10.6.1 Canadian University Dubai — Non-Discriminatory Admissions Policy and Equitable Access to Higher Education
Institutional Commitment
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) is committed to providing fair, inclusive and non-discriminatory access to higher education for qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds.
The University recognises that equitable access to education requires transparent admissions procedures, respect for individual differences and appropriate support for applicants who may experience socioeconomic, physical or other barriers.
CUD's commitment to non-discriminatory admissions is formally established through its Non-Discrimination Policy (GM-PO-1N), approved by the Board of Trustees on 10 May 2024.
The policy expressly establishes that admissions, employment, educational programmes and extracurricular activities are to be administered without discrimination.
This commitment is supported by the University's admissions requirements, Scholarship Policy and arrangements for supporting Students of Determination.
Together, these institutional measures promote equal opportunities for qualified applicants while recognising that some students may require additional financial or accessibility-related support to participate fully in higher education.
1. Approved Non-Discrimination Policy
CUD maintains a formally approved institutional Non-Discrimination Policy that applies across the university community and explicitly addresses admission to the University.
Policy Information
| Policy Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Policy Title | Non-Discrimination Policy |
| Policy Number | GM-PO-1N |
| Date Created | 8 December 2023 |
| Approval Date | 10 May 2024 |
| Version | V1.0 |
| Approved By | Board of Trustees |
| Responsible Authority | President |
| Scope | All CUD community members, with equal-opportunity commitments covering students, faculty, staff and stakeholders |
| Admissions Coverage | Admissions expressly included within the policy's equal-opportunity provisions |
Purpose and Principles
The Non-Discrimination Policy is designed to uphold the principles of equality, diversity, inclusion, fairness and respect within the University.
It supports an environment in which individuals are treated with dignity and can participate in academic and campus life without discrimination or harassment.
The policy expressly establishes CUD's commitment to equal opportunities for students, faculty, staff and stakeholders.
Admissions are included among the institutional activities required to be administered without discrimination.
This provides the formal policy basis for CUD's commitment to equitable admission to undergraduate and graduate education.
2. Protection Against Discrimination in Admissions
CUD's Non-Discrimination Policy recognises diversity across a wide range of personal and social characteristics.
These include:
- Age.
- Gender.
- Race and ethnicity.
- National origin.
- Religion.
- Disability and status as People of Determination.
- Socioeconomic status.
- Marital status.
- Pregnancy and maternity status.
- Cultural background.
The University seeks to provide an admissions environment in which applicants are treated fairly and respectfully, without unjustified discrimination.
Protected Characteristics and Admissions Principles
| Characteristic | Institutional Commitment |
|---|---|
| Race and ethnicity | The approved policy expressly recognises race and ethnicity, and CUD's admissions commitment prohibits discriminatory treatment on these grounds. |
| Gender | Gender is expressly recognised within the Non-Discrimination Policy's equal-opportunity framework. |
| Religion | The policy expressly recognises religion and supports equitable participation irrespective of religious background. |
| National origin | The policy recognises national origin and promotes opportunities for applicants from diverse international backgrounds. |
| Disability | CUD commits to reasonable accommodation and support for People of Determination, including access to education and university services. |
| Age | Age is expressly recognised in the policy. Applicants remain subject to legitimate programme and qualification requirements. |
| Socioeconomic status | The policy recognises socioeconomic diversity; the University's financial assistance arrangements aim to reduce financial barriers for eligible students. |
| Marital status, pregnancy and maternity | These characteristics are expressly recognised in the University's non-discrimination commitments. |
| Cultural background | The policy promotes respect for cultural diversity and the dignity of individuals from different backgrounds. |
The University's wider equal-opportunity framework also reflects a commitment to treating individuals fairly and respecting diversity.
Admissions decisions remain subject to published academic requirements, programme eligibility criteria and applicable UAE higher education regulations.
3. Transparent Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions
CUD publishes admission requirements to provide prospective students with information about academic eligibility and entry conditions.
The University's admissions procedures distinguish between undergraduate and graduate study, with requirements determined by the relevant programme and applicable regulatory standards.
Undergraduate Admissions
Undergraduate applicants are assessed against relevant admission requirements, which may include:
- Completion of an accepted secondary school qualification.
- Academic performance meeting the applicable programme requirements.
- Recognition or equivalency of previous qualifications where required.
- Demonstration of appropriate English-language proficiency.
- Relevant mathematics or other subject requirements.
- Additional programme-specific criteria where applicable.
These criteria provide a formal basis for determining academic eligibility.
Graduate Admissions
Graduate applicants are assessed according to the admission requirements of the relevant postgraduate programme.
These may include:
- An appropriately recognised undergraduate qualification.
