Abu Dhabi University Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

Abu Dhabi University (ADU) is a renowned educational institute dedicated to providing world-class education facilities to students living in the UAE and surrounding regions. It is also considered the largest university in the UAE, with campuses located in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, AI Ain, and AI Dhafra. ADU prepares graduates for dynamic careers through transformative world-class education, enriched by innovative and flexible programs. Its 85% retention rate at the undergraduate level signifies that most students who enter this university wish to continue their further studies here. It has a strong alumni network of 19,925 ex-students around the world who are ready to help students whenever the need arises.

 

 

Courses Offered

What all courses are available to international students?

The internationally recognized academic programs of ADU include 26 undergraduate and 16 postgraduate courses. These courses are either offered in English or Arabic languages.

Popular UG Study Areas
Mass Communication	Business Administration	Architecture
Aviation	Engineering	Cybersecurity
Information Technology	Interior Design	Robotics
Software Engineering	Environmental Health and Safety	Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Molecular and Medical Genetics	Public Health	Law

 

Popular PG Study Areas
Strategic Leadership	Business Administration	Engineering Management
Project Management	Civil Engineering	Law
Information Technology	Special Education	Teaching
Educational Leadership	Electrical and Computer Engineering	Mechanical Engineering

 

Intensive English Language Program

International undergraduates can apply for the Intensive English language courses offered by the English Language Institute (ELI) if they fail to meet the English language requirements. However, for graduate students, it is mandatory to meet the English proficiency requirements for admission to ADU. 

Eligibility & Documents Required

What are the eligibility requirements?

International undergraduate applicants must complete high school studies before starting their study in their desired UG program. The minimum academic grades required for entry to UG courses vary as per country and course. Indian students should meet the eligibility requirements mentioned below for direct entry to the following colleges: 

College	Overall Percentage Required in HSC
College of Engineering	50%
College of Business	45%
College of Arts & Science	43% for Arts and 45% for programs in Natural Sciences and Applied Sciences
College of Law	43%

 

Also, they need to submit any one of the following English proficiency test scores to validate proficiency in the English language:

English Proficiency Test	Minimum Expected Score
TOEFL PBT	500
TOEFL iBT	61
IELTS	5.0

 

For international graduate applicants, it is mandatory to acquire a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline. Also, the degree must be accredited or recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is required for admission to PG programs. However, the additional requirements might vary from one program to another.

English Proficiency Test	Minimum Expected Score
TOEFL iBT	79
TOEFL CBT	213
IELTS	6.0

Academic qualifications and the English language test score requirements will vary from one program to another. It is suggested that international students refer to individual program requirements for a clear idea of the entry requirements.

What all documents are needed for application?

These documents should be submitted by international undergraduate applicants to secure admission to a UG program:

• A completed online application form with the application fee
• A certified copy of high school certificate or equivalent
• A copy of a valid passport
• A copy of residency visa
• Official transcripts and other university course syllabus (for transfer students)
• Equivalency letter obtained from the Ministry of Education (UAE)
• Essay or Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Passport photographs
• Financial documents

 

International graduate applicants can submit their application forms with the supporting documents listed below:

• A completed online application form with the application fee
• UG degree certificates and transcripts (certified copies)
• A copy of your passport
• A copy of your residency visa
• Recommendation letters (2)
• A student CV
• Equivalency letter obtained from the Ministry of Education (UAE)
• Passport photographs
• Financial documents

Application & Tuition Fees

Is there any application fees?

A non-refundable application fee of AED 315 and AED 420 must be deposited by undergraduate and postgraduate applicants, respectively. Upon admission, students also have to pay a non-refundable registration fee of AED 2,850.

What is the fee structure of courses offered by the university?

The university claims to have very competitive fees while providing great value for money. Tuition and other fees are based on college and/or Department classification as opposed to the course classification or level. Tuition rates for undergraduate programs are different from the tuition rates for postgraduate programs. It is important to note that the costs of books and supplies are not included in the tuition fees. Here is an overview of the average tuition fee per semester for 2021-22:

 

 

The tuition fees are subject to change every year/semester. They also vary from one program to another. Students are advised to check the official website for the latest tuition fee updates. 

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Is there any scholarship or financial aid available for international students?

ADU offers University Scholarships to international students who have just graduated from secondary school. However, to be eligible for this scholarship, they should enrol in ADU within two years of graduation (from secondary school). A waiver in tuition fees ranging from 10% to 50% is provided every year (up to four years), depending on the high school GPA average of applicants. Students should also meet the English proficiency test score requirement as prescribed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Moreover, they must be enrolled in a full-time course for at least 12 credits. The exception to the 12 credit hours rule may be provided to students in their first semester if they do not meet the English language score requirement.

 

Academic Scholarship

Academic Scholarships are awarded to international students who secure a GPA of 3.60 for two semesters (consecutive). Students who participate actively in sports and have a minimum GPA of 2.75 are eligible for Athletic Scholarships, provided they meet the English language requirements and get a recommendation letter from the Student Affairs Department of ADU. To be eligible for Academic and Athletic scholarships, students must be enrolled in a full-time program for at least 12 credit hours.

