The UAE is a constantly developing economy that has made significant investments in the education sector. As a result, it has some of the region’s best higher education institutions which offer world-class education in general, as well as top MBA programs in particular.
Many prestigious international universities have also set up branch campuses here, thus enabling students to access globally-recognized degrees. There are, in addition, local universities that offer such high-quality MBA programs that are also recognized as among the world’s best.
Explore any of these top MBA programs in the UAE, for future growth and success.
Abu Dhabi University – College of Business Administration
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Website: www.adu.ac.ae/home
Email: admissions@adu.ac.ae
At Abu Dhabi University, the Master of Business Administration program promotes the growth of cross-functional knowledge encompassing leadership, communication, finance and accounting, and strategic management. In addition, skills in research methodologies, marketing, team building as well as critical thinking abilities are deeply enhanced.
Moreover, we have designed the program to nurture the capacity to assess business performance critically among our students as well as give them a better understanding of organizational sustainability.
Relevant information:
- Language: English
- Intakes: January, February, April, June, September, October
- Duration: 12 months
- Tuition: $24,200
- Accreditations: European Quality Improvement System, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Ranking: #501-550 in QS World University Rankings 2023
American University in Dubai
Dubai, UAE
Website: www.aud.edu
Email: admissions@aud.edu
The American University in Dubai’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program offers top-notch post-graduate qualifications to professionals aiming for leadership roles and managerial success in their respective industries. Moreover, it is an inclusive program that fosters strategic thinking, ethical values, social responsibility, and appreciation for cultural diversity.
Relevant information:
- Language: English
- Concentrations: General MBA, Finance, Management, Marketing
- Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Ranking: #10 in QS Global MBA Rankings 2023: Middle East and Africa
American University of Sharjah – School of Business and Management
Sharjah, UAE
Website: www.aus.edu/
Email: pmcclelland@aus.edu, abegail@aus.edu
The MBA program of the American University of Sharjah is specifically designed to equip graduates with the necessary skills to thrive in the fast-paced and global business landscape of today. Moreover, it recognizes the importance of exposing business school graduates to the latest techniques and current practices to prepare them for success in a constantly evolving and intricate world. Therefore, the program ensures that students are prepared for impactful business careers and empowered to make valuable contributions to their future organizations.
Relevant information:
- Language: English
- Intakes: January, August
- Concentrations: Finance and Human Resources Management
- Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Ranking: #9 in QS Global MBA Rankings 2023: Middle East and Africa
Canadian University Dubai
City Walk, Dubai, UAE
Website: www.cud.ac.ae/
Email: info@cud.ac.ae
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has an outstanding reputation for academic excellence. The university is a diverse institution, with over 120 student nationalities represented on campus. In addition, with 18 accredited degree programs and over 30 concentrations, CUD offers a wide range of study options across four academic schools and faculties, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.
CUD’s MBA program is delivered with a range of concentrations, providing the opportunity to focus on solid business disciplines at the executive professional level. Moreover, Students can choose to specialize in General Management, Finance, Human Resource Management, and Marketing.
Furthermore, the MBA curriculum offers a flexible schedule, with evening and weekend classes available to suit the needs of working students and professionals.
Relevant information:
- Language: English
- Duration: 3 semesters
- Highlight: Students can start their MBA degree at CUD, then transfer and graduate in Canada
- Accreditation: Licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education, KSA Ministry of Education, and by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA)
- Rankings: #1 University in Dubai (QS World University Rankings 2023, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022), Top 2% of Global Universities (QS University Rankings, 2023)
Heriot-Watt University – Edinburgh Business School
Dubai Knowledge Park, UAE
Website: www.hw.ac.uk/
Email: DubaiMBA@hw.ac.uk
Heriot-Watt University Dubai – Edinburgh Business School’s full-time MBA program starts in September and January of each year. The program runs over one year, and each year is split into three semesters. Overall, the program consists of seven core courses and two electives. Each semester, students must do a minimum of two core courses.
Meanwhile, the part-time MBA program runs over two years, and each year is split into three semesters. Each semester includes a minimum of one core course.
Relevant information:
- Study mode: Full-time and part-time
- Language: English
- Concentrations: Finance, Strategy
- Highlight: All graduates receive a British degree that is accredited by Royal Charter in the UK
- Accreditation: Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), initial licensure granted by the UAE Ministry of Education
- Rankings: Heriot-Watt University is 235th in the world, 32nd in UK and 5th in Scotland, according to QS World University Rankings
Hult International Business School – Middle East Campus (Dubai)
Dubai, UAE
Website: www.hult.edu/
Email: contacthult@hult.edu
Hult’s MBA Program in Dubai is housed in a state-of-the-art campus, strategically located amid renowned tech companies, embodying the city’s determined and ambitious mindset.
Hult’s MBA programs have been designed to develop the skills most in-demand with employers worldwide. Thus, you’ll graduate with the practical skills, applicable knowledge, and effective mindsets to transform your life and career.
Relevant information:
- Study mode: Full-time (Global MBA); part-time (EMBA)
- Duration: 1 year (Global MBA); 2 years (EMBA)
- Language: English
- Accreditations: Association to Advance, Association of MBAs, EQUIS Institutional Accreditation System
- Rankings: #53 at Economist EMBA 2020, #68 at FT EMBA 2022
INSEAD – Abu Dhabi Campus
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Website: www.insead.edu/
Email: execed.mena@insead.edu
The Middle East segment of the INSEAD Global Executive MBA program starts in Abu Dhabi annually in October and merges with cohorts from France and Singapore for the latter part of the program, leading to a joint graduation in December of the following year.
