Three new international universities are set to open campuses in Dubai during the 2025-26 academic year, Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) said. The universities confirmed to begin operations include the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad from India, the American University of Beirut from Lebanon, and Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences from Saudi Arabia.
There is also strong interest from major universities to open campuses in Dubai, with several in discussions or pending final approval.
“Dubai’s initiative to attract the best global universities, endorsed by The Executive Council, reflects the emirate’s international stature. Dubai’s visionary leaders have ensured all the resources necessary to position the emirate as a global leader and a top destination for students and prestigious international higher education institutions,” said Dr. Wafi Dawood, CEO of the strategic development sector at KHDA.
Dubai expands higher education network
Notably, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad’s Business and Management program ranks 27th globally in the QS World University Rankings by subject, while the American University of Beirut ranks 237th globally in the QS World University Rankings.
“This initiative aligns with the social and economic goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, and the Education 33 Strategy, which represents a transformative vision for Dubai’s education system. Our aim is to enhance the global competitiveness of Dubai’s graduates, increase educational tourism tenfold by 2033, integrate a new generation of Emiratis into the workforce and future sectors, and contribute to doubling Dubai’s economy over the next decade, positioning the city among the world’s top three economic hubs,” added Dawood.
Dubai currently has 41 international higher education providers, 37 of which are international branch campuses, offering a diverse range of academic programs to meet the needs of learners and align with their aspirations.
Among these, the home campuses of two universities rank among the top 100 globally in the QS World University Rankings for 2026 – the University of Manchester Dubai (35th), and the University of Birmingham Dubai (76th). Another two home campuses rank in the top 200 – Curtin University Dubai (183rd) and the University of Wollongong in Dubai (184th). Three other universities with campuses in Dubai rank in the top 300 of the QS rankings.
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Dubai targets becoming among top 10 global cities for university study
In the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject, several institutions with a presence in Dubai were among the world’s best in Business and Management. These include London Business School (ranked 7th), ESCP (54th), and Luiss University (67th). Instituto Marangoni, one of the leading institutes offering higher education programmes in design, ranks between 51–100 worldwide for Art and Design.
The global university attraction project, part of the Education 33 strategy, aims to create an advanced educational landscape, featuring a blend of transnational education and national programs that invest in education, scientific research and international collaboration across various economic sectors.
The project aims to have international students comprise 50 percent of the total number of students in higher education institutions in the emirate by 2033, contributing AED5.6 billion to the higher education sector’s GDP, and making Dubai one of the top 10 global cities for university study.
Enrolments at higher education institutions in Dubai saw a record 20 percent increase in overall student enrolment, and a 29 percent increase in international student enrolment in the 2024-25 academic year. A total of 42,026 students are now enrolled at 41 private higher education institutions in Dubai – the highest number to date. These institutions offer more than 700 academic programs to prepare learners with the skills necessary for success in industries of the future, and those aligned with the strategic vision of the emirate.
