Exchange guide Abu Dhabi University
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Abu Dhabi University in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
City
Abu DhabiCountry
United Arab EmiratesInternational
More than 100 nationalities on campus. ADU recruits internationally across engineering, business, health sciences, law and arts/sciences, but does not publish an exact international-student percentage.
Enrollment
Around 7,000 students — roughly 5,950 undergraduate and 1,650 postgraduate — across the Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai campuses; one of the UAE's largest private universities.
Study abroad at Abu Dhabi University: overview
Study abroad at Abu Dhabi University and you join one of the UAE's largest private universities — around 7,000 students, 100+ nationalities and five colleges across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai. It is a practical, English-taught choice for business, engineering and health sciences; the one thing to nail down early is which campus runs your programme.
Enrollment
Around 7,000 students — roughly 5,950 undergraduate and 1,650 postgraduate — across the Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai campuses; one of the UAE's largest private universities.
International Mix
More than 100 nationalities on campus. ADU recruits internationally across engineering, business, health sciences, law and arts/sciences, but does not publish an exact international-student percentage.
Why students choose it
ADU fits students who want an applied, English-taught degree in the UAE capital with a large, multinational campus community rather than a small elite bubble. Pick it for business, engineering, health sciences, law or education — but check which of the Abu Dhabi, Al Ain or Dubai campuses runs your programme, because that decides your commute, housing area and daily budget more than the ADU brand does.
Language of instruction: English, Arabic
Exchange & application at Abu Dhabi University
Exchange at ADU starts with nomination or application, then course approval, DoH-compliant insurance, the student residence visa and housing. Admissions are rolling with roughly one-week decisions, so start early and keep backup courses ready.
✅Requirements
Passport, transcript, language proof where required, course approval, insurance, visa and housing documents according to route.
📨Nomination Process
Start at your home university; then confirm application, courses, visa and housing with the host university.
🧭Orientation Week
Recommended arrival: Arrive with buffer for orientation, housing, visa, SIM and transport.
Check mandatory orientation and check-in before buying flights.
Events hub: https://www.adu.ac.ae/study/admissions/international-students
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | Fall intake (classes ~late Aug/Sep): apply by mid-summer; rolling admissions, decision ~1 week | Aim to submit by June–July for a September start; confirm the exact date on ADU's academic calendar |
| 2nd semester | Spring intake (classes ~January): apply by late autumn; rolling admissions, decision ~1 week | Aim to submit by November–December for a January start; confirm the exact date on ADU's academic calendar |
Arrival Checklist
- Confirm visa or sponsorship
- Secure housing
- Keep health insurance ready
- Review courses and calendar
- Plan campus-home transport
- Activate SIM and university account
Academics & courses at Abu Dhabi University
Academics run on a US-style credit-hour system with 4.0 GPA grading. A full-time semester is about 12–15 credits; check prerequisites, campus location and your home-credit conversion before finalising the learning agreement.
📝Course Registration
Register online through the ADU portal in the first days; seats, prerequisites, campus and your home-university learning agreement all affect which sections you get. Confirm which campus (Abu Dhabi, Al Ain or Dubai) hosts each course before building your timetable.
🎓Credit System
ADU uses a US-style credit-hour system. Courses are typically 3 credit hours; a full-time semester is about 12–15 credits, and a bachelor is roughly 120 credits. Agree the ECTS/home-credit conversion with your home university before enrolment.
💯Grading System
US-style letter grades on a 4.0 GPA scale, from continuous work, projects, midterms and finals. Ask both universities for the grade-conversion table before choosing demanding courses.
✍️Exam Culture
Attendance and continuous work can matter; avoid travel plans before seeing the final calendar.
📚Library Access
Library, study spaces and digital resources after activating the university account.
