Fully Funded Scholarships in UAE for international Students

UAE universities offering fully funded scholarships include Khalifa University and MBZUAI in Abu Dhabi, which cover tuition, housing, and stipends for graduate students. United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) provides full PhD fellowships, while Abu Dhabi University and University of Dubai offer merit-based fully funded scholarships.

You can study in Dubai for free with a fully funded scholarship in UAE. These scholarships are popular because they pay for everything. If you get any of these fully funded scholarships in UAE, you do not have to pay university fees, as 100% tuition fees are covered. Most of these fully funded scholarship in UAE also give you a monthly stipend to buy food and things you need. They even give you free airfare to fly from your country to Dubai or Abu Dhabi. How amazing it is to study abroad at free without spending a single penny. 

Many top universities in Dubai like Khalifa University and MBZUAI are looking for intelligent international students and they offer fully funded scholarship. If you are interested in AI or Engineering, these are the best places. To get in, you usually need a high GPA and good English proficiency like IELTS or TOEFL. Some scholarships even include free housing and health insurance, so you don't have to worry about hospital bills. It is a big chance to get a Master's degree or PhD without any debt. Don't forget to check the application deadline because many programs close in early 2026. Applying early is better if you want a visa support letter quickly.

Top Fully Funded Scholarships in UAE 2026

These are the top 10 fully funded scholarships in UAE that pay for your 100% tuition fees. Big universities like Khalifa University and MBZUAI also give a monthly stipend to help you buy food and clothes. They even pay for your free housing and your flight tickets from your home country.

Most of these are for a Master's degree or PhD, but some schools like NYU Abu Dhabi help undergraduate students too. You just need a high GPA and a good IELTS score to show your English is okay. It is important to avoid any of the application deadlines because many candidates apply for Fully Funded Scholarships in UAE.

Khalifa University Graduate Scholarship

Khalifa University offers fully funded scholarships for international students in master’s and doctoral degrees. For Indian students who have finished a B.Tech or M.Tech and want to stay in Abu Dhabi, this is an outstanding option as it not only covers total tuition costs but also offers a high monthly stipend (AED 20,000 to 40,000), health insurance, and travel expenses. To get in, you need a strong CGPA (3.2 for Master's and 3.5 for PhD) and you must submit your IELTS or TOEFL scores.

MBZUAI Graduate Scholarship

Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence is a perfect choice if you are into coding and Data Science. This scholarship is unique because every student who gets admission receives the funding automatically without a separate form. It covers 100% tuition fees, gives you free housing on campus. This also provide a monthly stipend of about AED 15,500 for Master's and AED 17,500 for PhD. You need a STEM background and must pass an online screening exam that tests your math and programming skills to get fully funded MBZUAI Graduate Scholarship to study in UAE for free. 

UAEU PhD Fellowship

The United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain offers a special fellowship for PhD students who want to research "priority sectors" like Space or Renewable Energy. This is great for Indian scholars because it covers all fees and gives a monthly salary plus extra research bonuses if you work on your supervisor's projects. You need a Master's GPA of at least 3.5/4.0 and a very clear research plan. Since it is the national university, the selection is very strict, so having a few published papers can really help your application.

Dubai Business Associates (DBA) Program

If you are an Indian graduate with up to 3 years of work experience, the DBA program is a life-changing "work-study" path rather than just a degree. It is fully funded by the Dubai government and provides luxury accommodation, visa support, and a stipend of around $25,000 USD. You get to work with big companies like Emirates or DP World and receive a placement guarantee at the end. To apply, you need to submit a 90-second video introducing yourself and a human-written cover letter. This is very competitive, so showing your real personality in the video is the best way to get selected.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Scholarship (ADU)

Abu Dhabi University offer this fully funded scholarships for undergraduate students who are academic toppers. It covers 100% of all fees, including your application and health service costs. For Indian students, you usually need a high school average of 97% or more to be considered. You first have to apply for admission and get your student ID, then you can log into their portal to apply for the scholarship. This is a great way to study for free in a modern university that is very friendly to international students.

American University of Sharjah (AUS) President’s Scholarship

The AUS President’s Scholarship is only for international students who live outside the UAE. It is a full-ride award that pays for 100% tuition, lab fees, free housing, and even three return flight tickets during your 4-year degree. You need at least a 95% score in your Class 12 board exams. The application deadline for AUS President’s Scholarship UAE is usually in March.

NYU Abu Dhabi Financial Aid

Indian students who want to study in Dubai after Class 12 from CBSE or ICSE boards can apply for NYU Abu Dhabi Financial Aid. This fully funded scholarship in UAE offers need-based financial aid that covers everything. This scholarship pays for tuition, flight tickets, food, books, and even pocket money. Instead of just looking at marks, they look at your family's income through a form called the CSS Profile. If you have top grades and did many extra activities in school, you can get this support.

