Dubai Scholarships for Indian Students 2026
Thinking of studying in Dubai? Discover the top scholarships available for Indian students. Our comprehensive guide covers eligibility criteria, funding details, and the application process to help you secure your future.
Imagine graduating with a prestigious degree from a top-tier university in the USA, the UK, Australia or Canada but paying significantly less. This is what Dubai’s International Academic City has to offer you. With branch campuses of elite universities like Heriot-Watt University, the University of Wollongong, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and others, Indian students have the opportunity to gain globally-recognised degrees just a short flight away from home.
However, it is the aggressive merit-driven ecosystem of Dubai scholarships for Indian students that truly stands out. Dubai universities automatically offer tuition fee waivers ranging from 15% to 50% to eligible students. Moreover, NRIs in the UAE can benefit further from their parents’ employment in the government and private sectors, as several Dubai universities offer waivers and discounts on tuition fees for children of such parents.
However, offered on a first-come, first-served basis, many Indian students miss out on massive financial benefits waiting for their CBSE/ICSE board results. Read this article to understand the various scholarships in Dubai for Indian students and how you can secure one for yourself this upcoming year. Let us see why students choose to study in Dubai.
Popular Dubai Scholarships for Indian Students
The table below highlights some of the more popular Dubai scholarships for Indian students that can be secured in the upcoming academic year. If you are interested in securing scholarships in Dubai for Indian students, then check out the eligibility criteria and funding coverage for some of the most popular choices.
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility Criteria | Funding Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| H. H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Scholarship at American University in Dubai Source: Scholarships at AUD | High school applicants with at least a 90% grade average or equivalent. Additionally, those demonstrating a financial need to support their studies are also considered. | Partial to Full tuition fee waiver for the first year. If conditions are met, the tuition fee waivers will continue until graduation. |
| Who Should Not Apply: Graduate and transfer students do not meet the academic baseline and students who do are not able to demonstrate a high average of at least 90%, do not qualify for the scholarship. | ||
| DEWA Employees and Relatives Scholarships at the University of Dubai Source: Scholarships and Discounts at the University of Dubai | Candidates enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programmes, maintaining a CGPA of 3.0 or higher, and completing at least 12 credit hours per semester. | 15% discount on tuition |
| Who Should Not Apply: Indian students who do not have a parent or spouse currently employed by DEWA, and those who plan to study part-time and drop below the minimum required credit hours. | ||
| University of Wollongong Academic Merit Scholarship, Source: Academic Merit Scholarships at University of Wollongong | Offered on a highly competitive first-come, first-served basis. The previous academic performance of the candidates dictates the percentage of the scholarship award. | 15%, 25% and 50% of tuition fees each trimester. |
| Who Should Not Apply: Students receiving another scholarship from the university, and those who do not meet the minimum baseline of 75% for the Indian high school boards. | ||
| Canadian University in Dubai, Academic Excellence Scholarship, Source: Scholarships at Canadian University Dubai | Candidates are awarded based on academic excellence. The award value of the scholarships is determined by their previous academic performance | CGPA - 99% = 50% waiver 95% - 98.9% = 40% waiver 90% - 94.9% = 30% waiver 85% - 89.9% = 20% waiver |
| Who Should Not Apply: Part-time students taking fewer than four courses and who achieved less than 85% average in the 12th standard board exams, do not qualify. | ||
| BITS Pilani Dubai International Students Scholarship, Source: BITS Pilani Scholarships and Concessions | Offered on the basis of the performance in the qualifying examination, i.e. Grade 12 or equivalent. To maintain the scholarship, candidates must achieve a minimum of 6.00 out of 10.00 CGPA | 75% concession on the tuition fee for the first year and subsequent years, if conditions are met. |
| Who Should Not Apply: Students who scored less than 75% in their 12th board exams or below 175 on the BITSAT exam do not qualify for the exam. | ||
Also Read:
Why miss out on a 50% Dubai Scholarship, waiting for your CBSE/ICSE results? Dubai’s top universities operate on a strict “first-come, first-served” basis. Connect with a Dubai study expert for a free 1-on-1 Application fast-track session. We will help you leverage your high school pre-board marks to lock in your scholarship before the seats fill up.
How to Apply for Dubai Scholarships for Indian Students
Unlike the other top study destinations, the application process for scholarships in Dubai for Indian students is straightforward. Among the first differences is the “first-come, first-served” scholarship allotment process that many Dubai universities employ. Let us understand the basic application process involved in securing Dubai scholarships for Indian students.
