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Khalifa University: Rankings, Popular Courses, Fees
- Estd. 2017
Last updated on 8 Jul '26KUWhat's new?
- In 2027 QS rankings, Khalifa University has been ranked at #147 out of 1500+ universities. As per the QS rankings, this is a leading university in the UAE for 9 consecutive years now. The major change in the university's ranking was due to its performance in research impact. This university has been ranked at #87 worldwide in citations per faculty.
- The admission portal for Fall 2026 admission to Khalifa University is now closed. The UG applications for international students may open from Nov 2026.
About Khalifa University
Khalifa University is a public university in Abu Dhabi, UAE. There are three campuses of KU, the main campus and two satellite campuses in Sas Al Nakhal and Masdar City. Khalifa University has received 5 stars in the QS rating system.
The total no. of students at this university is 4,000+. Over 180 nationalities are represented by students at Khalifa University. The courses at this university are taught in English as well as Arabic. In the context of admissions, Khalifa University acceptance rate is around 9%. This means that the university is very competitve. Khalifa University is a leading university in the UAE, with 90 of its faculty members acknowledged among world's Top 2% most cited scientists in Stanford University's 2023 listing. It is a top ranked university in the UAE, #3 in the Arab region (QS rankings 2026) and among Top 250 in the world.
- Globally accredited programs - Khalifa Uni is fully licensed and all its programs are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the UAE Ministry of Education
- Safest city - This university is located in Abu Dhabi. It is the largest emirate in the UAE and remains the world's safest city for 8th consecutive year in 2024
- Personalized guidance - Students can experience personalized guidance and a supportive learning environment at Khalifa Uni. 15 faculty members of this university is among the Top 0.05% of the world , as per ScholarGPS. The student-to-faculty ratio at Khalifa Uni is 11:6.
- Graduate employability - Khalifa Univ has great employment record with a placement rate of 94% for the graduates. Also, in the Graduate employability rankings by Times Higher Education rankings 2026, KU ranks at #191 in 2026.
Facts about Khalifa University
KU maintains academic and researcg partnerships with many international associations such as Georgia Institute of Technology, KAIST, and the Texas A&M University Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute. There are three research institutes of KU. A few facts about Khalifa Uni are given below-
| Particulars | Stats |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 |
| Type of university | Public |
| No. of colleges | 3 |
| Location | Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Total no. of students | 4,099 |
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
It is difficult to get into Khalifa Uni. The acceptance rate of Khalifa University is just 9%. Students who want to take admission to this university should have a strong academic record.
Minimum admission requirements are having a high school education for admission to UG courses of Khalifa Uni. Whereas for admission to PG courses, Indian studens should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the UG degree.
Khalifa Uni is one of the top public universities in the UAE. It ranks at #147 in the QS 2027 rankings. Also, it ranks at #3 in the Arab region 2026 QS rankings. It has received an overall 5 stars in the QS star rating system.
KU is famous to offer many English taught courses in many disciplines such as Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Public Health.
No. Indian students who want to study at KU have to pay a tuition fees. For BSc courses, Khalifa Uni tuition fee is around INR 21 L. Whereas for MSc courses, the tuition fee is around INR 25 L - INR 39 L. Also, the university offer up to full coverage of the tuition fee via UG merit-based scholarships.
Khalifa University Ranking 2026
As per Shiksha Popularity Rankings 2026, Khalifa University is ranked at #1 in the UAE. Whereas, in the world rankings, Khalifa University ranks at #252 in 2026. Subject rankings of the Khalifa University are #1 for MS, #1 for Engineering, #3 for Science, #5 for Medicine & Health courses.
By Other Ranking Bodies
In the 2027 QS rankings, Khalifa University ranking is #147. It was placed at #177 in 2026 QS rankings. In other global rankings, Khalifa Uni ranks at #201-250 in Times Higher Education world rankings for 2026. Whereas, as per U.S. News rankings globally, this university ranks at #340 in 2026.
#252
#1
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
In 2027 QS world university rankings, Khalifa Uni ranking is #147. In the previous year, this university was ranked at #177. This shows that in QS rankings, Khalifa University shows a major improvement. In the QS Arab region ranking, this university ranks at #3 in 2026 rankings.
