ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants to MBZUAI’s graduate programs must hold a degree in a STEM field such as computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, mathematics, physics, or other relevant science or engineering majors from an accredited university or college recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE), with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 or 3.5 (on a scale of 4.0) depending on the program. Senior-level students can apply initially with a copy of their transcript and, upon admission, must submit an official complete degree certificate/transcript. A degree attestation (for degrees from the UAE) or a Certificate of Recognition (for degrees acquired outside the UAE) should also be furnished within their first semester at the university.

Other elements required:

Curriculum vitae

Statement of purpose

Research statement

Referee recommendations

Screening exam

To learn more about each program’s specific admissions criteria, learning outcomes, and completion requirements please choose your program of study from the program website

All applicants are required to pay the AED 200 fee after application submission. Applications with unpaid fees will be considered incomplete and will not proceed to the review stage.

Fee waivers are available only if:

The overall screening exam score is 75% or above; or

The applicant is enrolled (the fee will be reimbursed upon enrollment)

Ensure you have the required documents to complete your application before the deadline to avoid any delays in the review of your application or the inability to submit before the deadline.

Application documents must either be in English, originally, or include legal English translations. Additionally, official academic documents should be stamped and signed by the University authorities.

All applicants

Complete the online application form.

CV (with academic background, work experience, research publications, and programming/coding skills)

Official bachelor’s degree transcript and degree certificate or expected graduation letter

Official master’s degree transcript and degree certificate or expected graduation letter (only for Ph.D. applicants with a master’s degree)

Referee recommendations (minimum of three for Ph.D. applicants and two for M.Sc. applicants)

Research statement (only for Ph.D. applicants) (make sure to upload as a PDF)

Statement of purpose (make sure to upload as a PDF)

Valid proof of English language proficiency (must meet the admission criteria and be submitted at the time of application.)

Valid passport copy

Photo with white background

BENEFIT:

The funding model and benefits described on this page apply to the Ph.D. and M.Sc. Programs. The Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence (MAAI) is a fee-based program and is not eligible for University or faculty-sponsored funding; see Cost of Attendance below.

What funded students receive:

Free tuition fees;

A monthly stipend;

One return airfare each year to their home country;

Health insurance for the approved funding period; and

University-sponsored UAE residence visa and Emirates ID (where eligible).

Student category	M.Sc. (AED)	Ph.D. (AED)
UAE nationals	37,500	43,500
International students	15,500	17,500

Funded students are expected to maintain an in-person presence on campus throughout their funded period and to obtain approval before being away. Students receiving external scholarships or fellowships must disclose this funding to the university; external funding normally replaces the university stipend rather than being paid in addition to it.