Greetings from the KU Office of Enrollment!
This Faculty Recruitment Kit has been created to assist you with your efforts in enticing highly qualified graduate students to apply to your programs. It includes vital information which are pertinent to the most commonly asked questions that prospective graduate students often ask and inquire about.
This kit is divided into 3 main sections:
The Basics Section includes a brief introduction to KU, fast facts about the University, a listing of KU’s Master’s, PhD, and MD programs, information on Admissions to KU, graduate scholarships, KU housing, and contact information for graduate students.
The Communications Section explains the importance of effective communication and the best practices to follow in order to increase your department’s applications and the number of newly enrolled students in your program.
The Templates & Scripts Section provides templates, sample emails, and scripted phones calls that could be used when contacting prospective students.
We believe that as the program experts, you play an important role in attracting highly qualified graduate students to Khalifa University. Therefore, we would like to capitalize on your expertise to distinguish our academic offerings and compel prospective graduate students to take a look at our majors, apply to KU, get accepted, and ultimately enroll at one of our many exciting graduate programs. To that end, we hope you would fully utilize this kit to compliment our recruitment efforts and continuous endeavours to attract top-notch high calibre graduate students.
If you have any questions about this kit, or you would like to share your thoughts or suggestions on how to enhance the recruitment of graduate students at Khalifa University, please feel free to reach out to us at pgadmission@ku.ac.ae
Khalifa University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with three colleges, three research institutes, 18 research centers, and 36 departments covering a broad range of disciplines in science, engineering, and medicine. The internationally top-ranked university is the one university in the UAE with the research and academic programs that address the entire range of strategic, scientific and industrial challenges facing the UAE’s knowledge economy transformation and our rapidly evolving world.
Khalifa University’s world-class faculty and state-of-the-art research facilities provide an unparalleled learning experience to students from the UAE and around the world. The university brings together the best in science, engineering and medicine in the UAE, to offer specialized degrees that can take promising high school graduates all the way to top-rated doctorate degree holders.
It will continue to evolve with the UAE’s rapidly developing national goals and needs and nurture the innovation ecosystem required for the country’s targeted knowledge economy transformation.
Ranked #1 university in the UAE.
Ranked among the top 200 universities worldwide in the QS 2022 University Rankings (#183).
Total enrollment: 4,000+ students
Student to faculty ratio: 8:1 ensuring small classes and personalized attention
Nationalities: 53+ from all over the world
Percentage of males and females: 40% males to 60% females
Number of faculty: 385
Alumni: 5,000+
Khalifa University is a multi-campus, urban university located across two campuses in the UAE’s capital, making the entire city your campus. Life is very convenient and enjoyable in Abu Dhabi, one of the fastest growing cities in the world. You can enjoy warm, sunny weather all year long in Abu Dhabi, which has also been named as the world’s safest city for the fifth year in a row in Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index.
Khalifa University’s two campuses include dozens of canteens, restaurants, and coffee shops, providing the KU community with an array of different cuisines. Each campus is also well-equipped with facilities, including sports fields and state-of-the-art gymnasiums and swimming pools.
Khalifa University offers a wide range of cutting-edge MSc and PhD programs that are focused on the skills and sectors in greatest demand nationally, regionally, and internationally. Our internationally- renowned faculty give students hands-on training and guidance to become world-class problem- solvers. Students work in our cutting-edge labs and on-site with our industry partners to hone their scientific and technical skills.
To date, Khalifa University has awarded over 1,800 master’s and doctoral degrees to qualifying students. We offer 18 Master’s degree programs, 6 PhD degree programs, one of which offers 11 optional concentrations, and the country’s first 4-year postgraduate Doctor of Medicine program.
Students can be admitted on a full-time or a part-time basis, depending on the program of study.
Full-time:
Students are required to register for 3-4 courses each semester (9-12
credit hours or equivalent).
Part-time:
Students are required to register for 2 courses each semester (6 credit
hours or equivalent).
Prospective applicants should apply online via the University’s Graduate Admission Portal. The required documents below must be scanned and uploaded to the online application in the specified format (i.e., max 4MB for PDF documents, max. 2MB for JPEG files). Hard copies submitted in person or by post or soft copies sent by email will not be accepted.
Subject to review and approval, the English test score requirement (TOEFL, IELTS, or EmSAT) 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.
The GRE is required for admission to all programs at Khalifa University. The test covers three sectons, namely Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. Applicants are encouraged to take all three sections of the test. A minimum quantitative score of 150 is required for admission with the exception of the MSc of Engineering in Health, Safety and Environment and the MA in International and Civil Security programs where a minimum threshold is not set.
