ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Zayed University (ZU) welcomes more than 2,860 students for the 2025/2026 academic year, making it the university’s highest ever intake.
This rise in enrolment reflects ZU’s strengthening reputation for academic excellence and its expanding role in preparing the next generation of leaders, innovators, and creators for the UAE and beyond.
The new class reflects strong interest across ZU’s colleges, with particularly high enrolment in Business, Technological Innovation, and Communication & Media Sciences.
Creative disciplines and health-focused programmes also continue to attract diverse talent, highlighting ZU’s broad academic appeal.
Acting Vice President of Zayed University, Professor Michael Allen, said, "The scale of this year’s intake is a testament to the trust students and families place in the ZU experience. This growth not only brings fresh vibrancy to our campuses, it also reflects the relevance of our programmes. Every student who joins ZU is part of a bigger story, one of national ambition, personal growth, and shared achievement "
This year’s larger cohort will benefit from ZU’s enhanced First Year Experience (FYE), part of a transformation in the student journey from the first day.
The programme is designed to be inclusive, inspiring, and unique, with a commitment to nurturing confident, capable, and compassionate individuals ready to thrive in a complex world.
The FYE is a structured, two-semester journey that builds the foundation for personal growth, academic success, and resilience.
It develops core competencies such as personal growth, career readiness, leadership, adaptability, digital agility, and global awareness.
Through tailored advising, mentorship, interactive projects, workshops, and immersive campus life, students gain practical and transferable skills that prepare them for success at ZU and in their future careers.
A dedicated team of First Year Ambassadors, trained senior students, plays a central role, providing peer guidance from the “Ya Hala” orientation week through to the end of the year, connecting new students with resources, student organisations, and opportunities for active citizenship and cultural expression.
ZU’s year-on-year growth reinforces its role in supporting the UAE Centennial 2071 vision and Projects of the 50, producing graduates with the skills, creativity, and resilience to thrive in a competitive global environment.