Top 15 MBA Universities in UAE Offering Scholarships to International Students

Introduction

This guide gives you 15 UAE universities where you can study an MBA and also access scholarships for international MBA candidates.

Dreaming of an MBA in the UAE but worried about costs? The country has over 30 international branch campuses and a vibrant postgraduate community. Funding is available through merit, need, alumni, and assistantships.

Scholarship hunting often feels complex. Clear steps calm that noise and protect your timeline. Shortlists work best when awards match profile, intake, and documents.

In Dubai or Abu Dhabi, an MBA feels closer once the scholarship is mapped. Scholarships ease tuition and keep the focus on learning outcomes.

Top 15 MBA Scholarships Offered by UAE Universities

1) University of Birmingham, Dubai - Dubai International Academic City

Birmingham runs a CAA-licensed MBA (Dubai) and offers postgraduate scholarships at the Dubai campus. Awards are typically automatic after offer acceptance and can reach notable percentages in some intakes. 

Scholarship cues to check: Dubai campus postgraduate scholarships and fee pages.

2) Murdoch University, Dubai - Dubai Knowledge Park

Murdoch delivers a campus-based MBA and publishes multiple funding routes, including an MBA Scholarship (20% waiver) plus merit awards, early-bird, and alumni bursaries.

Scholarship cues to check: MBA Scholarship page, Academic Merit Scholarships, and general scholarship terms.

3) Canadian University, Dubai (CUD) - City Walk

CUD offers a recognised MBA and a broad, university-wide scholarship portfolio open to all nationalities (academic excellence, financial hardship, special needs, sports), plus periodic study-term discounts.

Scholarship cues to check: Scholarship terms and corporate/alumni discounts.

4) American University in the Emirates (AUE) - Dubai International Academic City

AUE runs an MBA and lists scholarships and grants centrally for graduate students, with continuation requirements (e.g., CGPA thresholds). 

Scholarship cues to check: Graduate admission hub and scholarship rules for tuition waivers.

5) Ajman University, Ajman

Ajman's MBA programme proudly offers a dedicated Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid that provides valuable discounts and financial support for graduate students. Explore the university portal for detailed information on CGPA requirements and a variety of exciting funding opportunities!

Scholarship cues to check: Graduate tuition/fees page and scholarship news/updates.

6) American University of Sharjah (AUS), Sharjah

AUS offers a well-established MBA and graduate assistantships (GTA/GRA) that provide tuition support and paid work opportunities - open to international students and awarded competitively. 

Scholarship cues to check: Assistantship FAQs and graduate employment details.

7) Emirates Aviation University (EAU) - Dubai International Academic City

EAU offers an MBA in Aviation Management and awards scholarships and study packages at the postgraduate level, with periodic special schemes also announced. 

Scholarship cues to check: Scholarships & financial aid page for current postgraduate eligibility.

8) IMT Business School, Dubai - DIAC

IMT runs an MBA and features a dedicated MBA scholarship page outlining application steps and categories of awards/discounts for admitted students. 

Scholarship cues to check: Scholarship categories and any intake-specific quotas.

9) American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) - RAK

AURAK offers a CAA-licensed MBA and provides merit scholarships open to all nationalities, plus financial grants based on need - useful for MBA entrants.

Scholarship cues to check: Scholarship/financial aid pages and current merit thresholds.

10) University of Bolton - Academic Centre, RAK

The RAK centre markets the MBA and indicates scholarship/fee-reduction pathways via centre communications and FAQs (contact admissions for current schemes). 

Scholarship cues to check: Centre scholarship notices and partner discounts are published. 

11) University of West London - RAK Branch Campus

UWL runs a postgraduate portfolio in RAK (including MBA), and the university advertises postgraduate scholarships/bursaries; local communications also reference branch-campus grants. 

Scholarship cues to check: UWL scholarships page + RAK branch announcements each intake.

12) Liwa University - Abu Dhabi / Al Ain

Liwa lists an MBA and a suite of university-wide scholarships (Chairman's, social responsibility, front-liners, relatives), with clear CGPA/credit rules - these apply to postgraduate students. 

Scholarship cues to check: Scholarship page for the latest percentages and documentation.

13) Bath Spa University - Academic Centre, RAK

Bath Spa's Academic Centre communicates scholarships and grants for international students at RAK; check the centre's site for current postgraduate availability and levels. 

Scholarship cues to check: The Centre "Financial Services & Scholarship Grants" updates each term.

14) Skyline University College - Sharjah

Skyline offers an MBA plus scholarship/fee-waiver policies published on its site for eligible students, alongside separate pages detailing need-based and meritorious support. 

Scholarship cues to check: Central scholarship policy and MBA programme page for any add-ons.

15) The University of Manchester - Middle East Centre (Dubai)

Manchester offers the Global Part-time MBA from its Middle East Centre and lists scholarships/bursaries for the Global MBA/GEMBA (including diversity and social-impact categories) alongside early-bird discounts. 

Scholarship cues to check: Global MBA fees & funding + centre pages for current offers/discounts. 

Step-by-step guide to MBA scholarships selection in UAE

A smart shortlist saves time and maximises your chances of winning an award. Use this sequence.

1. Confirm MBA eligibility

Match programme mode (full-time, part-time, blended) to work plans. Check nationality or residency clauses for awards.

2. Prioritise university-wide funds first

University-wide awards often accept MBA students and refresh each intake. Examples include Birmingham Dubai campus scholarships, CUD scholarships, and Liwa University waivers.

3. Layer MBA-specific options

Look for MBA-named scholarships/discounts at Murdoch, IMT Dubai, and Manchester (Global MBA/GEMBA categories).

4. Watch deadlines and "early-bird"

Early confirmation triggers automatic or bigger waivers at some centres (e.g., Manchester Middle East Centre).

5. Keep GPA and documents ready 

CGPA targets, recommendations, and personal statements often unlock higher tiers (AUS assistantships and AUE continuation rules illustrate this).

Documents checklist for MBA Scholarships in the UAE

Below is a checklist to keep handy before applying for an MBA scholarship in the UAE

• Updated CV with quantified achievements
• Degree transcripts and UAE attestation plan
• English test score (if required by the programme)
• Statement of purpose aligned to leadership goals.
• Two recommendations (supervisor/client)
• Scholarship addendum (short merit/need note)

Conclusion

Scholarship paths exist across the UAE's MBA ecosystem. MBA-specific awards at schools like Murdoch and IMT, university-wide scholarships at Birmingham Dubai and CUD, and robust assistantships at AUS.

Ready for curated matches and timelines? Get a personalised shortlist of MBA scholarships in the UAE, plus visa steps on Study From UAE.

Share your GPA, years of experience, and preferred intake, and secure scholarships for an international MBA in the UAE today.