Female-Only Universities & Colleges — A Complete Guide for UAE Parents

Choosing the right university for your daughter is one of the most important decisions your family will make. For many parents in the UAE, female-only universities and colleges offer an ideal environment — one that combines academic excellence with a supportive, empowering atmosphere tailored to young women.

Whether you are considering institutions in the UAE, the wider Middle East, or prestigious women’s colleges abroad, this guide covers everything you need to know.

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Why Families Choose Single-Gender Education

Research consistently shows that students at women’s colleges often thrive in ways that go beyond academics. Here are some key reasons families opt for female-only institutions:

• Greater confidence and leadership development — Women at single-gender institutions are more likely to take on leadership roles, participate in class discussions, and pursue STEM subjects without gender-based stereotypes.
• Stronger academic outcomes — Studies from the Women’s College Coalition show that graduates of women’s colleges are more likely to earn advanced degrees compared to their co-ed peers.
• Supportive community — Female-only campuses foster close-knit networks that support students personally and professionally long after graduation.
• Cultural alignment — For many families in the UAE and the Gulf region, single-gender education aligns with cultural values and preferences, giving parents peace of mind.
• Notable alumni track record — Women’s colleges have produced heads of state, Nobel laureates, Fortune 500 CEOs, and leaders across every field.

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Top Female-Only Universities Worldwide

United States — The “Seven Sisters” and Beyond

The United States is home to the most well-known women’s colleges in the world. The historic Seven Sisters colleges set the standard for women’s higher education:

University	Location	Notable For
Wellesley College	Massachusetts	Top-ranked liberal arts; alumni include Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright
Smith College	Massachusetts	Largest women’s college in the US; strong engineering programme
Barnard College	New York City	Affiliated with Columbia University; access to Ivy League resources
Bryn Mawr College	Pennsylvania	Renowned for graduate programmes and academic rigour
Mount Holyoke College	Massachusetts	First of the Seven Sisters; strong sciences
Vassar College	New York	Pioneer in women’s education; now co-ed but historically a Seven Sister
Radcliffe College	Massachusetts	Now merged with Harvard; historic significance

Other notable US women’s colleges:

• Spelman College (Georgia) — Historically Black women’s college with an outstanding reputation
• Agnes Scott College (Georgia) — Known for global learning and leadership programmes
• Scripps College (California) — Part of the Claremont Colleges consortium; arts and humanities focus
• Sweet Briar College (Virginia) — Strong in engineering and environmental sciences

Asia

• Ewha Womans University (Seoul, South Korea) — The world’s largest female educational institution, with over 20,000 students and strong international programmes.
• Japan Women’s University (Tokyo, Japan) — One of Japan’s oldest and most respected women’s universities.
• Lady Shri Ram College for Women (New Delhi, India) — Consistently ranked among India’s top colleges.

United Kingdom — Historic Women’s Colleges

While most Oxford and Cambridge colleges are now co-educational, several were founded as women’s colleges and retain a strong legacy of female empowerment:

• Murray Edwards College, Cambridge (formerly New Hall) — Still admits only women at undergraduate level.
• Newnham College, Cambridge — Remains a women-only college with a distinguished academic tradition.
• St Hilda’s College, Oxford — Was the last Oxford college to go co-ed (2008); historic significance for women’s education.
• Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford — Founded in 1878 as Oxford’s first women’s college.

Tip for UAE parents: Murray Edwards and Newnham at Cambridge still offer a single-gender undergraduate experience within one of the world’s top universities.

