Top 15 MBA Universities in UAE Offering Scholarships
Key Takeaways
- Many UAE universities offer MBA scholarships for international students: Scholarship support in the UAE includes merit awards, bursaries, and assistantships, depending on the university.
- Scholarship types and value vary by university: Some universities offer fixed tuition waivers, while others provide category-based scholarships or assistantship support.
- You should check scholarship rules before applying: Eligibility often depends on factors such as academic performance, intake, programme type, or continued CGPA.
- Scholarships usually reduce tuition, not total living costs: Many awards focus on tuition fees, so you should still budget for housing, visa, transport, and other personal expenses.
Introduction
This guide gives you 15 UAE universities where you can study an MBA and also access scholarships for international MBA candidates.
Dreaming of an MBA in the UAE but worried about costs? The country has over 30 international branch campuses and a vibrant postgraduate community. Funding is available through merit, need, alumni, and assistantships.
Scholarship hunting often feels complex. Clear steps calm that noise and protect your timeline. Shortlists work best when awards match profile, intake, and documents.
In Dubai or Abu Dhabi, an MBA feels closer once the scholarship is mapped. Scholarships ease tuition and keep the focus on learning outcomes.
Top 15 MBA Scholarships Offered by UAE Universities
Birmingham runs a CAA-licensed MBA (Dubai) and offers postgraduate scholarships at the Dubai campus. Awards are typically automatic after offer acceptance and can reach notable percentages in some intakes.
Scholarship cues to check: Dubai campus postgraduate scholarships and fee pages.
Murdoch delivers a campus-based MBA and publishes multiple funding routes, including an MBA Scholarship (20% waiver) plus merit awards, early-bird, and alumni bursaries.
Scholarship cues to check: MBA Scholarship page, Academic Merit Scholarships, and general scholarship terms.
CUD offers a recognised MBA and a broad, university-wide scholarship portfolio open to all nationalities (academic excellence, financial hardship, special needs, sports), plus periodic study-term discounts.
Scholarship cues to check: Scholarship terms and corporate/alumni discounts.
AUE runs an MBA and lists scholarships and grants centrally for graduate students, with continuation requirements (e.g., CGPA thresholds).
Scholarship cues to check: Graduate admission hub and scholarship rules for tuition waivers.
Ajman's MBA programme proudly offers a dedicated Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid that provides valuable discounts and financial support for graduate students. Explore the university portal for detailed information on CGPA requirements and a variety of exciting funding opportunities!
Scholarship cues to check: Graduate tuition/fees page and scholarship news/updates.
AUS offers a well-established MBA and graduate assistantships (GTA/GRA) that provide tuition support and paid work opportunities - open to international students and awarded competitively.
Scholarship cues to check: Assistantship FAQs and graduate employment details.
EAU offers an MBA in Aviation Management and awards scholarships and study packages at the postgraduate level, with periodic special schemes also announced.
Scholarship cues to check: Scholarships & financial aid page for current postgraduate eligibility.
IMT runs an MBA and features a dedicated MBA scholarship page outlining application steps and categories of awards/discounts for admitted students.
Scholarship cues to check: Scholarship categories and any intake-specific quotas.
AURAK offers a CAA-licensed MBA and provides merit scholarships open to all nationalities, plus financial grants based on need - useful for MBA entrants.
Scholarship cues to check: Scholarship/financial aid pages and current merit thresholds.
The RAK centre markets the MBA and indicates scholarship/fee-reduction pathways via centre communications and FAQs (contact admissions for current schemes).
Scholarship cues to check: Centre scholarship notices and partner discounts are published.
UWL runs a postgraduate portfolio in RAK (including MBA), and the university advertises postgraduate scholarships/bursaries; local communications also reference branch-campus grants.
Scholarship cues to check: UWL scholarships page + RAK branch announcements each intake.
Liwa lists an MBA and a suite of university-wide scholarships (Chairman's, social responsibility, front-liners, relatives), with clear CGPA/credit rules - these apply to postgraduate students.
Scholarship cues to check: Scholarship page for the latest percentages and documentation.
Bath Spa's Academic Centre communicates scholarships and grants for international students at RAK; check the centre's site for current postgraduate availability and levels.
Scholarship cues to check: The Centre "Financial Services & Scholarship Grants" updates each term.
Skyline offers an MBA plus scholarship/fee-waiver policies published on its site for eligible students, alongside separate pages detailing need-based and meritorious support.
Scholarship cues to check: Central scholarship policy and MBA programme page for any add-ons.
Manchester offers the Global Part-time MBA from its Middle East Centre and lists scholarships/bursaries for the Global MBA/GEMBA (including diversity and social-impact categories) alongside early-bird discounts.
Scholarship cues to check: Global MBA fees & funding + centre pages for current offers/discounts.
Planning to Study in the UAE? Let Us Guide You the Right Way.
Step-by-step guide to MBA scholarships selection in UAE
A smart shortlist saves time and maximises your chances of winning an award. Use this sequence.
1. Confirm MBA eligibility
Match programme mode (full-time, part-time, blended) to work plans. Check nationality or residency clauses for awards.
2. Prioritise university-wide funds first
University-wide awards often accept MBA students and refresh each intake. Examples include Birmingham Dubai campus scholarships, CUD scholarships, and Liwa University waivers.
3. Layer MBA-specific options
Look for MBA-named scholarships/discounts at Murdoch, IMT Dubai, and Manchester (Global MBA/GEMBA categories).
4. Watch deadlines and "early-bird"
Early confirmation triggers automatic or bigger waivers at some centres (e.g., Manchester Middle East Centre).
5. Keep GPA and documents ready
CGPA targets, recommendations, and personal statements often unlock higher tiers (AUS assistantships and AUE continuation rules illustrate this).
Documents checklist for MBA Scholarships in the UAE
Below is a checklist to keep handy before applying for an MBA scholarship in the UAE
- Updated CV with quantified achievements
- Degree transcripts and UAE attestation plan
- English test score (if required by the programme)
- Statement of purpose aligned to leadership goals.
- Two recommendations (supervisor/client)
- Scholarship addendum (short merit/need note)
Conclusion
Scholarship paths exist across the UAE's MBA ecosystem. MBA-specific awards at schools like Murdoch and IMT, university-wide scholarships at Birmingham Dubai and CUD, and robust assistantships at AUS.
Ready for curated matches and timelines? Get a personalised shortlist of MBA scholarships in the UAE, plus visa steps on Study From UAE.
Share your GPA, years of experience, and preferred intake, and secure scholarships for an international MBA in the UAE today.
FAQs
Yes, many UAE universities offer MBA scholarships or broader postgraduate funding for international students. These may include merit scholarships, bursaries, fee discounts, or assistantships.
You can find merit-based scholarships, early-bird discounts, alumni bursaries, financial hardship support, and graduate assistantships. The exact options depend on the university and intake.
Not always. Many scholarships reduce tuition fees only and do not cover living expenses, transport, accommodation, or visa costs. You should read the scholarship terms carefully.
You should check eligibility rules, required documents, deadlines, and renewal conditions. Some awards also depend on your CGPA, admission status, or full-time study load.
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