Undergraduate Admission
General University Admission Requirements
1. General Eligibility
a) Prospective students are welcome to apply for admission for CUD undergraduate programs if they
- Are holders of UAE secondary education certificate with passing grade in all subjects
- Fulfil specific requirements to the programs which are given below
b) Holders of a Non-UAE High School Certificate will be processed in accordance with Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, UAE as follows:
- The High School certificate is valid for admission to a public university of the country in which it was issued.
- The High School certificate is obtained on completion of at least 12 years of schooling.
- British System: Completion of Year 13 / Grade 12 of schooling
- Equivalency Certificate is Issued by Ministry of Education in the UAE.
- The High School Certificate is the highest level certificate if it is issued from a country that has two levels of High School Certificates.
Note: The applicant is also required to fulfil program specific requirements to the program which are given below in details
2. English Language Proficiency Requirements
Applicants are exempt from the English proficiency test if they meet any of the following criteria:
a) Applicants from UAE Ministry of Education Curricula ( Advanced Track ):
- A minimum score of 80% in the English subject during high school.
b) Applicants from Non-UAE Ministry of Education Curricula taught in English:
- Provide official proof that English was the medium of instruction
c) Applicants Following Non-UAE Ministry of Education and Non-English Curricula:
- Successfully complete an English remedial program determined by the university, or
- Provide a valid English Language Proficiency Certificate with a minimum score of IELTS Academic (Band 5.0), TOEFL iBT (61), TOEFL ITP (500) or one of the standardized English language tests that is internationally recognized and approved by the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research, UAE.
| IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | TOEFL ITP |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0 | 61 | 500 |
Note: Students applying for the Bachelor of Arts in Creative Industries are required to provide a valid English Language proficiency Certificate with a minimum score of IELTS Academic (Band 5.5), TOEFL iBT (71), TOEFL ITP (530) or one of the standardized English language tests that is internationally recognized and approved by the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research, UAE.
| IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | TOEFL ITP |
|---|---|---|
| 5.5 | 71 | 530 |
Transferred students are required to present valid certification (TOEFL, IELTS or other valid English Language proficiency Certificate approved by the CAA) demonstrating the required language competency scores for full admission.
Note: IELTS Indicator, IELTS online, IELTS UKVI or TOEFL Home Edition are not acceptable for admission.
English Language Placement Test
Admitted students, that do not fulfil the above English Language Proficiency requirement, are required to register in one of the three levels of the English For Academic Program (EAP) during their first semester depending on their IELTS score or their performance in the English Language Placement test.
Math Placement Test
All admitted students are required to take Math Placement test. Students are exempted from the Math Placement test if:
- They are admitted in BA in Communication, BA in Psychology, or BA in Creative Industries
- They are holders of UAE High School Certificate with a minimum Math score of 70%, holders of SAT Math test with a minimum score of 450.
Note: Students who do not pass the Math Placement may be granted a conditional admission for one semester, during which they must register in the remedial Math Course. They will not be allowed to register in any Math or Statistics course until they successful complete the remedial Math course.
3. Program Specific Admission Requirements
Applicants seeking admission to the Engineering program must meet the following subject-specific requirements:
| High School System | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|
UAE SystemCertificate of completion of MOE-UAE high school |
Mathematics Requirement • Minimum of 80% Physics Requirement • Minimum of 80 % Science (Biology or Chemistry) Requirement • Minimum of 80 % |
American SystemFulfilment of high school equivalency requirement of the Ministry of Education in the UAE: • Must have successfully completed Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. • Must provide high school diploma. |
Mathematics Requirement • Minimum of 80% Physics Requirement • Minimum of 80 % Science (Biology or Chemistry) Requirement • Minimum of 80 % |
British System (IGCSE, GCSE, GCE)Fulfilment of high school equivalency requirement of the Ministry of Education in the UAE: • Completion of Year 13 / Grade 12 of schooling • Minimum of 7 subjects with: o Minimum score of 4 or C grade in five O-Level subjects, o Minimum score of 3 or D grade in 2 AS or 1 A Level Subjects Islamic education and Arabic language subjects are not counted among the required subjects. |
Mathematics Requirement • C grade in O Level, • C grade in AS Level; or • D grade in A Level Physics Requirement • C grade in O Level, • C grade in AS Level; or • D grade in A Level Science (Biology or Chemistry) Requirement • C grade in O Level; or • D grade in AS/A Level |
