Mohammed Bin Rashid University: Your Complete 2026 Guide

Dubai has become one of the region’s foremost destinations for health sciences education, and Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences is at the heart of that development. The university, known as MBRU and named after His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, operates as part of Dubai Health, an integrated academic health system that unites care, learning, and research under a single framework, and currently runs 10 accredited degree programmes across three specialist colleges.

This guide covers what prospective students need to know about Mohammed Bin Rashid University: programmes, fees, scholarships, accreditations, campus facilities, transport connections, and nearby dining.

• Mohammed Bin Rashid University: Overview
• Colleges and programmes at MBRU Dubai
• Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences fees
• Admission requirements and how to apply
• Scholarships and financial support
• Accreditations and rankings
• Location and campus facilities
• Getting to MBRU: Transport options
• Restaurants near Mohammed Bin Rashid University
• Key takeaways
• Frequently Asked Questions

Mohammed Bin Rashid University: Overview

Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) is a health sciences university in Dubai Healthcare City, one of the world’s largest dedicated healthcare free zones. Established under the Dubai Health organisation, MBRU has developed into one of the leading medical schools in Dubai, bringing together three specialist colleges and 10 accredited degree programmes under a single academic framework.

The university’s mission is to impact lives and shape the future of health through the integration of care, learning, and discovery. This commitment to patient-centred care is reinforced by MBRU’s close ties to active clinical environments, including Rashid Hospital, Dubai Hospital, and Latifa Women and Children’s Hospital, making it a distinctive option for those looking to study medicine in Dubai.

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Colleges and programmes at MBRU Dubai

MBRU is structured around 3 colleges, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing professional development programmes across medicine, dental medicine, and nursing and midwifery.

College of Medicine

The College of Medicine offers the Doctor of Medicine (MD), a six-year undergraduate programme divided into three phases. Phase 1 covers foundational sciences, Phase 2 builds applied knowledge across clinical systems, and Phase 3 is dedicated to clinical clerkships at partner hospitals. A spiral curriculum structure revisits subjects at progressively greater depth, designed to produce graduates who are scholars, leaders, communicators, and collaborators.

Beyond the MD, the College of Medicine supports graduate medical education through residency programmes, fellowships, and internships placed at clinical facilities including Rashid Hospital, Dubai Hospital, and Latifa Women and Children’s Hospital.

Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine

The Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine offers an accredited dental medicine degree and postgraduate dental programmes, including an endodontics residency. Students train in dedicated clinical facilities and benefit from the wider research and academic environment of the university.

Hind Bint Maktoum College of Nursing and Midwifery

The Hind Bint Maktoum College of Nursing and Midwifery offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSc Nursing) across three entry pathways, plus postgraduate nursing programmes at master’s, postgraduate diploma, and postgraduate certificate level. Clinical specialisations include cardiovascular, critical care, emergency, and paediatric nursing.

A flexible exit structure allows postgraduate students to complete a Postgraduate Certificate (PG-Cert), Postgraduate Diploma (PG-Dip), or a full Master of Science in Nursing (MSc), and to return later to advance their qualification. This is a practical option for working healthcare professionals.

Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences fees

MD applicants who accept their offer pay an additional seat reservation fee of AED 10,000, separate from annual tuition. Dental medicine programme fees are available directly from the MBRU admissions team. Scholarships and tuition discounts are covered in the following section.

Admission requirements and how to apply

Entry criteria vary by programme and applicant background. Key requirements for the main undergraduate programmes are outlined below.

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

High school applicants typically need to achieve 85–90% averages depending on their curriculum, with specific minimum performance in three science subjects. Accepted curricula include UAE Secondary, IB, A-Level, American Diploma, CBSE, ICSE, and others. University students and graduates require a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent.

English proficiency requirements: IELTS Academic band 6, with no individual skill below 5.5, or TOEFL iBT 80 or above.

The selection process also includes two additional stages:

• Entrance exam: A 120-minute, 80-question multiple-choice test covering Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics
• Multiple Mini-Interviews (MMI): Assessing communication, problem-solving, empathy, and ethical reasoning

BSc Nursing

High school applicants typically need 65–85% aggregate, depending on curriculum track and science subject performance. Registered Nurse (RN-BSN) applicants must hold an attested nursing diploma or associate degree with a 70% aggregate, a valid nursing licence, and a minimum of two years of clinical experience. Second Bachelor’s degree applicants require a minimum 3.0 GPA and a personal statement.

English proficiency: IELTS band 5 or TOEFL iBT 61, with certificates dated within two years of the application date.

Scholarships and financial support

MBRU provides merit-based and needs-based scholarships across its three colleges, plus discounts for specific circumstances.

