- Dubai sees 20 percent surge in higher education enrollment with over 42,000 students in 41 private institutions for 2024/25, driven by a 29 percent rise in international students.
- L.E.K. Consulting study highlights Dubai as a top global growth market, offering strong employability focus, world-class infrastructure, and favorable post-study prospects.
- Dubai targets 50 percent international student enrollment by 2033 under its Education 33 Strategy, aiming to become a top 10 global city for education.
Dubai is fast establishing itself as a world-leading global hub for higher education, fueled by high growth in enrollment and a dramatic rise in the number of international students. That is the conclusion of a new study by L.E.K. Consulting, which presented its report at a recent high-level meeting in Dubai, which brought together senior stakeholders, policymakers, and leaders from throughout the higher education sector.
Analysis by the international strategy consulting firm identifies Dubai as among the most interesting growth markets in the world for higher education, attributed to pivotal drivers such as an expanding base of high school students, rising demand for transnational higher education, the presence of internationally branded universities, student-friendly facilities, and robust post-study employment opportunities.
According to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), over 42,000 students are now registered in 41 private higher education institutions in Dubai for the 2024/25 academic year a 20 percent increase on last year. This increase is even more dramatic among international students, whose figures have risen by 29 percent, now making up 35 percent of all the students in these institutions.
At the same time, Emirati enrollment in foreign universities has increased by 22 percent as well, highlighting the dual attractiveness of Dubai both to local and international students.
Partner and leader of the Global Education practice at L.E.K. Consulting Ashwin Assomull said "With an increasing number of graduates from our excellent range of international schools in the city, Dubai offers a compelling opportunity for international universities to address the changing demands of local and international students".
“Amid increasing regulatory restrictions in traditional anglophone markets, Dubai’s world-class higher education infrastructure, global connectivity, favourable cost structure, and reputation for safety present unparalleled opportunities for students, operators, and investors to capitalise on this transformative growth”.
Assomull explained that Dubai’s educational momentum is underpinned by a workforce-oriented model that sets it apart from other regional education hubs like Singapore or Qatar. “Dubai’s institutions not only deliver strong academics but also focus on employability, providing students with job-ready skills and professional networks. This gives Dubai a clear competitive edge”, he said.
He also pointed out that the growth path being experienced today is attracting more world universities to the Dubai market. Institutions are reacting to pressures in their native countries including demographic changes and regulatory pressures by opening up in Dubai, which is a welcoming environment, high demand, and demonstrated record of success. The city offers unprecedented opportunities for students, operators, and investors.
In the future, Dubai would like to see 50 percent international enrollment by 2033. To meet this goal, it will need continued investment in academic quality, physical and virtual infrastructure, student housing, and faculty training.
L.E.K. Consulting plays a strategic role in this transformation, advising universities and investors on how to align with Dubai’s fast-evolving education ecosystem and the goals of the Education 33 Strategy, a comprehensive plan developed by KHDA to transform Dubai’s education system, aiming to position the emirate among the top 10 global cities for education by 2033.
The company's services include helping institutions get into the market, coordinating their growth in the region with their overall objectives, creating scalable designs, and optimizing their functions. "If Dubai continues to gather pace, it won't only achieve its goals it will be an international benchmark for the future of global higher education", Assomull said.