 

Family Tuition Discount

A tuition fee waiver of 15, 20, or 25 per cent is offered to students from the same family. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required to be eligible for this discount.

 

Merit-based Scholarships for Graduates

Merit-based scholarships are awarded to international graduates who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 during their coursework. A tuition fee waiver will be given to students who bag these scholarships, and these waivers apply to winter and summer semesters.

 

Most scholarships at ADU do not require a separate application, as the original application form and academic credentials are considered when selecting deserving students. For more information, you can visit the scholarship webpage: www.adu.ac.ae/study/admissions/international-students/financials.

Admission Process

When do the admissions start?

The university has rolling admission, i.e. some programs are open for admission all around the year. Undergraduate programs are usually offered in the summer and fall sessions whose deadlines fall in mid-June and late August, respectively. Though the deadlines for graduate programs might vary, online applicants can follow the deadlines given below:

Entry term	Application Deadline
Winter	Late January
Fall	Late October
Spring	Late April
Summer	Late July

What is the application process?

International applicants need to apply to the university directly via its online application portal: selfservice.adu.ac.ae. This portal needs to be used for both undergraduate and graduate admissions. Once an account is created, students will receive an email about setting up their accounts. They will need to choose PG to proceed with their applications (instead of selecting undergraduate courses as applicable above). The remaining steps are the same.

Step 1: New students need to register first, while others can log in with their credentials.

 

 

Step 2: Choose programme type.

 

 

Step 3: After logging in on the application portal, students must click on ‘Admission Application’. Now, they will need to choose the ‘Create/View Application’ button.

 

 

Step 4: Once the application form opens, students can fill in the required details and submit the form before the deadline.

 

 

When will I hear from the university after I submit my application

ADU processes online applications within one or two weeks. However, students should apply well before the deadlines, as the university has to process several thousands of applications every year.

Student Diversity & Preferred Profile

What are the chances to get into this university?

Students with high school marks above 50% and those who meet English language requirements have higher chances of getting selected for UG programs. Graduate applicants need to have a GPA of at least 2.0 to get selected. Also, the English language requirements have a major say in the application review process. Some programs might need students to also clear interview rounds.

How many Indian/international students are studying at the university?

Around 7,349 students study at Abu Dhabi University. Of these, around 3,177 students belong to other countries.

Part Time Work While Studying

Can I work while studying here?

Earlier, international students were not allowed to work part-time or full-time in the UAE. However, recent changes in labour law allow them to work part-time or full-time while studying. The following conditions should be met by students who wish to apply for work during their coursework:

• A valid student visa
• Students must be enrolled in full-time courses and complete a minimum of 12 months before applying for jobs.
• Students cannot work for more than 15 hours per week during sessions (coursework).
• Students can work up to 40 hours per week during academic breaks or summer vacations.
• The age of a student must be at least above 18 years.

Campuses & Accommodation

How many colleges and campuses does the university have?

ADU has four campuses located in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, AI Din, and AI Dafra. The main campus is located in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi – the capital of UAE. It has an area of 368,000 square meters, replete with top-class laboratories, food outlets, cafeterias, classrooms, and six academic faculties.

Is on-campus housing available?

International students can choose to stay on-campus in the Abu Dhabi Campus. Accommodation options are many, equipped with bathrooms and kitchens. The types of accommodation units and their costs for the academic year 2021-22 are given below:

Accommodation Type	Fall or Spring Cost (In AED)	Winter or Summer Cost (In AED)
Private single rooms with bathroom and kitchen	12,500	3,800
Semi-private single occupancy with shared bathroom and kitchen	9,200	2,800
Double occupancy with bathroom and kitchen	6,700	2,000
Double occupancy with shared bathroom and kitchen	5,400	1,700

 

The estimated cost of living for undergraduate students living on the Abu Dhabi Campus for the academic year 2021-22 are given below:

Expenses	Cost (In AED) for Fall and Spring semesters	Cost (In AED) for Summer and Winter semesters
Late registration/payment (if applicable)	500	500
Healthcare Services	110	55
Student Services	350	175
Transportation (door to door)	3,700	1,850
Transportation (door to drop-off point)	2,400	1,200

 

The estimated cost of living for graduates for the academic year 2021-22 is given below:

Expenses	Cost (In AED) for fall and spring semesters	Cost (In AED) for summer and winter semesters
Late registration/payment (if applicable)	500	500
Healthcare Services	110	55
Student Services	350	175
Accommodation	5,400 to 12,500	1,700 to 3,800

The room rents and other charges might change every year. Therefore, students should refer to ADU’s official website for the exact details on accommodation charges and cost of living. 

University Contact Information

Whom should I contact in case of any doubts?

Students can contact the university using the contact details given below if they have any queries or doubts:

Mail address: Zayed City - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Overseas contact: +971-2-501-55-55

E-mail: admissions@abu.ac.ae

Website: www.adu.ac.ae/