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The Study Abroad/Student Exchange Program offers students the opportunity to study at Khalifa University and earn credits toward their degree at their home institution. Visiting and exchange students can choose from the broad selection of classes from our engineering and science programs, to meet their own major or minor requirements, subject to meeting the approved prerequisites.

Find out about our students’ experiences in learning and life at KU and our host universities through our international student blog. You’ll discover lots of interesting information in articles like this one:.

For Undergraduate Students,
  • Must be a sophomore standing or higher at the time of application
  • Must have a CGPA 3.0 or above
  • English Proficiency level must be equivalent to IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 91, etc
For UG Seniors who wish to do research,
  • Must have fully completed their courses, and a CGPA of 3.25 or above
  • English Proficiency level equivalent to IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 91, etc.
  • A letter from the advisor/Registrar is required.
  • CV
  • transcripts.
For PG Students,
  • Must have a CGPA 3.25 or above
  • English Proficiency level must be equivalent to IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 91, etc
  • CV
  • transcripts.

Students from non-partner universities should express interest in applying through studyabroad@ku.ac.ae. If approved, an application link will be shared..

The following must be detailed and attached about the nominees:
  • Legal name
  • University email address
  • Semester of Exchange
  • Year During Exchange
  • Gender
  • CGPA
  • Study level (Undergraduate or Postgraduate)
  • Field of study

Pre-Arrival:
Fees and Registration

Accepted students are required to pay an accommodation security deposit when they arrive at Khalifa University. We require a deposit payment of 2000 AED to be paid to secure your on-campus accommodation. Please note that the security deposit is refundable.

Accommodation
Important Information for Accepted Students

  • Post Acceptance: You will attend the new student orientation, and the KU Study Abroad team will help coordinate your application for an Emirates ID and UAE Residency Visa. The entry visa will be shared with you by the Study Abroad Office a month before travel to ensure smooth entry into the UAE. Once your entry permit has been shared with you, arrange your flight to the UAE and share your arrival details with the KU Study Abroad team to arrange airport pick-up.

  • Post Arrival: You will attend the new student orientation, and the KU Study Abroad team will assist you in applying for an Emirates ID and UAE Residency Visa.

Please note that all processing fees, including visa, health insurance, and Emirates ID, will be covered by the university. For more information, please contact us directly at studyabroad@ku.ac.ae.

Orientation and Arrival

Welcome to Khalifa University!

Hayyakom (Welcome)!

Khalifa University would like to warmly welcome all our new inbound students. We are delighted to have you join our university community and we work to ensure the experience is everything you hoped it would be.

Orientation details will be sent by email to accepted students. Orientation is mandatory for all inbound students. In these sessions, you will be given important information on all the supports and activities available to you such as Clubs, Library & IT, Health services, Immigration registration, and much more.

It is also a great opportunity to meet all the other new students from around the world and have some fun!

Khalifa University is a world-class, internationally top-ranked institution in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Our mission is to seamlessly integrate research and education to produce world leaders and critical thinkers. Khalifa University has 3 colleges, 3 research institutes, 20 specialized research centers, and 36 departments covering a broad range of disciplines in science, engineering, and medicine.

Here are some fast facts and figures:

  • Ranked #1 University in the UAE.
  • Total enrollment: 4,000+ students.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 ensuring small classes and personalized attention
  • Nationalities: 53+ from all over the world
  • Percentage of males and females: 40% males to 60% females
  • Number of faculty: ~ 400
  • Alumni: 5,000+

An exciting part of the university journey is the opportunity to study abroad. Students can choose from a wide range of universities worldwide. We encourage students to take an active role in the process to ensure they are well-informed and prepared for their host destination. Please note that the study abroad program is only open to undergraduate students. If you're considering studying abroad, use the pages below to find all the information you need to set yourself up for success.

Studying abroad gives students a chance to be immersed in a different culture, overcome challenges, meet new people, and think outside the box. Students often reflect on their semester or year abroad as being greatly beneficial for a variety of reasons, including travel, expanding their connections, and personal growth.

