Your child wants a business degree in Dubai, and you want the right school, not just the loudest brand. Dubai gives you real choice. The city hosts 37 international university campuses, according to GradRight in 2026, so sorting them takes effort.
British, Australian and American universities all run business programs here. Each has its own entry rules, costs and teaching style. This guide covers the best business schools in Dubai for undergraduate and MBA study, with contacts, fees and entry rules.
Details below come from each school’s official admissions pages, checked in September 2026. Confirm final fees and intake dates with the admissions office before you apply.
Quick answer: Five universities lead for families: American University in Dubai, Wollongong in Dubai, Heriot-Watt, Middlesex and University of Dubai. London Business School Dubai suits parents planning an executive MBA. Undergraduate entry usually needs Grade 12 results and an English test. MBA entry needs a degree and, at most schools, work experience.
Undergraduate or MBA: Know the Difference First
Parents comparing MBA schools in Dubai and undergraduate business schools in Dubai face different rules. Undergraduate programs run three to four years and start after Grade 12. Schools review final marks, English scores and sometimes math.
MBA programs suit graduates with work experience. Parents usually help with planning and funding. Executive MBAs go further and expect senior managerial experience.
Best Business Schools in Dubai at a Glance
Use this table to shortlist by area and study level.
| School | Area | Study levels | Phone |
American University in Dubai | Dubai Media City | BBA, MBA | +971 4 318 3266 |
University of Wollongong in Dubai | Dubai Knowledge Park | Bachelor of Business, MBA | +971 4 278 1800 |
| Heriot-Watt University Dubai | Dubai Knowledge Park | Undergraduate business, MBA | +971 4 571 7000 |
Middlesex University Dubai | Dubai Knowledge Park | BA Business Management, MBA | +971 4 367 8100 |
University of Dubai | Academic City | BBA, MBA | +971 4 556 6800 |
London Business School Dubai | DIFC | Executive MBA | +971 4 401 9301 |
Commute matters. Academic City sits on Emirates Road at Exit 49. Knowledge Park and Media City sit closer to Al Barsha and Sheikh Zayed Road.
Sharjah families face a longer drive. Our guide to CBSE schools in Sharjah helps plan the school years first.
The Best Business Schools in Dubai, One by One
American University in Dubai
AUD opened in 1995 and follows an American education model. Its School of Business holds AACSB accreditation and offers a BBA and an MBA. The application fee is AED 420, and the seat deposit counts toward tuition.
- Location: Dubai Media City, P.O. Box 28282, Dubai
- Contact: +971 4 318 3266 or admissions@aud.edu
- Undergraduate: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79, attested Grade 12 records, and SAT math 560 or a placement test
- MBA: 3.00 GPA, IELTS 6.5, and the GMAT or an admission interview. Two years of work experience earns preference.
University of Wollongong in Dubai
UOWD opened in 1993 as the first Australian university in the UAE. It offers a bachelor of business with majors such as finance, marketing and accountancy, plus an MBA. Its open day runs Saturday, October 31, 2026, and the winter intake starts January 4, 2027.
- Location: UOWD Building, Dubai Knowledge Park, P.O. Box 20183, Dubai
- Contact: +971 4 278 1800
- Undergraduate: Four year direct entry needs IELTS 5.0 and 70% on the UAE secondary certificate. Three year advanced entry needs IELTS 6.0
- MBA: Bachelor’s degree, a CV and about two years of full time work experience
Heriot-Watt University Dubai
Heriot-Watt has taught in Dubai since 2005. Its Edinburgh Business School offers undergraduate business programs and an MBA. The MBA runs full time for one year or part time for two.
- Location: Dubai Knowledge Park, P.O. Box 501745, Dubai
- Contact: +971 4 571 7000, or DubaiMBA@hw.ac.uk for the MBA
- Undergraduate: Students below direct entry grades can join the one year Degree Entry foundation program
- MBA: Honors degree, two years of full time work experience, and IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0
Middlesex University Dubai
Middlesex opened its first overseas campus in Dubai in 2005. It offers a BA Honors in Business Management with specialist pathways such as finance, marketing and supply chain. Postgraduate options include a daytime MBA and an Executive MBA.
- Location: Dubai Knowledge Park, Blocks 15, 16, 17 and 19, P.O. Box 500697, Dubai
- Contact: +971 4 367 8100
- Undergraduate: An English test such as IELTS, PTE or TOEFL, or the school’s own English test.
