- 57,035 new students enrolled for the 2024-2025 academic year across 66 institutions, marking a 13% year-on-year increase.
- Female students accounted for 54% of admissions (30,756), highlighting progress toward gender equity in higher education.
- Streamlined admissions, flexible curricula, and a unified digital platform underpin inclusive access, aligning with the UAE’s “We the UAE 2031” vision for a competitive knowledge economy.
The United Arab Emirates has recorded a milestone in its higher education sector, with 57,035 new students enrolled for the 2024‑2025 academic year across 66 institutions a figure marking a decade‑high and a 13 per cent increase year‑on‑year. Female enrolment constituted a majority, with 30,756 women representing 54 per cent of new admissions, while male students numbered 26,281 a notable 18 per cent rise compared with the previous year.
According to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), the surge reflects a more flexible and efficient admissions system backed by enhanced digital services and a unified registration platform. The ministry highlighted that streamlined procedures, minimal bureaucracy and updates to admission criteria implemented in 2024 enabled universities to align programmes more closely with student aspirations and national labour‑market demands.
MoHESR emphasised that the recent regulatory update allowed higher education institutions greater freedom to design curricula and set admission benchmarks centred on student ability not exclusively test scores. This shift supports diversified pathways into specialised fields and is aligned with the UAE’s broader agenda under the 'We the UAE 2031' vision, which aims to create a modern, agile education system supporting a competitive knowledge economy.
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Assistant Undersecretary Taif Mohamed Alamiri described the ministry’s approach as one of balancing rapid growth with academic quality, stressing that unified digital platforms, continuous feedback loops and transparent admission processes are central to maintaining institutional standards. The high enrolment figures are thus not viewed solely as numeric achievements but as indicators of evolving governance in the higher‑education sector, offering more inclusive and responsive academic opportunities.
The gender balance observed this year underscores the UAE’s success in expanding access to women, making up over half the new student intake and reflecting the country’s long‑term commitment to equitable participation in higher education. This trend pioneers wider participation not only among Emiratis but international students as well, affirming the country’s growing attractiveness as an educational hub. The ministry’s investment in admissions reform, digital transformation and institutional governance is expected to sustain this upward trajectory while preserving quality and relevance in academic offerings.
As the UAE enters a new decade of higher education development, the latest enrolment data reinforce the message that the country is building a dynamic, inclusive university sector which adapts to evolving student needs, technological trends and labour‑market demands. Ensuring that this growth continues in tandem with strong quality assurance and strategic alignment remains the ministry’s key responsibility.
