Top 20 Tips_ What To Look For When Choosing a UAE University

1. Top 20 Tips: What To Look For When Choosing a UAE University

2. Recognition and accreditation Examine the accreditation and recognition. The UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) has accredited a number of institutions. Some institutions choose not to apply for MOHESR accreditation but may be accredited by other bodies or organisations. If you intend to work for the UAE government, you should enroll in a MOHESR-accredited institution. Private companies in the UAE do not typically seek MOHESR accreditation, but if you intend to pursue a postgraduate degree at a MOHESR accredited university, you must also ensure that your bachelor's degree is from a MOHESR accredited university.

3. Campus size/Location/Facilities Check that the university's location is convenient for you in terms of transportation and timing. In Dubai, for example, some universities are in Knowledge Village, while others are in Dubai International Academic City. Others can be found throughout the city. Check out the campus size and facilities as well. Websites may use words like "vast," "sophisticated," "modern," "updated," and so on, only to reveal that the institution is housed on one floor of a building. So, when visiting universities, make sure the location and size are to your liking, and then look at the facilities they have. Insist on visiting classrooms, computer labs, libraries, and other facilities.

4. Transportation/Accommodation/Visa Requirements You may end up selecting a university in another emirate or far away from where you live. In this case, if you don't have your own transportation and public transportation isn't an option, see if the university offers transportation. Buses serve specific areas at many universities. If you are visiting from another emirate or country, inquire about lodging options. Even if the university does not have its own hostel, it may have arrangements with other institutions to share accommodation or assist you in finding something suitable nearby. A pertinent question would be one concerning visas. Most UAE universities should be able to process a student visa. Inquire again about the required documentation, the cost, and the time involved in obtaining a student visa.

5. Look into the university's age. The longer a university has been in operation in the UAE, the better. Although new universities may be appealing in terms of course variety or facilities, it is preferable to choose a university with a research tradition. Actively conducting research and contributing to academic publications would undoubtedly contribute to the high standards of teaching and learning in any institution.

6. Who are the members of the faculty? Check out the faculty members for whatever course you're interested in. Examine their educational backgrounds and previous work experiences. If a university's website does not make this information easily accessible, you should reconsider. Information on faculties should be easily accessible.

7. Course variety Examine the course offerings at any university. Large universities (with over 3000 students) may provide a wide range of courses to choose from. Be wary of smaller institutions (around 500 students) that offer an excessive number of courses. This has occasionally resulted in a course/module not being offered in a given semester due to a lack of enrollment. Find out this information before enrolling in any course. Inquire about schedules specifically because you might find out later that your classes are at night!

8. Examine the annual enrollment figures. It is critical to double-check enrollment figures. For example, if you see that the university had 1500 students enrolled in 2010, cross-reference to see how many of those graduated in 2013 or 2014. If the number of graduates is significantly lower, it may indicate that the university has a high dropout rate. Examine the student population because the UAE is multi-cultural. Some students may prefer to attend a university with a similar ethnic makeup, whereas others may prefer a more multicultural environment.

9. Examine university websites. Is there current information on fees, extra costs, entry requirements, course/module content, credit transfer, and so on? A comprehensive and informative website strongly suggests an efficient and 'transparent' application system, which should make the application and enrollment process easier for you.

10. Time to respond to inquiries. Use the pop-up window on the website to ask questions. If no pop-up window appears, send an email to the university's general email address and wait for a response. A prompt response indicates efficient staff and systems, which will aid in making your application and period of study as stress-free as possible.

11. Alumni organisation Check to see if the university has an active alumni association. Discover how and in what capacity alumni members contribute to the university. Alumni who are active and involved suggest a university that cares about its 'community,' and vice versa.

12. Internships and work experience are also acceptable Companies nowadays place a high value on internships and work experience. Check to see if your university offers internships during your studies. Which companies is the university working with on this? Are there any job opportunities on campus? Is there a career and guidance counsellor at the university?

