Zayed University Summary
Zayed University (Arabic: جامعة زايد) (often abbreviated as ZU) is a public university in the United Arab Emirates with contemporary campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founder of the Nation, the university has grown as a significant national institution for higher education, leadership development, innovation, applied learning and professional preparation. According to official information, Zayed University was founded in 1998 and is a national and regional leader in educational innovation. The report also highlights the university’s two world-class campuses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for national and international students.
For students who are interested in a UAE public university with English-medium academic programs, a modern campus environment and strong career-focused education, Zayed University is an especially good fit. Its undergraduate programs include arts, design, business, communication, humanities, social sciences, interdisciplinary studies, natural and health sciences and technological innovation. Major academic units include the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises, College of Business, College of Communication and Media Sciences, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Natural and Health Sciences, and College of Technological Innovation. Its official colleges page is here.
Zayed University offers bachelor’s programs at undergraduate level in creative fields, business, communication, technology, and interdisciplinary studies, humanities, social sciences and health-related areas. The undergraduate list includes Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design and Visual Arts; Bachelor of Science in Multimedia Design; Bachelor of Architecture; Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Finance, Marketing and Entrepreneurship; Bachelor of Science in Communication and Media Sciences; Bachelor of Science in Information Technology; Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Technology Management; and blended programs in Business Transformation, Computational Systems and Social Innovation. These programs are for students applying after high school or equivalent qualifications and should be treated as undergraduate programs.
In addition to undergraduate study, Zayed University offers graduate programs. Its official graduate program list for the 2025-2026 academic year includes master’s programs such as Master in Diplomacy and International Affairs, Master of Arts in Communication, Master of Legal and Judicial Studies, Master of Science in Counselling Psychology, Master of Science in Environment and Sustainability Sciences, Master of Science in Human Nutrition, Master of Science in Finance, Master of Science in Digital Transformation and Innovation, and Master of Science in Cybersecurity. These are postgraduate courses for students who already possess a bachelor’s degree or an accepted equivalent qualification.
Zayed University is not renowned as a comprehensive, PhD-granting university. Its official graduate program list for 2025–2026 is centered on master’s programs, not a broad doctoral portfolio. PhD or doctoral study should therefore be marked separately and with caution. Students who wish to pursue doctoral studies after ZU may use an appropriate master's degree as a basis to apply for PhD programs at UAEU, Khalifa University, University of Sharjah, American University of Sharjah or other PhD granting university depending on the discipline.
Zayed University fees are published in AED currency. The official undergraduate tuition page states that the tuition fee for self-funding national students and for non-national or international undergraduate students is AED 2,500 per credit hour, with an application fee of AED 250 + VAT. Graduate tuition is program dependent. The official graduate tuition table shows the Master of Science in Finance at AED 2,667 per credit hour, Master of Arts in Communication at AED 2,667 per credit hour, Master of Legal and Judicial Studies at AED 2,526 per credit hour, Master in Diplomacy and International Affairs at AED 4,267 per credit hour, Master of Science in Counselling Psychology and Environment and Sustainability Sciences at AED 2,500 per credit hour, Master of Science in Human Nutrition at AED 3,000 per credit hour, Master of Science in Digital Transformation and Innovation at AED 2,666 per credit hour, and Master of Science in Cybersecurity at AED 3,200 per credit hour.
In summary, Zayed University is a good fit for students who want a UAE public university with modern campuses, strong undergraduate options in business, communication, technology, design and social fields, and select master’s pathways in finance, communication, diplomacy, law, counseling psychology, sustainability, nutrition, cybersecurity and digital transformation. It is perfect for students seeking career-oriented education in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, supported by a national university and closely connected to the UAE’s development goals.
For students who are interested in a UAE public university with English-medium academic programs, a modern campus environment and strong career-focused education, Zayed University is an especially good fit. Its undergraduate programs include arts, design, business, communication, humanities, social sciences, interdisciplinary studies, natural and health sciences and technological innovation. Major academic units include the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises, College of Business, College of Communication and Media Sciences, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Natural and Health Sciences, and College of Technological Innovation. Its official colleges page is here.
Zayed University offers bachelor’s programs at undergraduate level in creative fields, business, communication, technology, and interdisciplinary studies, humanities, social sciences and health-related areas. The undergraduate list includes Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design and Visual Arts; Bachelor of Science in Multimedia Design; Bachelor of Architecture; Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Finance, Marketing and Entrepreneurship; Bachelor of Science in Communication and Media Sciences; Bachelor of Science in Information Technology; Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Technology Management; and blended programs in Business Transformation, Computational Systems and Social Innovation. These programs are for students applying after high school or equivalent qualifications and should be treated as undergraduate programs.
In addition to undergraduate study, Zayed University offers graduate programs. Its official graduate program list for the 2025-2026 academic year includes master’s programs such as Master in Diplomacy and International Affairs, Master of Arts in Communication, Master of Legal and Judicial Studies, Master of Science in Counselling Psychology, Master of Science in Environment and Sustainability Sciences, Master of Science in Human Nutrition, Master of Science in Finance, Master of Science in Digital Transformation and Innovation, and Master of Science in Cybersecurity. These are postgraduate courses for students who already possess a bachelor’s degree or an accepted equivalent qualification.
Zayed University is not renowned as a comprehensive, PhD-granting university. Its official graduate program list for 2025–2026 is centered on master’s programs, not a broad doctoral portfolio. PhD or doctoral study should therefore be marked separately and with caution. Students who wish to pursue doctoral studies after ZU may use an appropriate master's degree as a basis to apply for PhD programs at UAEU, Khalifa University, University of Sharjah, American University of Sharjah or other PhD granting university depending on the discipline.
Zayed University fees are published in AED currency. The official undergraduate tuition page states that the tuition fee for self-funding national students and for non-national or international undergraduate students is AED 2,500 per credit hour, with an application fee of AED 250 + VAT. Graduate tuition is program dependent. The official graduate tuition table shows the Master of Science in Finance at AED 2,667 per credit hour, Master of Arts in Communication at AED 2,667 per credit hour, Master of Legal and Judicial Studies at AED 2,526 per credit hour, Master in Diplomacy and International Affairs at AED 4,267 per credit hour, Master of Science in Counselling Psychology and Environment and Sustainability Sciences at AED 2,500 per credit hour, Master of Science in Human Nutrition at AED 3,000 per credit hour, Master of Science in Digital Transformation and Innovation at AED 2,666 per credit hour, and Master of Science in Cybersecurity at AED 3,200 per credit hour.
In summary, Zayed University is a good fit for students who want a UAE public university with modern campuses, strong undergraduate options in business, communication, technology, design and social fields, and select master’s pathways in finance, communication, diplomacy, law, counseling psychology, sustainability, nutrition, cybersecurity and digital transformation. It is perfect for students seeking career-oriented education in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, supported by a national university and closely connected to the UAE’s development goals.