- Postgraduate: Degree with at least second class honors or equivalent, plus a full CV
University of Dubai
University of Dubai runs its business programs through the Dubai Business School. It offers a BBA and graduate programs, including an MBA. Every undergraduate applicant sits an interview, and students must be 18 or older at the start.
- Location: Academic City, Emirates Road, Exit 49, Dubai
- Contact: +971 4 556 6800
- BBA: 80% in high school English or a pass in the university’s English test. Non native speakers need IELTS 6.0 overall.
- Graduate: Attested bachelor’s transcript and an updated CV
London Business School Dubai
LBS opened its Dubai campus in 2007. It teaches an Executive MBA only, so it fits working professionals, not school leavers. The UAE Ministry of Education has licensed the campus and accredited the program.
- Location: Gate Village, DIFC, Dubai
- Contact: +971 4 401 9301 or emba@london.edu
- Entry: Successful applicants average 15 years of work experience, with at least five years in management
Hult and SP Jain | Two More MBA Names
Two more names appear often in searches. Hult International Business School sits in Dubai Internet City and holds AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS accreditation, per MyBayut in 2026. SP Jain runs a three city MBA.
GradRight lists Hult at AED 256,400 and SP Jain at AED 173,000. Both target MBA candidates, so school leaver families can skip them.
What a Business Degree Costs and How to Fund It
Fees vary widely. GradRight’s 2026 comparison puts Wollongong, Heriot-Watt and Middlesex between AED 85,000 and AED 130,000. London Business School Dubai sits far higher at AED 402,210.
Scholarships can narrow the gap. AECC reported in December 2025 that Heriot-Watt Dubai offers tuition waivers of up to 50%. Many schools also run merit awards or payment plans.
Test preparation costs less than a foundation year. A private tutor in Dubai can lift IELTS or math scores before you apply. Higher scores can open direct entry.
Five Checks Before You Shortlist
- Accreditation: Confirm UAE ministry licensing and the program’s own accreditation.
- Entry route: Compare direct entry, advanced entry and foundation years.
- Total cost: Ask for the full fee schedule, including deposits and registration.
- Commute: Test the drive during school run hours.
- Career support: Ask about internships and graduate job data
Your child’s current school shapes the route into university. CBSE, British and American Grade 12 results convert differently. Parents still choosing a school can read our guide to best CBSE schools in Dubai first.
How to Apply and What to Prepare
- Pick a program and check its entry requirements
- Apply online and pay the application fee
- Upload your documents and English scores
- Sit any placement test or interview
- Accept the offer and pay the seat deposit
Most undergraduate applications ask for the same core papers: passport, UAE visa, Emirates ID and attested Grade 12 records. Students from non UAE curricula also need an equivalency letter from the UAE Ministry of Education. Apply for it early, because attestation steps take time.
When a Tutor Helps Before You Apply
Strong English and math scores can decide between direct entry and a foundation year. A tutor closes those gaps before applications open. Our university and college preparation sessions cover IELTS, TOEFL, SAT and personal statement support.
Start early, because test dates fill up and retakes cost time. Sessions run at home or online, so preparation fits around school hours.
Ready to line up support before the next intake opens? Hire a tutor in Dubai and expect a reply within 12 to 24 hours.
FAQs About Business Schools in Dubai
American University in Dubai, University of Wollongong in Dubai, Heriot-Watt, Middlesex and University of Dubai all offer undergraduate business degrees. Compare entry scores, location and campus support.
Five of the six schools above offer a standard MBA. London Business School Dubai runs an Executive MBA. Hult and SP Jain also run MBAs.
GradRight’s 2026 comparison puts mid priced options at AED 85,000 to AED 130,000. London Business School Dubai costs AED 402,210.
It depends on the school and entry route. Wollongong in Dubai direct entry starts at 5.0, University of Dubai asks 6.0, and AUD asks 6.5.
Most schools prefer or require about two years. The London Business School Executive MBA expects far more, with successful applicants averaging 15 years.
Yes, at some schools. AECC reports Heriot-Watt Dubai offers tuition waivers of up to 50%. Check each financial aid page for deadlines.
Each school lists UAE Ministry of Education licensing or KHDA approval on its website. Confirm accreditation for your exact program before you pay a deposit.