Admissions

Yes. Please see program specific pages for further information on how many recommendations are required.

No, applicants can only apply to one program per intake.

No. Your application will be considered incomplete if the English language proficiency component is not included in your submission by the application deadline.

Yes, we welcome students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities.

Visit Admissions for details on how to apply for different programs, including general requirements, application processes, and important dates.

Funding opportunities vary by program. Undergraduate applicants may be eligible for scholarships, subject to the terms and criteria of the applicable scholarship program.

For graduate applicants, funding opportunities may be available through faculty-supported research projects and other funding mechanisms, depending on the program, faculty availability, and applicant qualifications.

Applicants should review the admissions page for their intended program for detailed information on tuition, cost of attendance, scholarships, funding opportunities, eligibility requirements, and applicable terms and conditions.

No, there is no age limit.

Yes. Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of AED 200 upon submission of their application.

Applicants may qualify for a waiver if they meet one of the following conditions:

• Full exemption: Completed a degree entirely taught and assessed in English at a university located in a country where English is both an official language and the dominant language of instruction in higher education. This includes:
  • American Samoa, Australia, Botswana, Canada (excluding Quebec), Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
• Conditional exemption: If your degree was completed in another country, you may still request an exemption if you can provide official documentation (on University letterhead, signed by an academic official) confirming that your entire program of study was taught and assessed in English.

Please note: MOI (Medium of Instruction) Letter: Provisionally accepted at the time of application submission, subject to review and verification. If not approved, students will be required to submit an approved ELP test score within the deadline specified by the Admissions team.

Yes, transcripts must be translated into English before submission. Both the original transcript and official English translation are requested.

All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English through one of the following:

• IELTS Academic: Minimum overall score of 6.5
• TOEFL iBT: Minimum score 90 (new scale: 4.5)
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Minimum overall score of 60
• Cambridge C1 Advanced: Minimum score of 180
• Cambridge C2 Proficiency: Minimum score of 200
• Duolingo English Test*: Minimum score of 120

*Provisionally accepted at the time of application submission only when access to IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or Cambridge is limited (supporting evidence may be requested).

Important: English language proficiency requirements must be met as part of the application process. Applicants should ensure all required test scores or waiver documentation are submitted with their application by the application submission deadline.

All shortlisted applicants are invited to participate in an online interview with MBZUAI faculty members as part of the admissions evaluation process.

The interview provides an opportunity for applicants to discuss their academic background, achievements, motivation for studying at MBZUAI, and interest in artificial intelligence and related fields. It also includes a technical component designed to assess communication skills, critical thinking, problem-solving ability, mathematical readiness, and overall preparedness for a rigorous academic environment.

The interview is a mandatory component of the admissions process and forms an important part of the overall application review.

The 2027 fall semester begins in mid-August 2027.

Applicants should first review the requirements, deadlines, and admissions information for their intended program. For questions about programs and eligibility, contact recruitment@mbzuai.ac.ae. For questions regarding an existing application, supporting documents, or application status, contact admissions@mbzuai.ac.ae

We expect applicants to submit complete applications. As a result, only specific documents may be added once an application has been submitted. If documents have required updates, they can be uploaded into the application portal. Alternatively, they can be emailed to admission@mbzuai.ac.ae with your full name and application number in the subject line.

You can explore the faculty directory and view individual profiles of faculty members to choose a mentor whose research aligns with your interests. The directory provides detailed information on their research expertise and areas of focus. It is critical for applicants to choose preferred faculty supervisors to align with their research interests.

The minimum GPA requirement varies across master’s and Ph.D., please see the program specific admission criteria for more information.

Yes. Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of AED 200 upon submission of their application.

The 2027 fall semester begins in mid-August 2027.

No, all students must complete the full program due to its integrated curriculum. Applicants with prior university coursework are welcome to apply but must begin from the first year.

Deferral requests are considered on an exceptional basis and are not guaranteed. Requests are typically reviewed for circumstances such as military service, medical reasons, or other significant personal circumstances. Approved deferrals are generally limited to one admission cycle.

Yes. Students currently enrolled at another university are welcome to apply. However, MBZUAI does not accept transfer credits, and admitted students must begin the program from the first year and complete the full undergraduate curriculum.

We expect applicants to submit complete applications. As a result, only specific documents may be added once an application has been submitted. These include new test scores for standardized tests (SAT, ACT, AP), new English proficiency test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.), and updated academic transcripts. Updated documents should be emailed to admission@mbzuai.ac.ae with your full name and application number in the subject line.

No, but familiarity with coding and a strong interest in AI/STEM will strengthen your application.

No conversion is required. Simply enter your final/overall mark as shown on your transcript.

Some scholarship packages may include a stipend or support toward living expenses. Eligibility and the level of support provided depend on the scholarship awarded.

The tuition fee for the undergraduate program is $45,000 per annum, with additional cost of attendance. Tuition fees and cost of attendance may be covered by the scholarship.

You may apply using your most recent official transcripts and, where applicable, predicted grades or results provided by your school.

If admitted, you will be required to submit your final official transcript and graduation certificate before enrollment.

No. SAT and ACT scores are not required for admission. However, applicants may choose to submit standardized test scores as part of their application, and strong scores can provide additional evidence of academic readiness, particularly in Mathematics.

Yes, for undergraduate applicants, the video must be submitted as a URL (e.g., a private YouTube, Vimeo, or shared drive link). You can record it using any device.

MBZUAI seeks applicants with a strong academic foundation and a demonstrated ability to succeed in a rigorous, mathematics-intensive curriculum.

As a general guideline, successful applicants typically achieve an overall average of 90% or higher in their secondary/high school studies. Applicants are also expected to demonstrate strong performance in Mathematics and STEM-related subjects, typically at 90% or higher.

Academic results are evaluated within the context of each curriculum, and equivalent performance across different educational systems is taken into consideration.

Meeting these academic expectations does not guarantee admission. Undergraduate admission to MBZUAI is highly competitive, and all applications are reviewed holistically. In addition to academic performance, the Admissions Committee considers factors such as technical experience, extracurricular involvement, leadership potential, achievements, and demonstrated interest in artificial intelligence and related fields.

No, you are encouraged to design your resume, including your basic information, education, extracurricular activities, and achievements.

Yes. Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of AED 200 upon submission of their application.

All shortlisted applicants are invited to participate in an online interview with MBZUAI faculty members as part of the admissions evaluation process.

The interview provides an opportunity for applicants to discuss their academic background, achievements, motivation for studying at MBZUAI, and interest in artificial intelligence and related fields. It also includes a technical component designed to assess communication skills, critical thinking, problem-solving ability, mathematical readiness, and overall preparedness for a rigorous academic environment.

The interview is a mandatory component of the admissions process and forms an important part of the overall application review.

We seek candidates with strong academic performance, particularly in Mathematics and STEM subjects, as well as strong problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.

Competitive applicants often distinguish themselves through technical projects, programming experience, research, entrepreneurship, competitions, leadership roles, community engagement, or other notable achievements that demonstrate initiative and potential for success in AI.

The 2027 fall semester begins in mid-August 2027.