What the funding covers
- Free tuition on the M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes.
- A monthly stipend for international students: AED 15,500 for the M.Sc., AED 17,500 for the Ph.D.
- One return flight home each year.
- Health insurance for the approved funding period, and a university-sponsored UAE residence visa and Emirates ID where eligible.
What you will still pay
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Tuition on the M.Sc. and Ph.D. | MBZUAI |
| Monthly stipend | MBZUAI: AED 15,500 or 17,500 |
| One return flight a year, health insurance | MBZUAI |
| Application fee | You: AED 200 |
Who can apply
- MBZUAI accepts students of all nationalities.
- A degree in a STEM field such as computer science, electrical or computer engineering, mathematics or physics, from an accredited institution.
- A CGPA of at least 3.0 or 3.5 out of 4.0, depending on the programme.
- Final-year students can apply with a transcript and show the full degree after admission.
Which nationalities can apply
Every nationality can apply.
Documents you will need
- Your transcripts and degree documents.
- A CV.
- A statement of purpose.
- A research statement.
- Referee recommendations.
- A screening exam result.
How to apply
- Choose one programme: only one application per admission cycle is processed.
- Apply through the MBZUAI portal, which opened on 7 September 2026, or 30 September for Computational Biology.
- Take the screening exam, then pay the AED 200 application fee.
- Submit by 5 p.m. Gulf time on 15 December 2026, or 22 January 2027 for Computational Biology. Shortlisted applicants have a technical interview. Decisions come by 31 March 2027, and you reply by 15 April.
Before you apply: things to know
- The Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence is fee-based, at AED 170,000 in total, and carries no funding. Its deadline is 28 February 2027.
- A Ph.D. is centrally funded in year 1. Funding then moves to your faculty advisor, so it depends on a confirmed advisor match by the end of that year and on satisfactory progress.
- You are expected to stay in person on campus during the funded period and get approval before being away.
- An outside scholarship normally replaces the MBZUAI stipend rather than adding to it, and you must disclose it.
Common questions
Can international students study at MBZUAI for free?
Yes, on the M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes, which MBZUAI describes as fully funded, with free tuition and a monthly stipend. The Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence charges fees.
When is the MBZUAI deadline for fall 2027?
15 December 2026 at 5 p.m. Gulf time for most graduate programmes, and 22 January 2027 for Computational Biology.
How much is the MBZUAI stipend?
For international students, AED 15,500 a month on the M.Sc. and AED 17,500 a month on the Ph.D.
A working timeline
Counting back from the next deadline (Dec 15, 2026). Steps marked NOW are already due if you start today.
Sep 22, 2026 · NOWResearch the route in depth: confirm eligibility, costs and every required document
Oct 6, 2026 · NOWAsk your referees (for a PhD, email potential supervisors with a short, specific pitch)
Oct 20, 2026 · NOWWrite the first full draft of your motivation letter or statement of purpose
Nov 3, 2026 · NOWOrder transcripts and certified translations · book any language test
Nov 17, 2026Second draft: get feedback from someone who reads critically
Dec 1, 2026Finalise every document and complete the online form
Dec 8, 2026Submit, but never on the last day
Dec 15, 2026Deadline