Entrance Exams to Study in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

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Mrunmayai Bobade
Updated on Feb 28, 2022 10:43 AM IST

Aside from the visa application process, there are a few other things you need to consider before studying in the UAE. You must take some mandatory entrance exams to demonstrate your English proficiency at UAE universities.

Entrance Exams to Study in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The word UAE conjures up what images in your mind? Would that be Dubai's soaring Burj Khalifa? Or the Grand Bur Dubai Masjid? Or perhaps the sea and sand, or camel rides? Well, the above-mentioned things aren't just everything about this ravishing man-made island. The land is filled with traditions, incredibly strict rules, and a mixture of culture with revolutionary beliefs.

With its low-cost airlines, Dubai is on the path to becoming the nation's premier hub for innovation, and continually making headlines and buzz for its new inventions, avant-garde perceptions, and how it implements those in real-time to better the quality of life of its citizens.Despite this, it is also one of the best student cities in the world, drawing thousands of international students each year. Around 70,000 international students study in theUAE every year.

Although the country is governed by the royal family, the society is quite modern, open to change, and very welcoming to foreigners. Dubai has already taken the world by storm in terms of tourism, and the United Arab Emirates, with its excellent education system and abundance of career options, is a place aspiring students should seriously consider seeking out.

Our Study Abroad faculty members have assisted many students with the tips and tricks to crack a variety of entrance exams in the UAE. Our team is thrilled to know that nearly all of these students have been offered admission to their desired UAE universities. Know More.

Looking for a Study Abroad Program in the UAE? Get Expert Advice for FREE!

What Does Student Life in the United Arab Emirates Look Like?

In the past decade, the UAE and its neighbouring countries have witnessed an economic boom due to the discovery of oil in the Gulf. Dubai and Abu Dhabi, two of the world's richest cities, underwent a complete transformation during the last few decades. As a consequence, demographics and infrastructure in these places have become truly international. Students from different countries and cultures will surround you while you are studying in the UAE. For international students, there is never a humdrum moment in the UAE because there are shopping malls, beaches, clubs, and skyscrapers to explore and undoubtedly abundant job opportunities.

Undergraduate Education in the UAE: Eligibility for Courses and Exams

The following requirements are required for international students applying to the University of the Emirates for undergraduate study:

  1. Schooling for a minimum of 12 years.

  2. English proficiency requirements must also be met by either achieving a cut-off score on TOEFL and IELTS or securing 70% marks in English.

  3. The University of Wollongong in Dubai, Al Ghurair University,Middlesex University Dubai, etc. require a minimum percentage of 50% to 60% of your mark if you are a CBSE or ISC student.

Also Read:Top Courses in UAE for International Students

Exams to Study in UAE at Undergraduate Level

Students in international programs must submit a test score from one of the following tests to demonstrate their English proficiency.

IELTS Requirement to Study in UAE

A world-renowned English language proficiency test, IELTS is an internationally accepted measure of English proficiency. This test assesses all four levels of English language proficiency in the candidate: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Universities in the UAE generally require an IELTS score of 6.5 out of 9.

TOEFL Requirement to Study in UAE

TOEFL is another popular exam for testing English proficiency. In contrast to IELTS, TOEFL scores are based on a range of 0-120, with each section worth 30 points. TOEFL scores of 60-80 are considered acceptable to UAE institutes, although the minimum scores can vary by differentinstitutes.

PTE Requirement to Study in UAE

PTE Academic is another English proficiency exam offered by Pearson, apart from the popular ones like IELTS and TOEFL. The test is divided into three sections. However, Middlesex University, University of Birmingham, and other institutions looking for an overall PTE score of 51, despite the fact that most universities prefer IELTS and TOEFL.

Find Out Which University is Best Suited for You!

