Ajman University: Complete Guide to Courses, Fees, Rankings and Scholarships for Indian Students (2026-27)

Updated on 13th Jul 2026 | 9 min read

Ravi Jaiswal By Ravi Jaiswal
Cover Image
Cover Image

Ajman University: Complete Guide to Courses, Fees, Rankings and Scholarships for Indian Students (2026-27)

Quick Overview

Metric Ajman University Detail
Founded 1988, the first private university in the GCC (formerly Ajman University of Science and Technology)
QS World Ranking 2027 #397 globally, #6 in the UAE, 5+ QS Stars overall
UG Fees (2026-27) AED 39,600–47,250 per year for most bachelor's programs (30-credit standard load)
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) Approximately AED 106,720 per year, based on the programme's average annual credit load of 40 credit hours
Medicine (MD) AED 127,050 per year (flat annual rate)
Scholarships Up to 100% on merit, plus need-based aid through the Thamer Fund
Application Fee AED 1,300 (undergraduate); AED 2,000 (Medicine and graduate programs), non-refundable

Ajman University is now one of the 400 universities in the world. It is still one of the affordable options in the United Arab Emirates. This is why a lot of families look for information about Ajman University. They want to know if it is a choice because it is not too expensive and it is well-known. 

Key Takeaways

  • Ajman University is now number 397 in the QS World University Rankings for 2027. It was between 801 and 1000 in 2019. It also has a 5+ QS Stars rating, which is the best rating that QS gives. 
  • Ajman University fees are based on how many credits you take, ranging from around AED 1,320 for law to AED 2,668 for a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2026-27, so the total cost you will pay depends on how many credits your programme requires. 
  • Ajman University courses and fees span nine colleges, including Engineering, Business, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Architecture, Law, Mass Communication and Humanities.
  • Merit-based Ajman University scholarship can cover up to 100 per cent of the costs for the students who score the highest, along with alumni, sports and need-based aid through the university's Thamer Fund.
  • Thumbay Hospital and its dental facilities belong to Gulf Medical University, not Ajman University, a mix-up worth clearing before you shortlist a college.
  • Horizon University College (formerly Skyline University College, Sharjah) relocated its 35-year legacy campus to Ajman in 2025, giving you a second budget-friendly option to weigh in the same emirate.
  • You can look at Ajman University. Compare it to other colleges in the UAE that are also budget-friendly using Compare UAE Universities before you finalise a shortlist.

Introduction

You are probably comparing Ajman University against other UAE campuses because the fee sheets you find online rarely match what the university actually charges. That gap gets confusing fast, especially when Shiksha, Canam and various agent sites all quote different numbers for the same Ajman university fees. This guide gets all the numbers from Ajman University's fee booklet for 2026-27. We checked these numbers against published documents. This way you get numbers to make the right decision. 

Ajman University was the first private university in the UAE. It was started in 1988 and now , Ajman University is in the QS World University Rankings top 400  for the first time in history. That single data point matters more than most students realise. It means your degree now carries a global ranking signal that it did not have five years ago, while your tuition, in most colleges, remains lower than at many Dubai branch campuses. If you are still researching your options across Emirates, our guide on UAE University Rankings 2027 compares Ajman University to Khalifa University and the American University of Sharjah and other universities in the country.

This article tells you about Ajman University courses,  how much they cost per credit, who can get a scholarship, what you need to do to get in and what the campus is like. We also talk about things students often search for, such as the clinic and the career services at Ajman University. 

Planning to Study in the UAE? Let Us Guide You the Right Way.

Ajman University: Legacy, Accreditation and Global Rankings

Ajman University has a great history. 1988 as a university in the Gulf Cooperation Council. This was a big deal because Ajman University was also the first school in the United Arab Emirates to allow students from other countries to come and study there. It did not matter if the students at Ajman University were boys or girls. This made Ajman University a place where people from around the world could come and learn together. The university later shortened its name from Ajman University of Science and Technology to Ajman University, though you will still see the old name of Ajman University in outdated records and some agent websites.

Today, AU has more than 45,000 alumni in their network across 100 different countries. The university is made up of nine colleges. Every single course that the university offers is approved by the UAE's Commission for Academic Accreditation, which is part of the Ministry of Education. Some courses are also approved by big organizations from around the world, like ABET for engineering, AACSB for business and ACPE for pharmacy. In 2024, Ajman University became the first private, non-profit university in the UAE and the Arab world to earn full accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission. A commission in the United States is a credential that matters if you plan to study further in North America.

