UAE National students who are graduating from Grade 12 this year should apply through the Ministry of Education website. For Fall 2022, the deadline for applications is the end of March.
Non-UAE Nationals, transfer students, and previous year graduates should apply directly through the KU website. For Fall 2022, the application deadline is June 3.
For details regarding the admission requirements for undergraduate studies at Khalifa University, please check the Undergraduate Admissions page.
Yes. As long as you have graduated from high school within two years of applying, your application will be considered.
Contact the EmSAT department under the Ministry of Education to register for the test. In case you are not able to re-take EmSAT English, IELTS (Academic) or TOEFL (iBT) tests can be considered.
After submitting the application and having satisfied all the necessary admission requirements (exam and interview), the Admission committee will review your application within 3-6 weeks and will update you accordingly.
Yes, all six EmSAT subjects (English, Math, Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry OR Biology, and Arabic) are mandatory. Non-Arabic speakers are exempted to take EmSAT Arabic.
Students coming from high schools inside the UAE need to have achieved a minimum overall average of 75% (or its equivalent) irrespective of the high school curriculum they have taken.
All students in KU study under a given scholarship. However, the scholarships offered are based on the available slots for the scholarships. Once you apply to KU, you are automatically enrolled for a scholarship. More information about on scholarships are available on the Undergraduate Scholarship page.
Yes. Similar to the above query, you may apply before receiving your final grades. However, you need to submit your Term 1 grades.
You may apply before taking your EmSAT exams. However, you application will only go through final processing once the required EmSAT scores are provided. Documents can be updated through your online application before the deadline.
APs help you receive advanced standing credits once you join the university. For more information please visit the Undergraduate Admissions page.
Khalifa University will consider the highest score among the certificates for the purpose of admission.
All qualified applicants will receive an interview email invitation from the Admissions Office after they submit their complete applications. The email will have the interview date and available time slots to choose from for the specified date.
The questions will be general and about the student’s personality, skills, achievements and why they chose Khalifa University. The interview will be in English.
Interviews for Fall usually start in March and continue until July.
No, you don’t have to. All students following the UAE National curriculum do not need to submit an equivalency certificate.
You have to submit your equivalency certificate as soon as you receive it and within the given time period set by the Admissions Office indicated in you admission offer.
All UAE Nationals who maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 are eligible for stipend.
You have to contact NAPO within the specified time period.
Kindly send us an email with your Application Reference Number (ARN) at admissions@ku.ac.ae.
In order to guarantee your seat, you have to complete the admission process by signing and uploading the KU contract before leaving for military service. Your seat will be reserved for the semester following your completion of the National Service provided that you join the university as soon as your Clearance Certificate is issued.
The Doctor of Medicine degree at Khalifa University is a 4-year graduate program. Please check the Doctor of Medicine page for more information about our Medicine program.
The medical program is only for postgraduate studies. Therefore, you need to first earn a Bachelor’s degree in any STEM or related major to be able to apply to the College of Medicine.
Applicants will be informed about the type of scholarships they have received together with their admission offer. There is no separate application for scholarships.
We only accept Academic IELTS as it is one of the requirements for admission as detailed on our Undergraduate Admissions page.
Yes, you can in the first year but after you have contacted the Registrar’s Office and have gotten approval based on the availability. This is applicable for UAE Nationals only. Expat and international students should be reviewed case by case based on the scholarship type awarded to them.
Yes. International students must comply with the admission procedures detailed in our Admissions page: https://www.ku.ac.ae/undergraduate-admissions
Students who have completed their high school outside the UAE must provide one of the following certificates to be considered for admission:
American Curriculum
British Curriculum (IGCSE)
IB Curriculum
The SAT is considered as an admission criteria ONLY for international students who have completed their high school outside the UAE.
Yes, you do have a chance to be admitted if you re-take the EmSAT and get the minimum required scores during the specified time period. Please make sure you send the EmSAT results to the Admissions Office by email (admissions@ku.ac.ae) so we can re-evaluate your application.
The minimum EmSAT scores required for the first year (Freshman Year) are:
Yes, your application will be affected and it will jeopardize your admission to KU.
The required minimum EmSAT scores (that qualify you for the Foundation year) are:
Applicants will be notified about the interview date and time by email through the email address that they provided on their application. SMS reminders will also be sent few days prior the interview date.
Full scholarships are given to outstanding students. Partial scholarships are also provided to international students for programs in the College of Engineering (with a 50% tuition discount) and for programs in the College of Arts and Sciences (with a 75% tuition discount).
Self-pay scholarships are also provided in the College of Engineering (with a 30% tuition discount) and in the College of Arts and Sciences (with a 20% tuition discount).
For more information, visit our undergraduate scholarships page.
Male UAE Nationals who are going to Military Service should apply and secure admission to Khalifa University before leaving for the Military to be able to reserve their slots in the University.
