Canadian University Dubai Scholarship 2026
The United Arab Emirates is one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing education destinations in the world, offering modern campuses, international faculty, and strong career connections. Canadian University Dubai (CUD), located in the heart of Dubai, delivers Canadian-style education with a global focus. For the 2026–2027 academic year, CUD offers a range of merit-based and needs-based scholarships for international students at both undergraduate and master’s levels.
Canadian University Dubai scholarship provides tuition fee reductions of up to 50% and are renewable based on academic performance. Many awards are assessed automatically during admission, while others (especially needs-based) require a separate application. Also apply for Romania Government Scholarships 2026 | Fully Funded
From my experience helping students apply to universities in the Gulf region, CUD scholarships are among the most accessible merit and hardship awards in the UAE. One student from Egypt received a 50% Academic Excellence Scholarship for a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a high school average of 92%. Another from Pakistan secured a Financial Hardship Scholarship after submitting strong income documents and a compelling case. Tools like Numbeo show Dubai living costs around AED 3,000–5,000/month (≈ USD 800–1,360). Scholarships significantly reduce the financial burden.
What Are the Scholarships?
CUD offers several scholarship categories for new and continuing international students:
- Academic Excellence Scholarship — Merit-based, up to 50% tuition reduction
- Sports Scholarship — For talented athletes
- Financial Hardship Scholarship — Needs-based, up to 50% (renewable per semester)
- Special Needs Scholarship — For students with disabilities
- Special Talent Scholarship — For exceptional skills in arts, music, etc.
Key facts:
- Up to 50% tuition waiver (most common range: 20–50%)
- Renewable each year/semester with minimum CGPA (usually 2.8–3.0)
- Valid for fall and spring semesters (not summer)
- Automatic for Academic Excellence; separate application for Financial Hardship and others
- No application fee for scholarships
Dubai is safe, modern, and full of opportunities. CUD campus is centrally located with excellent facilities.
Eligibility Criteria
General requirements for international students:
- You must be admitted to a full-time undergraduate or master’s program at CUD
- Strong academic record (minimum 75% high school for undergrad; good CGPA for continuing students)
- Meet English language requirements (IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent; MOI certificate accepted in many cases)
- No citizenship restriction — open to all nationalities
Specific categories:
- Academic Excellence: High school average 90%+ or strong prior CGPA
- Financial Hardship: Proof of financial need (income documents, rental contract, etc.); minimum 4 courses/semester recommended
- Sports/Special Talent: Proof of achievement in sport/arts
- Special Needs: Medical documentation
For Financial Hardship:
- Valid for one semester only (reapply each term)
- Returning students need minimum 2.8 CGPA
- Up to 15 hours/month community service required
Strong opinion: The Financial Hardship Scholarship is one of the most supportive needs-based awards in the UAE. Academic Excellence is very achievable with good grades.
Scholarship Benefits
The scholarships focus on tuition reduction (up to 50%). No full-ride cash awards, but tuition savings are significant.
- Tuition fee waiver: 20%–50% (most common range)
- Renewable each semester/year with minimum CGPA (2.8–3.0 depending on category)
- No additional stipend (living costs self-funded)
Table: Typical Tuition Waiver Examples
| Category | Tuition Reduction | Renewal Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Excellence | 20–50% | Maintain high CGPA | Automatic for top applicants |
| Financial Hardship | Up to 50% | Reapply each semester | Needs proof + community service |
| Sports/Talent | 20–50% | Maintain performance | Proof of achievement required |
| Special Needs | Up to 50% | Case-by-case | Medical documentation |
CUD tuition is relatively affordable (AED 60,000–100,000/year depending on program). A 50% waiver saves AED 30,000–50,000 annually.
Programs You Can Pick
CUD offers a wide range of Canadian-style programs in English:
Undergraduate:
- Business Administration
- Architecture & Interior Design
- Communication & Media
- Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical)
- Computer Science & IT
- Environmental Health Sciences
- Psychology
- Creative Industries
Master’s:
- Business Administration (MBA)
- Construction Management
- Integrated Digital Media
- Professional Communication
Full list on cud.ac.ae/academics.
Required Documents
For admission + scholarship consideration:
- Passport copy
- High school diploma/transcripts (undergraduate)
- Bachelor’s degree/transcripts (master’s)
- English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or MOI certificate)
- CV/resume
- Motivation letter (for some categories)
- Financial documents (for Financial Hardship: rental contract, bank statements, salary certificates, sibling tuition proof)
How to Apply for Canadian University Dubai Scholarship?
- Apply for admission online at cud.ac.ae/apply (create account, choose program).
- Submit required documents (transcripts, passport, English proof).
- Receive conditional offer.
- For Academic Excellence/Sports/Talent: Automatic assessment during admission
- For Financial Hardship/Special Needs:
- Download scholarship application form from cud.ac.ae
- Fill form + gather supporting documents
- Email to scholarship@cud.ac.ae or submit in person
- Deadlines:
- Fall semester: July 7, 2026
- Spring semester: December 20, 2025
Tip: Apply early as scholarships are limited and awarded first-come, first-served in some categories.
Why Study at Canadian University Dubai?
Canadian curriculum with Middle East focus. Small classes, strong industry links. Dubai is safe, modern, and full of career opportunities.
Contrarian: Tuition still exists even with waiver. But 50% reduction is significant. Reviews: “International environment, good support.”
More Scholarships
Tools I Recommend
- cud.ac.ae/scholarships – Official scholarships page
- cud.ac.ae/apply – Admission portal
- numbeo.com Dubai – Costs AED 4,000 single
- scholarshipportal.com – UAE
- fastweb.com – General
- goingmerry.com – Clean
Scholarships.com volume.
Application Checklist
- Apply for admission first
- Prepare transcripts & passport
- English proof (MOI certificate ok)
- Financial documents (for hardship)
- Motivation letter/CV
- Submit by July 7 (fall) / Dec 20 (spring)
- Email scholarship@cud.ac.ae for hardship
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying without admission offer. Missing financial proof (hardship). Late submission. Generic motivation letter. Not checking program eligibility.
