Dubai/UAE Universities MBA Admission Requirements

 

MBA is one of the most popular masters programs in Dubai. Thousands of students join various universities to pursue this course. But as you plan to join, you should first know the admission requirements in various universities.

Below we give details of entry requirements for Masters in Business Administration in Dubai/UAE universities.

UNIVERSITY OF DUBAI MBA ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

University of Dubai is the best university to pursue MBA in Dubai. Admission requirements to the course are as provided below:

1. Regular Admission Criteria
2. Completion of a recognized baccalaureate degree in a discipline appropriate for the MBA degree. A Higher Diploma is not equivalent to a baccalaureate degree and does not qualify an applicant for admission to the MBA program.
3. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its established equivalent.
4. A minimum score in TOEFL (PBT 550 or iBT 79) or IELTS (Overall 6) obtained over the previous two years. Students who have provided the required English scores during their Bachelor’s degree studies do not need to provide additional English scores.
5. Two years minimum work experience is required to apply for the specialized MBA Program.
6. Conditional Admission Criteria
7. Conditional Admission Criteria
8. A student with a recognized baccalaureate degree in Business with a cumulative GPA average of a minimum 2.25 up to 3.00 on a 4.0 scale, or its established equivalent, and who meets the English language competency requirements for regular admission as stated in “Part A” above, may be admitted conditionally to the MBA program. Such a student must meet the following requirements during the period of conditional admission or be subject to dismissal:
9. He/she may take no more than six credit hours during the first term of study
10. He/she must achieve an overall GPA of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale, or its established equivalent, in the first nine credit hours of credit-bearing courses studied in the MBA program.
11. Requirements for Non-Business Applicants
12. Requirements for Non-Business Applicants

A student who holds a non-business degree with a cumulative GPA average of a minimum 2.25 on a 4.0 scale will have to undertake Pre-MBA courses as shown in the below table before being considered for formal admission to the MBA program.

If the student have taken any of the below courses during their bachelor studies, he/she may get exemption from it.

Accepted applicants who need to take any of the required Pre-MBA courses before joining the MBA program may opt for taking a challenge exam rather than registering for a course. A non-refundable fee of AED 2,000 for each Pre-MBA course challenge exam will be charged.

The Pre-MBA Term consists of 6 weeks + 1 week for examinations.

Admission Requirement

An applicant must provide the following documents for admission:

1. Original Bachelor’s degree certificate or certified equivalent approved by the UAE Ministry of Education.
2. Valid passport copy
3. Four recent passport-size photographs (colored with white background) or in JPEG file format
4. TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent certificate in original as stated under Admission Criteria.
5. Pay non-refundable AED 1,800 for the enrollment fee (Admission/ID Card/Technology Fee).

Transfer students must also submit original transcripts from the university/college they are transferring from. In addition, transfer students must submit the course syllabus and course description for each course they seek to transfer for credit. Transfer students into a Master’s Program must have received at least a “B” or equivalent for any course they wish to transfer. Students will be informed of the course(s) eligible for transfer within 48 hours by the Graduate Programs Office.

Admission Guidelines for Transfer Students

Admission Guidelines for Transfer Students

UD approves, in principle, the admission of applicants transferring from other institutions of higher education. Such candidates are eligible for admission subject to the following conditions:

1. The institution they are transferring from is recognized by the UAE MOHESR and uses the credit-hour system.
2. Applicants transferring from other institutions must have earned a GPA of not less than 3.00 and may only be given transfer credit for courses which are equivalent to those offered by UD and in which they have received a minimum grade of B (equivalent to a GPA of 3.0 or 83-86%).
3. If the transfer student has an academic warning (i.e., GPA is less than 3.0), he/she will be considered for conditional admission as a new student and not as a transfer student.
4. Prior to their admission, transfer students will be informed in writing of transfer courses approved by the Dean of the College. The transfer courses will be accepted upon receipt of official transcripts.
5. Transfer credits are entered on the student’s transcript and the student’s academic plan with a grade of “TC”. The transferred courses appear as credit hours (and are counted toward the degree) but no grade points are assigned; thus, they are not used in computing the student’s GPA.
6. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer must not exceed 50% of the total number of hours required for graduation (i.e. 18 credit hours).
7. Transferred courses must match at least 80% of the course content of UD courses.
8. No credits will be granted twice for similar courses taken at different universities.

