19-05-2025
Dubai Higher Education Enrolment Surges as International Student Numbers Rise
Student enrolment at Dubai's private higher education institutions has reached an all-time high, growing by 20% in the 2024–25 academic year and bringing the total student body to over 42,000.
The surge reflects Dubai's rising status as a global education hub.
According to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), 41 private institutions are currently operating in Dubai, including 37 international campuses. The growth supports the emirate's Education 33 (E33) strategy, which aims to position Dubai as a top destination for future-focused learners.
International student enrolment climbed by 29% compared to the previous year, with foreign students now comprising 35% of the total. Dubai is targeting 50% international representation by 2033 under the E33's City of Students initiative.
Emirati enrolment also rose significantly, growing by 22%, as more UAE nationals choose local private universities for their academic paths. 'The continued growth of Dubai's private higher education sector reflects the trust that students and their families place in the quality, relevance, and diversity of learning opportunities available in our cities,'
said Her Excellency Aisha Miran, Director General of KHDA.
Four new international universities opened in Dubai this academic year, representing China, India, Russia, and Italy. The city's institutions now offer 706 programmes, with the highest enrolment growth seen in information technology, engineering, and health and medicine.
The upward trend in student numbers aligns with Dubai Plan 33, which seeks to build a world-class education ecosystem that fuels the emirate's social and economic development.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