The program’s exceptional diversity of nationalities and professional backgrounds encourages cross-cultural learning and the establishment of a global network. In addition, the Leadership Development Program (LDP) focuses on cultivating an authentic leadership style through group coaching, assessments, and team activities.
Relevant information:
- Language: English
- Intakes: August and January
- Accreditations: Association to Advance, Association of MBAs, EQUIS Institutional Accreditation System
- Rankings: #3 at Financial Times Global MBA 2023, # 17 at Financial Times EMBA 2022
London Business School (LBS)
Dubai International Financial Centre, UAE
Website: www.london.edu/
Email: ahaque@london.edu
London Business School (LBS) offers prestigious MBA, Executive MBA (EMBA) and masters programs taught by leading experts in accounting, economics, finance, management science and operations, marketing, organizational behavior, and strategy and entrepreneurship.
LBS’s part-time EMBA program, offered in Dubai or London, equips ambitious executives with business knowledge, leadership skills and networks to accelerate their careers.
The 20-month program is taught in block weeks, with core modules in subjects ranging from corporate finance, business ethics, data analytics and risk analysis to strategic management and operations management. In addition, students can customize their experience in year two by choosing from over 100 elective courses taught across London and Dubai by the School’s world-class faculty and broaden their global perspective through experiential learning on a Global Experiential course.
Moreover, students join the school’s international community of more than 50,000 alumni worldwide on graduation, ensuring lifelong access to the power of the LBS network.
Relevant information:
- Study mode: Executive MBA in Dubai is part-time
- Language: English
- Accreditation: UAE Ministry of Education through the office of its Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA)
- Rankings: #2 Business School in Europe, according to the Financial Times
Middlesex University Dubai
Dubai Knowledge Park
Website: www.mdx.ac.ae/
Email: admissions@mdx.ac.ae
Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai is the first overseas campus of the renowned Middlesex University based in London, UK. With over 18 years’ experience as a leading British higher education institution in the UAE, MDX Dubai is a 5-Star KHDA rated university and Dubai’s largest UK university licensed by KHDA for total student enrolment for three consecutive years (2021, 2022 and 2023).
The Middlesex MBA is designed to prepare students for the challenges of managing innovative teams within a complex international environment.
In addition, students develop their understanding of the core disciplines of management and also study specialist modules related to their chosen pathway. Core modules includes Strategy and Innovation, Financial and Economic Analysis, Managing and Developing People, and Global Marketing Management.
Moreover, all students complete Personal and Professional Development, Business Transformation Project and Consultancy Project modules. These are practice-based and enable students to apply their learning to real-world environments and develop their management experience, as well as analyze and plan their own professional development journeys.
Relevant information:
- Study mode: Full-time and part-time MBA options
- Language: English
- Concentrations: MBA General, Project Management, Healthcare Management, Finance, Marketing, Operations and Supply Chain Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Business Analytics
- Accreditations: Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Chartered Institute of Management Accounts (CIMA), and the Financial Modeling Institute (FMI)
Strathclyde Business School UAE
Dubai Knowledge Park, UAE
Website: www.strath.ac.uk/business
Email: sbs-uae@strath.ac.uk, reem.dabat@strath.ac.uk
Founded in 1948, the University of Strathclyde Business School is a pioneering, internationally renowned academic organization that shapes and develops the business minds of tomorrow.
Strathclyde Business School is one of four faculties forming the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and its subject departments and specialist units collaborate to provide a varied program of specialist and cross-disciplinary courses.
Moreover, we have established international centers in Greece, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Malaysia, where we offer degrees such as the Strathclyde MBA and Masters in Fintech.
In the UAE we are also accredited by the Ministry of Education CAA. We have been offering our MBA in the UAE since 1995 and were the first international university to do so. Furthermore, Strathclyde Business School is recognized as the 2023 European Entrepreneurial University of the Year by the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (ACEEU), the only globally-operating quality assurance body with a focus on acknowledging engagement and entrepreneurship in Higher Education.
Relevant information:
- Study mode: Part-time
- Accreditation: Association of MBAs, EQUIS, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, UAE Ministry of Education
- Rankings: Top 95 European Business Schools (Financial Times 2022), World-leading research (Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 with GA of 3.26
United Arab Emirates University
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Website: www.uaeu.ac.ae/
Email: servicedesk@uaeu.ac.ae
The MBA program at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) empowers students to explore innovative and unconventional approaches to problem-solving while offering guidance and support. Moreover, with valuable networking opportunities and a focus on personal development, the UAEU MBA equips students with the tools and confidence to pursue their career transformations and fulfill their potential and ambitions.
Relevant information:
- Language: English
- Duration: 24 months
- Tuition: $36,300
- Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Ranking: #5 in QS Global MBA Rankings 2023: Middle East and Africa
University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD)
Dubai, UAE
Website: www.uowdubai.ac.ae/
Email: info@uowdubai.ac.ae
The landscape of professional options for MBA candidates has changed dramatically. Due to a scarcity of skills and unpredictability in the corporate environment, MBA employment are expected to expand in the next years. In addition, most organizations’ business models have undergone significant transformation. Therefore, the demand for MBA graduates has increased because of these dynamics.
For seasoned professionals interested in honing their strategic thinking and capacity to lead enterprises in a responsible and significant way, we offer a Master of Business Administration degree in Dubai. Students will gain skills and experience applicable to a wide range of industries, including the public and private sectors, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, real estate, media, and retail.
Relevant information:
- Language: English
- Duration: 18-24 months
- Intakes: September, January, April
- Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Rankings: Top 200 Universities Globally in the QS World University Rankings 2021, #185 Universities Globally in the QS World University Rankings 2023