Canadian University Dubai
About
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs based on a world-leading international curriculum. Located in the city’s vibrant business district, CUD gives students the unique opportunity to obtain a first-class Canadian education while experiencing the dynamic lifestyle of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Introduction
A Canadian education in the heart of Dubai
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs based on a world-leading international curriculum. Located in the city’s vibrant business district, CUD gives students the unique opportunity to obtain a first-class Canadian education while experiencing the dynamic lifestyle of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
A gateway to life in Canada
Each of our academic programs offers the option to start your higher education in Dubai, then transfer with credit to one of our Canadian or other international partners. Studying at CUD provides a gateway for students to pursue higher education, research, and employment opportunities in Canada.
A reputation for academic excellence
We collaborate with our Canadian partner institutions to develop world-class curricula, and our international faculty are leaders in their field. We deliver a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across disciplines in Architecture & Interior Design; Communication and Media; Engineering, Applied Science and Technology; Management; Creative Industries; Environmental Health Sciences; and Social Sciences, including Psychology and Applied Sociology.
A practice-based learning approach
Our industry-informed programs focus on critical work-related skills to give graduates a head-start in the UAE’s growing knowledge economy. We offer students unique opportunities to collaborate with senior faculty on applied research projects and to explore innovation and entrepreneurship through our student business incubator.
An outstanding student experience
Our diverse campus community represents over 120 different nationalities, and our vibrant student life ensures that every one of our graduates is equipped with the skills and experiences of global citizenship required to excel in the modern business world.
Quick facts
- Ranked #1 in Dubai and #25 in the Arab Region (QS Arab Region University Rankings 2022)
- Ranked in the top 2% (601-650) worldwide and top 4 in the UAE (QS World University Rankings 2022)
- 50+ international academic partners
- 40+ accredited programs & concentrations
- 120+ student nationalities joined.
- International Program Accreditation/Certification: CIMA, CFA, ACCA, IAA, PRSA, PRME, ECO Canada, & SHRM
Campus Features
UAE
A diverse, sophisticated, and ultramodern nation, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is renowned for its dynamic business environment and its open and progressive society, which combine to make it officially the happiest country in the region*.
From unspoiled beaches to rugged mountains, and picturesque heritage sites to dazzling modern architecture, the UAE’s landscape is as diverse as its people, offering a truly unique lifestyle experience for students and professionals alike.
As the gateway between east and west, the country has become a safe and accessible base for leading multinationals from across the globe to establish a foothold in the Middle East market, and to explore emerging economies further afield.
With this expanding business base comes a wealth of opportunities for employment and enterprise, attracting students and professionals from around the world and giving the UAE its unique multicultural identity, as the home to nationals from almost 200 countries.
The higher education landscape in the UAE reflects the diverse cultural mix of the country itself. With a thirst for innovation, the UAE is also gathering a growing reputation for its advancements in research and technological development.
*United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, World Happiness Report 2020.
Gallery
Rankings
- Ranked #1 in university Dubai (QS World University Rankings 2023)/(THE Impact Rankings 2022)
- Ranked in the top 541-550 worldwide and top 4 in the UAE (QS World University Rankings 2023)
- Ranked #7 for International Students and #8 for International Faculty worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2023)
- 18 accredited programs and over 30 majors/concentrations
- Regional affiliation: AArU (Association of Arab Universities)
- Licensed by the Ministry of Education – United Arab Emirates
- Accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA)
- Diverse student community with over 120 nationalities
- International Program Accreditation/Certification: CIMA, CFA, ACCA, IAA, PRSA, PRME, ECO Canada, & SHRM
Institutional Licensure & Program Accreditation
Canadian University Dubai is licensed to award degrees by the UAE Ministry of Education - Higher Education Affairs. In addition, all of our degree-granting programs are accredited by the Ministry of Education - Higher Education Affairs through the Commission for Academic Accreditation.