13. Scholarships Investigate whether the university provides scholarships. Sometimes websites claim to offer scholarships, but they may only be for 20% off tuition. Investigate the various types of scholarships, the application process, the required documents, and references. Be wary of institutions that require you to enrol and pay upfront before applying for a scholarship. If you are denied a scholarship, you will be forced to pay out of your own pocket. In terms of scholarships, larger/well-known institutions are safer bets.

14. Same/different branch campuses There are several institutions here that are branch campuses of well-known universities from the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. Do not assume that a branch campus has the same standards as its parent institution. Even if they claim to offer the same courses and teaching and learning standards, you should still visit branch campuses. Some branch campuses have lower entry requirements than their parent universities; locally hired faculty with no prior experience at the parent institution; different grading systems; very different completion requirements; and limited access to parent university resources/databases.

15. Fundamental/general studies Many institutions in the Philippines have adopted the American model of Foundation/General studies. Even if you have excellent grades in Mathematics and English, you may be forced to take a Foundation course because it is required of all students. You could waste up to two semesters studying subjects that are unimportant to you. Some universities 'persuade' students to drop out of high school after grade 11 and enrol in a Foundation year. Be aware that if you do this, you may face consequences later on if you want to pursue a postgraduate degree in the west. You may be required to demonstrate that you have completed 12 years of schooling.

16. Academic assistance/writing centre This is something that many new undergraduate students and parents overlook. Investigate the level of assistance provided by the university to new students. Are there workshops on academic skills, library usage, time management, and so on? Is the university home to a writing centre? Who is in charge? A writing centre with peer tutoring usually indicates that the institution has a history of assisting students throughout their academic careers. Examine the layout, location, and arrangement of the Writing Centre.

17. Policy collaboration Is the student handbook and specific policies on academic honesty, for example, readily available on the university website, in addition to admission requirements and course information? Transparent policies strongly suggest that student management systems are efficient. For example, finding out if the university has a minimum attendance policy, changing courses, or requesting assignment extensions may be beneficial. Although student policies may appear insignificant, they are effective in protecting the rights of individual students.

18. Social media – activities on Facebook and Twitter, university events Examine any university's Facebook or Twitter page. It is critical to determine whether the institution is keeping up with current social media trends. An institution with a Facebook page that only contains graduation photos from two years ago suggests that it is understaffed or has a limited marketing or public relations budget. This may not affect course quality, but for some students, it is important to attend a well-known university rather than one they have never heard of. Furthermore, it will be interesting to see if there is a 'conversation' between students and staff and what the topic of this conversation is!

19. Management This may appear trivial, but it is critical to know who the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Registrar/Bursar, and Deans are because this information reflects the institution's leadership quality. High staff turnover at the management level could indicate serious leadership issues, which could impact the general learning environment and, as a result, students. Because most people in the UAE are on contracts, you must ensure that you are not in an institution where lecturers/professors leave mid-semester to join another institution or return to their home countries.

20. The rate of employment Most universities in the UAE are proud of their graduates' employment rates and use that data to market programmes on their respective websites. Check to see which courses/programs' graduates are employed, with which companies, and at what levels. Sometimes universities simply provide statistical information, such as an employment rate of 80%, but if no other information is available, proceed with caution. This percentage may include graduates who were already employed when they enrolled in university because they could have been working and studying!

21. Technology/online education Again, many students only bother to find out after they've enrolled. It is critical to determine which learning management system the university employs and in what capacity. Are there any online courses? Is it possible to submit and grade assignments online? Is the university equipped with an online learning support unit? Without a proper support unit, no staff will be readily available to assist you if you encounter problems with the learning management system, which may have an impact on your grades. Ref: https://justpaste.it/3nelx

22. Contact Us Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities Address: Al Muroor Street, Signal 23, Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates. Phone: 024999000Email: info@mbzuh.ac.ae Website: https://www.mbzuh.ac.ae/