General requirements
Candidates for MBZUAI's undergraduate program must have successfully completed, or be in the final year of completing, a recognized secondary/high school qualification with a minimum overall average of 90% or equivalent, depending on the curriculum and competitiveness of the admissions cycle.
Official high school transcripts and graduation certificates are required as part of the application process. Students in their final year of high school may apply using predicted or interim transcripts alongside all previous high school report cards but must submit final official documents prior to enrollment.
Students educated outside the UAE, as well as graduates of private schools in the UAE following foreign curricula, may be required to obtain a UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) Equivalency/Recognition Certificate in accordance with applicable UAE higher education regulations.
Competitive admission profile
In addition to meeting the general academic eligibility criteria, applicants are expected to demonstrate strong potential across several key areas considered during the holistic admissions review process.
Mathematical fluency
Students should demonstrate this fluency through strong performance in mathematics and science courses, with mathematics taken as a subject during the final years of secondary education, preferably at the most advanced level offered by their school. Optionally, applicants may further demonstrate this fluency through strong performance on quantitative standardized tests such as SAT Math.
Effective communication skills
Strong communication skills can be showcased through high school excellence in subjects such as English, as well as involvement in debating or theater, both in class and through extracurricular activities. Students may also submit a brief video outlining their interest in MBZUAI's program, their goals, and how they plan to apply their knowledge.
Leadership and/or entrepreneurial aptitude
Leadership skills and entrepreneurial spirit are critical to thrive in our program. Students can demonstrate this through leadership roles in school activities, volunteering initiatives, or involvement in businesses or enterprises.
Computer programming familiarity
Previous coding experience is not required to enter the program. If coding competency can be demonstrated through GitHub or other open-source engagement, it will give the student a competitive advantage for admission and potentially exempt you from elementary programming courses.
English proficiency
All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English through one of the following accepted exams with the specified required minimum overall score:
Exams must be administered at an approved physical test center. Home Edition exams are not accepted. Duolingo English Test results are only accepted when IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Cambridge access is limited. Evidence of limited access to other tests may be requested.
A valid* proof of ELP must be submitted at the time of application. Applications without ELP documentation will remain incomplete and will not progress to the next steps.
Applicants may be exempted** from submitting an English-language proficiency test result if they have completed the final three consecutive years of secondary education in a curriculum taught and assessed entirely in English at a recognized school located in a country where English is both the national language and the dominant language of instruction.
Eligible countries include:
American Samoa, Australia, Botswana, Canada (excluding Quebec), Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, the United States, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
*English language proficiency test results are valid for 2 years from the test date at the time of application.
** The university reserves the right to request for supporting documentation or require proof of English language proficiency where there are concerns about and applicants’ ability to meet the required level of English, regardless of the waiver eligibility.
