American University in Dubai: Courses & Fees | American University in Dubai Admission 2026, Fees, Placement, Ranking

American University in Dubai Summary

American University in Dubai or AUD is one of the oldest private universities in the UAE, known for its American style of education, location in Dubai Media City, career-oriented learning environment, strong professional programs and multicultural student community. AUD was founded in 1995 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The university was established in 1995, as confirmed by the official website’s history page, which stresses its ongoing relationship with the development of higher education in Dubai. (aud.edu) AUD is situated on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, near major business, media, technology and creative industry areas. Its official campus page says the campus is located in Dubai’s creative hub and business neighborhood of Dubai Media City, in a gated campus of approximately 1.0 million square feet. (aud.edu) Students gain real world experience in a city known for finance, real estate, tourism, media, design, technology, communications, engineering, consulting and entrepreneurship. AUD has a very strong geographical advantage for students seeking a university in Dubai with professional industry access.

AUD offers bachelor’s programs in architecture, biology, business administration, civil engineering, communication and information studies, computer engineering, electrical engineering, game design and development, international studies, interior design, mechanical engineering, psychology and visual communication at the undergraduate level. These are undergraduate programs to which students are admitted after completing secondary school or the equivalent. These programs are listed separately from graduate programs on the university’s official undergraduate program page, which is helpful to maintain the academic structure.

AUD’s undergraduate learning model is hands-on and career-focused. Students of architecture and design learn through studio-based learning, drawing, digital design, construction technology, history, theory and professional practice. According to the official Bachelor of Architecture page, the program is a five-year, 166-credit program that prepares graduates for professional employment in the building industry and places an emphasis on digital, artistic, social, technological, environmental, legal and financial dimensions. (aud.edu) Business students learn skills in management, marketing, finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, strategy and organizational decision-making. Engineering students can study civil, computer, electrical and mechanical engineering. Their work takes place in technical labs, on design projects and in applied problem-solving. Communication students can specialize in media, journalism, public relations, digital communication and information studies. Visual communication and game design students can create creative portfolios related to Dubai’s design and media industries.

Graduate programs at AUD include master’s degrees in artificial intelligence, business administration, construction management, education, innovation management, international affairs, leadership and innovation in contemporary media, and urban design and digital environments. These are postgraduate courses for students who already have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent accepted qualification . This graduate list is different from the undergraduate list, which can be found on the official program page of AUD. (aud.edu) One example is the MBA, which is 36 credit hours, done full time in about two years, with core courses typical before electives in a specialization.

AUD should not be portrayed as a common PhD university. Its current official program listing includes undergraduate and graduate programs, but does not show a broad doctoral portfolio. Thus, doctoral study should be called separately “not broadly offered” instead of mixing PhD pathways in master’s or undergraduate sections.

Fees are quoted in Dhs. On the official AUD tuition page, undergrad tuition is listed as AED 4,456 per credit for less than 12 credit hours, and the same rate for optional summer sessions, with services and technology fees charged separately. It also separately lists graduate tuition for graduate courses. (aud.edu) Overall, American University in Dubai is most suitable for students who want an English-medium, American-style university experience in Dubai with strong ties to business, engineering, architecture, communication, design, media, AI, education, urban design and professional career development.

About American University in Dubai

The American University in Dubai (AUD) is a private university located on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. It follows the American model of education and caters to students from the UAE, the region and many international backgrounds. The main value of the university is the balance between the academic study and the preparation for practical career. It is not a research intensive university but a university focused on professional degrees and applied learning, industry relevance and student development.

AUD has a strong academic structure in architecture, art and design, business, engineering, arts and sciences, communication, education and graduate professional study. Its undergraduate programs prepare students for careers in architecture, engineering, media and business as well as in psychology, international studies, biology, game design, interior design and visual communications. Graduate programs are for professionals and degree holders who want to pursue advanced study in business, artificial intelligence, construction management, education, international affairs, innovation, media leadership and urban design.
Another of the university’s biggest strengths is its location in Dubai. Students study in a city that is very active in media, architecture, construction, business, tourism, finance, technology and creative industries. The campus is close to Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City which can help students get a feel for professional environments outside the classroom. This is especially useful for students in areas such as communication, business, design, engineering, game design and technology.

