Work in Dubai – Country Profile

Higher Education in Dubai 

There are 63 higher education institutions in Dubai, 5 of those are public. With a dedicated zone for these institutions, the Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) hosting a collection of student facilities, studying in Dubai is an attractive prospect.  

Universities are either categorised as local university or a branch campus, where the university was founded in Dubai or is a branch of a university founded in another country. Many UK and European universities have campuses in Dubai, with opportunities for those from the founding country to work at their Dubai campus.  

Dubai is unique in the sense that it offers a range of higher education curriculums, including American, Canadian, British, French, German, Russian, Australian, Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, and that of the United Arab Emirates. American and British curriculums are taught in English; however, non-Arab students must take Arabic lessons. Arabic is the teaching language in public universities, while the majority of private universities teach through English.  

Students should ensure their chosen university and course provide an internationally recognised accreditation if wishing to work outside of the UAE after graduation.  

Undergraduate programmes typically cost anywhere from 40,000 to 100,00 AED per year. Postgraduate programmes from 50,000 to 120,000 AED per year. In a similar style to America, most Dubai universities dictate cost based on a price per credit-hour approach.  

The cost of living in Dubai is considered high compared to other countries so be sure to explore grants, scholarships and financial aid to ease the cost.  

The academic year is split into two semesters, September to December and January to June.  

Some of the well-known universities in Dubai include: 

• Zayed University 

• American University in Dubai 

• University of Wollongong in Dubai 

• University of Dubai 

• American University in the Emirates 

PhD Programmes in Dubai 

PhD programmes in Dubai are structured similarly to the UK, with independent study resulting in a thesis, over three to four years of full-time study. Usually costing between 129,000 to 359,00 AED. 

Each university will have its own entry requirements but, overall, you must hold a master’s degree recognised by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education with a minimum GPA. All applicants must also complete a Graduate Record Examination, university will have varying acceptance scores. There may also be a language requirement depending on the programmes, with courses taught in either Arabic or English. 

Transportation in Dubai 

Public Transportation 

Dubai has an extensive transportation network, comprising bus, metro and tram lines. The rechargeable ticket, Nol Card, can be used across the bus, metro and tram systems, as well as in taxis. It offers discounted tickets and can be bought at metro stations, bus stations and most supermarkets.  

Buses are a popular choice of transportation covering 82% of the urban areas with over 1,500 buses. Buses run 24 hours in the city and can come as often as every 30 minutes. Tap on and off with your Nol Card as it is the only form of payment accepted on buses. 

There is an advanced trail system in the form of the Dubai Metro. With two lines, red and green, connecting the Dubai International Airport to the most popular parts of the city.  

The newest form of public transport is the Dubai Tram, comprising 11 stations around the city, it is a vital link between the metro and the Palm Monorail. Running along Al Sufouh Road and Jumeirah Beach Road, it takes only 40 minutes to ride the whole route. 

The Palm Monorail encourages users to “take the scenic route”, running from Al Sufouh Road to Atlantis, with stops along Palm Jumeirah Island and its most popular attractions. 

Due to Dubai being a city by the sea, there are Water taxis, Water Buses and ferry services available to bring people up and down Dubai’s coastline.  

Dedicated waiting areas, compartments and sections for women, children and those with disabilities are integral to public transportation in Dubai. 

To find out more about public transport in Dubai see the RTA website. To plan your journey in Dubai using public transport, see the RTA Journey Planner. 

International Travel 

Dubai has two international airports, hosting millions of passengers every year, Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport. Dubai International Airport is the second busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic. UAE has two government-owned airlines Fly Dubai and Emirates. Fly Dubai connects the city with destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. 

Working in Dubai 

The working week is Sunday to Thursday. The weekend in Dubai is Friday and Saturday, with Friday being a holy day for Muslims. 

In the private sector, working hours are 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week. Hospitality work can be up to 9 hours a day. Those in the public sector usually start and end early, with hours typically between 7:30 am and 3 pm. During the month of Ramadan, working hours are decreased by 2 hours.  

Modest dress is expected for both men and women, covering shoulders, knees, chest and back. Formality is depending on the dress code of the company.  

IT and innovation jobs are rising in demand as the UAE is trying to move away from its dependence on the oil sector. Workers can enjoy tax-free salaries but keep in mind the high cost of living in Dubai.  

Dubai has a series of trade-free zones for specific industries such as finance, media, medicine, IT, and more. These zones are filled with international companies and are therefore popular areas for foreign workers.  

Business Etiquette 

While international businesses may operate in the style of the founding country, Emeriti businesses are hierarchical in structure. You should show deference to senior employees and management, and there is a distinct separation between management and staff.  

Emiratis are known for being very polite and formal, being courteous and having good manners are valued in the workplace. Being punctual for meetings and work events is key. Expect to be addressed by title and make the effort to find out your contact’s correct title. 

As a sign of respect, when meeting a group of people, greet the most senior person first. If they are the same gender as you, it is okay to extend a handshake. If the opposite gender, only shake their hand if it is offered. As it is custom in the Muslim faith, ensure you always use your right hand when shaking hands, handing over items or eating.  

As Dubai is a multicultural city, you will likely be working with people from many different countries so make an effort to learn what is and is not acceptable conduct in their culture.  

Building business relationships are key to getting things done in Dubai. Business cards are important when networking, it is polite to have these cards in both Arabic and English, consider getting double-sided cards. 

Patience is a virtue. Compared with Western countries, progress can be slower in Dubai, and you will need to build rapport with your business associates before starting the process. Small talk is encouraged and a good way to build rapport, stick to general topics and not ask personal questions.  

Faith has a huge influence on business culture in the UAE, so understanding and respecting Islamic beliefs and local customs is important for foreigners. The Muslim day of prayer is Friday, so avoid scheduling any work-related activities then. During Ramadan, be sensitive to those observing the fast by not eating in public areas during daylight hours. 

Gifts can be a nice gesture when meeting a client for the first time or when closing a business deal, make sure the gift is good quality but not ostentatious. Avoid gift-giving across genders and if a gift must be presented to a woman, it is best for a woman on your team to give it. Also avoid any gift that would offend someone of the Muslim faith, such as alcohol. 

Eligibility to Work in Dubai 

There are a number of visas that allow you to live and work in the UAE, to find out more about the types of visas to work in the UAE please see the UAE Government website. Be aware foreigners wishing to work in the UAE will need to pass a health screening for communicable diseases such as HIV and TB.  

To study in Dubai, international students are required to have a student residence visa, with the exceptions of those from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. For a student residence visa, students must be sponsored by their attending university. Not every university offers sponsorship so ensure you check with your chosen university if they do.  

Students are allowed to work part-time, as well as unpaid internships or paid placements in addition to part-time work. You will need to apply for a working permit with the sponsorship of your university.