- Applicable academic performance requirements.
- Required language proficiency.
- Relevant programme-specific documentation or other admission conditions.
The University's published requirements provide guidance to applicants concerning eligibility for postgraduate study.
Conditional Admission and Academic Support
CUD's admissions framework also provides for conditional admission in specified circumstances.
Depending on the applicable regulations and programme requirements, conditional admission may be available where applicants must complete outstanding academic, language or documentation conditions.
These arrangements provide structured pathways for eligible applicants who have not yet fulfilled all requirements for full admission.
Conditional admission remains subject to the University's published conditions and applicable regulatory requirements.
4. Equitable Access Through Targeted Student Support
CUD recognises that formal non-discrimination is an important foundation for equitable admissions, but some applicants may face additional barriers due to financial disadvantage or disability.
The University therefore maintains targeted scholarship and support arrangements to promote educational participation among eligible students.
These measures are supported by the University's approved Scholarship Policy and related student-support provisions.
Rationale for Targeted Measures
Targeted student assistance is intended to address barriers that may otherwise limit educational access.
For example, an academically eligible applicant experiencing financial hardship may require tuition support, while an applicant with a disability may require appropriate accommodations or specialised assistance.
Such measures seek to improve substantive equality of opportunity while preserving legitimate academic admission requirements.
5. Financial Hardship Scholarship
CUD's Scholarship Policy establishes a Financial Hardship Scholarship for eligible students experiencing financial difficulty.
The programme reflects the University's recognition that financial circumstances can present barriers to participation in higher education.
Purpose
The Financial Hardship Scholarship aims to reduce tuition-related barriers for eligible students who demonstrate financial need.
Applications are considered in accordance with the University's scholarship requirements and the relevant financial assessment process.
Eligibility and Assessment
Supporting documents may include:
- Family or household income documentation.
- Bank statements.
- Rental agreements.
- Other relevant evidence of financial hardship.
The University's established scholarship provisions allow applications to be assessed according to individual circumstances.
Access and Inclusion
The Scholarship Policy establishes that scholarship opportunities are open to eligible students of any citizenship who satisfy the applicable admission requirements.
This supports international educational access and allows financially disadvantaged applicants from different nationalities to seek assistance.
Financial hardship awards are subject to eligibility, available scholarship funding and the Scholarship Committee's decisions.
6. Students of Determination Scholarship and Accessibility Support
CUD maintains a Students of Determination Scholarship to support eligible applicants and students with disabilities.
The scholarship reflects the University's commitment to promoting an inclusive educational environment and reducing barriers associated with disability.
Purpose
The scholarship is intended to support the participation and educational development of students who experience disabilities or other documented challenges.
Eligibility is considered through the University's applicable scholarship procedures.
Individual Assessment
Applicants may be required to provide relevant documentation identifying their circumstances and support needs.
The University considers scholarship eligibility and appropriate assistance on an individual basis.
Reasonable Accommodation
CUD's Non-Discrimination Policy expressly commits the University to providing reasonable accommodations to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to education, employment and university services.
The University also maintains a dedicated policy framework for supporting Students of Determination.
Available academic accommodations may include, according to individual needs and applicable arrangements:
- Additional examination time.
- Appropriate assistive technology.
- Specialised educational resources.
- Note-taking support.
- Adjusted assessment environments.
- Guidance and counselling support.
These arrangements aim to address educational barriers and support students' participation in university learning.
7. Scholarship Policy and Equal Access
CUD's formal Scholarship Policy provides an institutional framework for the administration of financial and other scholarship assistance.
| Policy Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Policy Title | Scholarship Policy |
| Policy Number | FR-PO-9A |
| Date Created | 29 May 2011 |
| Approved By | Board of Trustees |
| Responsible Authorities | Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Student Affairs |
| Scope | CUD students, subject to applicable scholarship provisions |
The policy recognises the importance of diversity and the need to prevent financial limitations or disability-related challenges from becoming barriers to education.
Types of Scholarship Support
The approved policy describes several scholarship categories, including:
- Academic Excellence Scholarship.
- Sports Scholarship.
- Financial Hardship Scholarship.
- Students of Determination Scholarship.
- Special Talent Scholarship.
- Study Scholarship.
Different scholarship categories serve different objectives.
Academic and talent-based awards recognise achievement, while Financial Hardship and Students of Determination Scholarships provide targeted support relevant to reducing socioeconomic and accessibility-related barriers.
Scholarship Accessibility
The Scholarship Policy establishes that scholarships are open to students of any citizenship who satisfy the relevant admission and scholarship requirements.
