The UAE has climbed to sixth place in an international league table of most improved countries for quality of university subjects offered.
According to the QS Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject 2025 released on Wednesday, almost half (49 per cent) of the UAE's 60 ranked entries improved, with only 14 per cent scoring lower than last year.
The UAE was the sixth most improved country when ranked by subject, although no university made the overall top 200 list of international universities according to data released in June. Coming in at number one on the most improved table was Hong Kong, followed by mainland China, Singapore, South Korea and Oman. Kuwait ranked as seventh most improved.
Universities in the Emirates submitted 19 new subject entries this year, with five of them achieving debut rankings in; linguistics, dentistry, communication and media studies, politics and international studies, and data science & AI.
World class
The UAE is one of only 20 countries and territories with two or more subjects ranked in the global top 10.
Khalifa University of Science and Technology’s petroleum engineering programme climbed one place to 7th globally.
The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management remains among the world’s best in hospitality and leisure management, ranking 10th worldwide, despite falling one position.
Ajman University's data science and artificial intelligence course entered the top 100 for the first time, along with dentistry at the University of Sharjah. Meanwhile, all nine entries from Al Ain University improved on their rankings from last year.
Global results
Several factors were considered to grade each university, from learning experience to academic reputation, employability and global engagement.
The US Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge ranked first with an overall score of 100, followed by Imperial College London, UK with a score of 98.5.
The top five university list was completed by the University of Oxford (96.9), Harvard University in the US (96.8) and the University of Cambridge, UK (96.7).
In the UAE, the highest ranked university was Khalifa University with a score of 46.1, ranking it in 202nd place, followed by UAE University ranked 261 with a score of 39.4.
“The UAE's higher education ecosystem is making remarkable strides, as evidenced by the 49 per cent of its 122 ranked entries improving in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025,” said Ben Sowter, senior vice president at QS. “This progress aligns with the nation's ambitious National Strategy for Higher Education 2030.
“The advancements in two of our key indicators such as Citations per Paper and H-Index reflect the UAE's commitment to fostering a robust research culture and enhancing global academic collaborations.”
Still growing
Experts said university options for students wanting to explore higher education in the UAE are improving.
“There are certain things I'm very happy that we are somewhere in the rankings now, but there are so many subjects that we still don't offer,” said education consultant Rema Menon Vellat. “We are still in our nascent phase and we're growing exponentially. When I first came in here in 1998 it was all about business, and most of the institutions were offering related courses.”
There is now a greater focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, according to the founder of Counselling Point Training and Development.
“There is a trickle-down effect. If government policies indicate a need to focus on logistics and supply chain, then that's where people will start investing their time and energy.
“But I feel we have many areas underserved, such as veterinary science, occupational and behavioural therapies, agriculture and farming.”
Ms Vellat said there was an increase in the number of students in the UAE choosing to study at local universities, rather than travel overseas, a trend also seen elsewhere.
In the Netherlands, the number of foreign student applications dropped significantly last year. Vrije Universiteit (VU) in Amsterdam saw a 23 per cent decline, and Groningen University reported 14 per cent fewer students from the European Economic Area (EEA).
Overall, the Netherlands reported a 6 per cent decline in EU students and 9 per cent fewer non-EEA based applicants.
Reducing foreign student numbers
The drop was largely driven by new government policies to reduce the number of foreign students, including limiting English use in bachelor’s programmes.
“This is happening the world over and so students are also looking at newer options, like Italy or Spain,” said Ms Vellat.
“Young people are looking at where the jobs are. There's a perception that our university systems are not good enough just yet, but new checks and balances have contributed to improving facilities.
“We still need lots more research and investment in our students, the industry and academia partnerships.”
General rankings
In the 2025 league tables published in June last year, the American University of Sharjah was placed in 332 with a score of 33.6, while the University of Sharjah was in 434th place with a score of 27.5. Ajman University completed the top five in the UAE with a score of 25.1, placing it 477 on the list.
The National University of Singapore was the top rated university in Asia, the region in which the UAE is classified, with a score of 93.7 in overall eighth place.
In the Middle East, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia placed 101st with an overall score of 59.5, with Qatar University in Doha ranked 122, scoring 55.7.
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP
Group A
Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA
Group B
Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti
Group C
Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia
Group D
Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
NATIONAL%20SELECTIONS
%3Cp%3E6.00pm%3A%20Heros%20de%20Lagarde%3Cbr%3E6.35pm%3A%20City%20Walk%3Cbr%3E7.10pm%3A%20Mimi%20Kakushi%3Cbr%3E7.45pm%3A%20New%20Kingdom%3Cbr%3E8.20pm%3A%20Siskany%3Cbr%3E8.55pm%3A%20Nations%20Pride%3Cbr%3E9.30pm%3A%20Ever%20Given%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
The%20Super%20Mario%20Bros%20Movie
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Aaron%20Horvath%20and%20Michael%20Jelenic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chris%20Pratt%2C%20Anya%20Taylor-Joy%2C%20Charlie%20Day%2C%20Jack%20Black%2C%20Seth%20Rogen%20and%20Keegan-Michael%20Key%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.4-litre%204-cylinder%20turbo%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20366hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E550Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESix-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh360%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Most F1 world titles
7 — Michael Schumacher (1994, ’95, 2000, ’01 ’02, ’03, ’04)
7 — Lewis Hamilton (2008, ’14,’15, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20)
5 — Juan Manuel Fangio (1951, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57)
4 — Alain Prost (1985, ’86, ’89, ’93)
4 — Sebastian Vettel (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13)
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Vaccine Progress in the Middle East
Recycle Reuse Repurpose
New central waste facility on site at expo Dubai South area to handle estimated 173 tonne of waste generated daily by millions of visitors
Recyclables such as plastic, paper, glass will be collected from bins on the expo site and taken to the new expo Central Waste Facility on site
Organic waste will be processed at the new onsite Central Waste Facility, treated and converted into compost to be re-used to green the expo area
Of 173 tonnes of waste daily, an estimated 39 per cent will be recyclables, 48 per cent organic waste and 13 per cent general waste.
About 147 tonnes will be recycled and converted to new products at another existing facility in Ras Al Khor
Recycling at Ras Al Khor unit:
Plastic items to be converted to plastic bags and recycled
Paper pulp moulded products such as cup carriers, egg trays, seed pots, and food packaging trays
Glass waste into bowls, lights, candle holders, serving trays and coasters
Aim is for 85 per cent of waste from the site to be diverted from landfill
Family reunited
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.
She moved to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before moving to the World Health Organisation as a communications officer.
She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.
The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.
She was held in her native country a year later.
The Travel Diaries of Albert Einstein The Far East, Palestine, and Spain, 1922 – 1923
Editor Ze’ev Rosenkranz
Princeton
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
More on Quran memorisation:
HAJJAN
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