Do I need to submit an IELTS score for my master's application to universities in Dubai, given that my bachelor's was completed in English and I have an MOI certificate?

Because the exemption rule genuinely differs between universities, checking one institution's policy tells you nothing reliable about another, even within the same city.

How the Waiver Works, University by University

• University of Dubai: its current graduate-admission policy exempts applicants whose bachelor's degree was from an English-medium institution from the English-proficiency requirement; applicants from non-English-medium institutions need IELTS 6.0, TOEFL or an equivalent test.
• RIT Dubai: applies a narrower policy, generally considering exemption only where the applicant completed both school and their bachelor's degree in a reference English-speaking country, which an Indian bachelor's taught in English does not automatically satisfy.
• Abu Dhabi University: its 2026-27 postgraduate catalogue indicates students who completed undergraduate education at an English-medium institution may be admitted without an English test, subject to programme-specific requirements.

Why an MOI Certificate Alone Is Not Enough

An MOI certificate documents that your bachelor's was taught in English, but it does not override a university's own admissions policy language. Some universities key their exemption to the medium of instruction, which an MOI supports directly, while others key it to the country where you completed schooling, which an MOI certificate cannot demonstrate on its own.

What to Do Before You Apply

Check the specific graduate or postgraduate admissions policy page of each Dubai university on your shortlist, since this changes year to year and programme to programme, and email the admissions office directly if the published policy does not clearly state whether an Indian MOI certificate qualifies for your target programme.

This Information Is Also Available On

University of Dubai, graduate admissions policy; Abu Dhabi University, postgraduate catalogue 2026-27.

My Advice

Do not assume your MOI certificate clears every Dubai university just because it worked at one; verify each institution separately before you commit application fees. If even one university on your shortlist requires IELTS, it is often worth sitting the test anyway, since it removes the uncertainty for every other application you submit in parallel.