🌇American University in Dubai

Dubai, UAE

One of Dubai's oldest private universities, teaching an American-style liberal arts curriculum.

About AUD

Founded in 1995, American University in Dubai was one of the first private universities in the emirate, and it follows an American-style liberal arts curriculum accredited in the US (Middle States Commission on Higher Education). It's particularly known for Architecture, Interior Design and Mass Communication.

Why students choose it

  • US-accredited American-style liberal arts curriculum
  • One of Dubai's oldest private universities (founded 1995)
  • Strong Architecture and Interior Design programmes

🎓 Free application support for AUD

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to AUD — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

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Typical entry grades

BBB (A Level)  ·  IB 26

Solid tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

AED 40,000–AED 60,000/yr

mid tier for UAE — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

English

Campus

campus campus, Dubai

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or AUD's financial aid office.

UAE scholarship access varies sharply by institution type: some private universities have genuinely need-blind, full-need-met admission for all students regardless of nationality, while federal universities' funding is largely reserved for Emirati citizens (see the citizenship/PR fee note above).

  • NYU Abu Dhabi financial aid: Need-blind admission and meets full demonstrated financial need for every admitted student, regardless of nationality — comparable to a small number of highly selective US universities.
  • University merit scholarships: Other private universities (e.g. Khalifa University, American University of Sharjah) offer merit-based scholarships tied to entry grades — check each university individually.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Business Administration

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Typical entry: Mathematics helps but usually isn't required recommended

Architecture

⏱️ Typical duration: Often longer than a standard Bachelor's — commonly a 3-year Bachelor's plus a further 2-year Master's for full professional accreditation

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Typical entry: Portfolio

Interior Design

⏱️ Typical duration: Often longer than a standard Bachelor's — commonly a 3-year Bachelor's plus a further 2-year Master's for full professional accreditation

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Portfolio

Mass Communication

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Engineering

⏱️ Typical duration: Often 4 years rather than the country's standard Bachelor's length, especially where the programme includes an integrated Master's (e.g. UK MEng) or an industry placement year

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics + Physics

Durations are typical for UAE — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
September, January
Typical deadline
Rolling — apply at least 2–3 months before your intended intake

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0–6.5 overall

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

See where AUD ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free UAE University Shortlist Builder to see whether AUD is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other UAE university that matches.

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More UAE universities

AUD FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to AUD as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into AUD?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, AUD expects around BBB at A Level or 26 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for AUD's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on AUD's own admissions page before applying.

How much does AUD cost for international students?

International tuition at AUD typically falls in the AED 40,000–AED 60,000/yr range (mid tier for UAE). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not AUD's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for AUD?

AUD follows UAE's typical intake calendar: September, January, with applications generally due rolling — apply at least 2–3 months before your intended intake. Always verify the exact date on AUD's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for AUD?

UAE universities, including AUD, typically ask international applicants for 6.0–6.5 overall. Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

What is AUD known for?

One of Dubai's oldest private universities, teaching an American-style liberal arts curriculum. Founded in 1995, American University in Dubai was one of the first private universities in the emirate, and it follows an American-style liberal arts curriculum accredited in the US (Middle States Commission on Higher Education). It's particularly known for Architecture, Interior Design and Mass Communication.

Can I apply to AUD with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — AUD accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free UAE University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against AUD and every other UAE university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

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