In Times Higher Education world rankings, Khalifa University rank at #201-250 in 2026. Subject rankings are given below-
- Engineering: #126-150
- Computer Science: #201-250
- Physical Sciences: #251-300
- Social Sciences: #401-500
Khalifa University is ranked at #6 position for Petroleum Engineering subject in the QS subject rankings. Other subject rankings are-
| Subject | QS Subject Rankings 2026 |
|---|---|
| Electrical & Electronic Engg. | #92 |
| Chemical Engg. | #94 |
| Mathematics | #130 |
| Engineering & Technology | #131 |
Khalifa University Courses for Indian students
Khalifa University offers BSc and MSc courses. There are 3 colleges at Khalifa University, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Computing & Mathematical Sciences, and Medicine & Health Sciences. Study areas at the Master's level are Computational Data Science, Digital Health, Computer Science, Public Health, Applied Mathematics, etc. Whereas, some of the UG study areas at Khalifa Uni are Civil Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, etc.
Khalifa University Popular Courses
Some of the frequently picked courses of Khalifa University are-
- MSc in Petroleum Engineering
- MSc in Digital Health
- Master of Public Health
- BTech
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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
Khalifa University offers UG and PG courses. The students at this university can study BSc and MSc courses. Study courses at this university are-
- Chemical Engineering
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Aerospace Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Public Health
Khalifa University MSc in Petroleum Engineering is one of the top picked course among Indian students. The duration of this course is 1 year. The course also includes industry speakers and industrial visits to different labs in the UAE such as NOC, IOC, etc. KU ranks at #6 position for Petroleum Engineering ranking in the QS subject rankings for 2026.
Khalifa University Admission Requirements 2026
Indian students who want to take part in Khalifa University admissions can apply online through the direct university portal. There is no application fee to apply for UG courses. But, for PG courses, the students have to pay an application fee of AED 200 (Around INR 5.1k). After the submission of the UG application, the students may have to sit for an admission test. Invitations for this test are sent 10 days before the test.
Students can submit respective admission applications via the official Khalifa University online application portal.
- PG: Indian students who want to take admission to Khalifa University must have completed a Bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.0. TOEFL score of 91 / IELTS score of 6.5 is required. A GRE test score with minimum 150 in Quantiative score is also required
- UG: For admission to the UG courses, the students must have completed High school education with 80% minimum. The studens must complete Mathematics as a mandatory subject along wih one Science subject (Physics, Chemistry, or Biology).
KU Application Deadliines 2026
The application deadlines for the UG courses of Khalifa Uni are-
| Particulars | Dates |
|---|---|
| Application opens | Mid Nov 2026 |
| Application close | Mar 2027 |
Documents required to apply to Khalifa University
Students who want to take admission to Khalifa Uni UG courses have to appear for personal interview. They are required to submit a video recording test. Here are some of the documents that Indian students have to submit while applying to Khalifa University-
- High school or Bachelor's degree transcripts
- CV
- IELTS / TOEFL certificates
- Copy of passport
- GRE test score
- Statement of Purpose
Documents| Type of documents | Applicable for |
|---|
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
For admission to Khalifa Uni Master's courses, Indian students are required to have a GPA of 3.0 in the Bachelor's degree. Also, an overall score of IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT with 91 score is required. Documents required to apply to Khalifa Uni Master's courses are-
- Two recommendations
- Statement of Purpose
- GRE (minimum score of 150 in General GRE)
- CV
- Passport size photograph
- Valid passport
Students who want to take admission to Khalifa Uni UG courses have to appear for an Admission Test. It is conducted to evaluate the students' readiness and knowledge in core subjects required for university level subjects.
The topics on which questions are asked Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics. This test is conducted online and on-campus. It is of 90 minutes and comprises MCQ questions.
KUKhalifa University Scholarships for Indian students
Merit-based scholarships are offered by KU for postgraduate students. These awards of Khalifa Uni are based on academic achievement, study field, research potential, and university's goals. For UG studens too, merit based scholarships are offered by KU. Separate application is not required for the UG scholarships. Details for Khalifa University UG scholarships are given below-
| Tier | Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Full coverage of tuition fee |
| Tier 2 | 75% off of the tuition fees |
| Tier 3 | 50% off of the tuition fees |
| Tier 4 | 25% off of the tuition fees |
Note: The textbooks for students who will avail UG scholarships will be provided by Khalifa University.
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
International students who want to opt for Bachelor's courses at Khalifa University can avail the merit based scholarships. A separate application is not required for the UG scholarships. Here are the details of the scholarships-
| Tier | Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Full coverage of tuition fee |
| Tier 2 | 75% off of the tuition fees |
| Tier 3 | 50% off of the tuition fees |
| Tier 4 | 25% off of the tuition fees |
Merit based scholarships are offered to PG students of Khalifa University. To be considered for the scholarships, the students must showcase their interest in scholarship support at the time of submitting the KU admission application. Depending on the scholarship, the benefits must include-
- Full or partial KU tuition fee coverage
- Accommodation
- Textbooks
- Medical insurance
- Visa support and travel assistance
1 yearKhalifa University Placements
A no. of career services are offered by KU. This include checking KU internship portal to find internship opprtunities. The university also conducts career workshops. It launched a career development course, which aims to develop a gap between education and employment. A few career services offered by Khalifa Uni are-
- Personalized guidance on CV writing, interview skills, trends of job market, etc.
