Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi Academic Excellence Scholarship
Offered by Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD)
Max per student
Not specified
Closing date
Rolling applications
Scholarships awarded
Not Available
Education level
Post Graduate, Under Graduate
Related fields of study
Not Available
Scholarship type
General
Mode of Study
Full Time
Nationality
Open to all
Scholarship
Overview
The Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) Academic Excellence Scholarship program provides significant financial support to high-achieving students enrolled at one of the UAE’s most prestigious French-accredited institutions.
Designed for both newly admitted students and continuing students, this scholarship scheme acts as a progressive tuition fee discount to reward academic performance and encourage sustained educational excellence in the UAE.
Important note for prospective students: SUAD operates two distinct scholarship schemes for new high school entrants depending on intake date. The two schemes are not parallel tiers, they are sequential, with the September 2026 scheme fully replacing the January 2026 scheme for all subsequent intakes
- New Undergraduate Students (from High School): Eligible for a 15% tuition scholarship in the first semester of enrollment based on high school academic results, with potential escalation to 25%–75% from the second semester onwards based on semester performance at SUAD.
- New Undergraduate Transfer Students: Eligible for a 40%, 50%, or 75% tuition scholarship based on GPA or class rank from their previous university, awarded on an academic yearly basis.
- Continuing Undergraduate Students: Eligible for a 25%–75% Academic Excellence Scholarship on a semester-by-semester basis, based on the academic results achieved in the previous semester at SUAD, with a minimum average grade of 12/20 required.
- New Postgraduate Students: Eligible for a 40%, 50%, or 75% tuition scholarship from the first semester, valid for the full academic year, based on Bachelor’s degree CGPA or class standing.
- Continuing Postgraduate Students: May apply for a 40%, 50%, or 75% renewal scholarship based on average exam results obtained at SUAD in the most recent year of study.
Scholarship amount details
Maximum Award per Student
- New Undergraduate Students from High School (January 2026 Intake): Eligible for a 15% tuition scholarship in the first semester of enrolment based on high school academic results. From the second semester onwards, students may apply for a 25%–75% Academic Excellence Scholarship on a semester-by-semester basis, based on results achieved at SUAD. The 15% first-semester rule applies to this intake cohort only.
- New Undergraduate Students from High School (September 2026 Intake and Beyond): Eligible for a higher-tier Undergraduate Merit Scholarship of 50% or 75% of tuition fees from the first semester of enrollment, valid for the full academic year. This scheme replaces the 15% first-semester rule for all intakes from September 2026 onwards.
- Undergraduate Transfer Entrants: Up to 75% of tuition fees per academic year, awarded from the first semester of enrollment.
- Postgraduate Entrants: Up to 75% of tuition fees per academic year, awarded from the first semester of enrolment.
Duration of the Award
- Semester-by-Semester Renewal (Undergraduate): The Academic Excellence Scholarship for continuing undergraduate students is assessed and renewed on a semester-by-semester basis. Students must apply each semester; the award does not renew automatically.
- Annual Renewal (Postgraduate): The postgraduate scholarship is awarded per academic year. Continuing postgraduate students must apply for renewal, and the award is based on exam results from the most recent academic year at SUAD.
- Conditional Scholarship Rule: For applicants who have not yet completed their final year or diploma, a conditional scholarship may be awarded. The award is confirmed only upon receipt of the final diploma or transcript meeting the required grade threshold. If the final grade falls below the required average, the scholarship may be revoked or adjusted to a lower band.
- Payment Window: Once a scholarship is awarded, students have a 20-day period to complete tuition payment (in full or via semester installment plan). Failure to pay within this window may result in withdrawal of the scholarship offer.
Type of Expense Covered
| Expense Type | Covered | Details |
| Tuition Fees | Yes | Applied directly as a fixed % discount on tuition fees. Non-refundable. |
| Living Expense/Stipend | No | Food, transport and general daily living costs are excluded |
| Accommodation | No | Housing and residency costs must be fully covered by the student |
| Health Cover | No | Health insurance and medical costs are not covered |
| Airfare/Travel | No | Travel, flights, and international transit costs are excluded |
| Others (books, labs) | No | Textbooks, study materials and excursions are excluded |
Scholarship
application details
Application Process
- Scholarship Committee Review: All applications are evaluated by the University Scholarship Committee. Meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee an award, as the Committee also considers qualitative factors beyond academic performance.