For more details about the GRE, please visit: http://www.ets.org/gre/
The Statement of Purpose should clearly outline the applicant’s motivations for wishing to pursue graduate studies at Khalifa University, as well as any prior achievements that will demonstrate promise for success in their degree. It is recommended that prospective students include the following information in their Statement of Purpose:
The statement should focus on the contribution you would like to make to your chosen field of research. PhD applicants are advised to refer to the Khalifa University Institutional Research Priorities before drafting their Research Statement. It is recommended that the Research Statement addresses the following points:
The KU MED Scholarship program supports students pursuing their graduate studies in medicine. Benefits include:
Khalifa University offers the following scholarships to support qualified international students enrolled in graduate programs on a full-time basis.
The MRTS supports international students pursuing a Master’s degree at Khalifa University. Scholarship benefits include:
supports international students pursuing both Master’s and Doctorate degrees at Khalifa University. Students who wish to complete a Master degree only should apply for the MRTS scholarship. CMDRTS scholarship benefits include:
The DRTS supports international students pursuing a Doctorate degree at Khalifa University. Scholarship benefits include:
Khalifa University in collaboration with the China Scholarship Council (CSC), offers the CSC- KU Scholarship to highly qualified Chinese nationals admitted to the PhD in Engineering or Science program on a full-time basis. The PhD scholarship is awarded to successful applicants for up to a maximum of 48 months. Scholarship benefits include:
To be eligible for this scholarship, an applicant must:
The Buhooth Scholarship Program offers Master’s and Doctorate scholarships to UAE Nationals with the aim of promoting graduate studies and research, as well as developing specialized human capital in the areas of science and engineering for the benefit of national institutions. Students accepted to the Buhooth program will be registered in selected Master’s and Doctorate programs offered by Khalifa University, or top international universities.
Buhooth Scholarship benefits include:
There are two types of Buhooth Scholarships:
This scholarship will provide an opportunity for applicants to pursue Master’s and Doctorate degree studies at Khalifa University. The indicative monthly stipend for a UAE-based Buhooth Scholarship is:
This scholarship aims to provide an opportunity for applicants to pursue Master’s and Doctorate degrees at top international universities. The scholarship is open for selected majors only, as determined by Khalifa University. The scholarship is highly competitive and will only be offered to a limited number of successful applicants each year. The stipend amount includes an additional allowance to UAE Nationals living outside the UAE. Recipients of this scholarship are placed on an “employment contract” and therefore are registered on the Abu Dhabi Retirement Pensions and Benefits Fund during the period of study and the period of employment that is included as part of the scholarship criteria. International Buhooth scholarship recipients will receive medical insurance for themselves, their spouse and eligible dependents. Recipients of this scholarship are eligible for yearly round trip airline tickets for themselves, their spouse and eligible dependents.
The KU MED Scholarship program supports students who are pursuing studies in medicine. Scholarship benefits include:
This scholarship helps employed UAE Nationals undertake graduate studies on a part-time basis. The scholarship provides full coverage of tuition fees.
During their graduate studies, students have the opportunity to conduct research within one of the research centers based at Khalifa University. In order to be eligible for sponsorship, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria specific to the relevant center, as well as the admission requirements of the academic program to which they are applying.
EBTIC is an information and communications technology research and innovation center established by Etisalat, British Telecom, and Khalifa University of Science and Technology, with the support of UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority’s ICT Fund. Through collaboration with industry, universities and governmental organizations, EBTIC is expected to become a driving force for innovation in the field of NGN-enabled ICT applications and services, within the region and abroad. EBTIC offers fully-funded Buhooth Scholarships to UAE National students wishing to undertake a
Master’s or Doctorate degree on a full-time basis. Student research projects are linked to the major projects being undertaken within the Center.
The Aerospace Research and Innovation Center (ARIC) was established in 2012 as a joint effort between Mubadala Aerospace and Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research to undertake cutting- edge research in aerospace engineering. The center focuses on developing new and novel techniques for manufacturing advanced composites and developing advanced procedures for the automated manufacturing and assembly of aerospace structures. ARIC offers fully- funded Buhooth Scholarships for UAE National students wishing to undertake a Master’s or Doctorate degree on a full-time basis. Its research projects are linked to the major projects being undertaken within ARIC and involve working closely with the aerospace industry on the latest technological challenges.
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. Bedrooms are furnished with a bed, one side table, side lamp, study desk, chair, and wardrobe for each student.
