1. Higher Education in the UAE
R&D Department National Qualifications Authority, UAE October 2016

2. UAE Vision 2021
Development of a first-rate education system, which requires:
complete transformation of the current education system and teaching methods
all schools, universities and students to be equipped with Smart systems and devices as a basis for all teaching methods, projects and research
significant investments to promote and reinforce enrollment in preschools
Targets:
UAE students to be ranked among the best in the world in reading, mathematics and science exams
UAE students to have a strong knowledge of the Arabic language
Significant investments to promote and reinforce enrollment in preschools as this plays an important role in shaping children’s personalities and their future.
elevate the rate of graduation from secondary schools to international standards
have exceptional leadership and internationally accredited teaching staff in all schools

3. UAE Vision 2021 Indicator 2012 results 2021 targets
Average TIMSS score
 TIMSS 2011: - Mathematics Grade 4: Rank 42 - Science Grade 4: Rank 43 - Mathematics Grade 8: Rank 23 - Science Grade 8: Rank 24
Among the top 15 countries
Upper secondary graduation rate
93.16% (2015)
98%
Average PISA score
PISA 2012: - Mathematics: Rank 48 - Science: Rank 44 - Reading: Rank 46
Among the top 20 countries
Percentage of students with high skills in Arabic, according to national tests
69.14% (2015)
90%
Percentage of schools with high quality teachers
Work in progress
100%
Percentage of schools with highly effective school leadership
Enrollment rate in Foundation Year
45.3% (2015) 0%
Significant investments to promote and reinforce enrollment in preschools as this plays an important role in shaping children’s personalities and their future.

4. Occupations and Careers Handbook for UAE Nationals
From a range of national activity indicators, twelve (12) industry sectors were identified.
About 20,000 UAE nationals enter the job market every year (Emirates National Development Programme (ENDP). The Handbook acts as an important reference for employment opportunities in the key sectors.
No.
Code
Industry sector 1 A
Government services and public administration 2 B
Community, health and social services 3 C
Business, administration and financial services 4 D
Tourism, hospitality, retail and leisure services including personal care services 5 E
Arts, culture and entertainment 6 F
Education, learning and social development 7 G
Building and construction, estates and assets development and management 8 H
Utilities and infrastructure 9 I
Energy resources – oil, natural gas, petrochemical, chemical and mining/quarrying 10 J
Manufacturing 11 K
Logistics and transport 12 L
Agriculture, livestock and fishery
Education, learning and social development
Top highly demanded jobs:
University professor
University lecturer
University administrator
Education manager
Teacher
Specialist teacher
Career counsellor
Psychologist
Low participation and representation of UAE Nationals
Example employer
Federal and non-federal institutions of higher education, vocational education and training institutions, colleges, AD Education Council, Ministry of Education, etc.
From a range of national activity indicators, twelve (12) industry sectors were identified. The sectors were derived from information related to such activities as economic, social context, employment, and population size as well as synergies in the mix of occupational and vocational skills.

5. Higher education in the UAE
79 federal and non-federal higher education institutions recognized
by CAA (MoE)
Total enrollment in 2014: 128,279
Federal institutions: 35%
Non-federal institutions: 65%

6. Higher education (cont.)
910 accredited programmes
Higher education institutions in Dubai
Expatriate students come from 160 different countries.
UAE national students:
Female: 58%
Male: 42%
Level of study
Total* 58
Federal 3
International** 27
Local 28
Foundation
14%
Diploma and higher diploma 5%
Bachelor's
72%
Graduate diploma and Master's 8%
Doctorate
Less than 1 %
*Online or distance education providers are not included in the total.
**The majority of international universities are located in Free Zones, e.g., Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) and Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV).
3683 scholarships were awarded by MOHESR in On average, 23.3% of scholarships are awarded to female students.
More students are majoring in Business or Engineering than other fields of study.
Total enrollment in 2013/2014: 60,310*
Male: 57%
Female: 43%
* Including both full-time and part-time students.

7. Academic staff in higher education institutions
Full-time faculty represent 6 continents and 118 different nationalities.
UAE Nationals: 5%
Khalifa University 2014/2015
UAE Nationals: 5%
UAEU 2014/2015
UAE Nationals: 25%
Zayed University 2014/2015
UAE Nationals: 3%
Masdar Institute 91 faculty members from nearly 30 countries; 20% UAE nationals.
The British University in Dubai 2013/2014
No UAE academic staff

8. University of Dubai

9. United Arab Emirates University

10. CAA licensed institutions offering programmes aligned to the QFEmirates
79 federal and non-federal higher education institutions recognised
by CAA
52 institutions have at least one programme aligned to the QFEmirates

11. CAA accredited programmes aligned to the QFEmirates
868 accredited programmes (as of December 2015)
221 programmes aligned to the QFEmirates
CAA accredited programs aligned to the QFEmirates by the review year
As of December 2015, there were 868 accredited programs offered by the institutions recognised by CAA. Out of them, 221 (25%) were reviewed between January 2013 and December 2015, and reported by External Review Team members as being in compliance with the QFEmirates. The other 40 programs have been submitted for Renewal of Accreditation and are currently being reviewed by CAA. All programs currently being reviewed for initial or renewal accreditation will eventually align with the QFEmirates, provided they meet all other requirements for accreditation.
The remaining 607 programs were accredited prior to January 2013 and are not due for renewal yet. However, the institutions are required to ensure the programs are aligned with the QFEmirates when submitted for Renewal of Accreditation.
In 2013, CAA reviewed 22 programs. About 124 and 75 programs were reviewed in 2014 and 2015, correspondingly. As of now, every fourth CAA accredited program is aligned to the QFEmirates, which is much higher than in 2014 when they made up about 14%.
Programmes aligned to the QFEmirates
2014: 14%
2015: 25%

12. CAA accredited programmes aligned to the QFEmirates by QF level

13. CAA accredited programmes aligned to the QFEmirates by industry sector
Communications
Electricity
Engineering services
Gas
Scientific and mathematics
Utilities support
Water