Study in Dubai:
Complete Guide for International Students

Why study in Dubai?

Dubai offers international students something distinctive: the opportunity to study in a global city while gaining direct exposure to one of the Middle East’s most diversified business environments.

The city’s higher education sector is expanding rapidly. According to Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), 42,026 students were enrolled across 41 private higher education institutions in Dubai during the 2024–2025 academic year. International students represented 35% of the student population, following a 29% year-on-year increase in international enrolment.

This international academic environment is complemented by a diverse economy. Dubai’s GDP reached AED 232 billion in the first quarter of 2026, with wholesale and retail trade accounting for approximately 22% of GDP, financial and insurance activities for 14%, real estate for 11.2%, and information and communication for 5.2%.

For business students in particular, studying in Dubai therefore means learning in an environment shaped by sectors including:

• finance and financial services;
• international trade;
• logistics and supply chain;
• technology and digital business;
• tourism and hospitality;
• retail;
• real estate;
• entrepreneurship and professional services.

Dubai is also highly connected internationally, making it an attractive base for students who want to develop an international academic and professional profile.

Why choose EM Normandie Business School in Dubai?

EM Normandie Business School offers English-taught business and management degrees from its campus in Dubai Knowledge Park.

The school combines its French business-school heritage with a learning environment designed specifically for students studying in the UAE. EM Normandie holds international institutional accreditations including AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA. Its Dubai operation also holds local accreditation through the UAE’s Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) for designated programmes.

Discover EM Normandie’s accreditations

The Dubai campus provides interactive classrooms, collaboration areas, an immersive VR facility, a virtual library, student recreational areas and co-working spaces. Its location in Dubai Knowledge Park also gives students access to restaurants, cafés and everyday services within the wider campus environment.

Professional experience is integrated into EM Normandie’s approach. Internships form part of its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, while initiatives such as Career Connect Day bring students into contact with employers and organisations operating in the UAE.

Students may also have opportunities for academic mobility within EM Normandie’s international campus network, subject to the conditions of their programme.

Discover EM Normandie Dubai

Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Dubai

EM Normandie Dubai offers undergraduate and postgraduate business degrees taught in English.

Bachelor’s degrees in Dubai

Students looking for a bachelor’s degree can currently choose from the following programmes:

Bachelor in Management

A three-year general management degree covering areas including marketing, finance, human resources, logistics, strategy and digital business. The programme currently offers majors in Logistics, Digital Business, and Accounting & Finance.

Discover the Bachelor in Management

Bachelor International Management – Digital Business

A three-year programme combining international management with a focus on digital business.

Discover the Bachelor International Management – Digital Business

Bachelor International Management – Logistics and Port Management

A three-year programme for students interested in international trade, logistics, transport, supply chain and port-related activities.

Discover the Bachelor International Management – Logistics and Port Management

Bachelor International Management – Services Industries

A three-year programme combining management fundamentals with a focus on service sectors including tourism, hospitality and other service-based activities.

Discover the Bachelor International Management – Services Industries

The Bachelor International Management programmes include professional experience and international mobility as part of their study plans.

Master’s degrees in Dubai

Students who already hold an undergraduate degree can pursue specialised postgraduate study in areas connected to major sectors of Dubai’s economy.

Current programmes include:

Master in Supply Chain Management – International Logistics and Port Management

A one-year academic programme followed by a four-month internship, focusing on supply chain management, international logistics, transport, shipping and port management.

Discover the Master in Supply Chain Management – International Logistics and Port Management

Master in International Marketing and Business Development

A one-year academic programme followed by a four-month internship, designed around international marketing, market development and business growth.

Discover the Master in International Marketing and Business Development

Master in Banking, Finance and Fintech

A one-year academic programme followed by a four-month internship, covering areas such as banking, financial markets, business analytics, FinTech and digital banking.

Discover the Master in Banking, Finance and Fintech

Explore all Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes

Admission requirements

Admission requirements depend on the level of study, the qualification you already hold and the education system in which you studied.

Bachelor’s admission requirements

For first-year undergraduate entry, applicants must hold an eligible secondary-school qualification and meet the academic and English-language requirements applicable to their curriculum.

For example, the Bachelor in Management currently lists requirements for qualifications including the UAE Al-Thanawiyya Al-Aama, American High School Diploma, British GCE/IGCSE, International Baccalaureate, French Baccalaureate, Indian CBSE/ICSE/State Boards and several other international qualifications.

For the International Baccalaureate, the published requirement is an IB Diploma with six subjects, including three at Higher Level, and at least 24 points. For the French Baccalaureate, the published minimum is 10/20.

English-language requirements for undergraduate applicants include an IELTS Academic score of at least 5.0 or recognised equivalents. Alternative tests listed by the school include TOEFL, TOEIC, PTE Academic, CEFR and Duolingo English Test.

Applicants who do not fully meet certain English-language requirements may be eligible for conditional admission under the school’s published admission rules.

Master’s admission requirements

Full admission to EM Normandie’s Master’s programmes generally requires a recognised Bachelor’s degree relevant to the programme, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent, as well as the required level of English proficiency and a successful admission interview.

Programme-specific requirements apply, and conditional admission may be available in certain circumstances.

International applicants should also be prepared to provide official academic documents and, where required, attestations or recognition documentation for qualifications obtained outside the UAE.

Because requirements vary by qualification and country, applicants should check the programme page or contact the Admissions Team before submitting their application.