- Complete the Degree Application: Scholarship applications in Dubai can only be submitted once you have applied and generated a Student ID, which is generally required to search and apply for different scholarships.
- Use “Predicted Grades”: Since most Indian education boards release the board results quite late in the academic year, Dubai universities have chosen to use the Pre-board results or “predicted grades”, which have been stamped by your high school to process your eligibility.
- The Application Track: For merit-based Dubai scholarships, applications are usually automatically distributed to students who qualify for them. For need-based Dubai scholarships for Indian students, like financial need scholarships, candidates may need to provide additional documentation to prove their eligibility.
- Pay the Security Deposit: For most university scholarships, candidates need to first accept the admission offer by depositing the specified non-refundable deposit to accept their seat at the university. Delaying this process may lead to missed opportunities in securing appropriate Dubai scholarships at a particular university.
Also Read:
Not sure how your Indian high school percentage translates to a Dubai scholarship? University grading scales can be confusing, and applying for the wrong scholarship wastes time. Let our seasoned admissions experts evaluate your academic transcripts and match you to the exact Dubai scholarships for Indian students, where your profile stands the highest chances of winning.
Tips to Apply for Scholarships in Dubai for Indian Students
Applying for scholarships in Dubai for Indian students is fairly straightforward; however, there are certain tips and tricks you can use to enhance your chances of securing one of the best Dubai scholarships for Indian students.
- Take Advantage of “Predicted Results”: A common mistake many Indian students make when applying to Dubai universities is waiting for the official CBSE/ICSE results, which are usually declared in May/June every year. However, since most universities employ a first-come, first-served methodology for granting scholarships, most Indian students miss out on them. Therefore, use “predicted grades” or your pre-board exam results as proof of sufficient academic eligibility to qualify for Dubai scholarships.
- Lock the “Early Bird” Deadlines: When researching and shortlisting universities, keep an eye out for the “Early Bird” deadlines. These deadlines are key for securing your 15% to 50% tuition fee waivers, especially at the Canadian University in Dubai and the University of Wollongong in Dubai.
- BITSAT Scores: Specifically for those choosing to study at BITS Pilani Dubai, there are two distinct pathways to a scholarship, one of which is a BITSAT score. BITS Pilani offers massive merit-cum-need scholarships based on BITSAT scores. For example, the top 5% of scorers get 100% tuition fee waiver.
- Submit Proof of Hardship: For many need-based Dubai scholarships for international students, it is necessary and advisable to submit as much proof of hardship and financial need as possible. For instance, as an Indian expat in Dubai, you must submit your UAE rental contracts, a 6-month bank statement, stamped salary certificates, and, importantly, tuition fee receipts for any siblings currently in school.
- Hidden Scholarships through Corporate Ties: This is specifically for students whose parents are employed in the UAE. Many universities in Dubai have Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with public and private corporations. For example, if a parent is employed at the RTA, DEWA, Dubai Police, or a specific private company, the child of such a parent may be eligible for 15% to 30% corporate discounts.
Also Read:
As many of the top study destinations begin to tighten their borders for incoming international students, countries like Dubai are offering unique scholarship and financial aid opportunities to international students, including Indian students. This article has highlighted some of the popular Dubai scholarships for Indian students that can significantly cut down the overall cost of studying in Dubai.
Does your parents’ employer qualify you for a hidden tuition discount? Many of Dubai’s best corporate discounts aren’t advertised online. Connect with our academic counsellors to verify if your family’s UAE employment history qualifies you for an exclusive 15% to 30% corporate tuition waiver.
Sources and References
- American University in Dubai - Scholarships - The official list of American University undergraduate scholarships for international students and their respective requirements.
- University of Dubai - Scholarships and Discounts - Official list of scholarships and discounts offered to students of the University of Dubai, including international students.
- University of Wollongong - Scholarships - Official page highlighting the various merit scholarships available for new and incoming students and current students.
- Canadian University in Dubai - Scholarships - Official page highlighting the undergraduate and graduate scholarships for students, as well as the application process for eligible candidates.
- BITS Pilani Dubai Campus - Scholarships and Concession for First Degree Programmes - Official page outlining the basic academic requirements and funding coverage for scholarships and concessions for international students at the university.
Scholarships in Dubai for Indian Students FAQs
Yes, there are 100% scholarships in Dubai for Indian students, but they are extremely rare and highly competitive. A large majority of universities in Dubai offer partial tuition fee waivers ranging from 10% to 50%. However, genuine 100% scholarships are typically reserved for top-tier government-backed institutions and research-based Master's or PhD programmes.