The university did well in the rankings. It got its highest position ever in the QS World University Rankings 2027. The university is now at number 397 in the world and number 6 in the country. This is a jump from where it was in 2019. Then it was somewhere between 801 and 1000. Now, Ajman University is ahead of 74 per cent of all the universities that are ranked. It also holds the 5+ QS Stars overall rating, the top distinction in the QS Stars system, with 5 stars across nine separate areas, including Teaching, Employability, Research and Facilities. In subject rankings, dentistry placed among the global top 51-150 (#1 in the UAE), while pharmacy and pharmacology placed in the 151-200 band (#2 in the UAE). You can check all these numbers for yourself on the QS World University Rankings page for Ajman University. 

Ajman University Courses: Colleges and Programs

Ajman University courses are across nine colleges. This is important to know when you compare fees because costs differ by college. 

  • College of Engineering and Information Technology: They have civil, mechanical, electrical, computer and biomedical engineering. They also offer tracks in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data analytics.
  • College of Business Administration: They have management, marketing, finance, accounting and international hospitality management. They also offer a Master of Business Administration with four specialisation tracks.
  • College of Dentistry: They offer a Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Allied Dental Sciences and Digital Dental Technology. Plus graduate specialisations in orthodontics, endodontics and prosthodontics.
  • College of Medicine: They offer a doctorate of Medicine. Plus, have a graduate entry MD route for students with a health sciences bachelor's degree.
  • College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: Include a Bachelor of Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiotherapy and Doctor of Pharmacy. 
  • College of Architecture, Art and Design: Include architecture, architectural engineering and interior design. 
  • College of Law: They offer a Bachelor of Law. They also have postgraduate diplomas in arbitration and family justice legislation.
  • College of Mass Communication: Includes Integrated Marketing Communications, Radio and Television Production and Graphic Design for Media. 
  • College of Humanities and Sciences: They offer psychology, sociology and social work, plus they have teaching diplomas.

If engineering or computing is your target, note that a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity sits within the same fee band as computer engineering, so your budgeting stays consistent whichever route you pick within that college.

Ajman University Fees 2026-27: Complete Cost Breakdown

Currency Note: All figures below reflect Ajman University's official 2026-27 fee documents, quoted in UAE dirhams, with INR shown at the current exchange rate of approximately 1 AED ≈ ₹26.

Ajman University does not charge a fixed fee every year. Instead, they charge for each credit hour. This means you have to do some calculations to find out the total cost. But do not worry; we have already done the math for you. We used 30 credit hours per year, which is what most students take in a year at most colleges. 

Program Fee per Credit Hour Estimated Annual Fees (AED) Estimated Annual Fees (INR)
BSc Computer / AI / Cybersecurity Engineering AED 1,392 AED 41,760 ₹10.86 Lakh
BSc Business (Management, Marketing, Finance, Accounting) AED 1,392 AED 41,760 ₹10.86 Lakh
BSc Civil / Mechanical Engineering AED 1,430 AED 42,900 ₹11.15 Lakh
BSc Electrical Engineering AED 1,502 AED 45,060 ₹11.72 Lakh
BSc Nursing AED 1,430 AED 42,900 ₹11.15 Lakh
Bachelor of Pharmacy AED 1,575 AED 47,250 ₹12.29 Lakh
Bachelor of Architecture AED 1,575 AED 47,250 ₹12.29 Lakh
Bachelor of Law (LLB) AED 1,200 AED 36,000 ₹9.36 Lakh
Doctor of Medicine (MD) Flat annual rate AED 127,050 ₹33.03 Lakh
Master of Business Administration (MBA, per year, 15 credits) AED 2,200 AED 33,000 ₹8.58 Lakh
The Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme is based on the cost per credit hour, which is AED 2,668. You have to take more credits every year. The whole programme is 201 credit hours spanning 5 years and includes ten semesters and four summer terms. This means you take 40 credit hours every year, which is more than the 30 credits that other programmes require. So it costs around AED 106,720 every year, about ₹27.7 lakh. You will not pay that much every semester. You will pay less in the early years and more when you start doing clinical work. For the MBA, the annual figure above covers half the 30-credit programme; the full degree totals AED 66,000 (approximately ₹17.16 lakh), excluding technology and service fees.
These figures cover tuition only, excluding books, housing, health insurance and transport, exactly as the official fee documents state. Ajman University also reserves the right to raise tuition by up to 10% per academic year, so plan your budget against the current brochure rather than a figure from a previous intake. Two application fees apply depending on your programme: AED 1,300 for undergraduate and postgraduate diploma programmes and AED 2,000 for medicine and all graduate programmes, both paid in one instalment and non-refundable except when an application is rejected. For a full picture of what your total UAE education budget should include beyond tuition, our Cost of Studying in UAE guide walks through housing, insurance and visa costs step by step.