Admission Guidelines for Visiting Students/Auditors

Admission Guidelines for Visiting Students/Auditors

1. Visiting Students

1. Students must have passed all prerequisites for required subjects (original transcripts from the university in which the student is currently studying are to be provided).
2. Students must provide a copy of their passport and four recent photos (JPEG format file).
3. Students must fully adhere to UD regulations and rules, including attendance.
4. Visiting students are not allowed to register for more than 18 credit hours and are only allowed to register for a total of two consecutive terms.
5. A visiting student can be accepted as a regular student, provided he/she has complied with all UD admission requirements.
6. A visiting student may register at any time during the registration period.

1. Auditors
   UD allows individuals interested in a particular course to attend classes as audit students. The following conditions apply:

1. The candidate must show some evidence of the prerequisite knowledge required for auditing the course (he/she should meet the course instructor/Graduate Program Director to clarify this point and state the purpose for auditing the course).
2. Students must provide a passport copy and four recent photographs (JPEG format file).
3. Students must pay the regular course fee charged of visiting/short course students.
4. The attendance policy is not mandatory.
5. Homework assignments/examinations are not mandatory.

Student Visa

The applicant may apply for student visa only after getting admitted to the program and enroll as a Full Time student.

Student Visa is valid only for one year.

A student visa permits the student to work only as a part time after getting the needful approvals from the concerned authorities in the UAE.

The approval or rejection of the visa is under General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai. The visa process has no timing frame as it may take from two days up to two months, so we strongly recommend to submit your documents at least 2 months before the start of the term.

UNIVERSITY OF WOLLOLONG IN DUBAI MBA ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Academic Requirements

Applicants for a postgraduate degree or postgraduate certificate must have completed a Bachelor degree (or equivalent) at an accredited institution of higher education and have achieved the minimum grades detailed below, as well as any specific course-related requirements.

Country	Grade – Direct Entry	Grade – Probation Entry*
Australia	65%	50%
China	75%	50%
Egypt	65% (Good)	50% (Pass)
India	50% 10 Point System :8.0/10.0 4 Point System :3.0/4.0	40% 10 Point System :5.0/10.0 4 Point System :2.0/4.0
Iran	14	12
Jordan	70%	50%
Kenya	50%	40%
Lebanon	12	10
Nigeria	50%	40%
Pakistan	50%	40%
Russia	Average of 4	3
UAE	3.0	2.0
UK	2nd Class Honours with lower division (or min 50%)	Pass (or min 40%)
USA	3.0	2.0

* Probationary Entry – Students are allowed to enrol in a maximum of two subjects in their first semester and are required to achieve a weighted average mark of 55% in the first three subjects completed to continue on the program.

Note:

[1] Unless otherwise stated, the entry requirements above are based on Section I institutions. Further details on alternate entry requirements can be obtained by contacting the Admissions department.

[2] Applicants to the MBA program are also required to have two years full time work experience after the completion of their Bachelor’s degree.

[3] Applicants for the MAF program are required to have a recognised Bachelor’s degree in Business.

[4] Applicants for the MEM program are required to have a recognised Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.

[5] Applicants for the MITM program are required to have a recognised Bachelor’s degree in an IT related field.

Graduate Foundation Course

If you hold an undergraduate degree from a non-business discipline, you may be required to undertake a Graduate Foundation Course (GFC). The course must be successfully completed in the first semester and it is usually held in the first six weeks of the semester.

The GFC does not accrue any academic credit towards the postgraduate program but will provide you with a foundation in key subjects such as Accountancy, Finance, Marketing, Statistics and Operations Management, that may be required for your chosen field of study. You will be advised if and what course(s) from the GFC you will be required to take following careful consideration of your admission application.

Credit for Prior Learning

In some cases your prior learning may be recognised by exempting you from completing specific subjects at UOWD on the basis of work you have already completed at another recognised institution or if you have a completed a Bachelor degree in a relevant area from an accredited institution. In the case of MBus, MQM and MSc(Log) programs, credit for prior learning may also be considered if you have a UOWD Graduate Certificate in Business. In the case of MBus, MQM, MSC (Log) and MAF, if you have extensive professional work experience in a related area alongside a Bachelor degree, or if you have participated in employer-based or professional training programs, you may also be considered for credit for prior learning.

If you are seeking credit for prior learning, you will need to submit an official academic transcripts showing all courses studied and the grades obtained, syllabus details (including information on course content) for the courses you have successfully completed and an explanation of the grading system, or proof of your work experience or further training. Your eligibility for Credit for Prior Learning will be decided in consultation with UOWD’s Faculty Offices prior to the beginning of the program.