Tuition & fees at Abu Dhabi University
Costs go well beyond tuition. Full-degree undergraduates pay AED 1,540–1,985 per credit hour on the Abu Dhabi campus (Al Ain is cheaper), plus one-off registration (~AED 2,850), insurance (~AED 800) and a refundable deposit — then housing, visa and transport on top. Exchange students usually pay tuition at home instead.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | Usually pay tuition at your home university under the partner agreement | Under most exchange agreements you pay your home tuition and not ADU's per-credit rate; visiting (non-partner) students pay ADU's per-credit fees below. Conf… |
| Full degree – undergraduate (per credit hour, Abu Dhabi campus) | AED 1,540–1,985 per credit hour | 2025/26 Abu Dhabi-campus rates by college: Arts & Sciences AED 1,540, Business AED 1,715, Engineering AED 1,890, Health Sciences AED 1,985. A bachelor is rou… |
| One-off enrolment fees (international) | Registration AED 2,850 + health insurance ~AED 800 + refundable deposit AED 1,000 | New international students pay a registration fee (~AED 2,850), bundled student health insurance (~AED 800) and a refundable maintenance deposit (~AED 1,000)… |
Usually pay tuition at your home university under the partner agreement
Under most exchange agreements you pay your home tuition and not ADU's per-credit rate; visiting (non-partner) students pay ADU's per-credit fees below. Conf…
AED 1,540–1,985 per credit hour
2025/26 Abu Dhabi-campus rates by college: Arts & Sciences AED 1,540, Business AED 1,715, Engineering AED 1,890, Health Sciences AED 1,985. A bachelor is rou…
Registration AED 2,850 + health insurance ~AED 800 + refundable deposit AED 1,000
New international students pay a registration fee (~AED 2,850), bundled student health insurance (~AED 800) and a refundable maintenance deposit (~AED 1,000)…
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at Abu Dhabi University
Secure housing early and compare by commute, not just rent: ADU is multi-campus and car-dependent, so a cheaper room far from your campus can cost more in daily taxis and heat than it saves.
Abu Dhabi University offers official housing
Use the official housing page first and confirm campus, room type and contract dates.
Apply for housingFull housing guide
Find housing in Abu Dhabi
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at Abu Dhabi University
Support starts at the Admissions, Enrolment & International Relations office — the single door for visa sponsorship, orientation, insurance and course approval — backed by the campus clinic and student wellbeing services.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes — DoH-compliant cover is a UAE residence-visa requirement; ADU includes a ~AED 800 student plan in enrolment fees.
🏥Campus Clinic
Campus wellbeing and clinic services handle first-line care and referrals; the international office coordinates insurance paperwork and emergency guidance for incoming students.
🧠Mental Health
Ask student wellbeing services about counselling and adjustment support early — heat, distance from home and a car-dependent city can make the first weeks harder than students expect.
ADU student health insurance
~AED 800/year (bundled in international enrolment fees)
DoH-compliant plan arranged through the university; covers the residence-visa requirement for most students.
Own DoH-compliant private plan
Varies by provider and coverage
Some students substitute their own UAE-compliant policy — confirm ADU accepts it before opting out of the bundled plan.
Campus services
Admissions, Enrolment & International Relations
The single door for incoming exchange and international students: nomination, application, course approval, student residence-visa sponsorship and orientation.
Student housing office
Coordinates on-campus/partner residence options and references; confirm campus, room type and contract dates before you pay a deposit.
Library and learning support
Study spaces, digital databases and academic support; activate access with your ADU account in week one.
Student wellbeing and health clinic
First-line campus health care, counselling and the point of contact for the bundled student insurance and emergencies.
Careers and Greater-Abu-Dhabi internships
Career guidance and information sessions on internships across the Abu Dhabi economy, open to eligible international students.
Student life at Abu Dhabi University
Student life runs through clubs, university sport, library routines and campus events. Build weekly habits and a commute plan before you lean on Abu Dhabi's malls, waterfront and weekend trips, which add up fast.
Student Clubs
- Academic clubs
- University sport
- International societies
Buddy Program
Mentor or orientation support where available
International office support
Sports & Recreation
- Gym or campus sport
- University events
Public Groups & Communities
https://www.adu.ac.ae/study/admissions/international-students
https://www.adu.ac.ae/life-at-adu/student-housing
https://visitabudhabi.ae/en
Your First 2 Weeks
- Check-in and orientation
- Confirm housing and rules
- Validate visa/insurance
- Review courses
- Test home-campus commute
Key exchange dates at Abu Dhabi University
Key dates: nomination and application for the Fall (~September) or Spring (~January) intake, then visa, housing, orientation, add/drop and end-of-semester exams. Confirm exact dates on ADU's academic calendar.
-
1
Nomination or application
Before each intake
https://www.adu.ac.ae/study/admissions/international-students
-
2
Visa and housing
After admission
https://www.adu.ac.ae/life-at-adu/student-housing
-
3
Orientation
Week before or first week
https://www.adu.ac.ae/study/admissions/international-students
-
4
Add/drop and classes
Start of semester
https://www.adu.ac.ae/study/admissions/international-students
-
5
Exams and departure
End of semester
https://www.adu.ac.ae/study/admissions/international-students