Which university to go for - UAE, UK, Canada or USA?

Where would you like to go to university - in the UAE or abroad?

This is a question that parents and students in the UAE have to grapple with.

With many options to choose from, here are some key facts to consider when making the choice.

Look at university options starting with:

1)      The subject you are interested in studying

2)      Where you would like to study

3)      Your financial options

According to QS World University Rankings, UAE university is the best university in the Arab region and is the 76th best university in the worldwide ranking of best institutions.  

The American University of Sharjah was ranked as the 79th best institution in the world ranking of rising economies and ranked as 4th best university in the UAE, according to 4icu.org.

Click to read - Why study in the UAE 

Students from all over the world study in the UAE. It has become a recognised country not only for its market and growing economy, but for its educational institutions as well.

UAE students, Emiratis or expats, and international students who decide to study in the UAE, have to consider a few things.

Topuniversities.com defines local universities as institutions that have been formed and developed in the UAE. Zayed University, University of Dubai and UAE university are some of the local universities.

Branch universities are institutions that have been formed and developed in other countries and have developed a branch university in the UAE. American University of Dubai (AUD), University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) and British University in Dubai are some of the branch universities in the UAE.

Public universities are government establishments and they primarily admit only Emiratis. Private universities admit both Emiratis and expats.

Emirati AA, who studied in the UAE and the UK had this to say: “In the UK, the study vibe is multicultural and laid back. It is easy to talk to people. Transportation is easy and the weather is good. Summer courses in the UAE are unbearable because of the weather.”

Students studying in the UAE have the option to take courses in universities aboard, or vice versa.

H, a Dubai resident with two kids in university says: “The UAE has universities with good reputation. Some students and their parents prefer that they stay in the UAE because they have good options and they can stay with the family.

"Some prefer that they study aboard because they will get a better experience and they will get to see the world. It all depends on cost and choice.”
 According to the 4icu.org website the top five universities in the UAE are:

Tuition Fees

1)      United Arab Emirates University (uaeu.ac.ae lists fees)

2)      Masdar Institute of Science & Technology (uaeu.ac.ae lists fees)   

3)      American University of Ras Al Khaimah AED 17,500 per semester, according to aurak.ac.ae

4)      American University of Sharjah  AED 41,730 per semester, according to aus.edu

 
According to The Telegraph the leading universities in the UK are:

1)      University of Oxford (world ranking was 2 for the top universities)    According to ox.ac.uk International students tuition fees are between £14,415 and £21,220     

2)      University of Cambridge - Fees according to study.cam.ac.uk  are £15,063 (Different prices depending on programme choice)

3)      Imperial College London - Fees according to workspace.imperial.ac.uk are £25,500.00 to £35,000.00 

4)      London school of Economics and Political Science (LSE). According to lse.ac.uk, new students fees for 2014 are £16,392 per year for undergraduates
 

According to QS ranking some of the leading universities in Canada are:

International students tuition fees, according to aucc.ca

1)      University of Toronto     $25,944 - $32,075

2)      The University of British Columbia    $22,135 - $23,300

3)      University of Alberta     $18,710

4)     McGill University    $14,949 - $16,692
 
According to usnews.com the leading universities in the USA of 2014 are:

International students tuition fees in US dollars, according to topuniversities.com

1)      Princeton University     $40,170

2)      Harvard University    $38,891

3)      Yale University    $43,100

4)      Stanford University     $42,690

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