Indians Lead as Dubai Becomes Top Study Choice

Dubai is quickly becoming a favourite place for Indian students who want to study abroad. Earlier, students mostly chose countries like the US, UK, or Australia for their higher education. But now, many Indian families are looking at Dubai as a serious and good option for their children’s studies.

Big Growth in Indian Student Numbers

According to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Indian students make up 42% of the total international student population studying in Dubai’s private higher education colleges for the academic year 2024-25. This is a very big number, showing that almost half of all international students in Dubai are from India.

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Dubai currently has 42,026 students studying in its 41 private higher education institutions. Out of these 41 colleges, 37 are international university campuses. This means many top universities from around the world have opened their campuses in Dubai, giving students a chance to study closer to home with international standards.

Student Enrolment Growing Fast

The number of students joining Dubai universities is increasing quickly. In the academic year 2024-25, the total student enrolment grew by 20.4%. This growth is almost double compared to the previous year, when enrolment grew by 12.3%.

This fast growth shows that more students and families now trust Dubai’s education system. They believe studying in Dubai will help them get good jobs in the future.

Indians Leading the Way

Indian students are leading this growth in Dubai’s international student base. The number of international students in Dubai has been increasing steadily every year. Just in the last academic year, their share went up from 25.3% to 29.4%.

Indian students are the main reason for this rise. They are helping Dubai become a strong hub for higher education, just like popular cities in the US, UK, and Australia.

What Do Students Study in Dubai?

Many students choose courses that match Dubai’s strong economic sectors. Among international students in Dubai:

• 54% study business programmes like management, marketing, or finance.

• 11% study information technology (IT).

• 11% study engineering courses.

• 6% study media and design.

• 3% study humanities subjects like history or languages.

These numbers show that most students choose subjects that can help them find jobs in Dubai’s growing economy.

Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees are Popular

When we look at the level of studies:

• 53% of international students are doing bachelor’s degrees.

• 37% are studying for their master’s degrees.

This shows that Dubai is becoming popular not only for undergraduate studies but also for higher studies like master’s programmes.

Why Do Indian Students Prefer Dubai?

There are many reasons why Indian students and their families choose Dubai for studies:

1. Closer to India: Dubai is only about 3-4 hours by flight from many Indian cities, making it easy to travel back home during holidays or emergencies.

2. Similar Culture: Many people in Dubai speak Hindi or English. Indian food is also easily available, making students feel at home.

3. Safe Environment: Dubai is known as one of the safest cities in the world. Parents feel comfortable sending their children there.

4. Good Job Opportunities: Dubai has a strong economy with jobs in business, IT, engineering, media, and tourism.

5. Top International Universities: Many global universities have opened campuses in Dubai, offering the same degree as their home country campus.

6. Affordable Compared to Western Countries: The cost of studying and living in Dubai is often less than studying in the US, UK, or Australia.

Indian Teachers Make Students Comfortable

The connection between Indian students and Dubai is not just limited to enrolment. Nearly 29% of the faculty members teaching in Dubai’s private colleges are from India. This helps Indian students feel comfortable, as teachers understand their culture and language better. It builds trust between students and the institution.

New Visa Options Make Dubai More Attractive

Earlier, Dubai did not have a post-study work visa system like countries such as Australia or Canada. However, the UAE government has now introduced several long-term residency options to attract talented people from around the world. These include:

• Jobseeker visas – for students who want to stay and find jobs after completing studies.

• Freelancer permits – allowing professionals to work independently in the UAE.

• Golden Visa – a long-term residency visa for skilled professionals, scientists, researchers, educators, digital creators, and even maritime specialists.

New Golden Visa for Indians and Bangladeshis

Recently, the UAE launched a new pilot Golden Visa scheme especially for Indian and Bangladeshi nationals. Under this new system, people can get a long-term residency without having to invest in property or hold a business licence.

Earlier, to get a Golden Visa, one needed to invest AED 2 million (around Rs 4.6 crore) in property. But under the new scheme, they only need to pay a one-time fee of AED 100,000. This is approximately Rs 23.3 lakh or USD 27,000, which is much more affordable than the previous rule.

This Golden Visa is nomination-based, meaning professionals will be nominated based on their skills, achievements, and contribution to their field. It opens up great opportunities for teachers, scientists, content creators, IT experts, and maritime specialists who wish to live and work in the UAE for a long time.

Dubai’s Bright Future as a Global Study Hub

With these new visa options, high safety standards, cultural familiarity, and the presence of top international universities, Dubai is quickly becoming a top choice for Indian students.

Families are now confident that their children can get quality education, good career opportunities, and a chance to live in one of the most advanced cities in the world.

Dubai’s growth as a higher education hub shows how it is diversifying its economy and becoming a global city for education, business, tourism, and innovation.