University Tuition Cost in Sharjah (2026)
Quick Answer
Estimated rangeUniversity tuition in Sharjah varies widely by institution and programme, but a realistic overall range is roughly AED 27,000 to AED 90,000 per year for many undergraduate degrees, with medicine and dentistry often much higher. Verified examples from official university fee pages include about AED 27,440 per year at the University of Sharjah for a BA in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and AED 79,800 per year at American University of Sharjah for most undergraduate majors.
Overview
Sharjah has a mix of public-linked and private universities, so tuition fees depend heavily on the institution, degree type and number of credit hours taken each term. In practice, many universities in Sharjah charge on a per-credit-hour basis, which means the annual cost depends on the programme’s required load rather than a single flat fee. Broadly, arts, business and many general undergraduate courses tend to sit at the lower to middle end of the market, while engineering, architecture, dentistry and medicine are usually more expensive. Official fee schedules from major Sharjah institutions show meaningful price gaps. At the University of Sharjah, annual tuition can start from around AED 27,440 for some humanities degrees and rise to around AED 171,680 for medicine, based on published per-credit fees and standard annual study loads. At the American University of Sharjah, most undergraduate tuition is published at AED 79,800 per year, while architecture is higher. Some institutions may also charge one-off application, admission, registration, laboratory or student activity fees in addition to tuition. For domestic versus international students, many private universities in the UAE charge the same published tuition regardless of nationality, though scholarships and discounts can differ. Because fee schedules are updated periodically and credit loads vary, students should always confirm the latest official breakdown directly with the university before applying.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| University of Sharjah undergraduate tuition example: BA in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences(per academic year) Based on the official rate of AED 980 per credit hour and a published annual load of 28 credit hours. | ~AED 27,440 – AED 27,440 | Estimated range |
| University of Sharjah undergraduate tuition example: BSc/BEng programmes(per academic year) Calculated from official per-credit fees: many science/IT programmes at AED 1,360 x 28 credits = AED 38,080; engineering at AED 1,540 x 28 credits = AED 43,120. | ~AED 38,080 – AED 43,120 | Estimated range |
| University of Sharjah undergraduate tuition example: Medicine(per academic year) Based on the official rate of AED 5,360 per credit hour and a published annual load of 32 credit hours. | ~AED 171,680 – AED 171,680 | Estimated range |
| American University of Sharjah undergraduate tuition(per academic year) Official published annual tuition is AED 79,800 for most majors and AED 86,100 for architecture. | ~AED 79,800 – AED 86,100 | Estimated range |
| Typical Sharjah university tuition range(per academic year) Estimated range based on verified published fees from major Sharjah universities for non-medical undergraduate programmes; medicine and dentistry can exceed this range significantly. | ~AED 27,000 – AED 90,000 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Tuition is usually charged per credit hour or as an annual tuition amount
- Some universities publish separate one-off application or admission fees
- Laboratory or specialist course fees may apply on top of tuition
Regulator / licensing: UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Most undergraduate bachelor’s degrees are typically 4 years in Sharjah; some professional programmes such as medicine take longer.
How Fees Work
Commonly charged per credit hour, with total annual cost depending on the programme’s required study load. Some universities instead publish annual tuition for standard full-time enrolment.
Factors Affecting Price
- Type of degree, with medicine, dentistry, architecture and engineering usually costing more than arts or business
- Per-credit-hour pricing and the number of credits taken each semester or academic year
- Institution type and reputation, especially whether the university is a premium private institution
- Extra charges such as application, registration, laboratory, technology or student activity fees
- Scholarships, merit discounts or employer sponsorship
Local Context
In Sharjah and the wider UAE, higher-education tuition is normally quoted in AED and there is no tipping element. The main local difference is between institutions and programme type rather than citywide tax effects. Students should also budget for books, housing, transport and possible visa-related costs if they are coming from abroad.
These are data-informed estimate ranges, not confirmed prices.
Costs like this vary widely by job, location, timing and provider, so there is no single fixed price. The ranges here are based on typical market rates to give you a realistic ballpark. For an exact figure for your situation, get a quote or check the official source below.
All figures are in UAE dirhams (AED). Annual totals may vary with credit load and additional university fees.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research · government
Official UAE higher-education authority relevant to recognition and regulation context.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a typical undergraduate degree cost in Sharjah?+
For many non-medical undergraduate degrees, a useful working range is around AED 27,000 to AED 90,000 per academic year. Lower-cost humanities programmes can fall near the bottom of that range, while premium private universities and specialist subjects are often higher.
Are tuition fees in Sharjah charged per year or per credit hour?+
Many Sharjah universities use a per-credit-hour model, so the annual bill depends on how many credits you take. Some institutions also publish an annual tuition amount for a standard full-time undergraduate load.
Are international students charged more than UAE students?+
At many private universities in the UAE, the published tuition is the same regardless of nationality. However, scholarship eligibility, sponsorship arrangements and administrative requirements can differ.
Which courses are the most expensive?+
Medicine and dentistry are usually the most expensive, followed by some architecture and engineering programmes. General arts, humanities and some business-related courses are often cheaper.
Do the published fees usually include everything?+
Not always. Universities may list separate charges for applications, admissions, registration, labs, insurance or student services, so it is important to check the full official fee schedule.
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Check current prices at the official source
UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
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