your employer before enrolling.
Do I need the GMAT for an MBA in Dubai?
Not always. Some schools require GMAT or GRE, others waive it for experienced applicants or use their own test.
Is a short MBA course the same as an MBA?
No. Mini-MBA and executive certificates are short non-degree courses and do not lead to an MBA degree.
Sources
- Middlesex University Dubai: Is an MBA in Dubai worth it? (Aug 2026, fees)
- Mastersportal: University of Wollongong in Dubai MBA
- Mastersportal: Heriot-Watt University Dubai MBA Professional Practice
- University of Manchester Middle East Centre: MBA fees in the UAE
- Hult International Business School: MBA fees
- London Business School: Executive MBA Dubai fees, financing and scholarships
- Careers360: SP Jain School of Global Management Dubai courses
- KHDA: Higher education directory
- University of Birmingham Dubai: Cost of living for students
- Curtin University Dubai: Student study visa fees and policy (2026)
Last checked: 15 October 2026