Study in UAE: Eligibility Criteria of Top Universities for Bachelors

Based on our research, we have calculated the minimum score requirements for a few of the popular universities in the UAE for undergraduates:

Name of the University

Minimum TOEFL Score

Minimum IELTS Score

Abu Dhabi University

61 iBT and 173 CBT for UG

&

530-550 for PG

5.0 for UG

&

6.0 for PG

American University of Sharjah

iBT- 80

6.5

BITS Pilani

PBT-500

iBT-61

5 or above

Gulf Medical University

79

6

Hult International Business School

80

6.5

Khalifa University

iBT-91

6.5

Manipal University

79

6

Middlesex University

iBT- 72 for UG and 87 for PG

5.5 with at least 5 in each component

SP Jain School of Global Management

70

6.5

United Arab Emirates University

iBT-70

5.5

University of Birmingham

Overall -72

Overall-5.5

University of Wollongong

iBT-71 CBT-173

5

Westford University College

79

6

Zayed University

iBT-90

6.5

Postgraduate Education in the UAE: Eligibility for Courses and Exams

A wide variety of qualifications and backgrounds are accepted by most universities and colleges. The graduate must hold a recognized degree in Dubai as well as the home country. International students who wish to study postgraduate studies in Dubai must meet the following requirements:

  1. In addition to a bachelor's degree, TOEFL or IELTS are required for admission to programs other than an MBA.

  2. Branches of foreign universities in Dubai seek applicants with qualifications similar to those of their home countries. For instance, one such university is Murdoch University. Now, Dubai seeks postgraduate qualifications that are on par with Australian three-year bachelor's degrees. Needless to say, this does not necessarily mean it must be an Australian degree.

  3. Depending on the program and the university that an applicant has applied to, a student applying for admission to an MBA program in Dubai should have work experience of a minimum of 2-4 years.

Also Read:Which is Better for Higher Students, Dubai or Singapore?

Exams to Study in UAE at Postgraduate Level

GRE, GMAT, and other exams such as these are mandatory for those wishing to pursue PG courses with UAE universities. The following information will give you an idea about what you need to know when applying to PG courses at UAE universities.

GRE Requirements to Study in UAE

There is no difference between UAE and other countries when it comes to the GRE as a standard exam for PG courses. GRE scores between 130 and 170 are required by top UAE universities.

GMAT Requirements to Study in UAE

A student who wishes to pursue an MBA in the UAE has to sit for a GMAT exam. This exam costs $250 (around 18,360 Indian rupees).

In a nutshell, a language proficiency test is mandatory for all PG applicants if you intend to study here. Candidates for PG programs are required to complete TOEFL/IELTS along with GRE/GMAT, depending on their course of study. Additionally, LOR and SOPs from previous employers and institutes are also required.

Study in UAE: Eligibility Criteria of Top Universities for PG

A student's UG scores determine whether they will be admitted to a PG program. GMAT is a mandatory exam for business schools, unlike GRE which is optional.

Name of the University

Minimum Scores

Hult International Business School

300 for GRE and 560 for GMAT

SP Jain School of Global Management

GMAT >650

GRE >320

Zayed University

GRE optional

Generally speaking, foreign universities in the UAE seek credentials similar to those found in their home countries. For example, A 3.2 GPA (80-86%) is required for admission to Hult International Business School in the UK. Similarly, Indian applicants must also have the same qualifications as well as GMAT scores to be admitted to the UAE branch.

Applying for Admissions in the UAE

Admission norms vary from institution to institution in the UAE. It is true that there are many practices that are common to all academic institutions, however, the admission policies to different undergraduate and graduate programs may differ among academic institutions. The policies may also vary from course to course. Before applying for admission, a candidate must decide on a program that interests them. It is essential that you first validate that the institution to which you wish to be admitted is willing to admit you. When assessing whether a student will succeed in a program, institutions typically examine their academic backgrounds and other important details.

Also Read:What Do Boards Topper Prefer for Higher Studies? India or Abroad?

If you are notconfident in your language speaking skills participate in group discussions whileapplying for admission to the UAE. Or if you carry any queries about preparing for entrance exams to study in the UAE, feel free to askour experts at abroad@collegedekho.com.As a result of our extensive experience, we have helped many students make informed decisions when choosing a path to higher education abroad. Know More.

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