United Arab Emirates · Master's · PhD · Fully funded · No return requirement
MBZUAI Funded MSc and PhD
Abu Dhabi's AI university funds PhD students and offers merit-based funding for its MSc in AI, with free tuition, a monthly stipend, yearly airfare and health insurance for funded students.
At a glance
- Deadline
- Dec 15, 202640 days left
- Funding
- Fully funded
- Duration
- Not stated on the pages read, except 34 credit hours for the Master in Applied AI
- Return home
- No return requirement
01
Mission
MBZUAI is a university dedicated to artificial intelligence in Abu Dhabi. It funds PhD students and offers funding to MSc students, with the funding tied to admission.
02
What you get
Funded students receive free tuition, a monthly stipend, one return airfare home each year, health insurance for the approved period, and a UAE visa and Emirates ID where eligible. The page lists AED 15,500 for international MSc students and AED 17,500 for international PhD students without stating the period. MSc students are fee-paying by default, and the Master in Applied AI is not eligible for funding.
03
Who can apply
You need a STEM degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, depending on the programme, and valid proof of English. Work experience is not required, and the CV should show research and any publications.
04
What they look for
Admission uses a screening exam in advanced mathematics and programming. PhD applicants are also tested on machine learning and core computer science, and a subset of applicants is invited to a technical interview.
05
The fine print
PhD funding in year 1 is central, and funding moves to your advisor by the start of year 2, subject to an advisor match and satisfactory progress. Funded students must stay in person on campus. The main deadline is 15 December 2026.
06
How to apply
- 01Apply online between 7 September and 15 December 2026, with only one application for the cycle.
- 02Take the screening exam in mathematics and programming, with machine learning and computer science for PhD applicants.
- 03Pay the AED 200 fee after the exam unless you score 75% or higher.
- 04Attend the technical interview if invited, then wait for the decision by 31 March 2027.
Documents
- CVRequired
- Transcripts and degree certificatesRequired
- Statement of purpose as PDFRequired
- Research statement as PDF (PhD)Required
- Referee recommendationsRequired
- Proof of English proficiencyRequired
- Passport copy and white-background photoRequired
07
Timeline
- Portal opens7 September 2026
- Final deadline, most programmes15 December 2026, 5 p.m. GST
- Decisions, most programmesBy 31 March 2027
- Offer response15 April 2027
- Computational Biology portal opens30 September 2026
- Computational Biology final deadline22 January 2027, 5 p.m. GST
- Master in Applied AI final deadline28 February 2027, 5 p.m. GST, with decisions by 15 April and offer response by 30 April 2027
08
Amounts
- Stipend figure for international MSc studentsAED 15,500, period not stated
- Stipend figure for international PhD studentsAED 17,500, period not stated
- Master in Applied AI tuitionAED 170,000 in total, 34 credit hours