International Baccalaureate (IB)Fulfillment of high school equivalency requirement of the Ministry of Education in the UAE: • A minimum score of 24 points. • Must be holder of IB Diploma with 6 subjects (excluding Islamic Education) Applicants who were not awarded the IB Diploma but received the IB certificate can apply and will be assessed based on the provided high school credentials |
Mathematics Requirement • Minimum of 4 Physics Requirement • Minimum of 4 Science (Biology or Chemistry) Requirement • Minimum of 4 |
Indian / Pakistani Board CertificatesFulfilment of high school equivalency requirement of the Ministry of Education in the UAE: • Higher/Senior Secondary Board Certificate. • Submission of school transcript of grades 10 and 12 |
Mathematics Requirement • Minimum of 70% Physics Requirement • Minimum of 70 % Science (Biology or Chemistry) Requirement • Minimum of 70 % |
French SystemFulfilment of high school equivalency requirement of the Ministry of Education in the UAE: • Submission of French Bac and Diploma • Must provide grade 10,11, and 12 |
Mathematics Requirement • Minimum of 12 Physics Requirement • Minimum of 12 Science (Biology or Chemistry) Requirement • Minimum of 12 |
Ethiopian SystemFulfillment of high school equivalency requirement of the Ministry of Education in the UAE: • Successful completion of the Ethiopian University Entrance Examination Certificate • Must provide grade 10,11, and 12 |
Mathematics Requirement • Minimum of 80% Physics Requirement • Minimum of 80 % Science (Biology or Chemistry) Requirement • Minimum of 80 % |
Iranian SystemFulfillment of high school equivalency requirement of the Ministry of Education in the UAE: • Must have successfully completed Grades 10, 11, and 12. • Must provide high school diploma |
Mathematics Requirement • Minimum of 15 Physics Requirement • Minimum of 15 Science (Biology or Chemistry) Requirement • Minimum of 15 |
Nigerian System (NECO/WAEC)Fulfillment of high school equivalency requirement of the Ministry of Education in the UAE: • Must provide West African Examination Council (WAEC) results or • National Examinations Council (NECO) results • Must provide grade 10,11, and 12 |
Mathematics Requirement • Minimum of B3 Physics Requirement • Minimum of B3 Science (Biology or Chemistry) Requirement • Minimum of B3 |
Russian SystemFulfillment of high school equivalency requirement of the Ministry of Education in the UAE: • Must provide a Basic Secondary School ( Grade 9 ) • Must provide Grade 10 • Must provide General Secondary School ( Grade 11 ) |
Mathematics Requirement • Minimum of 4 Physics Requirement • Minimum of 4 Science (Biology or Chemistry) Requirement • Minimum of 4 |
Note: Prospective students who are holder of another High School Certificate are invited to contact the admissions department for the requirements of equivalency of their certificate to UAE High School certificate.
Applicants who do not meet the subject-specific score requirements must successfully complete non-credit remedial course/s before enrolling in the engineering program. Remedial courses do not count toward credit hours and are not part of the program's required credits.
Conditional Admission
An applicant who does not meet all the University Admission requirements may be granted conditional admission. The possible circumstances under which such conditional admission may be granted include:
- Students who do not meet the English language proficiency requirement: These students must enroll in the EAP program in order to improve their English Language Proficiency and achieve the required TOEFL/IELTS score. Conditionally admitted students due to non-fulfillment of the English Language Proficiency requirement can register only in a limited number of GED courses, along with one of the three levels of the EAP program, tailored to their proficiency level. The maximum number of Credit hours that can be completed before fulfilment of English Language Proficiency requirement is limited to 12 credit hours.
- Students who do not pass the Math Placement Test: These students must successfully complete the remedial math course before being allowed to register in any math course.
- Students who have been unable to provide attested certificates and equivalency certificate: These students must provide the theses documents before the end of their first semester.
- Students who do not fulfil the program specific requirement of their High School Certificate may be granted a conditional admission by enrolling in the course(s) under the Undergraduate Remedial Program and pass the course(s) for the subject(s) in Higher Secondary School education with less than 80% or equivalent score.
An Undertaking must be signed by all conditionally admitted students.
If a student does not fulfill the specific conditional admission requirement, she/he may be subject to dismissal from the program or from the University.
4. Admission Requirements and Procedures
Prospective students can apply to any of our programs online at Apply online. Students are more than welcome to visit our campus for a personal tour, and one of our officers would be pleased to address any questions with their online application. Alternatively, inquiries can be sent to apply@cud.ac.ae.However, prospective students are obliged to abide by the endorsed health and safety measures as per the directives of the Ministry of Education, and Dubai Health Authority to access the Campus.
