UAE Higher Education Market

UAE Higher Education Market Overview:

The UAE higher education market size reached USD 141.80 Million in 2024. Looking forward, the market is expected to reach USD 872.15 Million by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 19.92% during 2025-2033. The market is evolving rapidly, driven by strong government initiatives, increasing demand for quality academic programs, and growing presence of international universities. A tech-driven learning environment, combined with rising student enrollment and industry-aligned curricula, supports academic excellence and global competitiveness. These dynamics continue to influence the overall UAE higher education market share.

UAE Higher Education Market Trends:

Growing Demand for International and Industry-Aligned Programs

UAE students and families increasingly look for internationally accepted and career-focused academic qualifications. Such a demand stems from the need for competitiveness in the global economy, international job market opportunities, and consistency with the economic diversification of the UAE. Local institutions have taken to this by forming collaborations with prestigious international universities to award joint degrees, exchange of students, and double degrees. The most popular fields are business, engineering, IT, and healthcare, which are the top priorities in the UAE development agenda as well. Further, the curriculum is being aligned to shifting industry needs, and the provision of internships, on-the-job training, and soft skill training is also included. This shift towards industry-aligned education enhances employability and attracts both domestic and international students, boosting the overall UAE higher education market growth. For instance, in February 2025, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) introduced a higher education scholarship initiative specifically for students hailing from Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province. The program aims to support academic advancement and strengthen educational ties between the two nations.

Expansion of Private Institutions and Foreign University Campuses

The UAE’s liberal education policies and investor-friendly regulations have encouraged the establishment of numerous private universities and international branch campuses. Renowned institutions from the UK, the US, India, and Australia have set up operations in cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, offering globally accredited degrees within the country. These campuses cater to both Emirati and expatriate students, eliminating the need to study abroad while maintaining international education standards. They also contribute to academic diversity and foster global perspectives in local settings. With increased competition, these institutions prioritize student-centered learning, advanced technology integration, and diverse academic offerings. The growing presence of high-quality private and foreign institutions is a major contributor to the UAE’s reputation as a leading educational destination in the region. For instance, in April 2025, Royal Roads University (RRU) formally launched its new campus in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, marking a significant milestone in its international growth. With this development, RRU becomes the first and only Canadian public university to open a branch campus in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This move underscores a crucial advancement in the university’s global academic outreach.

UAE Higher Education Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on component, deployment mode, course type, learning type, and end user.

Component Insights:

• Solutions
  • Student Information Management System
  • Content Collaboration
  • Data Security and Compliance
  • Campus Management
  • Others
• Services
  • Managed Services
  • Professional Services

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the component. This includes solutions (student information management system, content collaboration, data security and compliance, campus management, and others) and services (managed services and professional services).

Deployment Mode Insights:

• On-premises
• Cloud-based

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the deployment mode have also been provided in the report. This includes on-premises and cloud-based.

Course Type Insights:

• Arts
• Economics
• Engineering
• Law
• Science
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the course type have also been provided in the report. This includes arts, economics, engineering, law, science, and others.

Learning Type Insights:

• Online
• Offline

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the learning type have also been provided in the report. This includes online and offline.

End User Insights:

• States Universities
• Community Colleges
• Private Colleges

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the end user have also been provided in the report. This includes states universities, community colleges, and private colleges.

Regional Insights:

• Dubai
• Abu Dhabi
• Sharjah
• Others

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and others.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

UAE Higher Education Market News:

• In May 2025, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) announced new guidelines for recognizing academic qualifications granted by foreign higher education institutions (HEIs). These updated procedures align with the objectives of the Zero Government Bureaucracy program, aiming to streamline processes and reduce administrative hurdles for foreign degree recognition. Pursuing higher education in the UAE is set to become more accessible for international students.
• In September 2024, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi was present at the launch of IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi, marking the establishment of the first overseas campus of India’s renowned Indian Institute of Technology in the capital of the UAE.

UAE Higher Education Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the UAE higher education market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What is the breakup of the UAE higher education market on the basis of component?
• What is the breakup of the UAE higher education market on the basis of deployment mode?
• What is the breakup of the UAE higher education market on the basis of course type?
• What is the breakup of the UAE higher education market on the basis of learning type?
• What is the breakup of the UAE higher education market on the basis of end user?
• What is the breakup of the UAE higher education market on the basis of region?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the UAE higher education market? 
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the UAE higher education market?
• What is the structure of the UAE higher education market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the UAE higher education market? 

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the UAE higher education market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the UAE higher education market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the UAE higher education industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.