- UAE restricts government-funded scholarships to UK universities, citing concerns about student exposure to Islamist radicalisation on campuses.
- Alternative destinations include the US, Australia, France, and Israel, while British universities are excluded from the official scholarship list.
- Policy impact visible in declining UK student numbers, with Emirati enrollments falling 27% in 2025 and degrees from non-approved universities potentially unrecognised for public service.
The United Arab Emirates has moved to restrict government‑funded scholarships for its citizens who wish to study at British universities, reflecting growing concerns in Abu Dhabi about the environment on UK campuses. According to reports, the UAE’s Ministry of Education updated its list of overseas institutions in June to include universities in countries such as the United States, Australia, France, and Israel, but British universities were notably excluded from the roster of scholarship‑eligible institutions.
People familiar with the matter told the Financial Times that the exclusion was intentional and driven by concerns among Emirati officials that British universities could expose students to the risk of Islamist radicalisation. “They don’t want their kids to be radicalised on campus”, one source involved in the discussions said, highlighting the government’s focus on student safety and ideological influence. UK authorities, for their part, have emphasised the importance of academic freedom within British higher education.
The UAE’s decision comes against the backdrop of long-standing diplomatic tensions between Abu Dhabi and London, particularly over the UK’s refusal to proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood an Islamist organisation designated as a terrorist group by the UAE. This difference has added strain to relations between the two allies, with Abu Dhabi urging London to take a firmer stance on Islamist movements.
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Reports also cite broader concerns, noting that official figures from the UK’s Prevent deradicalisation programme showed a rise in students flagged for possible Islamist radicalisation during the 2023-24 academic year, nearly doubling from the previous year. While these numbers represent only a small fraction of the overall student population, they have been referenced by Emirati officials as part of the rationale for tightening funding policies.
The impact of the policy is already visible. In the year ending September 2025, the number of UAE students granted visas to study at UK universities fell to 213 a 27 percent drop from the previous year and a 55 percent decline compared with 2022 indicating that fewer Emiratis are now pursuing higher education in Britain. Emirati students already enrolled in UK programmes may continue to receive some funding, and wealthier families can still send their children abroad using private resources. However, degrees from universities not on the approved list may not be formally recognised by the UAE government, limiting their value for those intending to work in public service at home.
Despite the changes, several British institutions maintain a presence in the UAE through branch campuses, and officials have described bilateral relations as 'strong', even as educational ties face new challenges amid broader geopolitical tensions.