Find out about our students’ experiences of life and learning at our host universities through our international student blog. You’ll find lots of interesting information from articles such as:!

To apply for Study abroad, you must meet the below criteria:

  • Full-time Sophomore and Junior 1 students at the time of application
  • Must not have any academic or non-academic violations/infractions
  • Minimum CGPA 3.0 or above
  • Minimum IELTS 6.0 or equivalent

Required documents:

  • Two recommendation Letters from Advisor/Faculty Member
  • Travel Conduct Affirmation Form
  • Health History Form
  • Transient Form
  • Passport
  • Transcript
  • English IELTS OR TOFEL
  • Personal Statement
  • Interview with Study Abroad Office

The study abroad team will assist you throughout the whole process. Make sure to read carefully about the different types of scholarships, programs, and their criteria. Double-check if your university of interest has your major and your courses.

Please note that scholarships for study abroad are only open to UAE Nationals.

The KU Scholarship applies to GE3 participating universities and partner universities.

  • For GE3 Universities: please find the list of GE3 universities through this link:
  • For Partner Universities:
Summer semester:
  • Stanford University
  • Boston University
  • Arizona State University (ASU)
  • University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
  • University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Fall/Spring semesters:
  • Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP)
  • Colorado School of Mines (CSM)
  • University of Maryland (UMD)

The KU Scholarship includes the following benefits:

  • Round trip economy class air ticket
  • Fully paid tuition fees
  • Health insurance
  • Housing on campus
  • Selected student fees
  • A one-time stipend of AED 10, 000 for fall and spring or AED 5,000 for Summer

Please note that if you are from an external sponsor, a No Objection *(NOC) Letter must be provided for the KU Scholarship.

Please find the list of universities under the MOHER scholarship through the following link:

 

An acceptance letter to your host university is required to apply for the MOHER scholarship.

If accepted into the program, the MOHER will sponsor the following:

  • Round trip class air ticket
  • Fully paid tuition fees
  • Health insurance
  • Housing
  • Travel Allowance
  • Monthly Stipend

For more information and to apply:

Please note that if you are from an external sponsor, a No Objection *(NOC) Letter must be provided for the MOHER Scholarship.

For non-Emirati students, tuition is paid to KU as usual. Students are also responsible for their medical insurance, housing, and other mandatory fees while abroad. ISS support is available to non-Emirati students throughout the entire process. For available universities: please find the list of GE3 participating universities through this link:

If you are interested in applying for study abroad opportunity, please follow these steps to ensure a smooth process:

  • Attend info sessions
  • Express Interest to Study Abroad email
  • Review Eligible Universities on the list below
  • Contact your advisor to assist in course selection
  • Submit required documents
  • Apply to host universities
  • Receive acceptance
  • Visa Processing
  • Go abroad!

Welcome to Khalifa University!

Hayyakom (Welcome)!

Khalifa University would like to warmly welcome all our new international students. We are delighted to have you join our university community. Once you receive your KU official Offer Letter, please follow the steps below to ensure a smooth arrival process:

 

  • Receive and accept your KU Offer Letter
  • Apply for Visa*
  • Receive Visa decision 
  • Submit the Mobilization & Demobilization Request (only for international students joining from abroad)
  • Upon arrival in the UAE, ensure that a physical copy of your entry permit and passport is stamped
  • Obtain a UAE phone number from the Arrival airport
  • Contact Government Relations (government.relations@ku.ac.ae) to schedule Residency/Emirates ID processing
  • Arrival at Khalifa University
  • Visit PG ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝ to submit any required/missing physical documents
  • Download the UAE ICP and UAE Pass app 24 hours after completion of the Biometric scan
  • Receive a physical Emirates ID and update registration records  
  • Link Emirates ID to Health Insurance 
  • All the best!

*If you are a UAE Resident, apply for a “New Visa”. If you are an international student joining from abroad, apply for an “Entry Permit”. For visa application requirements, please review the guidelines on the Student Visa Request Page.