BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
The UAE is earning recognition for being a centre of world-class higher education, with a growing number of tertiary institutions ranking among the world’s leading universities and several emerging as top performers in Asia.
UAE universities have rated highly across multiple international benchmarks in recent indices.
The country’s institutions impressed in the QS World University Rankings 2027, with 12 universities placing within the world’s top 1,000.
Khalifa University was the highest ranked, placing 147th place globally, followed by UAE University at 217.
American University of Sharjah ranked 258th, while University of Sharjah placed 283rd. Abu Dhabi University came in at 348, followed by Ajman University at 397.
UAE institutions also claimed top positions in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, with eight universities placing within the world’s top 600.
Abu Dhabi University, Khalifa University and UAE University shared the highest position among UAE institutions, with all three placed in the 201–250 global band, University of Sharjah followed in the 301–350 bracket.
Seven institutions in the UAE also ranked highly in the US News Best Global Universities 2026–2027 rankings, which covered 2,250 universities across 105 countries.
University of Sharjah led UAE institutions in this ranking, placing 247th globally. UAE University followed at 285, while Khalifa University ranked 340th.
Eight UAE universities ranked among Asia’s top 150 in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2026.
UAE University was the country’s highest-ranked institution at 55th in Asia, narrowly ahead of Khalifa University at 57th. Abu Dhabi University placed 91st, while University of Sharjah ranked 97th, putting four UAE institutions inside the Asian top 100.
Speaking to Aletihad, Prof Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University (ADU) said: “Our progress in international rankings is not an end in itself, but a reflection of the university’s continued efforts to strengthen the quality and relevance of its academic offering, expand its research impact and prepare graduates for an increasingly dynamic global economy, and specifically the UAE’s evolving economy.”
He noted that ADU’s research trajectory has been an important part of this progress, reaching more than 4,000 Scopus-indexed publications, reflecting the growing contribution of the university and its researchers to global knowledge.
“At a national level, the growing international recognition of UAE universities reflects the country’s emergence as a leading destination for higher education, research and innovation,” Aouad added.
He noted that strong universities contribute to attracting talent and investment, developing the knowledge economy and building the human capital needed to support national priorities in the country.
Prof Nazih Khaddaj Mallat, Vice President of Accreditations and Quality Assurance at Al Ain University (AAU), emphasised that AAU’s growing international standing is the result of consistent work and a shared commitment across the university.
“Stronger international recognition gives our students greater confidence in the value of their degree and can open more doors for the future,” Mallat told Aletihad, noting that the international rankings also support the vision and efforts of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) to build a competitive, knowledge-based economy and strengthen the country’s higher education sector internationally.
Lana Bustanji, a master’s student in pharmaceutical sciences at AAU expressed her pride in being a student in an internationally recognised university.
“As a student, you always hope that the place you choose will prepare you for what comes next, so seeing my university gain global recognition gives me a sense of reassurance and confidence in my future,” Bustanji told Aletihad.