Exchange Program – The Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education encourages top UAE national students enrolled in universities in UAE with bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees to study abroad as full-time student for a maximum of two consecutive semesters, with the hours subsequently approved to be transferred to the academic program at their original universities in UAE. 

Exchange program helps to expose students to a different and new experience and create awareness in Emirati society that urges others to look forward and plan towards pursuing higher education abroad.

Program Objectives:

• To enrich the educational experience and skills and educational journey at the international level. 
• To contribute to personal development and self-reliance. 
• To study and live abroad for a short period of time to learn about new and different cultures, and innovative methods of education. 
• Urges students to look forward and plan towards pursuing higher education abroad.

Exchange Program Admission Requirements:

• Must be a UAE national
• Must be enrolled in MOE-CAA licensed governmental or private universities in UAE
• Must provide admission offer to study in a major, university, and country specified by the Ministry of Education to study one or two semesters. The below requirements must be applied on the university that provides the unconditional academic acceptance:
  • Must be ranked within the top 50 universities for the concerned specialization according to the MOE approved list.
  • Must be ranked within the top 200 universities for the concerned specialization and top 200 overall, according to the MOE approved list in all countries of study except USA, UK & Australia
  • Must be ranked within the top 100 universities for the concerned specialization and top 100 overall, according to the MOE approved list in each of USA, UK & Australia
  • Must be in one of the countries specified by the Ministry of Education.
• Must provide a letter from the home university in UAE stating the following:
  • The duration of study in the Exchange Program
  • The details of courses/credit-hours that will be studied abroad
  • The original university commitment to record all courses/credits in the student’s academic transcript after the completion of the exchange program
• Must provide a "No Objection" letter from the sponsor including the benefits provided during the student study in the UAE in case the student is sponsored and committed to any entity.
• Must have completed minimum of one full academic year (with a minimum of 30 credit hours or equivalent) in the original university, with a CGPA of 3.0 (very good) or above. Regarding postgraduate studies in research, must submit the study plan form provided by the ministry including what will be studies abroad.
• Must obtain a ‘Certificate of Good Conduct’ from appropriate official authorities in UAE

Required Documents:

In additional to the admission requirements, the student should submit the following:

• Copy of a valid passport with the page of the unified number
• Copy of the family book
• Copy of UAE identity card
• Must provide admission offer to study in a major, university, and country specified by the Ministry of Education to study one or two semesters. The admission offer should be unconditional and should state the start date, end date and the total cost of the courses
• A letter from the home university in UAE stating the following:
  • The duration of study in the Exchange Program
  • The details of courses/credit-hours that will be studied abroad
  • The original university commitment to record all courses/credits in the student’s academic transcript after the completion of the exchange program
• A "No Objection" letter from the sponsor including the benefits provided during the student study in the UAE if applicable
• Must submit an official copy of the updated academic transcript from the original university
• A study plan form for what will be studies for postgraduate studies in research.
• Must submit a statement of purpose letter
• Must submit two reference letters with recommendations from the original university
• Must submit updated CV
• A ‘Certificate of Good Conduct’ from appropriate official authorities in UAE
• Must submit a ‘Certificate of Medical Fitness’ from the appropriate official authorities in UAE
• Certificate from applicant’s bank in UAE stating the applicant’s account and IBAN number (after final approval)

Provisions and Guidelines:

• Normally a student is allowed to participate in one semester of study abroad as part of the Exchange Program. In some cases, extension for a second semester may be approved.
• Student must enroll only in the courses approved by the home university. The transfer of credits is not guaranteed if the original university did not approve it in advance.
• Student participating in Exchange program must enroll to study only the same academic major and degree enrolled in it at the original university.
• Student participating in the Exchange Program must enroll in full time study, which is a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester or equivalent.
• Student participating in the Exchange Program must complete final academic semester in original university.
• A student who fails to pass any courses at the host university abroad may be responsible for re-paying all costs incurred for the course/s
• The student must achieve a minimum a grade of a “C” or higher (or its equivalent) in each approved course in order to be transferred back to the original degree program as per its Transferred Credits Policy.
• Exchange Program is available for Fall and Spring semesters. In some cases, summer semesters maybe considered.
• The MOE approved list of universities, programs and countries is subject to be updated and published yearly.
• Eligibility criteria for the Exchange Program is subject to be reviewed, updated, and published prior to each admission cycle.