University of Dubai

What University of Dubai does

The University of Dubai is a private higher education institution founded in 1997, licensed by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and owned by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce. It operates from a LEED Zero Energy certified campus in Dubai Academic City, featuring 10,284 square meters of solar panels that generate approximately 2,000 kilowatts daily and reduce carbon emissions by 2,400 tons annually. The institution serves undergraduate students, graduate students, and working professionals through three colleges: Dubai Business School (AACSB accredited), College of Engineering & IT (ABET accredited for EAC and CAC), and College of Law. It offers 26+ degree programs including BBA, BSc, MBA, MSc, LLM, and PhD programs, with specialized offerings such as the region's only MBA in FinTech, Global MBA in AI for Business, MSc in Data Science, and MSc in Cyber Security. Three new dual-degree undergraduate programs with University of London under LSE academic direction were launched in 2026.

The university generates revenue primarily through tuition fees for undergraduate and graduate degree programs, executive education through the Center for Executive Development (CED), and ancillary student services and fees. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, though scholarships covering up to 100% of tuition are available for Emirati students in selected programs and for high-achieving students across all nationalities. Its go-to-market approach combines direct admissions via a 14-step online application portal, participation in education fairs such as Gulf News Edufair, school partnerships, industry events, and an active social media presence. The institution differentiates through industry-integrated curriculum with minimum 10 hours of practitioner instruction per major course, dual-degree pathways with global universities, and a 83% graduate employment rate as a measurable outcome signal.

Beyond traditional education, the University of Dubai has expanded into venture investment through the AED 100 million Dubai Tech X Fund launched in October 2025 to support deep tech and AI startups, and has established research centers including the Center of Excellence for Customs and Trade Logistics with Dubai Customs and the MBRSC Space Center Lab. Technology infrastructure includes Moodle LMS, Respondus LockDown Browser for exam proctoring, Microsoft Teams for live instructor proctoring, Microsoft Office 365, MATLAB, Coursera integration, and Microsoft Azure AD authentication. The institution employs 101-250 staff and earned a QS World University Rankings 2027 placement in the 781-790 band (up from 851-900), positioning it among the top 100 universities in the Arab Region.

Name

University of Dubai

Legal name

University of Dubai

Website

https://ud.ac.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The University of Dubai is a private UAE higher education institution founded in 1997, offering 26+ accredited degree programs across Business, Law, Engineering, and IT to undergraduate, graduate, and executive education students through three colleges in Dubai Academic City.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

STEM-Focused Research Universities (Engineering & Applied Sciences) (EDAHABAB), Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Business administration degrees
• Engineering and IT programs
• Law degree programs
• Executive education

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Degree Programs: Revenue generated from undergraduate and graduate degree programs including BBA, BSc, MBA, MSc, LLM, and PhD programs across Business, Law, Engineering and IT disciplines.
2. Executive Education: Professional diplomas and executive education programs offered through the Center for Executive Development (CED) including Digital Marketing, Human Resource Management, and Business Analytics programs.
3. Student Services and Fees: Revenue from various student services including admission fees, library services, printing services, and other administrative fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The University of Dubai is a private higher education institution offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs across Business Administration, Law, Engineering, and Information Technology disciplines. It also provides professional diplomas and executive education through the Center for Executive Development (CED), and operates research centers and an AED 100 million startup investment fund.

Product overview

The University of Dubai is a private higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs across three colleges: Dubai Business School (AACSB accredited), College of Engineering & IT (ABET accredited), and College of Law. The institution provides over 26 degree programs including undergraduate BBA and BSc degrees, graduate MBA and MSc programs including specialized MBAs in FinTech, Data Science, Cyber Security, and AI, doctoral PhD programs, and MicroMasters credentials. Professional education is delivered through the Center for Executive Development (CED) offering professional diplomas. Research is supported through specialized labs including the MBRSC Space Center Lab and Cyber-Security and Applied Resilience Center. The University has expanded into startup investment via the AED 100 million Dubai Tech X Fund and operates research centers including the Center of Excellence for Customs and Trade Logistics in partnership with Dubai Customs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dual-Degree Programs with University of London: Three new dual-degree bachelor's programmes in partnership with University of London, under academic direction of London School of Economics and Political Science.