Al Qasimi Foundation Doctoral Research Grants

If you are already an Indian PhD student and your research is about public policy or social science, this grant can fund your field work in the UAE. It covers your flights, gives you furnished housing in Ras Al Khaimah for a year, and provides a stipend. You don't get a degree from them, but they pay for everything while you finish your research. You need an IELTS score of 6.5 and a research proposal that is already approved by your home university in India.

University of Dubai - Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Scholarship

Only a few top students can get Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Scholarship to study in Dubai. It allows you to study Business, Engineering, or even Law for free at the University of Dubai. It covers the total tuition fee for the whole duration of your program.

AUD Mohammed Bin Rashid Scholarship

American University in Dubai offers this scholarship for students of all nationalities who are intelligent but need financial help. It can cover full or partial tuition and helps with your visa support and housing. Indian students with a 90% average in school can apply.

What are the requirements for fully funded scholarships in UAE?

If you are an international student from India or another country, getting a fully funded scholarship in the UAE for 2026 is very competitive. You cannot just apply with average marks; these universities look for the best students. To help you prepare, here is a guide on the eligibility criteria you need to meet.

High Academic Grades

The most important thing is your GPA or school percentage. For most fully funded spots, universities like Khalifa University or MBZUAI want a minimum CGPA of 3.2 to 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. If you are an Indian student applying for an undergraduate degree, you usually need a very high score, at least 90% to 97% in your Class 12 board exams (CBSE/ICSE/State Board). For a PhD, they also check your research potential, so having a high score in your Master's degree is a must.

English Language Proof

Since classes are in English, you must show you can speak and write well. You will need a valid IELTS or TOEFL certificate. Usually, an IELTS score of 6.0 to 6.5 or a TOEFL iBT score of 90 to 91 is the standard requirement. Some colleges like UAEU might even ask for a higher score like 7.0 or 7.5 for special fellowships. Make sure your test is the "Academic" version and not "General," and it should not be older than two years.

Standardized Tests (GRE/SAT)

For graduate students, especially for Engineering or AI at Khalifa University, you might need a GRE score. They usually look for a Quantitative score of 150 or higher. If you are an undergraduate student, having a good SAT score (like 1200+ in Math) can help a lot, even if the school says it is optional. Some universities like MBZUAI also make you give a screening exam to test your math and coding skills before they accept you.

Age and Degree Recognition

Some scholarships have rules about when you finished your last school. For undergraduate plans, you usually must have graduated high school within the last two years. A very important step for Indian students is degree attestation. Your certificates must be recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education. This means you need to get them stamped by the HRD, the Ministry of External Affairs in India, and finally the UAE Embassy.

Documents Required for Fully Funded Scholarships in UAE

To show you are eligible, you must prepare these documents early:

• Official Transcripts: Clear copies of all your marksheets.

• Statement of Purpose: A 500–1,000-word letter about your goals.

• Recommendation Letters: Two or three letters from your professors.

• CV/Resume: Showing your projects, skills, and any work experience.

• Research Proposal: Mandatory if you are applying for a PhD fellowship.

How to Apply for Fully funded UAE Scholarships?

Applying for a fully funded scholarship in the UAE for 2026 is a multi-step process. Most top universities in UAE like Khalifa University or MBZUAI do not have a separate form for the scholarship; they consider you automatically when you apply for admission. For Indian students, the process starts in India with your documents. Here is the easy way to do it.

Gather and Attest Your Documents

Before you even open a university website, you must get your Indian marksheets ready. This is the most important part because the UAE government needs to know your degree is real. You must get your certificates attested first by the HRD department in your state, then by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in Delhi, and finally by the UAE Embassy in India. Without these stamps, your application will likely be rejected.

Prepare Your Personal Pitch

Since these scholarships are for the "best of the best," you need to stand out. Most schools will ask for a Statement of Purpose (SOP) which is a 500 to 1,000-word letter. Write about why you want to study in the UAE and how you will help your home country later. For the DBA program or MBZUAI, you might also need to record a 90-second video biography. Just use your phone, look at the camera, and speak clearly in English about your dreams.

Submit Online Application

Candidates willing to study in UAE for free have to visit the official university portal and create an account. Details like your name, address, and IELTS scores is required to be submitted. You will need to upload your attested documents, your CV/Resume, and your SOP.

Interview and Final Offer

If the university likes your profile, they will invite you for an online interview via Zoom or Teams. They will ask about your research interests and your grades. If you pass, you will receive an admission letter that says you have a fully funded scholarship. After this, the university will help you with the UAE student visa and your flight tickets to fly to Abu Dhabi or Dubai.