The best UAE universities have been ranked for the first time in a major move introduced to monitor and raise the standards of higher education in the country.
In line with its ongoing efforts to advance higher education in the UAE, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has introduced the National Higher Education Institutions Classification Framework, approved by the UAE Cabinet.
Based on the new Framework, MoE-licensed higher education institutions (HEIs) will be ranked based on clear and fair criteria that align with the UAE’s vision and priorities.
UAE research university ranking
Dr. Mohammad Al Mualla, Undersecretary for Higher Education Academic Affairs at the Ministry of Education, noted that the National Higher Education Institutions Classification Framework is a new crucial leap by the Ministry to strengthen the country’s global position as an epicentre for higher education.
He pointed out that the framework enables students to select HEIs that align with their interests and academic strengths while encouraging universities to improve their competitiveness and attract international students from all over the world, through fair, transparent, and measurable assessments.
Dr. Al Mualla added: “Working on the development of the framework has spanned six years, in collaboration with relevant entities. Ministry teams have conducted standard comparisons with internationally accredited university ranking systems.
“Communication with relevant local parties, including local HEIs, was prioritised to ensure alignment with the national vision and priorities. Additionally, the Ministry of Education coordinated with HEIs to complete two trial phases to ensure the framework’s flexibility, clarity, and neutrality of standards. Classifications will be updated annually, starting from this year.”
In line with the world’s best practices in higher institutions ranking, MoE-licensed HEIs in the UAE were classified into two categories:
- The first is the Research Cluster, which encompasses HEIs that offer postgraduate studies alongside bachelor studies
- The second category is the Non-research Cluster; it includes HEIs providing bachelor’s (or lower) studies only
The new Framework does not encompass HEIs established within the past five years, those exclusively offering master’s and doctoral programmes, or universities with revoked or suspended licences.
Based on this classification, in the initial phase of the National Higher Education Institutions Classification Framework, HEIs were assessed across four primary pillars:
- Research and innovation (35 per cent)
- Teaching quality and student life (35 per cent)
- Employment and labour market alignment (20 per cent)
- International collaboration (10 per cent)
The MoE will announce the assessment pillars for Non-research Cluster HEIs in Phase Two of the Programme.
Based on the new Framework, MoE-licensed HEIs into four groups. Each group is defined through key performance indicators that fall under the pillars.
Based on the ranking results, the American University of Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates University, Khalifa University, Mohammed bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and New York University Abu Dhabi were ranked in ‘Group 1’.
The MoE ensures neutrality, fairness, and transparency in classifying HEIs by gathering data from multiple sources, including HEIs’ data, data from official entities in the country, data from reliable international bodies, in addition to students, employees, employers, and alumni’s surveys.
The new Framework provides HEIs with clear tools they can utilise to review and amend their ranking if needed. The data is subject to audits and reviews yearly.
‘Outstanding’ UAE universities
- American University of Sharjah
- United Arab Emirates University
- Khalifa University
- Mohammed bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences
- New York University Abu Dhabi
Very Good UAE universities
- Abu Dhabi University
- American University in Dubai
- The British University in Dubai
- Al Sharekah University
- Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- Zayed University
- Ajman University
- University of Wollongong in Dubai
‘Good’ UAE universities
- American University in the Emirates
- The American University of Ras Al Khaimah
- Emirates College for Educational Development
- Gulf Medical University, Sorbonne University
- Al Ain University
- Canadian University in Dubai
- Institute of Business Administration Technology in Dubai
- University of Dubai
- Dubai College of Pharmacy
- Raydan Academy
- Saint Joseph University Dubai
‘Satisfactory’ UAE universities
- Horizon University College
- Emirates Aviation University
- Imam Malik College of Islamic Sharia and Law
- University of Fujairah
- City University Ajman
- Al Wasl University
- Jumeirah University
- Ras Al Khaimah University of Medicine and Health Sciences
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