Products and services

• Dubai Business School The business school offers undergraduate and graduate programs including BBA, MBA, PhD, and MicroMasters programs in areas such as Accounting, Finance, Digital Marketing, FinTech, and Strategic Human Capital. AACSB accredited.
• College of Engineering & IT Engineering and technology college offering BSc programs in Computer Engineering (AI, Cyber-physical Robotics), Electrical Engineering (Communication, Power and Energy), and Computing and Information Systems. ABET accredited.
• College of Law Law college offering Bachelor of Law (LLB) as the first program of its kind in the UAE with dual degree option, and LLM programs in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution, and Financial Crimes and Money Laundering.
• MBA in FinTech Only institution in the region offering an MBA in FinTech, combining business knowledge with financial technology skills. Available in hybrid format.
• BSc Data Science and Business Analytics (DSBA) Prepares students to turn data into business insight and better decisions, part of dual-degree program with University of London (LSE).
• BSc Economics and Politics (EP) Explores how markets, institutions, public policy, and global political systems interact, part of dual-degree program with University of London (LSE).
• BSc Management with Digital Technologies (MDT) Designed for students who want to understand business, management, and digital technologies, part of dual-degree program with University of London (LSE).
• Global MBA in AI for Business Future-focused dual-degree program designed for professionals who want to lead in artificial intelligence for business applications.
• MSc in Data Science Master's program crafted to equip students with skills for data science, preparing graduates for data-driven decision-making roles.
• MSc in Cyber Security Program designed to strengthen knowledge in cybersecurity field for IT professionals and students.
• Center for Executive Development (CED) Executive education center offering professional diplomas in Digital Marketing, Human Resource Management (HRM), and Applying Business Analytics for working professionals.
• PhD in Business Administration Research-driven doctoral program for future scholars, consultants, and industry leaders in Dubai and the UAE.
• Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) Lab Research laboratory in partnership with Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center focusing on space technology, AI, and satellite research.
• Cyber-Security and Applied Resilience Center Research center focused on cybersecurity, applied resilience, and protection of cyber-physical systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• 83% of recent graduates started new job
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability9 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.

• Philippine Consulate General in DubaiminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2026Non-binding Memorandum of Understanding for potential academic cooperation including research projects, student-faculty exchanges, and proposed Philippine Studies Programme. Consul General expressed interest in sustainability and green energy expertise (NET-Zero campus certification), while university indicated interest in attracting Filipino students and alumni. Exploratory framework rather than committed partnership.
• University of London (with LSE academic direction)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2026Dual-degree bachelor's programmes in partnership with University of London under academic direction of London School of Economics and Political Science. Programs include BSc Economics and Politics, BSc Management with Digital Technologies, and BSc Data Science and Business Analytics. Students earn two globally recognized degrees while studying in Dubai, with September 2026 intake open and scholarships available for all nationalities.
• London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2026LSE provides academic direction for dual-degree programs in Data Science, Economics, and Management. New pathways announced by President Dr. Eesa Al Bastaki at World Token Summit 3.0 X Festival, supporting university's technology-integrated curriculum approach.
• Dubai CustomscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Launched Center of Excellence for Customs and Trade Logistics, designed as research and policy hub to improve customs systems, trade logistics, and supply chain resilience in Dubai. Initiative aligns with Dubai's Economic Agenda D33 targeting doubling the emirate's economy. Includes student hackathon with 33 teams and 110 participants focused on trade and logistics challenges.
• RIIG Technology, Inc. (HOOTL)coreTechnology or Integration · 24 November 2025MOU signed to explore collaborative initiatives in applied research, innovation, and talent development. Partnership aims to develop joint research programs, facilitate student and faculty exchanges, and create joint innovation ecosystem supporting UAE's strategic objectives.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights12 records

Broad incumbents

• Zayed University: UAE federal government university offering multi-disciplinary programs across business, IT, and specialized fields. Broader incumbent operating in the same UAE higher education market with government backing.
• Khalifa University: UAE's leading STEM-focused research university based in Abu Dhabi with significantly larger research output and government funding. Broad incumbent in UAE higher education with overlapping engineering and AI programs but broader scale and stronger research mandate.

Direct peers

• American University of Sharjah: Private UAE multi-disciplinary university offering undergraduate and graduate programs in business, engineering, and sciences with similar AACSB-equivalent accreditations. Directly comparable as a peer private institution competing for the same UAE and international student pool.
• Middlesex University Dubai: International branch campus of a UK university operating in Dubai with business, law, and technology programs. Comparable as a UK-affiliated Dubai higher education institution offering dual-degree or UK-recognized credentials.
• University of Wollongong in Dubai: Australian university's Dubai branch in Dubai International Academic City, offering business, IT, and engineering programs. Comparable international branch campus competing for similar student demographic in UAE.
• Heriot-Watt University Dubai: UK university's Dubai campus in Dubai International Academic City offering business, engineering, and computing degrees with international recognition. Direct competitor for UK-affiliated degree pathways in Dubai.
• Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai: US university's Dubai campus in Dubai Silicon Oasis offering engineering, computing, and business programs. Comparable international branch campus with similar technology-focused curriculum and Dubai operating context.
• American University in Dubai: Private Dubai-based university offering business, engineering, architecture, and IT programs with similar international accreditation profile. Competes directly for Dubai-based students and the same industry-integrated curriculum positioning.

Emerging players

• SP Jain School of Global Management: Multi-campus business school with strong presence in Dubai offering MBA and BBA programs with international mobility. Comparable as a private business-education specialist competing for similar graduate and undergraduate business students in the UAE.

Regional players

• Murdoch University Dubai: Australian university's Dubai branch offering business, IT, and education programs in Dubai. Comparable international branch model targeting similar undergraduate and postgraduate segments in the UAE.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/uniofdubai
• Facebookfacebook.com/universityofdubai
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/university-of-dubai
• Instagraminstagram.com/uniofdubai
• Xx.com/uniofdubai

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about University of Dubai