Study in UAE: Education System

UAE offers a truly cosmopolitan experience to students, to visitors, or to anyone who visits the place. Due to the education policies of UAE, education is cheaper than other countries. If you are a student, you can get an international qualification at almost half the cost. UAE offers value for money for its students. In today's environment, it is necessary to learn the social etiquettes and the cosmopolitan culture of the country helps in learning that.

There are lavish malls and high-rise hotels, which make the place very attractive for students. Traditional Bedouin lifestyle, as well as consumerism driven by Western culture, coexist here. UAE offers a comprehensive education to all, without any gender bias from Kindergarten to university, and education is free at all levels for the citizens of the country. The process for studying in UAE is simple unlike studying in Europe and the United States.

The rapid growth of trade and commerce is very evident in the country. Hence the probability to find the right job and good growth prospects are very high. Due to strict laws, foreign also find the place very safe to stay. Topped with good infrastructure and places to enjoy, UAE brings all goodies into one.

Recently, the Ministry of Education has adopted an educational development strategy called ‘Education 2020' based on five-year plans. Certain reforms in the system have been influenced by English language education systems and the use of computer technology and the up gradation of English language skills is the topmost priority of Government. The traditional school education in UAE is based on Arabic and Islamic culture.

The medium of instruction in UAE

In UAE schools, the medium of instruction is Arabic, and English is used for science and technical subjects. At present, the priority of government is to improve the English language skills and a new English language syllabus shall be introduced very soon to all the government schools.
English is the main language of instruction in all the UAE universities, Zayed University and the Higher Colleges of Technology. But it is expected from the students that they should be fluent in both English and Arabic.

The academic year in UAE

The schools in UAE start from September to June, with a break from the middle of June to the end of August. All government schools, government universities, and government colleges work as per a similar academic calendar and it has two-yearly breaks, in Mid-December and end of March.

The education system in UAE

Primary and secondary education:

Let's start with the primary and secondary education in UAE. The current educational system is a four-tier process that covers 14 years of education.

• Kindergarten: For students aged between 4 to 5 years old
• Primary: Length of the programme is 6 years and for students aged between 6 to 12 years old
• Preparatory: Length of the programme is 3 years and for students aged between 12 to 15 years old
• Secondary: Length of the programme is 3 years and for students aged between 15 to 18 years old. Certificate/diploma awarded: Secondary School Leaving Certificate
• Technical Secondary School: Length of the programme is 6 years and for students aged between 12 - 18. Certificate/diploma awarded: Technical Secondary Diploma

Higher education in UAE

The UAE education system is well established and diversified. The UAE has eight major universities and a large number of universities and colleges of higher technology. Citizens of UAE can attend government institutions free of cost, and a wide range of private institutions, many with international accreditation, supplement the public sector. As of now, the country has the highest rate of application participation in the world. 95% of females and 80% of males who are enrolled in the final year of secondary school apply for admission to a higher education institution or to study abroad.

Private institutions in UAE

There are many good private institutions that offer vast tertiary-level opportunities. Some of the eminent institutions in UAE are American Universities of Sharjah and Dubai, Sharjah University and the Ajman University of Science and Technology. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is responsible for the accreditation of institutes and degrees.
Development of international universities in UAE

Over the last few years, a number of foreign universities have set up their campuses in the country. Some well-known universities that have established their campuses includes American University in Dubai, British University of Dubai, Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences, Middlesex University of Dubai and many other universities.