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Female-Only University Options in the UAE & Middle East

For families who prefer their daughters to study closer to home, the UAE and wider Gulf region offer several excellent options:

United Arab Emirates

• Zayed University — A federally funded university with campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Originally established for Emirati women, it offers programmes in business, education, arts, health sciences, and technology. Zayed University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (USA).
• Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) — Women’s Campuses — HCT operates separate women’s campuses across the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah). Programmes cover engineering, business, IT, health sciences, and applied media.
• Fatima College of Health Sciences — Focused on nursing and health sciences, with campuses in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

Saudi Arabia

• Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) — The world’s largest women-only university, located in Riyadh, with a capacity of over 60,000 students.
• Effat University (Jeddah) — A private women’s university offering programmes in engineering, business, humanities, and architecture.
• Dar Al-Hekma University (Jeddah) — Known for design, law, business, and computer science programmes.

Other Gulf States

• Royal University for Women (Bahrain) — The first private, purpose-built women’s university in the Gulf region.

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Admission Requirements Overview

Requirements vary by institution and country, but here is a general guide for UAE-based students:

For US Women’s Colleges (Wellesley, Smith, Barnard, etc.)

• Standardised tests: SAT or ACT scores (some colleges are now test-optional, but strong scores strengthen applications)
• Academic transcripts: IGCSE, A-Level, or IB Diploma results
• English proficiency: IELTS or TOEFL (if English is not the language of instruction)
• Personal essays and recommendations
• Extracurricular activities and leadership experience

For UK Colleges (Cambridge — Murray Edwards, Newnham)

• A-Level grades: Typically AAA or equivalent in the IB Diploma (40-42 points)
• Admissions tests: Subject-specific tests (e.g., BMAT, MAT, TMUA)
• Interview: Most Cambridge applicants are interviewed
• IELTS: Minimum 7.5 overall for most programmes

For UAE Institutions (Zayed University, HCT)

• Emirates Standardised Test (EmSAT) scores
• High school certificate (Tawjihiya, IGCSE, or equivalent)
• English proficiency: IELTS or institutional English placement test
• UAE National ID (for federally funded institutions — international students may apply to private universities)

For Asian Institutions (Ewha Womans University)

• TOPIK (Korean language proficiency) or English proficiency scores
• Academic transcripts and personal statement
• Some programmes accept IB or A-Level qualifications

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How to Help Your Daughter Prepare

Getting into a top women’s college — whether in the UAE or abroad — requires strong academic preparation. Here is how you can set your daughter up for success:

1. Start Exam Preparation Early

Competitive universities look for excellent grades in internationally recognised curricula. Whether your daughter is studying the IGCSE, A-Levels, or the IB Diploma, starting preparation early makes a significant difference.

2. Prepare for Standardised Tests

For US colleges, strong SAT scores remain an advantage — even at test-optional schools. Structured preparation with experienced tutors helps students achieve their best.

3. Build a Strong Application Profile

Encourage extracurricular activities, leadership roles, community service, and passion projects. Admissions committees at women’s colleges look for well-rounded, driven candidates.

4. Get Personalised Academic Support

Every student has different strengths and areas for improvement. One-on-one tutoring ensures that your daughter gets targeted help exactly where she needs it.

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How Tutopiya Can Help

At Tutopiya, we specialise in helping students across the UAE and the Middle East excel in their studies and gain admission to top universities worldwide. Our online tutoring covers:

• IGCSE Tuition — All major subjects with experienced tutors
• A-Level Tuition — In-depth preparation for the grades top universities demand
• IB Diploma Tuition — Full support across SL and HL subjects
• SAT Preparation — Strategies and practice to maximise scores

Our tutors understand the specific needs of students in the UAE, including curriculum differences, time zones, and university admission requirements for both regional and international institutions.

Ready to Get Started?

Give your daughter the best chance of admission to her dream university. Book a FREE trial lesson with Tutopiya today!

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Final Thoughts

Female-only universities and colleges offer a unique and powerful educational experience. From the historic Seven Sisters in the United States to world-class institutions in the UAE and the Gulf, there are outstanding options for every family. The key is to start planning early, choose the right curriculum, and invest in strong academic preparation.

With the right support, your daughter can achieve her full potential — and Tutopiya is here to help every step of the way.

Book your free trial now →