Rankings
International
Canadian University Dubai has been ranked in the top 2% (601-650) worldwide and the top 4 in the United Arab Emirates according to the QS World University Rankings 2022. The QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) ranking system is recognized among the world’s most respected university rankings.
Professional Accreditations and Affiliations
Our academic programs are designed to prepare students for professional practice in their chosen field. This focus on employability skills has attracted industry recognition from leading international professional bodies, as outlined below. Canadian University Dubai's accredited programs have also been listed on the International Program Accreditation Portal (IPAP) by the UAE Ministry of Education.
The IPAP is a public portal that provides information on the Strategic National KPI that measures the percentage of nationally accredited undergraduate programs that have received an additional accreditation by a recognized international body.
International Advertising Association
CUD is among an elite group of educational institutions around the world to be awarded the prestigious certificate of accreditation from the International Advertising Association (IAA). New graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Communication – Advertisement specialization will receive the IAA Certificate of Completion, in addition to a wide range of professional development opportunities exclusive to the IAA.
Public Relations Society of America
CUD is one of a small number of North American and international institutions, and the first and only one in the MENA region, to be accredited by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for its Bachelor of Arts in Communication – Public Relations program.
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Students of the BBA in Accounting and Finance program can obtain exemptions from eight of the exams that lead to the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Professional Qualification, and the global professional designation of Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). Those majoring in Marketing, e-Business, or Human Resource Management can obtain five exemptions, with other exemptions available for MBA graduates.
Chartered Financial Analyst Institute
CUD is also an affiliated university with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Affiliation Program. This affiliation indicates that the curriculum of our BBA in Accounting and Finance program is closely tied to the practice of investment management and is helpful to students preparing for the CFA® Program exams.
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Students graduating with a BBA in Accounting and Finance between January 1st, 2021, and December 31st, 2025, will receive a total of seven exemptions in the professional Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) examination papers, specifically those related to applied knowledge and applied skills. Find out more here and explore the ACCA exemptions calculator for the exempted ACCA examination papers.
Autodesk
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Architecture, BSc in Architectural Studies, and BSc in Interior Design programs benefit from our Authorized Academic Partner with Autodesk, a global leader in the design and make technology. For over four decades, Autodesk has worked to transform how things are made. Their solutions currently span countless industries, empowering innovators to combine technologies in new ways, unleash talent, and unlock insights to make the new possible.
Association of Arab Universities
CUD is proud to join the Association of Arab Universities (AArU) as an active member, that works to support and connect institutions for higher learning in the Arab world, as well as enhance cooperation among them. The non-governmental organization includes 280 Arab universities at present, 12 of which are located in the United Arab Emirates.
Environmental Careers Organization of Canada
CUD’s BSc in Environmental Health Management meets the Environmental Careers Organization of Canada's (ECO Canada) international standard of excellence in environmental practice, aligning with the growing labor market needs of the global environmental workforce. This International Post-Secondary Environmental Program Accreditation recognizes CUD for our commitment to high-quality education, accountability, and public trust.
Principles for Responsible Management Education
CUD is a proud member of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), a worldwide initiative of the United Nations Global Compact to promote responsible and sustainable management education that includes 850 leading business and management schools across 95 countries.
Society for Human Resource Management
CUD has been acknowledged by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) for the alignment of our BBA in Human Resource Management with SHRM’s Human Resources (HR) Curriculum Guidebook and Templates since 2020. Globally, over 400 programs in approximately 375 educational institutions have been acknowledged by SHRM for their alignment with its guidelines and templates that define the minimum HR content areas that should be studied by undergraduate and graduate HR students. The guidelines are part of SHRM’s academic initiative to define HR education standards taught in university business schools and help them develop degree programs that follow these standards.
International Association of Universities
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has joined the International Association of Universities (IAU), further demonstrating our commitment to growing our global network of institutional partners and facilitating our education and applied research development to enhance our academic and cultural exchanges.