College of Medicine scholarships

The Future Doctors Scholarship is a merit-based award for the top five MD applicants in each intake, covering up to 30% of annual tuition. It is available to both new and continuing students who maintain an annual GPA of 3.8 or above. No application is required; the award is announced alongside the admission offer.

The Jood Scholarship is a needs-based programme offering up to 50% of annual tuition for applicants who demonstrate verified financial need. Required documents include salary certificates, bank statements, credit bureau reports, and family financial records. New students must first accept a conditional offer and pay the seat reservation fee before applying. The application window opens annually on 1 April.

Postgraduate students in the Master’s in Biomedical Sciences receive a 50% scholarship, while a limited number of PhD in Biomedical Sciences students qualify for a full 100% scholarship.

Dental medicine scholarships

The Jood Scholarship is also available to continuing dental medicine students who are UAE residents with a monthly household income below AED 20,000, offering up to 50% of annual tuition fees.

Nursing scholarships

The Frontliners Scholarship covers 50% of tuition for postgraduate nursing students enrolled in the Cardiovascular Nursing or Paediatric Nursing Master’s programmes, and is open to all nationalities.

Additional discounts

Beyond the main scholarship programmes, MBRU offers the following tuition discounts.

Accreditations and rankings

MBRU holds a strong record of national, regional, and international recognition, distinguishing it among medical colleges in Dubai and across the UAE. Its current accreditations and classifications include:

• Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) — UAE Ministry of Education
• Group 1 classification — UAE Ministry of Education National Higher Education Institutions Classification Framework (2024)
• Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) — simulation centre (the only SSH-accredited facility in the UAE)
• American College of Surgeons Accredited Education Institute (ACS AEI) — fellowship programme
• Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) — postgraduate residency and fellowship programmes (four-year renewal)
• Continuing Professional Development provider — Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS)
• American Heart Association International Training Centre — since 2008

Location and campus facilities

MBRU is located at Building 14, Dubai Healthcare City, placing students within one of the region’s most concentrated healthcare ecosystems. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Center network, which encompasses MBRU alongside Dubai’s major public hospitals, ensures students have close access to active clinical environments throughout their studies.

The main campus facilities include:

MBRU library: The Al Maktoum Medical Library provides students and faculty with access to medical resources and academic databases, supporting both learning and research activity.

Medical simulation centre: The Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Medical Simulation Center is described as Dubai’s largest medical simulation centre. Accredited by both the SSH and ACS AEI, it delivers training across surgical, clinical, and organisational learning environments.

Innovation and digital health spaces: A design laboratory and dedicated digital health learning environments reflect the curriculum’s focus on technology in healthcare.

Getting to MBRU: Transport options

Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences is accessible from across Dubai by public transport and by road.

By metro

The Healthcare City Metro Station on the Dubai Metro Green Line is the nearest station to MBRU. Situated at the junction of 13th Street and 26th Street, the station is adjacent to Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital and Mediclinic City Hospital. Neighbouring stations on the Green Line are Oud Metha and Al Jadaf. Check our guide on Dubai metro timings.

By bus

Bus route C7 serves Dubai Healthcare City from several stops within the community. Bus route 6 departs from outside the Healthcare City Metro Station and connects to Al Ghubaiba Bus Station.

By car

Oud Metha Road and Sheikh Rashid Road are the main access routes to Dubai Healthcare City. Parking is available within the development, with each building providing its own spaces, and street parking is also available throughout the community.

By taxi or ride-hailing

Taxis and ride-hailing services operate throughout Dubai and can drop off directly at Building 14, Dubai Healthcare City. The RTA Dubai Taxi app is available for advance bookings.

Restaurants near Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences

The Oud Metha area around Dubai Healthcare City has a varied dining scene, with restaurants covering a broad range of cuisines and budgets within easy reach of the campus. Nearby restaurants include: 

• Via Delhi
• Punjabi Dhaba
• Des Pardes
• Dragon House
• Golden Dragon Restaurant
• Daraj Alyasmin
• Little Bangkok

Key takeaways

• Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) is a Dubai Health institution in Dubai Healthcare City, offering ten accredited programmes across medicine, dental medicine, and nursing through three specialist colleges.
• Annual tuition ranges from AED 60,000 for BSc Nursing to AED 160,000 for the Doctor of Medicine (MD), with merit-based and needs-based scholarships covering up to 50% of fees available for eligible students.
• MBRU holds Group 1 classification in the UAE Ministry of Education’s national ranking and houses the only SSH-accredited simulation centre in the UAE.
• The university is served by the Healthcare City Metro Station on the Dubai Metro Green Line, with bus routes and road connections providing further access across the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

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