Contact our Admissions Team

Student visa requirements in Dubai

International students who require UAE residency can study in Dubai under a student residence visa.

According to the Government of Dubai, a foreign student enrolled in an accredited higher education institution in the UAE may receive a residence permit, with the educational institution acting as the student’s host and guarantor.

At EM Normandie Dubai, the Student Services Office can arrange student visas under the school’s sponsorship. The school’s international student information currently states that these residence visas must be renewed annually.

Typical documentation requested by EM Normandie includes:

• a passport copy;
• a passport-format photograph;
• proof of the relevant previous qualification;
• the admission letter for new students;
• a copy of the applicant’s current UAE visa, where applicable.

Visa applicants may also need to complete the UAE’s required medical and identification procedures.

Visa requirements and government procedures can change. International applicants should therefore check the current requirements before travelling rather than relying solely on information obtained earlier in the application process.

Find out more about studying in Dubai as an international student

Scholarships and financing

Scholarships can support students who meet specific academic, sporting or other eligibility criteria.

EM Normandie Dubai currently publishes several scholarship schemes for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Undergraduate opportunities include:

• Foundation Scholarship: available to selected eligible students;
• Excellence Scholarship: designed to recognise eligible high-achieving students;
• Academic Merit Scholarship: awarded under specific academic-performance conditions;
• Athletic Scholarship: available to eligible continuing students meeting the required sporting and academic criteria.

Postgraduate students may also be eligible for Foundation, Excellence and Athletic scholarships under specific conditions.

Scholarships are subject to eligibility criteria, academic requirements, availability and formal approval. Students should therefore consult the full scholarship conditions to determine which opportunities may apply to their individual situation.

Explore scholarships

Accommodation in Dubai

International students can choose between purpose-built student residences, shared accommodation, private rooms, apartments and hotel apartments.

EM Normandie Dubai currently works with several accommodation providers, including The Myriad, Yugo Dubailand, KSK Homes and Makaan. The school also lists additional accommodation partners.

Partner student residences typically offer furnished rooms and shared or private options, with facilities and services varying by provider.

Find out more about accommodation for international students

What should you consider when choosing student accommodation in Dubai?

Before choosing accommodation, international students should consider:

• distance and travel time to Dubai Knowledge Park;
• availability of a shuttle service;
• whether utilities and internet are included;
• room type and whether facilities are shared;
• security and reception services;
• contract duration;
• cancellation conditions.

Accommodation options and availability can change between intakes, so students should confirm current information directly with the provider before making a reservation.

Student life in Dubai

Studying in Dubai means living in a city with a highly international population, extensive leisure facilities and students from many different educational and cultural backgrounds.

At EM Normandie, student life is centred around the Dubai Knowledge Park campus. The school provides classrooms and collaborative learning areas as well as a recreational space, co-working facilities, a virtual library and an immersive learning suite.

Dubai Knowledge Park itself provides access to everyday amenities such as cafés, restaurants, a food court, supermarket, pharmacy and medical services.

Outside campus, students can explore Dubai’s beaches, cultural districts, shopping areas, sporting activities and entertainment venues. Public transport, including the Dubai Metro, tram and bus network, makes many parts of the city accessible without owning a car.

Living in the UAE also means adapting to local laws, customs and cultural expectations. International students should familiarise themselves with these before arriving.

Discover our Dubai campus

Internships and career opportunities in the UAE

One of the main reasons to study business in Dubai is the opportunity to learn within a large and diversified commercial environment.

Dubai’s economy includes substantial activity in trade, financial services, real estate, technology, logistics, tourism and professional services. In Q1 2026, wholesale and retail trade remained the emirate’s largest contributor to GDP, while financial and insurance activities grew by 6.5% year on year.

This economic environment can be particularly relevant for students studying management, finance, digital business, marketing or supply chain.

Internships at EM Normandie Dubai

Professional experience is integrated into EM Normandie’s programmes.

The Bachelor in Management includes internships during the programme, including professional experience in Year 1 and a four-month internship in Year 3.

The Bachelor International Management programmes also integrate internships into their curricula.

EM Normandie’s Master’s programmes include a four-month internship component. Depending on the programme and applicable regulations, professional experience may take place in the UAE or abroad.

The school also organises employer-facing initiatives such as Career Connect Day, where students can meet companies and explore internship and employment opportunities.

An internship should not be interpreted as a guarantee of employment after graduation. Instead, it gives students an opportunity to gain professional experience, understand workplace expectations and develop their network while completing their degree.

Discover internships at EM Normandie Dubai

How to apply to study in Dubai

If you are planning to study at EM Normandie Dubai, the application process begins with choosing the programme that matches your academic background and career plans.

1. Choose your programme.
   Compare the curriculum, entry requirements, duration and career areas associated with each degree.
2. Check your eligibility.
   Review the academic and English-language requirements for your qualification and country.
3. Prepare your documents.
   Depending on your programme, these may include academic certificates and transcripts, proof of English proficiency, identification documents and other supporting documents.
4. Submit your application.
   Complete the online application and provide the required documents.
5. Complete the admissions process.
   Eligible applicants may be invited to an admission interview.
6. Confirm your place and prepare for Dubai.
   Once admitted, complete the required enrolment and, where applicable, student visa procedures.
7. Arrange accommodation and travel.
   International students should plan housing and their arrival in Dubai well in advance.

EM Normandie recommends that international students begin their preparations early; its current international-student guidance advises starting the process at least two months in advance.

Apply now