Indian students in Dubai are driving international university enrolment as globally recognised institutions, career-focused programmes and proximity to India strengthen the city’s appeal.
Dubai: Demand for higher education in Dubai has been growing rapidly, with Indian students being the largest group of international students. According to Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), the number of students enrolled in 41 private institutions has increased by 20.4% year on year. International enrolment has grown even faster, at 29.4%, and the number of international students now represents 35.2% of the total number of students.
The number of Indian students enrolled in Dubai’s institutions has grown to 43% of its international students, making it the largest inflow of students from one country. In this context, the significance of this situation increases due to the growth of Dubai’s international students in general and its increasing importance among Indian students.
One of the main causes of the growth in international students in Dubai is the increase in the number of higher education institutions. According to the KHDA, there should be 41 higher-education institutions, 37 of which specialize in providing education in their countries. It has also been noted that during the academic year of 2024-2025, four new education institutions started functioning in Dubai.
Nahid Afshan, Deputy General Manager and Head of Admissions at BITS Pilani Dubai Campus, said: “Dubai’s growing appeal as an international education destination is reflected in the diversity of our incoming cohort. At BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, over 60% of our students this year are from outside the UAE, with a significant number coming from India.”
She added that students and families increasingly recognise Dubai for quality higher education, its international environment, proximity to home and regional connectivity.
“We believe the UAE is increasingly being viewed not simply as an alternative to traditional study destinations, but as a compelling education destination in its own right,” Afshan said.
Career-focused degrees drive demand:
The data indicates that students are more inclined towards career-oriented disciplines now than before. Business course enrolment is 44%, followed by IT, making up 15% of the total number of students, and engineering accounting for 13%. Meanwhile, all these categories are continuously on the rise, with IT degree enrolment growing by 32%, engineering registering a growth of 30% at the same time, and health and medicine increasing by 27% since the last academic year.
Ehtesham Shahid, a renowned journalist and visiting facility with multiple institutes added that,“In recent years, the UAE’s higher education landscape has become practical and affordable. A wider choice of courses and institutions aligned with market needs is now available. As an adjunct faculty member, I have also noticed this in the classroom, with students from China and other Southeast Asian countries registering for courses in the UAE. It is a good choice for parents looking to give their children a world-class education at an affordable price. From an Indian educational institution’s perspective, establishing a presence further in the field is a good stepping stone.”
The international student sector is also continually growing, and its increase has accelerated from 11.9% in 2022–2023 to 25.3% in 2023–2024 and 29.4% in 2024–2025. Moreover, there is a task to reach 50% of total higher education enrolments in the city by 2033, which indicates that efforts to strengthen the position of Dubai as an international educational center continue.
The fact that Indian students can benefit from the growing university ecosystem, developing degree programs, and increasing number of international students in the region makes Dubai more and more attractive for Indian students. Considering that Indians now represent 43% of international students, it can be noted that more and more Indians choose Dubai not just out of convenience but also for favorable conditions of educational offerings in the region.
Cultural familiarity, geographical proximity and strong air connectivity with India are also emerging as key factors behind Dubai’s appeal as an education destination. With Indians forming the UAE’s largest expatriate community, many students arrive in an environment that already feels familiar and well connected to home. Frequent flights between major Indian cities and the UAE make travel easier for students and families, while Indian parents are increasingly showing confidence in the UAE’s expanding educational ecosystem, international universities and career-focused learning opportunities.
Impact to expect
Dubai’s growing education sector could strengthen the emirate’s position as a university hub connecting South Asia, the Middle East and international markets. For Indian families, geographical proximity, expanding university choices and career-focused courses could make studying in Dubai increasingly competitive with established overseas education destinations.
The combination of international campuses, expanding degree options and a diverse student population is changing perceptions of higher education in the emirate. With Indian students in Dubai already forming the largest share of the international student community, the trend suggests the city is increasingly becoming a destination chosen for its educational opportunities rather than convenience alone.
With inputs from Ritika Gupta, CEO and Global Mentor at Aaera.
Ritika Gupta is a global education and career‑design consultancy founded in 2020, and she is widely recognized as a Global Mentor and ICEF‑certified education expert.