English Language Requirements

All instruction at UOWD is carried out in English and you will need to demonstrate an adequate level of English language proficiency in order to enrol on a program at the University. As a postgraduate applicant, you will be required to submit one of the following certificates of proficiency:

Program	IELTS (Academic)	Internet based TOEFL	Computer based TOEFL	International Paper based TOEFL*	Pearson PTE (Academic)	Cambridge English Advanced
MBus (all programs)	Overall score of 6.0 with 6.0 in Reading and Writing and 5.0 in Listening and Speaking	79 with not less than 20 in Writing, 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 16 in Speaking	213 with a 4.0 TWE/Essay Writing	550 with a 4.0 TWE/Essay Writing	Overall score of 57 with a minimum of 57 for reading and writing and 50 for speaking and listening	Overall score of 52
MQM
MAF (all programs)
MEM
MITM
Msc (Log)
EMBA / MBA	Overall score of 6.5 with 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking	88 with not less than 22 in Writing, 20 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 18 in Speaking	231 with a 4.5 TWE/Essay Writing	575 with a 4.5 TWE/Essay Writing	Overall score of 64 with a minimum of 59 in all bands	Overall score of 58
MMC	Overall score of 6.0 with 6.0 in Reading and Writing and 5.0 in Listening and Speaking	79 with not less than 20 in Writing, 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 16 in Speaking	213 with a 4.0 TWE/Essay Writing	550 with a 4.0 TWE/Essay Writing	Overall score of 57 with a minimum of 57 for reading and writing and 50 for speaking and listening	Overall score of 52
MIST
COP	The score required for CoP is the same as that of the program under which the CoP subject is taken.

* Students admitted under this criterion must present evidence of completing this test before their undergraduate degree. If they are unable to provide this, the test must be completed at UOWD.

UOWD English Test

Applicants without the appropriate level of English language proficiency will be required to take an English language course and successfully complete the IELTS or TOEFL test before being admitted to UOWD.

 

Before applying for a English Language program (IELTS or TOEFL) applicants will need to take a placement test to determine their level of English. Once your application to the LSC has been processed, you can then register for a time to take the test. Based on the test results, you will receive a recommendation indicating the program of study you are best suited. To book a placement test contact [email protected].

English language programs for University studies and IELTS preparation are available at the University’s Language Studies Centre.

 

Additional English Language Requirements for Master of International Studies and Master of Media and Communication Students

In order to ensure that students admitted to the MIST and MMC programs are sufficiently equipped in English writing skills to manage the academic writing and research that will be required, an additional English language subject will be taken in the first semester. Students with a score of IELTS 7 and a band score of 7.0 in Writing at the time of entry are exempt from this subject.

Exemptions

The English language proficiency requirements can be waived under certain circumstances, on a case by case basis. If you meet either of the following criteria, you can qualify for this waiver.

1. If you are a native English speaker and completed your undergraduate education in the English language at an institution* in a country where English is the official language. Students who are citizens of the following countries are eligible for this exemption:

Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Cook Islands, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Norfolk Islands, Palau, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Turks and Caicos, United Kingdom, United States of America and British Virgin Islands.

* Institutions to be checked with the UOWD Registrar’s Office

2. If you have graduated from an institution where English is the language of instruction and you are able to provide evidence of having acquired a TOEFL score of 500 (or its equivalent in another standardised test, approved by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research) at the time of your admission to that undergraduate program.

To be eligible for exemption 2 you must have completed your studies no more than two years prior to the start of the postgraduate degree program for which you are applying. If you completed your studies more than two years prior to applying, you may be requested to undertake an Accuplacer test. At the discretion of  the head of admissions, you may then be required to meet the English language requirements via a TOEFL exam or equivalent.
INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY DUBAI MBA ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Masters in Business Administration (MBA) & Executive MBA (EMBA)

Applicants for the MBA program must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited university (the University and the degree should be recognized by the local government) with a CGPA of 3.0 and above on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take an English Proficiency Test. The minimum required score for TOEFL is 550 (paper-based) and 79 (internet based) or an IELTS band of 6.0. This requirement is not essential if the applicant has received their Undergraduate degree from a university requiring a TOEFL score of 500 or its equivalent and approved by MOH ESR, UAE. The applicant needs to furnish proof to this effect.

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants with previous business experience will be given preference during the selection process, although work experience is not mandatory. However, EMBA Applicants must have a minimum of 3 years of work experience after the completion of their bachelor degree in order to be eligible.