AUD also covers accreditation and degree recognition. Official program pages state that the university programs are formally accredited by regional and global independent bodies and this enables AUD to offer recognized undergraduate and graduate degrees. This is significant for students who want to apply their degree to employment, professional mobility or further education.

AUD is perfect for students seeking a hands-on, English-medium, Dubai-based university with a clear American-style academic identity. It is of particular relevance for students intending careers in business, engineering, architecture, design, communication, media, AI, construction management, education and international affairs.

American University in Dubai History

American University in Dubai was formally established in 1995.
It was established with the commitment and support of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
AUD developed as an American-style higher education institution in Dubai.
The university built its campus on Sheikh Zayed Road.
AUD became connected with Dubai’s media, business and creative industry environment.
It expanded undergraduate programs in business, engineering, architecture, design, communication, arts and sciences.
The School of Architecture, Art and Design developed programs in architecture, interior design and visual communication.
The School of Engineering developed civil, computer, electrical and mechanical engineering pathways.
The School of Business developed undergraduate business and MBA pathways.
AUD added graduate programs in business, education, construction management, international affairs, media leadership, AI and urban design.
The university built a multicultural student community with local, regional and international learners.
AUD strengthened its reputation as a Dubai-based American-style university.
Today, AUD is recognized as one of Dubai’s established private universities.

American University in Dubai Highlights

Established in 1995
Located on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
Private American-style university
Campus located near Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City
Offers undergraduate and graduate programs separately
Strong for architecture, business, engineering, communication, design, international studies, psychology, biology, AI and construction management
Medium of instruction is English
Undergraduate tuition is AED 4,456 per credit for less than 12 credit hours
Graduate tuition is published separately by program and credit hour
Undergraduate application fee is AED 420
Reservation deposit is AED 5,000 and is applied toward tuition
Campus covers approximately 1.0 million square feet
Suitable for UAE and international students
Current official program list does not show a broad PhD portfolio
Strong option for students seeking American-style education in Dubai

American University in Dubai Courses Offered

UG Courses Offered	PG Courses Offered	PhD Courses Offered
Bachelor of Architecture Bachelor of Science in Biology Bachelor of Business Administration Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Bachelor of Communication and Information Studies Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development Bachelor of Arts in International Studies Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication	Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence Master of Business Administration Master of Science in Construction Management Master of Education Master of Science in Innovation Management Master of Arts in International Affairs Master of Arts in Leadership and Innovation in Contemporary Media Master of Urban Design and Digital Environments	American University in Dubai does not currently present a broad official PhD or doctoral program list on its main program page. Students seeking doctoral study after AUD may progress to PhD-awarding universities in the UAE or abroad. Suitable doctoral progression may depend on the student’s master’s field, research direction, academic record and receiving university requirements. AUD should be profiled as an undergraduate and graduate university, not as a broad PhD-awarding research university.