Currently, we do not conduct any entrance exams. However, EmSAT exams are mandatory for applicants from the UAE, along with a personal interview.
For international applicants (coming from high schools outside the UAE), external examinations are required as detailed on our Undergraduate Admissions page.
Processing an application takes at least 4-6 weeks from submitting the application to getting the final decision.
All applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English, which is the language of instruction at KU. All applicants must satisfy this requirement by passing the Academic IELTS, or the International TOEFL IBT, or the EmSAT English test.
Test dates vary by location. They are not offered at KU. Please visit the relevant websites for information on how to register for the exams:
IETS: 5.5; TOFEL IBT: 70; EmSAT English: 1250 (for the Foundation Year)
Applicants who did not fulfill one of the admission requirements will not be able to join. Therefore, applicants who do not meet the ELPR may not enroll.
English scores should be uploaded in the student online application or submitted in person to the Khalifa University Admissions Office at the Main Campus in Abu Dhabi.
Otherwise, it can be sent by email to admissions@ku.ac.ae along with the Application Reference Number (ARN) or by mail to the following address:
Office of Student Recruitment and Admission
Khalifa University of Science and Technology
PO Box: 127788, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Our College of Arts and Sciences and College of Engineering offer a variety of majors that are well indicated in the following link: https://www.ku.ac.ae/academics/undergraduate-programs
All programs offered by Khalifa University have received accreditation by the UAE Ministry of Education. The accreditation attests to the overall quality of the individual degree programs.
Yes, students can apply to transfer their visa after joining Khalifa University.
All students who live more than 80 km from Khalifa University’s Abu Dhabi campus are permitted to stay in student housing. Separate male and female accommodations are provided. Click here for more information on student housing.
All transfer candidates from other universities who are interested in applying to Khalifa University should meet the minimum admission requirements, as well as the following specific criteria:
Please note that not all the courses taken at the initial university will be transferred to KU.
All UAE National students accepted in the undergraduate programs enjoy a full scholarship to study at Khalifa University. International students (from inside or outside the UAE) also benefit from scholarships at KU based on their academic qualifications.
KU is licensed and accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the United Arab Emirates.
No, you will not be able to register for courses online, the Registration Office will register the courses on your behalf.
No, you will not be able to register for courses online, the Registration Office will register the courses on your behalf.
Please submit a copy of the certificate and the Registration office will verify the certificate and get back to you if the transfer is valid.
You may add or delete references by emailing the Office of Admissions at pgadmission@ku.ac.ae.
Two letters of recommendation from people who know your academic qualifications are required.
Once you have submitted your application, an automatic email will be sent to your referees requesting them to send a recommendation letter.
The schedule varies from one semester to the other.
Student housing is available for registered full-time Khalifa University postgraduate students. A rental fee applies per semester and will be deducted from the monthly stipend. Please contact the Student Service Department via email pgr.life@ku.ac.ae for assistance.
Admitted applicants are normally notified via e-mail no later than eight weeks after the application deadline.
The orientation for postgraduate students is normally held the week before classes begin.
Yes.
Please refer to the Graduate Admissions – Requirements page to know more about the necessary documents needed to apply for a scholarship.
For information regarding graduate scholarships, please refer to the Graduate Scholarships page.
To apply to the Doctor of Medicine program, please visit the Graduate – Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) page.
To apply to the Doctor of Medicine program, please visit the Graduate – Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) page.
Admission for the Spring 2023 semester is open until October 23, 2022.
The Doctorate programs cost 6,666 AED per credit hour. Please refer to the Tuition Fees page for more details.
The Master’s program costs 5,000 AED per credit hour. Please refer to the Tuition Fees page for more details.
Please refer to the Graduate Programs page for a full list of Master’s and Doctorate programs offered by the University.
Please note that some of our programs are open only to UAE National applicants. Please refer to the Graduate Programs webpage for the requirements of each program.
Applicants can only apply to one program per semester.
Applications must be submitted via the University website on or before the date listed on the Graduate Admissions webpage.
Yes, you can still apply. Please submit your academic transcripts to date, as well as a letter confirming your status as a registered student and your expected graduation date. Unofficial transcripts can be submitted at the time of application. These documents are mandatory at the time of application and can be obtained from your university.
Graduate studies at Khalifa University can be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on the program you apply for. Please note that some graduate programs are available on a part-time basis only.
Please refer to the Graduate Scholarships webpage for further information about scholarships offered by Khalifa University of Science and Technology. Please note that scholarships are subject to availability and will be confirmed at the conclusion of the admission process. No additional application is required to be considered for a scholarship.
The MSc in Nuclear Engineering is open to UAE National applicants only. Successful applicants will require sponsorship from the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) or another approved government organization. To find out more information about ENEC or FANR scholarships, please contact the relevant organization:
Admission requirements for Master’s and Doctorate programs are outlined on the Graduate Admissions – Requirements page. Please note that admission is highly competitive and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee entry into the program.
