Welcome to the no. 1 university for the teaching pillar in the UAE, according to the THE World University Rankings 2023 and one of the top 3 universities in the UAE.
International students
Postgraduate Requirements
We are a comprehensive University offering cutting edge programs in engineering and applied sciences; business, finance and economics; the built environment, including architecture; health sciences; law; and arts and sciences.
Globally ranked university
Equivalency letter
An original equivalency letter should be obtained from the UAE Ministry of Education for certificates issued from outside the UAE. This can be obtained after your arrival in the UAE as you will be given a period of one registered semester to submit the letter.
Visit the UAE's Ministry of Education for more information.
- Register online on at Ministy of Education under MOE Eservices – Service Catalog and get a registration number. For a detailed list of the requirements and documents, visit Ministry of Education under Certificate Equivalency section, contact 80051115, or email equ.corr@moe.gov.ae.
- Prepare and attest all required university and high school certificates and transcripts before leaving your home country and/or the country from which you graduated.
- Equivalency applications must be submitted in person in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Applicants are encouraged to visit the UAE and submit their applications at least one month prior to the first day of class.
- Applicants who have applied for Certificate of Equivalency but have not completed the process by the time of registration will be given the chance to register for the first semester provided that they sign the Student Commitment Letter. Applicants selecting this option must present a copy of the MOE Application Receipt.
Please note that ADU is not involved in the equivalency process or decisions. Issuing of Certificate Equivalency is controlled fully by the UAE Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Affairs Division.
An extra quality check
Placement Tests
English Language Placement Tests (EPT)
As the majority of our programs are delivered and examined in English, it is essential that the English language skills of all our students are at the required minimum level. In line with the top universities in the UAE, Abu Dhabi University’s English Placement Test is an extra quality check. It is designed to ensure that our students are sufficiently fluent in written English to cope with their courses from the start.
Yes, this test is in addition to the English proficiency test certificate (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS) required during the application process and you may be wondering why we ask you to do two tests. Through experience, we have found that the standard English tests do not always provide an accurate assessment of written English competency. As it has been proven that students are much more likely to stay motivated if they are placed at the correct level, those who have an IELTS score of 5.0 (or equivalent) and above still need to take the EPT to ensure that they are placed in the English language course appropriate to their level during the University College year.
Math Language Placement Tests (MPT)
A good level of competency in mathematics is vital to success in all engineering and science programs.
In line with the top universities in the UAE, Abu Dhabi University’s mathematics placement test will ensure that you are placed in the math course appropriate to your level during your University College year. It is proven that students are much more likely to stay motivated if they are placed at the correct level.
You can find more details on the MPT and a list of programs that require the test here.