- Application Submission: Newly admitted students may apply for scholarships at the time of registration. For continuing students, the application deadline is communicated each semester via the official University email.
- Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted no later than midnight, seven (7) days prior to the Scholarship Committee review meeting.
- Incomplete Applications: Only complete applications will be reviewed. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered under any circumstances.
- Early Submission Advantage: Due to limited scholarship availability, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications in the first round for the most favourable consideration.
Eligibility & Document Requirements
- Undergraduate - New High School Entrants (15% First-Semester Scholarship):
UAE Government Schools: 90% in the Advanced Stream, or 95% in the General Stream.
American System: CGPA of 3.6 out of 4.0, or minimum overall average of 90%.
British System: Grade “A” or higher in three AS-Level subjects, or Grade “A” in the equivalent A-Level subjects, plus Grade “B” or higher in six O-Level subjects.
SABIS: Minimum overall average of 85%.
International Baccalaureate (IB): IB Diploma with a minimum score of 5 out of 7 in all subjects, including at least three Higher Level (HL) subjects.
French Baccalaureate: Minimum overall average of 14 out of 20.
- Undergraduate - New High School Entrants (September 2026 intake and beyond):
50% Scholarship: UAE Government Schools 95% (advanced or general); American System CGPA 3.8 or 95% average; British System “A” in three AS-Level or A-Level subjects plus 7/9 or higher in six O-Levels; SABIS 90%; IB 40 out of 45; French Baccalaureate 16/20; Other systems: top 20% of class.
75% Scholarship: UAE Government Schools 97% (advanced or general); American System CGPA 4.0 or 97% average; British System “A” in three AS-Level or A-Level subjects plus 8/9 or higher in six O-Levels; SABIS 95%; IB 42 out of 45; French Baccalaureate 18/20; Other systems: top 10% of class.
- Undergraduate - Transfer Students (September 2026 intake and beyond):
40% Scholarship: GPA of 3.6 or 14/20 in the French system, or top 30% of class in a globally ranked university (subject to jury evaluation).
50% Scholarship: GPA of 3.8 or 16/20 in the French system, or top 20% of class in a globally ranked university (subject to jury evaluation).
75% Scholarship: GPA of 4.0 or 18/20 in the French system, or top 10% of class in a globally ranked university (subject to jury evaluation).
- Undergraduate - Continuing Students (Academic Excellence Scholarship from Semester 2):
Students must have achieved a minimum average grade of 12 out of 20 in their previous semester at SUAD to be eligible for a 25%–75% scholarship. Students must apply; the scholarship is not renewed automatically.
- Postgraduate - New Students (September 2026 intake and beyond):
40% Scholarship: Bachelor’s CGPA between 3.6 and 3.79, or 14/20–15.99/20 in the French system, or top 30% of class.
50% Scholarship: Bachelor’s CGPA between 3.8 and 3.99, or 16/20–17.99/20 in the French system, or top 20% of class.
75% Scholarship: Bachelor’s CGPA of 4.0, or 18/20–20/20 in the French system, or top 10% of class.
English Proficiency (for English-taught programmes): Minimum IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 94 required in addition to academic eligibility.
Additional
Info
- Non-Transferability: SUAD Academic Excellence Scholarships are strictly non-transferable and non-exchangeable for cash. They are not applicable to other fees beyond tuition and may not be transferred between programmes or campuses.
- Combination with Preferential Rates: For students enrolling from September 2026 onwards, undergraduate scholarships may be combined with both preferential tuition rates and additional discounts.
The calculation order is as follows: Scholarships and additional discounts are applied first to the full tuition fees, and preferential rates are then calculated on the remaining amount.
- Benefit Cap: If the total of all scholarships and discounts awarded to a student exceeds 100% of tuition fees, the benefit is capped at 100%.
- Sponsored Students: Sponsored students are not eligible for the SUAD Academic Excellence Scholarship.
- Academic Probation: Students on academic probation or subject to mandatory remedial courses are not eligible to apply or hold the scholarship.
