ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education (MoE) has signalled a seismic shift in its foreign education policy. As of the 2026 academic year, the UAE has effectively removed the United Kingdom from its list of approved destinations for state-funded scholarships, a move that threatens to disrupt the academic paths of thousands and drain millions from the UK’s higher education economy.
This decision, formalised under Executive Decision No. 5 of 2025, marks a transition from “broad internationalism” to “strategic alignment,” as the UAE refocuses its national wealth on specific geopolitical interests and elite scientific institutions.
The UK Exit: A Diplomatic Fallout
The most striking element of the 2026 policy is the targeting of the United Kingdom. Historically, the top choice for Emirati students, British universities are now largely excluded from government sponsorship.
Insiders suggest the move is rooted in a long-standing security dispute regarding the UK’s refusal to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation. UAE officials have reportedly raised concerns that British campuses provide a “permissive environment” for ideologies that conflict with Abu Dhabi’s domestic security priorities.
The “Elite 50” Rule: A New Standard of Quality
Beyond the UK dispute, the UAE has tightened the screws on scholarship eligibility for the rest of Europe and the world. Funding is no longer a given for any high-ranking school. Instead, the MoE has introduced the “Elite 50” criteria:
- Subject-Specific Dominance: A student will only receive funding if their chosen university is ranked in the Top 50 globally for that specific major (e.g., Aerospace Engineering at TU Delft or Artificial Intelligence at ETH Zurich).
- The Top 300 Floor: For general studies in Europe, the institution must maintain a position in the Top 300 of the QS World University Rankings. Schools falling below this line are being removed from the “Equivalency List,” meaning degrees earned there may not be recognised for government jobs in the UAE.
Winners and Losers in the 2026 Strategy
While the UK faces a “funding freeze,” the UAE is doubling down on investments in other regions that align with its “Principles of the 50” economic plan.
| Sector/Region | Status | Strategic Goal |
| United Kingdom | Suspended | Pressure on London over security/ideological policy. |
| United States | Expanding | Focus on Ivy League and Silicon Valley tech hubs. |
| Israel | Rapid Growth | Collaboration on Cybersecurity and Ag-Tech. |
| Germany/France | Selective | High-tier Engineering and Luxury Brand Management. |
| China | Emerging | Strategic partnerships in AI and green manufacturing. |
The “Equivalency” Warning
The Ministry has issued a stern warning to self-funded students: Studying abroad is no longer enough. Even if a family pays for the tuition privately, the degree must come from an “Approved List” institution. Failure to follow this can lead to a refusal of “Degree Equalisation”—a process required for any citizen to work in the UAE public sector, join the military, or pursue post-graduate studies at home.
The Impact on Global Higher Education
The withdrawal of UAE funding is expected to create a massive revenue gap for mid-tier universities in the UK and parts of Europe that have long relied on the high-tuition fees paid by Gulf state sponsors. Analysts predict that several British institutions may have to aggressively pivot to recruitment in India and Nigeria to fill the void left by the Emirati departure.