Mandatory Non-Tuition Fees to Budget For

Beyond tuition, Ajman University charges a set of additional fees that Indians don't think of while budgeting. It is ideal to think about these fees when you are making your plan so you do not get a surprise when you get your first semester bill. 

  • Orientation Service Fee: You have to pay AED 1,250 one time when you first start at Ajman University. 
  • Laboratory Fee: You have to pay AED 700 to AED 770 for each class that has a lab. The amount you pay depends on what college you're in and what programme you are doing. 
  • Studio Fee: If you are studying architecture, art and design, you have to pay AED 1,650 each semester. If you are studying mass communication and you have a class with a radio or TV session, you have to pay AED 1,210 for that class. Ajman University fees can add up, so it is good to know about them ahead of time. 
  • Dentistry and Pharmacy Clinic and Lab Fees: A flat semester charge that varies by year and specialisation, on top of standard tuition, for hands-on clinical and productive lab sessions.
  • Value Added Tax: Your tuition and other curriculum-linked charges are zero-rated, so 5% VAT does not apply to them. VAT does apply to non-curriculum service fees such as orientation and administrative charges under Federal Decree Law No. 8 of 2017.

Is studying in UAE worth it?

Check your starting salary, savings in ₹, and recovery timeline in months. Built for Indian subcontinent students.

Calculate ROI Now

Ajman University Scholarships and Financial Aid

An Ajman University scholarship can meaningfully change your family's financial plan, and the university runs one of the more layered aid systems among UAE institutions. You do not need to pay the amount shown in the fee tables if you meet certain conditions. These conditions are managed by the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid. 

  • The Grade 12 entry spike offers high school merit scholarships. These scholarships cover up to 100 per cent of tuition fees. The fees are evaluated automatically when you apply for admission. This evaluation is based on your marks in CBSE, ICSE or state board results.
  • Semester maintenance rule: It is for academic excellence discounts. These discounts range from 10 per cent to 100 per cent. and get recalculated every term. Your CGPA stays high, and your discount will continue.
  • Medicine and Dentistry deductions: MD students receive reported merit drops of around 20%; Dentistry scales between 15% and 20%; and the Bachelor of Pharmacy carries an introductory 50% deduction in the first semester, tapering in later years.
  • Thamer Fund: A dedicated need-based safety net for students facing genuine financial hardship during their degree, separate from merit criteria.
  • Alumni and special discounts: Up to 50% for AU graduates and their families, plus dedicated support for Students of Determination.

Graduate scholarships also exist. AU alumni entering graduate programmes can access a 20% tuition discount across all majors, provided they maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.00. Every discount carries a maintenance requirement, so check the CGPA thresholds on the official Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid page before you count on renewal. If you want to weigh Ajman's aid package against other UAE institutions, our Scholarships in UAE page lines up merit and need-based options across the country.

Admission Requirements and How to Apply

Ajman University does not publish a single official acceptance rate, and any figure you see quoted elsewhere is an unofficial third-party estimate rather than university data. Admission works on a competitive basis instead, weighted against seat availability per college and your final CGPA.

For undergraduate programmes taught in English, you need to get at least 80 per cent in Grade 12 English. You also need to have an IELTS score of 5.0 or a TOEFL ITP score of 500.

If you want to apply for the Doctor of Medicine programme, the requirements are a bit tougher. You need to have an IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL iBT score of 79. You also need to have an MCAT score of 500 or higher

Applying follows three broad steps: 

  • First you need to submit your application with copies of your documents. 
  • Next, you pay the applicable application fee.
  • And lastly, provide original documents before you formally enroll.

If your English is not good enough, Ajman University will still consider your application. They have a programme that helps you improve your English skills during your first semester.  Our Documents Required for UAE University Admission checklist explains everything about attestation, transcripts and English-proficiency proof in more detail before you start your application.

Campus Life, Dental Care and Student Facilities

Ajman University is located on University Street in Al Jerf 1, 20 kilometres from Dubai International Airport. This location makes it easy to get to both Dubai and Sharjah for weekend plans or part-time internships.

