Lion’s share of Dubai’s international students are Indian

Indian students make up the largest group of international students in Dubai’s private higher education institutions, according to figures from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), a government body overseeing education in the emirate.

For the 2024–25 academic year, Indian nationals account for 43% of all international students in Dubai — a significant lead over students from Russia and Pakistan (6% each), China (4%), and Kazakhstan (3%).

The surge is part of a broader trend. Dubai has seen a 20.4% increase in total student enrollment, with 35.2% of students now coming from outside the UAE. Last year’s growth rate stood at 12.3%.

Business top pick for students

According to the data reported by Gulf News, international student intake rose from 25.3% to 29.4%, underscoring Dubai’s increasing attractiveness as a global education destination. The emirate now hosts 41 private institutions, including 37 international university campuses.

Popular specializations among international students include business (54%), IT and engineering (11% each), media and design (6%), and humanities (3%). Most are pursuing bachelor’s degrees (53%), while 37% are enrolled in master’s programs.

Among more than 3,800 Emirati students, 62% are studying for bachelor’s degrees. Their top subjects include business (42%), engineering (21%), and IT (15%).

Indian faculty leads in numbers

Indian nationals also dominate among university faculty, making up 29% of Dubai’s more than 2,100 faculty members. They are followed by educators from the UK (13%), Pakistan (6%), US and Lebanon (5% each).

The body says these trends highlight Dubai’s role as an emerging higher education hub, driven by English-medium instruction, internationally recognized degrees, and strong government regulation.