Please refer to the Graduate Admissions – Required Documents page for a full list of documents required to apply. The following required documents should be scanned in a clear and eligible form and included in the online application.
Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered.
Accepted applicants must submit all of their official documents before they register for their classes.
You can still apply and your application may be considered by the GR Admissions Committee on a case-by-case basis.
English is the official language of instruction and assessment at Khalifa University. To be eligible for admission, applicants must achieve a minimum iTOEFL (internet-based test) score of 91 or minimum academic IELTS overall band score of 6.5. The test must have been taken during the 24 months (2 years) preceding the application.
English Language Test Exemptions
Subject to approval, the English test score requirement may be waived for an applicant who is:
All applicants must provide evidence of meeting the English language requirement by uploading the relevant document with their application, even if he/she may be eligible for an exemption.
All applicants must have completed TOEFL or IELTS at the time they are applying for a graduate program at Khalifa University or by the deadline for submitting the applications, at the latest. It is mandatory for all applicants to upload a copy of their English score certificate.
All applicants must have completed the GRE General Test at the time they are applying for a graduate program at Khalifa University or by the deadline for submitting the applications, at the latest. It is mandatory for all applicants to upload a copy of their GRE score certificate.
Please upload a copy of your test score certificates to the online application or have the test score sent by email to pgadmissions@ku.ac.ae along with the your Application Reference Number.
You can also have the test scores sent directly to Khalifa University using the following institutional codes:
Documents may also be sent to the following address: The Office of Student Recruitment & Admissions (Graduate Admissions), Level 2, Building E, Khalifa University Main Campus, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Applicants who have completed their tertiary studies outside the UAE or at a private university in the UAE must obtain an equivalency certificate from the UAE Ministry of Education. Please refer to the MOE Service Catalog for more information on certificate equivalency and attestation.
The grading scale or grading scheme explains the academic results displayed on your transcript. It is mandatory to submit a copy of the grading scale with your application. Most universities post the grading scale on their website or print it on the back of the transcript. Alternatively, you should contact the administration office at your university.
Applications for graduate admissions can be made online.
If you have started, but not submitted your application yet, you can delete it and start the process again to specify a different program or study mode.
If you have not submitted your application yet, you can make changes by clicking on the relevant section and updating the information fields.
If you have already submitted your application, it is not possible to make changes. Please contact the Admissions team by email at pgadmission@ku.ac.ae for assistance.
Yes, it is possible to update your documents after the application has been submitted. To do this, login to your account and upload additional documents in the ‘Attachments’ section. Please note that it is not possible to make changes to documents that have already been submitted. If you would like to change any of your submitted documents, please contact the Admissions team by email at pgadmission@ku.ac.ae.
Please ensure that the files you are uploading meet the following requirements:
If your files are in the correct format and you are still unable to upload them, please contact the IT Helpdesk by email at: servicedesh@ku.ac.ae for assistance.
The University does not accept reference letters in hard copy or via e-mail. During the application process, you will be required to provide the contact details of your referees, who will be invited to complete an online Reference Form after the application is submitted. Please do not ask your referees to email the University with their recommendations.
Please login to view your application and refer to Section 4, ‘Referee Status’.
Applicants are not required to contact potential supervisors prior to submitting their application. However, prior to drafting the Research Statement, PhD applicants are encouraged to explore the University’s research priorities and view Faculty profiles on our website. Research Statement guidelines can be found on the Graduate Admissions – Requirements webpage. The assignment of supervisors will be made by the University following the completion of the application process and is based on strategic research priorities.
Shortlisted applicants are normally invited to attend an interview before a final decision is made on their application. Admission decisions are released at different times, depending on when the complete application was submitted.
Please note that the University is unable to provide updates on the status of individual applications.
A graduate student may request the transfer of credits for relevant graduate courses completed at an institution that is accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education. Subject to approval, credits will only be awarded for substantially equivalent graduate courses not used to fulfill requirements for a previously earned degree. Transfer credits will not be given for work experience, vocational or training courses, or coursework that is not considered graduate level.
In order to apply for a credit transfer, applicants must submit an official transcript and catalog descriptions of the relevant courses.
Passwords can be reset using the “Forgot Password?” link on the online application home page.
Please contact the IT Helpdesk by email at servicedesk@ku.ac.ae for assistance.
To apply to the Master’s degree programs, applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 out of 4.0 or its equivalent (e.g., an upper second-class honors in a UK-style degree from a reputable accredited institution). Please refer to the Graduate Admissions – Requirements page for more details.
Khalifa University offers 20 Master’s degree programs:
College of Engineering
College of Arts and Sciences
Khalifa University offers five PhD degree programs and a Doctor of Medicine program.
College of Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering with one of the following concentrations:
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Medicine and Health Sciences
Student transportation is available to ensure students are transported between the three campuses and between the Residences and campuses. A schedule for the different routes and timings is announced to all students.
