Located in Abu Dhabi, Khalifa University is an immensely wealthy institution modeled heavily on MIT and focused entirely on the strategic technological goals of the UAE government. It frequently tops university rankings in the Arab world and offers financial packages designed to aggressively poach elite STEM students from Europe and Asia.
Quick Overview
Full Requirements & Details
Academic Requirements
- Min. CGPA
- 3.3
- Offer Degrees
- Masters, PhD
- Subjects
- Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine, Physics
- Seats Available
- Hundreds annually
- Study Gap Allowed
- No Restrictions (Gap Allowed)
- Research Publication
- Optional
- Work Experience
- No
- Age Range
- No Age Limit
Language Requirements
- IELTS
- Min. 6.5
- TOEFL
- Optional
- GRE
- Not Required
- Local Language
- Arabic
- Local Lang Test
- No
- Study Languages
- English
Financial Details
- Type
- Full
- Fund Details
- See Description
- Monthly Stipend
- AED 8000/mo
- Tuition
- Full
- Living Costs
- Full
- Travel & Health
- Yes / Yes
- Application Fee
- Free (No Application Fee)
- Spouse Allowed
- No
What Matters Most
Required Documents
Why You Should Apply
The Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant (GRTA) Scholarships are phenomenal. You receive full payment of all tuition fees, medical insurance, support to attend international research conferences, and a monthly stipend that can reach up to 8,000 AED for master's students and even higher for PhDs. Because there is no income tax in the UAE, you keep every dirham.
Application Process
You apply for admission to your specific graduate program, and if your academic record meets the threshold, you are automatically assessed for the GRTA scholarship. The process requires a very strong research proposal, high quantitative GRE scores, and excellent English proficiency.
How to Win This Scholarship
The university exists to solve specific engineering problems for the UAE: nuclear energy, robotics, desalination, aerospace, and oil/gas efficiency. If your research proposal targets a niche, theoretical physics concept with no immediate application, you will be rejected. You must write an intensely practical proposal that aligns with Abu Dhabi's 'Economic Vision 2030.' Contacting faculty members beforehand to secure their backing is essentially mandatory for PhD applicants.
Benefits After Completing Study
The connections to major state-owned enterprises (like ADNOC and EDGE Group) are deeply embedded into the university's structure.
The GRTA is not a free ride; it is a job. You must work 15 to 20 hours a week as a teaching or research assistant to earn your stipend. You must also maintain a flawless GPA.
Official Source
For complete details and to verify all requirements, please refer to the scholarship provider's official website.
Visit Official Source