ADMISSIONS ENTRANCE TEST AND PERSONAL INTERVIEW

Though IMT Dubai does not mandate an Entrance Score like GMAT, yet it is certainly a variable that admission committee at IMT gives consideration to. The Admissions Committee may ask, after the assessment of the student, to require a valid score or an admission entrance test if the student does not meet the necessary requirements. The Personal Assessment Interview is the most important step in MBA admission process. Eligible candidates will be called for a personal interview with a professor or a panel of professors. Admissions will be confirmed based on the performance in the interview and recommendation of the professor/panel.

ATTESTATION OF DOCUMENTS

All applicants for admission to MBA are required to obtain, from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, an equivalency of their respective undergraduate degrees. This process of obtaining equivalency and attestation of documents depends on the country where of undergraduate degree. Many professional credible agencies help students in attestation of documents with a fee. For details and further help, please contact admisions

APPLICANTS WHO COMPLETED THEIR BACHELOR DEGREE OUTSIDE THE UAE

In these circumstances, the student will be provisionally admitted to the University and permitted to commence the first semester of study. However, the student must have a Bachelor degree and transcripts/mark sheets certified by:

• The issuing University and/or recognized authority for tertiary education in the host country in which you completed your education.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the host country
• The UAE Embassy in that host country
• The Embassy of the host country in UAE must attest the authenticity of the documents and attestations

MURDOCH UNIVERSITY MBA ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

There are two convenient ways to gain admission into Postgraduate study with Murdoch University Dubai. The most common way is to apply based on a successfully completed degree. Alternatively you can apply based on relevant workforce experience.

Applicants may be given a place into our MBA/MHRM postgraduate offerings based on the following:

1. Recognised Bachelor’s degree or higher, or equivalent training, plus 2 years relevant work experience.
2. If the candidate does not have a recognised Bachelor’s degree and applies on work experience only, the program chair will look for any other evidence of previous education, e.g. TAFE, certificates and diplomas, plus 8 years work experience at a managerial level. All MBA applications are assessed on a case to case basis.

All admissions are at the discretion of the program chair.

• Applying based on your degree more

To gain admission into postgraduate study with Murdoch University Dubai your degree will need to meet the same academic standards as an Australian three year Bachelor degree. This does not mean that it has to be an Australian degree.

The University/College in which you attended must be accredited and recognised. For further information about gaining admission into postgraduate student with Murdoch University Dubai, please use the link provided to view the postgraduate checklist.

• Applying based on relevant workforce experience

If the candidate does not have a recognised Bachelor’s degree and applies on work experience only, the program chair will look for any other evidence of previous education, e.g. TAFE, certificates and diplomas, plus 8 years work experience at a managerial level. All MBA applications are assessed on a case to case basis.

For further information about gaining admission into postgraduate student with Murdoch University Dubai, please use the link provided to view the postgraduate checklist.

English Language Requirements

In order to gain admission to Murdoch University, applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate competency in the English language.

This requirement can be met by achieving a score in one of the below English language proficiency tests, or by completing two years at an accredited tertiary institution where the language of instruction is English.

Master of Business Administration/Master of Human Resource Management

English language proficiency tests	Score
IELTS	6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0)
TOEFL – Paper based	550 (with the Test of Written English 5)
TOEFL – Computer based	213 (with the Test of Written English 5)
TOEFL – Internet based	80 (no band less that 20)

Master of Education

English language proficiency tests	Score
IELTS	6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0)
TOEFL – Paper based	600 (with the Test of Written English 5)
TOEFL – Internet based	90 (no band less that 20)

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY DUBAI MBA ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

For all admissions to Canadian University Dubai, prospective students must hold the minimum university general admission requirements, as well as all the additional admission requirements specific to their chosen program of study.

For applicants not meeting all of the requirements, admission may be offered conditional to these requirements, or their established equivalent, being met, within prescribed time periods and subject to conditions clearly outlined below.

Admission queries should be directed to the Office of the Registrar.

Please note that admission to a specific program of study implies admission to Canadian University Dubai; however, admission to a particular program does not imply automatic admission to any other program of study at Canadian University Dubai.