Khalifa University Admissions Office
Toll Free: 800 33 22 11 T: +971 (0)2 4018000 Email: pgadmission@ku.ac.ae
Communication can significantly impact whether or not a student applies and ultimately enrolls at KU. Students often commit to the first university that contacts and admits them. Students
need an average of 5-7 contacts through email or phone before making an enrollment decision. Ongoing and timely communication at each stage of the recruitment process is crucial. We highly recommend that you call and/or email highly qualified candidates on a set schedule and answer their inquiries quickly.
Ensure your department’s website is up to date and communicate detailed information about your program. Effective websites should include information about admissions, funding, research interests, faculty, alumni, and current student achievements. There should also be a link to your Graduate Coordinator’s contact information if one exists.
Personal connections make a big difference! We strongly encourage you to create a database of all the contacts you have gathered while attending professional conferences, during research travel, and informal campus visits at other universities, as well as colleagues at other universities and institutions of higher education.
Departments can establish contacts with department heads at other institutions to generate a list of prospective students and exchange student referrals, especially since high-quality undergraduates consult faculty at their undergraduate institution for recommendations about where to apply for graduate school. Departments can also visit with their colleagues at other institutions and send letters to colleagues in the fall of each academic year to describe current research activities and student opportunities within their graduate program.
Recruiting the top KU undergraduates is a successful strategy. Departments can contact their junior and senior undergraduates and provide information about graduate studies, host an open house, or serve as an academic or research mentor.
Departments can host information sessions or receptions at conferences and the department’s feeder schools. Whenever faculty members are invited to give research seminars at other universities they can take graduate program materials and conduct recruiting during their visit. Potential students can learn about degree programs, graduate coordinator contacts, and additional resources.
KU’s Graduate Admissions and Recruitment Office participates in several fairs and webinars throughout the year to reach prospective students who interested in pursuing STEM studies. This includes an interactive PowerPoint presentation about KU’s programs, admission requirements, and scholarships opportunities. Through a chat function, participants can ask questions addressed to graduate faculty or the graduate admissions staff during the fair or webinar. Most of these events take place in the evening or on the weekends to accommodate the busy schedules of graduate adult students. If you are interested, please check with your College Associate Dean to nominate you to participate in them.
The Enrollment Office hosts a yearly Open House where information about the University, programs, admissions, scholarships, and student services are shared with prospective students. Students particularly enjoy the Q&A sessions with faculty. Be sure to participate in those open days when they take place.
Scholarships are clearly a large factor that students consider. Please review the section that pertains to KU Graduate Scholarships and clearly communicate these types of funding opportunities to the students.
Departments can identify the top undergraduate feeder universities, which are the institutions from which current graduate students have completed their undergraduate education. Departments can nurture these pipelines, visit these institutions, and contact undergraduates from these feeder institutions.
Assign faculty (an academic advisor, graduate coordinator, or department head) to contact admitted students after the original offer is made. Respond to them within 24 to 48 hours of a call or email. Communicate that you are there to answer any questions they may have.
Contact KU undergraduates who have been admitted into your graduate program. It is especially important to reach this group of students as they are more likely to attend graduate school at KU than any other subgroup. Faculty and current graduate students can meet with accepted students and/or contact them through email or phone.
Create a simple tracking database to determine where successful students are coming from, how they found out about your program, assess your efforts every semester and utilize tools such as survey and focus groups.
Dear (Student’s Name),
Thank you for your interest in the (Name of Program) graduate program at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi. I am a faculty member here at Khalifa University in the (program/Department). We have one of the top (Program/Area of Interest) programs in the country. Our faculty members work in several key areas, including (Examples of Areas).
If you have any questions, please contact me at (phone number and/or email).
I look forward to hearing from you.
Dear (Student’s Name),
Congratulations on your acceptance at KU!
My name is _________ and I am a faculty member in (Program/Department) at Khalifa University. As a (occupation) for (corporation/school/etc), I understand the significance of a KU degree in today’s competitive workplace.
I am available to answer any questions you may have regarding KU. You may reach me at (provide address, phone or e-mail). Please let me know if I can help in any way.
“Hello, my name is ______. I am a KU faculty member in (the Program/Department). I wanted to let you know that I am a resource for you. Do you have any questions that I might be able to answer for you or point you in the right direction?”
Repeat that you are available to help. Leave contact number(s) where they can reach you. Thank the student for his/her time and wish him/her well.
“Congratulations on your acceptance to KU. I am a KU faculty member in (Program/Department). I was calling to offer my congratulations and to see if I may be able to answer any questions that you have about KU or (the name of program).”
“If you think of any other questions, I will be happy to try to answer them or at least direct you to someone who can, so please feel free to call me. Again, my name is ______________ and my phone number and/or e-mail is _______. Thank you for your time and welcome to KU.”