- Right to Audit and Revoke: The university reserves the right to audit scholarship awards and revoke discounts in cases of non-compliance with eligibility conditions.
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FAQs
Indian students can apply for UAE universities or government scholarships by researching available opportunities through official university websites and platforms like StudyfromUAE. Students typically need strong academics, English proficiency, and supporting documents. Some scholarships are need-based or merit-based, and others are tied to specific programs or fields of study.
The UAE offers several government-funded scholarships for international students, including Indians. Examples include Khalifa University Scholarships, Masdar Institute Scholarships, and the Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Scholarships. These are highly competitive and generally require excellent academic performance, recommendation letters, and English language proficiency scores like IELTS or TOEFL.
International students can apply for merit-based, need-based, or program-specific scholarships offered by UAE universities like Khalifa University, UAEU, and the University of Sharjah. Government grants and corporate sponsorships are also available. Platforms like StudyfromUAE list updated scholarships with eligibility, deadlines, and application guides.
Most universities in the UAE offer partial scholarships covering 20% to 80% of tuition fees for undergraduate and master’s programs. These are awarded based on merit, financial need, or leadership potential. Partial funding is more common than full scholarships, and students can increase their chances by applying early with strong credentials.
Eligibility varies, but typically includes academic excellence (e.g., 85%+), English language proficiency, and extracurricular achievements. Some scholarships also consider financial need or specific program requirements. Each scholarship has its own criteria, so students must review the eligibility on the official university website or the Study from UAE platform.
International students, including those from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Africa, can apply. Eligibility usually depends on academic performance, program type (UG/PG), and English proficiency. Both high school graduates and working professionals pursuing higher education may be eligible.
Yes, Indian students are eligible for merit-based scholarships in UAE universities. These are awarded to students with high academic scores, strong entrance test results, and leadership or extracurricular achievements. Each university defines its own merit criteria, so checking individual policies is important.
Deadlines vary by university and scholarship type, but most fall between March and August for the September intake. Government-funded scholarships may have earlier deadlines. Always check the official university websites or the Study from UAE platform for the most up-to-date timelines.
It’s best to apply 6–12 months before your intended program starts. Some scholarships are offered during admission, while others require a separate application. Early applications often receive priority, especially for merit-based and limited-seat funding options.
Start by identifying the universities and scholarships that match your profile. Prepare necessary documents (transcripts, SOP, reference letters, test scores), and apply through the university’s admissions portal. Some require a separate scholarship application, while others consider all admitted students automatically.
Common documents include academic transcripts, a passport copy, a personal statement/SOP, recommendation letters, proof of English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL), and a resume. Some scholarships may also request financial documents, a research proposal (for PG), or test scores like SAT/GRE.
Not all, but most reputed UAE universities offer scholarships for international students. Institutions like Khalifa University, UAE University, and the University of Sharjah have various merit and need-based funding programs. Always check specific university websites or use StudyfromUAE to compare.
Partial merit-based scholarships are generally easier to obtain than fully funded options. Universities often award these based on academic scores (80%+), with less competition. Community-focused scholarships and institutional grants are also more accessible compared to competitive government scholarships.
Focus on academic excellence, standardised test scores, and a compelling SOP. Research universities in Dubai that offer scholarships and apply directly through their portals. Some scholarships are automatic upon admission, while others require a separate application. Use StudyfromUAE to discover active opportunities.
Yes, international students can get scholarships based on academic merit, financial need, or specific study fields. Many UAE universities offer such funding, along with UAE government initiatives. Applying early and submitting a strong application increases your chances.
To apply for a 100% scholarship, target programs that offer full tuition waivers or stipends based on merit or need. Submit a stellar application with high grades, strong test scores, and compelling SOPs. Some UAE universities and government programs do offer fully funded options.
While it varies, most universities require at least 80–90% in your previous academic records for merit-based scholarships. Higher-ranked programs or full scholarships may expect even more. English test scores and extracurricular achievements can also influence eligibility.
No, studying on a visit visa is not allowed. You must obtain a student visa, which is sponsored by the university after you’re admitted and have completed all documentation. A student visa also allows limited work rights and renewals.
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