American University in Dubai Specialisations Offered

UG Course Specialisations	PG Course Specialisations	PhD Specialisations
Architecture Architectural Design Design Studio Building Technology Digital Design Urban Context Architectural History Environmental Design Construction Systems Professional Practice Portfolio Development Biology General Biology Cell Biology Foundations Molecular Biology Foundations Genetics Foundations Ecology Foundations Laboratory Science Human Biology Foundations Scientific Research Methods Environmental Biology Foundations Pre-Medical Preparation Business Administration Management Marketing Finance Accounting Foundations Entrepreneurship Business Strategy Organizational Behavior Business Communication Operations Foundations Decision-making Civil Engineering Structural Engineering Foundations Construction Materials Transportation Engineering Geotechnical Foundations Water Resources Foundations Engineering Design Surveying Foundations Construction Management Foundations Infrastructure Systems Sustainable Civil Engineering Communication and Information Studies Journalism Foundations Digital Communication Public Relations Foundations Media Writing Integrated Communication Communication Research Information Studies Strategic Communication Media Production Foundations Audience Analysis Computer Engineering Computer Architecture Embedded Systems Digital Systems Microprocessors Programming Foundations Hardware-Software Integration Network Systems Foundations Cyber-Physical Systems Control Systems Foundations Engineering Computing Electrical Engineering Electronics Power Systems Foundations Communications Signal Processing Foundations Control Systems Digital Systems Circuit Analysis Renewable Energy Foundations Embedded Systems Electrical Machines Foundations Game Design and Development Game Design Game Programming Interactive Media Game Art Foundations Level Design User Experience Foundations Game Engines Storytelling for Games Digital Production Portfolio Development International Studies International Relations Global Affairs Political Economy Foundations Middle East Studies Foundations Diplomacy Foundations Comparative Politics Global Culture International Organizations Policy Analysis Foundations Research Methods Interior Design Interior Design Studio Space Planning Furniture and Materials Lighting Design Foundations Digital Visualization Design History Human-Centered Design Sustainable Interior Design Professional Practice Portfolio Development Mechanical Engineering Thermodynamics Fluid Mechanics Solid Mechanics Mechanical Design Manufacturing Systems Heat Transfer Dynamics and Control Materials Engineering Foundations Energy Systems Applied Mechanical Projects Psychology General Psychology Developmental Psychology Social Psychology Cognitive Psychology Foundations Research Methods Abnormal Psychology Foundations Statistics for Psychology Human Behavior Counseling Foundations Applied Psychology Visual Communication Graphic Design Typography Branding Foundations Digital Design Illustration Foundations Motion Graphics Foundations Visual Storytelling User Experience Foundations Design Research Portfolio Development	Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Data Science Foundations Intelligent Systems Deep Learning Foundations Natural Language Processing Foundations Computer Vision Foundations AI Ethics Applied AI Projects AI Strategy Foundations Master of Business Administration General Management International Finance Law and Ethics in Business Organizations Leadership Consumer Behavior Marketing Management Corporate Finance Managerial Economics Operations Management Business Strategy Master of Science in Construction Management Construction Project Management Cost Management Construction Contracts Risk Management Sustainable Construction Construction Technology Project Planning Site Management Foundations Building Information Modeling Foundations Construction Leadership Master of Education Education Leadership Teaching and Learning Curriculum Development Assessment Practice Education Research Classroom Innovation Learning Technologies Inclusive Education Foundations Educational Policy Foundations Professional Practice Master of Science in Innovation Management Innovation Strategy Entrepreneurship Product Innovation Technology Commercialization Business Model Innovation Design Thinking Organizational Innovation Digital Transformation Foundations Innovation Research Applied Innovation Projects Master of Arts in International Affairs International Relations Global Governance Diplomacy International Security Foundations Foreign Policy Regional Studies International Political Economy Policy Analysis International Organizations Research Methods Master of Arts in Leadership and Innovation in Contemporary Media Media Leadership Contemporary Media Digital Strategy Media Innovation Communication Management Audience Engagement Content Strategy Media Research Strategic Communication Creative Media Leadership Master of Urban Design and Digital Environments Urban Design Digital Environments Smart Cities Foundations Urban Analytics Foundations Sustainable Urbanism Design Technology Urban Visualization Public Space Design Built Environment Research Digital Urban Practice	Doctoral Progression Pathways After AUD Business Administration Research Artificial Intelligence Research Construction Management Research Education Research Innovation Management Research International Affairs Research Media and Communication Research Urban Design Research Engineering Research Architecture and Design Research

American University in Dubai Admission Process

Select the correct study level: undergraduate or graduate.
Choose the intended AUD school and program.
Review academic entry requirements.
Review English language requirements.
Prepare high school documents for undergraduate study.
Prepare bachelor’s degree documents for graduate study.
Prepare passport, visa or identity documents where applicable.
Complete the official AUD application.
Pay the application fee.
Submit English language proof if required.
Submit portfolio documents for design-related programs if required.
Submit CV, statement of purpose, references or additional documents for graduate programs if required.
Wait for application review.
Pay reservation deposit if admitted.
Complete tuition payment, visa, housing and course registration steps.

Admission Details

Undergraduate application fee is AED 420.
Reservation deposit is AED 5,000 and is applied toward tuition.
Undergraduate tuition is charged by credit hour.
Optional summer sessions are charged separately.
Services and technology fees may apply by session.
Graduate admissions are program-specific.
International students should apply early because visa and document verification may take time.
Design applicants should check portfolio or creative submission requirements.
Engineering and science applicants should confirm Mathematics and Science expectations.