Study in UAE - UAE Education System

GENERAL INFO | EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM | SECONDARY EDUCATION
HIGHER EDUCATION | FOREIGN STUDENTS | SPECIAL NEEDS

general information

Up until the early 1950s there were a handful of schools in the various emirates that were to later become the United Arab Emirates. These schools were established by local merchants and taught basic reading, writing and Islamic studies. The first school to offer an expanded curriculum was established in the Emirate of Sharjah in 1953 by the British Government. In the early 1960s, after Abu Dhabi began to earn oil revenues, more schools were established in Abu Dhabi and other neighbouring Emirates. After the establishment of the UAE in 1971, there was a large expansion in the country’s public education system.

Literacy: In 1989, the United Nations estimated that the literacy rate in the UAE was about 53.5%. By 2000 the literacy rate had reached an estimated 79%.

Although the UAE has achieved much in the field of education, there is a real awareness that constant updating of policy and continual investment in infrastructure is required to ensure that graduates are properly equipped to enter the work force and assist in the country’s development. To this end, the Ministry of Education has produced a policy document outlining a strategy for further educational development in the UAE up to the year 2020, based on several five-year plans.

www.education.gov.ae

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UAE Education System

Primary and secondary education is provided for all UAE citizens. The existing educational structure, which was established in the early 1970s, is a four-tier system covering 14 years of education.

Kindergarten
Age level from: 4 to 5 years old

Primary
Length of programme in years: 6
Age level from: 6 to 12 years old

Preparatory
Length of programme in years: 3
Age level from: 12 to 15 years old

Secondary
Length of programme in years: 3
Age level from: 15 to 18 years old
Certificate/Diploma awarded: Secondary School Leaving Certificate

Technical Secondary School
Length of programme in years: 6
Age level from: 12 to 18 years old
Certificate/Diploma awarded: Technical Secondary Diploma

Primary school education is compulsory for all UAE citizens. Government policy is to provide staff/student ratios of 1:20 at kindergarten and primary levels; and 1:15 at intermediate and secondary levels. The existing staff/student ratios are well within this proposed range.

Curriculum
The Primary education curriculum emphasises basic literacy and numeracy skills, and includes basic instruction in language, mathematics, and sciences.

The Secondary cycle focuses on preparing students for University, technical or vocation training, or for the joining the workforce directly. Most students in the UAE tend to pursue higher education at universities rather than at technical or vocational institutes.

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Secondary Education

Secondary education lasts for three years. It consists of a common first year followed by specialization in Science or Arts. At the end of the twelfth year, students take the examination for the Shahadat Al-Thanawiya Al-Amma (Secondary School Leaving Certificate). Technical secondary education offers both preparatory and secondary cycles. The preparatory cycle offers an Engineering course for the acquisition of basic skills leading to the Intermediate Certificate. At the end of the secondary cycle, a Technical Secondary Diploma is awarded.

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Higher Education

Higher education is offered at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) University, Ajman University College of Science and Technology, and Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT).

The UAE University has independent status and a separate government budget. Its governing body, the supreme council, is made up of the chancellor, the vice-chancellor, deans of the faculties and members selected by the Council of Ministers.

A National Commission for Manpower Planning has been set up under the chairmanship of the university chancellor. Dubai University College, a private college, was founded in January 1997. It offers courses up to graduate level. Zayed University opened its doors in September 1998. It has campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and its mandate is to prepare national women for leadership roles in the future growth of the country. It comprises Colleges of Communication and Media Sciences, Education, Arts and Sciences, Business Sciences, Family Science and Information Sciences. The language of instruction is English.

Higher Colleges of Technology were established in 1988. Located in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, these colleges prepare nationals for professional and technological careers in both government and private sectors. Since their foundation, the colleges have grown significantly, with staff and students increasing by about 30 per cent each year. Website: www.hct.ac.ae

The UAE University located in Al Ain, has eight faculties and was established in 1976. In the last 24 years, it has become a leading institution in education, research and community service. The University is also proving to be the most popular destination for students seeking higher education in the UAE with over 15,000 students currently studying at their facilities. Website: www.uaeu.ac.ae

The Centre for Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) runs a countrywide continuing education programmeme for all nationalities. The programmeme has been designed for professional development and personal enrichment for people with an eye for continuing education. Initial projects include 100 face-to-face instructor-led courses and approximately 100 on line courses through the CERT Website: www.cert.hct.ac.ae

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Foregin Students Admission

Quotas: Some 8% of total places are reserved for students from the Arab Gulf region and 7% for other foreigners.

Admission requirements: Students should hold a General Secondary School Certificate. Gulf students should obtain 60% of total marks in the high school Certificate for admission to the Faculties of Engineering and Economics; non-Gulf students should obtain 80% for admission to any faculty, except Engineering where they must obtain 90%. For Islamic Studies and Sharia, candidates must be Muslims and must obtain 50% of the total marks in the High School Certificate. Applications should be made to the University in June.

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Children With Special Needs

Handicapped centres supervised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs cater to those with hearing and physical disabilities, the visually impaired and others with special needs. The Ministry is constantly improving its facilities, at the same time emphasising the role of the family in caring for the disabled. The percentage of disabled people in the UAE is similar to the worldwide average, i.e. 8–10 per cent of the population.

Some major new developments are under way, including a large centre in Abu Dhabi with 70 classrooms and 20 training workshops and the Al Thikka Club which opened in Sharjah. The Ministry of Education and Youth, together with the Red Crescent Society, also opened a centre for autistic children in Abu Dhabi, the first in a number of such centres planned by the Ministry.