Founded in 2003 by the country’s Vice President and Prime Minister, Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the British University in Dubai is licensed by the UAE’s Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Affairs. All its programmes hold accreditation from the Commission for Academic Accreditation.
Situated in Dubai International Academic City, Dubai, the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, the university stands out for its luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture, and vibrant nightlife. Dubai is home to iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain, and the world-famous Atlantis, The Palm resort.
Academically, the university is structured around three faculties: the faculty of engineering and it, the faculty of education, and the faculty of business and law. Each faculty houses various departments, offering a diverse array of degree programmes at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Research is a cornerstone of the university's activities, contributing significantly to educational, scientific, legal, business, and sociological research. This engagement plays a pivotal and collaborative role in the economies and cultures of the UAE, the Middle East, and the broader global landscape. Throughout the year, research is conducted at various university research centres, including the Centre for Research in Digital Education, the Dubai Centre for Risk and Innovation, and the Dubai-Edinburgh Sustainability Institute.
The university is part of a strategic alliance with three UK Russell Group universities: the University of Edinburgh, the University of Manchester, and the University of Glasgow.