The university has its residence halls, a counselling unit and a student success centre. The student success centre offers peer tutoring. There is also a centre for learning that helps students with additional learning support.

At Ajman University, they have a college just for dentistry called the College of Dentistry. Here, students can practise what they learn. Additionally, they also have a dental unit providing free dental check-ups to communities, and they have been doing this since 2018.  

Many Indians get confused about what Ajman University offers. So we cleared this up:  

  • Ajman University (AU) offers the Doctor of Medicine and Bachelor of Dental Surgery. Clinical training runs through AU's own on-campus dental clinics and its community mobile dental unit.
  • Gulf Medical University (GMU) is a completely separate institution, also based in Ajman. GMU owns and operates Thumbay Hospital and Thumbay Dental Hospital, including the free dental clinic that appears in many searches.

If your search led you here looking for Thumbay's free dental clinic timings or a Thumbay residency rotation, that facility and its application process sit under Gulf Medical University, not Ajman University's College of Dentistry.

On the employment side, “Ajman University careers” and “Ajman University jobs” searches usually refer to two different things. If you are looking at faculty and staff openings, AU maintains a dedicated careers portal separate from student services. If you mean graduate career outcomes, the university's Employer Reputation score ranks #4 nationally in the QS 2027 edition, reflecting how regional employers view AU graduates, alongside dedicated career fairs and employer partnership events run through the university.

How Study From UAE Simplifies Your Ajman University Application

When you compare the cost of studying at Ajman University to other universities, it can get really confusing. You have to look at the cost per credit and compare it to universities that charge a fee for the whole programme. That is where study from UAE comes in. The SLiQ Score system rates universities on a 3.0 to 4.5 scale, based on QS performance, accreditation depth and student satisfaction, into one comparable number so you don’t have to read nine different brochures to make a decision. The platform's Compare UAE Universities tool is alongside a scholarship search and a budget calculator built specifically for students from the Indian subcontinent, letting you map your Ajman University costs against alternatives such as Horizon University College or Dubai-based campuses in the same fee range.

Conclusion

Ajman University is now in the top 40 of the QS World Rankings. The fees per credit hour are very low compared to colleges in Dubai, making Ajman University a good choice for students who want a global degree without spending too much. Your actual spend still depends heavily on the college programme you select and on the mandatory orientation, lab and studio fees that are excluded from the base tuition table, so check the brochure before you apply. Lastly, between merit scholarships that can reach 100%, need-based aid through the Thamer Fund, and a ranking trajectory that keeps improving year over year, Ajman University earns its place on most serious UAE shortlists. So explore your options and compare costs directly through Study From UAE before you finalise your applications.

FAQ FAQs

Yes, it is. Ajman University was actually called Ajman University of Science and Technology when it first started. They decided to change the name of Ajman University after a while. Ajman University and Ajman University of Science and Technology are basically the schools. You will see both names in the records.

The fees are for each credit hour for the school year 2026-27. The fees are from AED 1,200 for law to AED 2,668 for a bachelor of dental surgery. For engineering and business courses the fees are generally between AED 1,392 and AED 1,502.

No, Thumbay Hospital and Thumbay Dental Hospital are actually part of Gulf Medical University's health system. Ajman University has its College of Dentistry and teaching clinics that are separate from Thumbay Hospital and Thumbay Dental Hospital.

Ajman University ranks #397 globally and #6 in the UAE in the QS World University Rankings 2027, alongside a 5+ QS Stars overall rating.

Indian students can apply for high school merit scholarships of up to 100%, semester-based academic excellence discounts, programme-specific merit awards in medicine and dentistry, and need-based support through the Thamer Fund. Our Scholarships in UAE page covers options across other universities as well.

Ajman University does not publish the acceptance rate; getting into Ajman University is very competitive. They look at how many seats are available in each college; plus, they also look at the students' grades and how well they speak English. So people who want to go to Ajman University have to meet these requirements.

Ajman University maintains a separate careers portal for faculty and administrative staff recruitment. Graduate employability is reflected in the university's #4 national ranking for Employer Reputation in QS 2027.
Ravi Jaiswal

Ravi Jaiswal

Admissions Strategist | Higher Education Consultant | Co-Founder

Ravi Jaiswal is a higher education and admissions specialist with extensive experience guiding students through university applications, admission requirements, eligibility assessments, and international study pathways.

Want to Learn More About Us?

Follow Us On

Related Blogs

Free Consultation