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Does Dubai offer scholarships up to 50% on tuition fees, and what criteria determine eligibility?

04 Sept 2026 · Answered by Shairal Pathak · 2 min read
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Yes, Dubai universities like Heriot-Watt, University of Wollongong, and Curtin offer merit-based scholarships up to fifty percent off tuition. Eligibility usually requires high school scores near ninety-five percent for undergraduates, or a master's-level CGPA of 3.5 or above, plus solid English proficiency and maintained academic standing to keep the award.

Shairal Pathak
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Your tuition bill in Dubai can shrink by up to fifty percent if you meet the right merit criteria, since universities across the city offer generous scholarship tiers. Local institutions and international branch campuses alike compete for strong applicants with these awards. The catch is you usually need to keep your grades high to hold onto the discount.

What Unlocks A Fifty Percent Scholarship

CriterionTypical Threshold
High school grades (undergraduate)Around 95% or higher, or equivalent top-tier A-Levels or IB scores
Undergraduate CGPA (master's applicants)First Class standing, typically 3.5 or higher out of 4.0
English proficiencyIELTS 6.0 to 6.5 or equivalent TOEFL scores
Maintenance requirementCGPA between 3.3 and 3.5 while enrolled full time

Other Ways To Qualify

  • Sports scholarships at universities like UOWD offer up to 50% off, based on athletic trials and past achievements.
  • Lower discount tiers, around 15% to 30%, are often available starting near 80% to 90% high school scores.
  • Most merit scholarships are assessed automatically with your standard admission application, so a separate form usually is not required.

My Advice

Confirm your exact percentile or CGPA against each university's published threshold before you apply, and email the admissions office directly to ask whether the scholarship requires a separate application, since policies vary between Dubai institutions.

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