Abu Dhabi posts biggest rise in global student city rankings

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Four cities in the United Arab Emirates—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Al Ain—were featured in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 list, with Abu Dhabi climbing eight places to 72nd and Dubai ranking fifth globally for Student Voice. These rankings highlight the UAE’s growing appeal as an international study destination, supported by initiatives like Dubai’s Education 33 strategy aiming to increase international student enrollment and expand the number of universities by 2033.

The United Arab Emirates has reinforced its status as a prominent global destination for international students, with four cities ranking in the latest QS Best Student Cities 2027 list. Abu Dhabi emerged as the most notable mover among Emirati cities, advancing eight places to 72nd worldwide. Dubai also featured strongly, positioned at 79th overall and securing fifth place globally for Student Voice, a ranking based on feedback from international students.

The report underscores key factors driving student satisfaction across the UAE, including safety, cultural diversity, lifestyle, and the quality of the overall study experience. While the reputation and scale of higher education institutions in the country continue to develop, the growing appeal of the UAE as a study destination remains evident.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi led the country’s performance in the rankings, fueled primarily by positive student perceptions. Dubai ranked fifth worldwide for Student Voice and 23rd for Desirability—a metric assessing safety, environment, and lifestyle factors. Abu Dhabi earned 21st place globally for Student Voice and climbed over 30 spots in Desirability to reach 43rd position. These results suggest that both cities are viewed by students as some of the world’s most attractive places to live and study.

Sharjah and Al Ain also appeared in the rankings, placing 80th and 109th respectively. Sharjah was noted for its strong international student presence, ranking 60th globally for international student mix.

Jessica Turner, Chief Executive Officer of QS, highlighted the UAE’s progress in building an appealing educational environment. She characterized the country’s cities as those “students genuinely love,” supported by a growing number of universities attracting international talent. Turner also pointed to Dubai’s ambition to rank among the world’s top ten student cities by 2033, emphasizing the city’s strong foundations, desirability, and high levels of student satisfaction.

The rankings align with Dubai’s ongoing Education 33 (E33) strategy, which seeks to boost the share of international students in higher education to 50 percent by 2033, up from approximately 35 percent currently. The emirate also plans to nearly double the number of international universities operating locally, aiming to expand from 37 to over 70 institutions in the coming decade.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.