- Career assessments
- Access to job portal
Khalifa University Placement Rate
The placement rate of Khalifa University is around 94%. The organizations where the graduates of this university are ADNOC Group, ENEC Operations, e&, Technology Innovation Institute, etc. Students at KU can apply for internships. But, the students must be in good academic standing to opt for internship. Check Part Time Work Options in UAE.
- As per Glassdoor.com, after graduating from KU, the graduate student salary in Abu Dhabi is around AED 8k per month (Around INR 2 L).
Commonly asked questions On Placements
The graduate employment rate at Khalifa University is around 94%. The university a no. of career services such as portal to check internships, workshops, interview tips, etc. As per the Graduate Employability rankings 2026 by Times Higher Education rankings, Khalifa Uni is ranked at #191 position.
Khalifa University Fees in INR
For BSc courses, Khalifa University fees is AED 81,250 (Around INR 21 L). Whereas for MSc courses of KU, the tuition fee is AED 150,000 (Around 39 L) and for PhD courses, the tuition fees is AED 95,000 - AED 100,000 (Around INR 25 L - INR 26 L).
Living Expenses at Khalifa University
The housing cost at KU would range as per the room type. For UG students, the housing cost would be around AED 10,000 - AED 20,000 for Spring and Fall terms (Around INR 2.5 L - 5.18 L) for PG students, it would be around AED 3,000 (Around INR 78k).
- The transportation fees is around AED 2,000 per semester (Around INR 52k)
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MS(17 courses) | INR 39 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL |
B.E. / B.Tech(12 courses) | INR 21 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL |
B.Sc.(4 courses) | INR 20 L - 21 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
The tuition fee to study at Khalifa University for different courses are-
| Courses | Fees in AED | Fees in INR |
|---|---|---|
| BSc | AED 81,250 | INR 21 L |
| MSc | AED 150,000 | INR 39 L |
| PhD | AED 95,000 - AED 100,000 | INR 25 L - INR 26 L |
The housing cost at Khalifa Uni varies as per the room type and semesters. The estimated housing fee is given below-
| Room Type | Fall & Spring Term Fees | Summer Term Fees |
|---|---|---|
| UG student single occupancy in double room | AED 20,000 (INR 5.18 L) | AED 8,000 (INR 2 L) |
| UG student double occupancy in double room | AED 10,000 (INR 2.6 L) | AED 4,000 (INR 1 L) |
| Graduate student | AED 3,000 | AED 3,000 (INR 78k) |
College comparison
Compare KU with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 38.59 L | #147 QS, 2027 | |
| INR 11.58 L - 15.44 L | #588 QS, 2027 | |
| INR 14.11 L - 19.85 L | -/- | |
| INR 10.31 L | -/- | |
| -/- | -/- | |
| INR 17.38 L | #616 QS, 2027 |
CompareKUStudying in UAE
Khalifa University Campus
The main campus of Khalifa University is in Abu Dhabi. It covers an area over 135,000 sq. meters and houses 105 labs and 72 classrooms. It also has one library, a student hub with dining room, and many cafes. There are two satellite campuses of this university in Masdar City and Sas Al Nakhl.
Campus Life
There are 30+ student clubs at KU. A few of the student clubs at this university are Theater Club, Chess Club, Life Sciences Club, Photograph Club, Debating Club, Art & Music club, etc. Also, the male and female sports teams of KU compete in the Abu Dhabi Inter-University Sports League. The university also offers recreational programs
- Khalifa University separate residences for male and female students. The housing of KU include single and double shared furnished apartment style buildings
- UG male students can reside in Al Rawada Residences where as UG female students can reside in KU residence halls
- PG male students of KU can reside in Al Rawada Residences and Masdar City Residences. Whereas female PG students can reside in Masdar City Residences
Commonly asked questions On Others
The main campus of Khalifa University is located in Abu Dhabi, at the intersection of Al Saada St. and Old Airport road. There are 70+ classrooms on the main campus. A few of the facilities at this campus are-
- Student hub, offers spaces to rest between classes
- Library
- Student housing
- the largest fitness facilities (gym, yoga spac, multi-use courts for basketball, squash, volleyball, etc.)
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KULocation
| University City | Abu Dhabi, Other - UAE, UAE |
KUContact Information
Khalifa University, PO Box 127788
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Abu Dhabi ( Other - UAE)
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