Once a student has submitted their completed application, they are assigned an Applicant ID by the Admissions Department. (This Applicant ID # should not be confused with the Student ID #, which is given only after a student has accepted an offer of admission).
4.1 Steps and Required Documents
Required Documents
- Complete an application online at Apply online
- Certified copy of Secondary School Certificate or its equivalent.
- Copy of student passport (valid).
- Copy of residence visa for non-local students (valid).
- Copy of Emirates ID
- Copy of UAE National Family Registry for local students.
- A valid English Language Proficiency Certificate (TOEFL, IELTS)
- Proof of successful completion or a letter of exemption of military service from the National & Reserve Service Authority (UAE nationals male only)
- Recent passport-size colored photograph.
- Applications from holders of High School Certificates are processed after payment of the non-refundable fee of 525 AED.
Additional Requirements for Students holding Foregin Certificates
- Document proving that the student completed 12 years of school.
- Certified copy of grades 10,11, 12 certificates and Graduation certificate ( Diploma ).
- Equivalency Certificate from the Ministry of Education in the UAE.
- British System: Completion of Year 13 / Grade 12 of schooling
Additional Requirements for Visiting Students
- Approval letter from student's home university with a list of courses allowed to be taken at CUD.
4.2 Attestation of Documents and Certificates
Students who have graduated from High Schools in the UAE
UAE High School certificates are attested by the Ministry of Education in the UAE. In addition to obtaining an Equivalency Certificate from the Ministry of Education in the UAE.
Students who have graduated from High Schools outside the UAE
- High School certificates must be attested by the Ministry of Education in the country where the issuing High School is based.
- Certificates and transcripts must be attested by the UAE embassy or consulate in that same country.
- If the student is not able to have the attestation completed by the UAE embassy or consulate in that same country, they may also be able to obtain the same attestation or equalization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Consulate of the particular country they studied in.
- Students must obtain Equivalency Certificate from the Ministry of Education in the UAE.
5. Deadlines for Admission
Applications for admissions are accepted year-round. Entry can be in the Fall, Spring or Summer. However, course registration must be completed before the end of the registration week as shown on the academic calendar which is available at https://www.cud.ac.ae/academic-calendar#undergraduate
5.1 Letter of Admission
Upon successful completion of the admission process, the student will receive either a conditional acceptance or fully admitted letter issued by the Admissions Department. If the student is rejected, he or she will also receive a letter notifying the rejection of his/her application.
The admission letter is valid only for the semester which is shown in the Admission letter.
6. Admission Appeals
Should a student’s Application for Admission be rejected, he/she may appeal the decision as follows:
- Inform the Admissions Office of his/her dissatisfaction and request a review, in writing, within thirty (30) days of having received the written reason for the rejection.
- The Admissions Office will acknowledge receipt of the applicant’s request and forward it to the Admissions Review Panel which is composed of the Program Leader and two faculties, one from the relevant Department and one from a different Department.
- The applicant may make a presentation to the Panel but may not be represented by a third party at the Panel.
- The Panel will submit their decision to the Registrar for his/her approval.
- The Admissions Office will inform the applicant of the decision in writing.
The decision of the Registrar is final and binding. Should the decision be in favour of the applicant, the applicant will be admitted to his/her chosen program, or an alternative should no place be available in his/her chosen program. Under no circumstance will a student already admitted to the University be disadvantaged by the findings of the Review Panel.
7. Student Visa
International and non-national students are eligible for a UAE Student Residence Visa sponsored by Canadian University Dubai. These visas are only issued to full-time students (students enrolled in 4 courses or more per semester) who have been accepted to the University and have paid the required deposits and fees.
Student visas are valid for a period of 12 months and renewable per the duration of the student’s program of study. Visas must be renewed or cancelled within an acceptable period before expiry while in the UAE. Failure to renew or cancel your visa accordingly may result in an absconding status with UAE Immigration and forfeiting of your visa deposit.
Students with abscondment status will be dismissed from the university and returned to their home country.
Transfer of visas from other institutions is a lengthy process. Students should cancel their visa at their previous academic institution and Canadian University Dubai will apply for a new visa.
Once all the documents are available it takes a minimum of 3 working days to process the visa. Completion of medical and stamping of the visa on the passport takes a minimum of 10 additional working days.
The documents required are:
- Color passport photocopy
- 4 color passport photographs (Submitted with Application for Admission)
- Letter of Acceptance from the University with course details and duration.
*Note that the University cannot guarantee that you will be granted a student visa.
Falsified Admission Documents
Students found to have submitted falsified documents will be dismissed from the university with no refunds and reported to the appropriate authorities.