The policy also recognises that Financial Hardship and Students of Determination Scholarship recipients may require case-by-case consideration of academic course-load conditions.
These provisions demonstrate CUD's intention to accommodate differing circumstances rather than applying every scholarship condition identically regardless of need.
8. Non-Discrimination and Admissions Accessibility
CUD's admissions and student-support arrangements provide mechanisms for promoting equitable participation.
Public Admissions Information
The University publishes information concerning admissions requirements, programme eligibility and application procedures.
This enables prospective students to review the conditions for entry into their chosen degree programmes.
Recognition of International Qualifications
CUD's admissions framework provides procedures for recognising qualifications obtained outside the UAE, subject to the applicable regulatory and equivalency requirements.
These procedures support applications from students with different educational backgrounds.
Disability-Related Support
CUD's Non-Discrimination Policy and Students of Determination support provisions establish a framework for considering reasonable accommodation and relevant educational support.
Financial Assistance
The Financial Hardship Scholarship provides an institutional pathway for eligible applicants and students experiencing documented economic difficulty.
These measures complement the University's general non-discrimination commitment.
9. Institutional Responsibilities
CUD's admissions equity framework is supported by different institutional offices and committees.
| Responsible Office or Body | Relevant Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Board of Trustees | Approval of institutional policies |
| President | Responsible authority under the Non-Discrimination Policy |
| Office of Admissions | Administration of admissions information and application procedures |
| Registrar | Administration of relevant academic and registration requirements |
| Scholarship Committee | Review and determination of scholarship applications |
| Office of Student Affairs | Student welfare and relevant support arrangements |
| Student Counselling and Accessibility Support | Consideration of individual needs and appropriate accommodations |
The formal Non-Discrimination Policy establishes an institutional commitment to equal opportunities, while the operational responsibilities of admissions and student-support offices support its practical application.
10. Reporting Concerns About Discrimination
CUD's Non-Discrimination Policy establishes procedures for individuals who believe they have experienced discrimination or harassment.
The policy encourages concerns to be reported promptly to the Director of Human Resources.
The University commits to investigating reported concerns and taking appropriate action where policy violations are identified.
This reporting mechanism forms part of the University's wider institutional accountability framework.
The Student Grievance Policy separately provides procedures for enrolled students to raise relevant academic and administrative concerns.
These procedures supplement the University's commitment to fair treatment but are distinct from the admissions policy itself.
11. Institutional Policy History
CUD's non-discriminatory admissions commitments are supported by formally documented policy records.
| Policy | Relevant Provision | Documented Date |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Discrimination Policy (GM-PO-1N) | Explicit non-discrimination commitment covering admissions | Created 8 December 2023; approved 10 May 2024 |
| Scholarship Policy (FR-PO-9A) | Targeted financial hardship and disability-related scholarships | Created 29 May 2011 |
| Policy for Supporting Students of Determination | Disability-related educational support and reasonable accommodations | Established institutional support framework |
| Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions Requirements | Published academic entry criteria and admission procedures | Applicable programme-specific requirements |
The Board-approved Non-Discrimination Policy was established before the 2025 reporting year.
Its approval date falls within the 2022–2026 period relevant to THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2027.
12. Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities
CUD's Non-Discrimination Policy and targeted scholarship arrangements contribute to reducing inequalities in access to higher education.
These measures align with SDG Target 10.3, which calls for equal opportunity and the reduction of discriminatory policies and practices.
SDG 4 — Quality Education
Transparent admissions procedures, need-based financial assistance and accessibility provisions support equitable opportunities to participate in quality tertiary education.
SDG 5 — Gender Equality
The explicit recognition of gender within the University's non-discrimination framework supports equal opportunities for applicants from different gender backgrounds.
SDG 16 — Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Formally approved policies, transparent academic requirements and documented institutional responsibilities contribute to fairness and accountability.
Institutional Commitment
Canadian University Dubai is committed to providing equitable access to undergraduate and graduate education through non-discriminatory admissions practices.
Its Non-Discrimination Policy (GM-PO-1N), approved by the Board of Trustees on 10 May 2024, expressly establishes that admissions are to be administered without discrimination.
The University's published academic admission requirements provide a structured framework for evaluating applicants, while its Financial Hardship and Students of Determination Scholarships recognise and address barriers affecting eligible students.
Together, these arrangements demonstrate CUD's commitment to fair admissions, respect for diversity and targeted support for applicants who may otherwise experience barriers to higher education.
Primary Policy: Non-Discrimination Policy (GM-PO-1N)
Supporting Policy: Scholarship Policy (FR-PO-9A)
Approving Authority: Board of Trustees
Responsible Offices: Office of Admissions, Office of Student Affairs and relevant institutional authorities