What to Know Before Studying at an Overseas Branch Campus in Dubai: 41 Private Universities, 37 of Which Are International Branch Campuses

2026-10-04 · Guides

According to data from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), there were 41 private universities licensed and regulated by the KHDA in Dubai during the 2024-25 academic year, 37 of which are international branch campuses. The total enrollment reached 42,026 students, a 20% year-on-year increase. This article summarizes this data, how to search for institutions in the KHDA directory, and the Higher Education Leadership Network established in September 2026.

Many universities in Dubai are overseas branches of institutions from the UK, Australia, the US, and other countries. Many Chinese families consider Dubai branch campuses as an option. This is a viable path, but before taking action, you need to do two things first: confirm whether the school is on the Dubai regulatory authority's registry, and address the credential recognition issue upon returning to China. Below is a detailed explanation based on information from the official website of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

Scale of Private Higher Education in Dubai

The KHDA is responsible for the development and quality regulation of private education in Dubai. According to its higher education data for the 2024-25 academic year:

Indicator	Data
Private higher education institutions licensed and regulated by KHDA	41
Of which are international branch campuses	37
Total enrolled students	42,026 (a record high)
Year-over-year growth in total students	20%
Year-over-year growth in international students (students specifically coming to Dubai to study)	29%
Year-over-year growth in UAE national students	22%

It should be noted that this data corresponds to the 2024-25 academic year, not the most recent one. As of October 4, 2026, this article has not found similar data for the 2025-26 academic year on the KHDA website.

From the data, it is clear that private higher education in Dubai is dominated by international branch campuses, and the growth of international students is also relatively fast.

Checking Institutions in the KHDA Registry

Before choosing a school, it is recommended to search for your target school in the Higher Education section of the Education Directory on the KHDA website. The directory supports filtering by school name and allows you to view details for each institution.

When opening the directory in October 2026, the institutions you can see include (partially):

University of Birmingham Dubai
Heriot-Watt University
Middlesex University Dubai
University of Wollongong in Dubai
Curtin University
Murdoch University, Dubai
The University of Manchester Worldwide
University of Bradford
De Montfort University
Georgetown University Dubai
Plekhanov Russian University of Economics - Dubai
University Paris II Panthéon-Assas

A few tips for your search:

Check the specific operating entity. The same university may have multiple campuses or joint programs in different countries. Make sure the entity listed in the directory and what it offers in Dubai match the program you are applying for.
Verify the program, not just the school. Branch campuses often offer fewer majors than the main campus. Confirm that the major you want to study is indeed offered at the Dubai campus.
Confirm with the school who awards the degree. Find out who issues the graduation and degree certificates and how the campus is indicated on them before enrollment, and rely on written confirmation.

The KHDA website also provides a Higher Education Certificate Attestation service, which can be applied for through the student self-service portal. This is a local UAE procedure and is different from credential recognition in China.

Establishment of the Dubai Higher Education Leadership Network

On September 21, 2026, the KHDA, along with Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park, jointly announced the founding committee members of the Higher Education Leadership Network (HELN).

HELN was jointly initiated by the three parties in 2025, with the goal of strengthening cooperation among universities, industries, and the government to better align talent cultivation with labor market needs.
The founding committee consists of 13 members from government, technology, logistics, healthcare, aviation, and higher education, including heads of institutions such as the University of Birmingham Dubai and the University of Wollongong in Dubai.
The network focuses on four areas: education and skills enhancement, entrepreneurship and innovation, future economy, and research and development.
The first year's focus is on promoting dialogue, fostering research and innovation, and finding opportunities for collaboration among universities, industries, and the government.

For students, this indicates that Dubai is promoting connections between universities and local industries. However, for specific internship and employment opportunities in a particular major, you should still refer to the information provided by the school.

Credential Recognition in China: Check Before You Decide

What many families care about most is: Can a degree from a Dubai branch campus be authenticated for academic credentials upon returning to China?

This article does not draw a conclusion on this issue. Overseas academic credential recognition is handled by the China Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE). For authentication conditions and situations not covered by the authentication scope, please check the CSCSE website before deciding to enroll, or contact the center directly. The CSCSE reminds on its authentication service page that "cross-border distance learning diplomas" are not within the scope of authentication. When choosing a program, make sure you will be studying in person at the Dubai campus.

Checklist Before Choosing a Dubai Branch Campus

Is the school listed in the KHDA Higher Education Directory?
Is the major you are applying for offered at the Dubai campus?
Who awards the degree, and how is the campus indicated on the certificate?
Check the CSCSE website for regulations on credential recognition in China.
For specific requirements regarding enrollment, student visas, and residency, refer to the official UAE channels and the school's international student office.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute visa or legal advice.

Need Help?

If you are comparing studying at a Dubai branch campus versus the main campus, or want to evaluate school selection, credential recognition, and budget together, you can check out our university application planning services, or book a one-on-one consultation.