General Admission requirements for Master’s level programs:

1. Completion of a recognized baccalaureate in a discipline appropriate for the Master’s degree. A higher Diploma is not equivalent to a baccalaureate degree and does not qualify an applicant for admission to master’s programs. *
2. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale, or its established equivalent, in the applicant’s baccalaureate degree program.
3. For programs taught in English, a minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the Paper-Based, 213 on the Computer-Based, or 79 on the Internet-Based test, or its equivalent in a standardized English language test, such as 6.0 IELTS or another standardized, internationally recognized test approved by the Commission, with the following exceptions:
   • A native speaker of English who has completed his/her undergraduate education in an English-medium institution and in a country where English is the official language.
   • An applicant with an undergraduate qualification from an English medium institution who can provide evidence of acquiring a minimum TOEFL score 500 on the paper-Based test, or its equivalent on another standardized test approved by the Commission, at the time of admission to his/her undergraduate program.

(*) For admission in the Master in IT Management & Governance, only applicants holding Engineering / IT / Business related certificates will be considered.

Conditional Admission Requirements for Master’s level programs:

1. A student with a recognized baccalaureate degree and a TOEFL score of 530 (197 CBT, 71 IBT) or its equivalent on another standardized test approved by the Commission may be admitted conditionally to a Master’s program. Such a student must meet the following requirements during the period of conditional admission or be subject to dismissal:
   1. Must achieve a TOEFL score of 550, or equivalent, by the end of the student’s first semester of study;
   2. May take a maximum of six credit hours in the first semester of study, not including intensive English courses;
   3. Must achieve an overall grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale, or its established equivalent, in the first nine credit hours of credit-bearing courses studied for the Master’s program
2. A student with recognized baccalaureate degree with a cumulative grade point average below 3.00 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, and who meets the English language competency requirements for general admission stated in Part I above, may be admitted conditionally to a Master’s program. Such a student must meet the following requirements during the period of conditional admission or be subject to dismissal.
   1. May take a maximum of nine credit hours in the first semester of study;
   2. Must achieve an overall grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale, or its established equivalent, in the first nine credit hours of credit-bearing courses studied for the Master’s program.

Additional Program Admission Requirements: Panel Interview

Offers of admission are adjudicated by a panel consisting of two (2) Graduate School faculty members from different program specialties, the Program Chair, and a representative of the Office of the Registrar, as a result of the following process:

1. Once the deadline for submission of applications has passed, a first screening by the panel establishes lists of applicants for further consideration for either admission or conditional admission.
2. Selected applicants complete a panel interview.
3. Offers of admission are made on the basis of the interview’s outcome, which includes academic record excellence and suitability as an objective assessment criterion.

The Panel Interview is conducted by the Program Chair and the two Graduate School faculty members. It lasts 30 minutes and follows a standard protocol captured by the Graduate Interview Form. Its aim is to determine the applicant’s:

1. Oral and written language proficiency and communication skills (applicants are invited to speak about themselves and their career goals in relation to their choice to enrol in an MBA program; they are also asked to write a short essay).
2. Motivation and engagement;
3. Rationale for the choice of major;
4. Prospect for successful completion of the program.

The interview culminates with a panel recommendation for full acceptance, or conditional acceptance, or acceptance in the pre-MBA/pre-MIT program or further consideration after submission of additional material, or rejection. This recommendation is based on an objective eight-point assessment, including academic record; communication skills, motivation, etc. (see Graduate Interview Form in Appendix 5 for details).

MIDDLESSEX UNIVERSITY DUBAI MBA ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Normally a second class UK honours degree or above, or an equivalent qualification and a minimum of 3 years professional full-time work experience. Candidates may be eligible without an honours degree if they can demonstrate a significantly successful managerial experience**.

THE BRITISH UNIVERSITY IN DUBAI MBA ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

For UAE federal institutions (ie The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Higher Colleges of Technology (HCTs) and Zayed University (ZU)) applicants must provide the following:-

• Original degree certificate
• Original transcript
• Original IELTS/TOEFL test report form
• Professional teaching experience certificate from employer for minimum 2/3 years experience (MEd applicants only)

 

For other UAE institutions which have been licensed by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (visit Commission for Academic Accreditation website for the full list of licensed institutions) applicants must provide the following:-

• Original degree certificate attested by UAE Ministry of Education – Higher Education Affairs.
• Original transcript
• Original IELTS/TOEFL test report form
• Professional teaching experience certificate from employer for minimum 2 years experience (MEd/PhD of Education/EdD applicants only)

 

For all other institutions applicants must provide the following:–

• Original degree certificate.
• A Certificate of Equivalency (CoE) is also required for all degree certificates awarded by institutions outside the UAE. Provided by Ministry of Education – Higher Education Affairs.
• Original transcript
• Original IELTS/TOEFL test report form
• Professional teaching experience certificate from employer for minimum 2/3 years experience (MEd/PhD of Education/EdD applicants only)