Studying at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi: Programmes, Fees, and Campus Life

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) is the first international university to open its doors in Abu Dhabi. A collaboration between Sorbonne Université and Université Paris Cité in Paris, SUAD brings French academic excellence to Al Reem Island, delivering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes across the arts, humanities, law, business, and data science in both French and English.

This guide breaks down everything prospective students need to know: available programmes, fees, scholarships, admissions requirements, campus life, transport options, and the best places to eat nearby.

• About Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
• Rankings and accreditations
• Programmes at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
• Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi fees
• Scholarships and financial aid
• Admissions requirements
• Campus life and facilities
• How to get to Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
• Restaurants near Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
• Key takeaways
• Frequently Asked Questions

About Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi

Established in 2006 under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi was created through a partnership between Sorbonne Université and Université Paris Cité, two of France’s most respected institutions. Operating under the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), it occupies a purpose-built campus on Al Reem Island, one of the emirate’s most dynamic residential and commercial districts.

The university has grown to enrol approximately 1,800 students from all nationalities. Teaching takes place in both French and English, reflecting the university’s role as a meeting point between French academic tradition and the UAE’s multicultural ambitions.

SUAD operates across four main divisions:

• School of Arts and Humanities
• School of Law, Economics and Business
• School of Data, Science and Engineering
• Continuing Education Centre

Rankings and accreditations

Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi ranking places it 43rd globally according to the Shanghai Ranking, one of the world’s most widely referenced academic benchmarks. The university is also home to the first Jean Monnet Chair in the Gulf region and the first dedicated centre for artificial intelligence research of its kind in the UAE.

The parent institution in Paris, Sorbonne Université, is affiliated with researchers who have received five Nobel Prizes, a standard of academic rigour that informs SUAD’s approach to teaching and research.

SUAD holds dual accreditation from both French and UAE authorities, giving its degrees international recognition across both systems:

Programmes at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi

SUAD organises its academic offering across four schools, with pathways running from a one-year foundation year through to doctoral level. Most programmes are delivered in French, with English as the primary language for postgraduate and some technical degree programmes.

• School of Arts and Humanities: History of Art and Archaeology, Geography and Planning, Philosophy and Sociology with a Political Studies concentration, and Coastal and Oceanographic Applied Sciences and Technologies (COAST)
• School of Law, Economics, and Business: Economics and Management, Law, and Business and Foreign Languages, with specialisations in Banking, Finance and Fintech, Health Economics, Marketing Communication and Media, International Business Transactions and International Arbitration, and International Law, Spaces and Sovereignty
• School of Data, Science, and Engineering: Mathematics with a Data Science for Artificial Intelligence concentration, Physics with a Quantum Technologies concentration, and Records Management and Archival Science
• One-year foundation programme: Intensive French, Sciences, and Records Management and Archival Science

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi fees

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi tuition fees are structured as total programme costs and include both tuition and an annual administrative charge of AED 2,700. 

The full fee schedule by programme is as follows.

Scholarships and financial aid

SUAD offers scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Two categories apply: excellence scholarships awarded on academic merit, and support for students with individual financial circumstances. There is no fee to apply. Applications are submitted through an online form and reviewed by a dedicated committee.

Students are advised to apply during the first round for the strongest chance of consideration. Once a scholarship is awarded, recipients have 20 days to confirm their place by paying tuition or arranging an instalment plan; the offer may be withdrawn if the deadline is missed.

Additional discounts are available in specific circumstances:

• Sibling discount: 10% reduction for each additional enrolled sibling, excluding scholarship holders.
• Dual enrolment discount: 50% off the programme with the lower fees when a student is simultaneously enrolled in two programmes.

Admissions requirements

Undergraduate admissions

Applicants must hold a high school certificate with a minimum average of 80%. SAT scores are not required. Students who have not studied in French must demonstrate language proficiency through one of the following: DELF B2, DALF, TCF, SELFEE, or another accepted French language examination. Applicants to the Physics programme must also provide an English language certificate.

Postgraduate admissions

Applicants need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. English language proficiency must be demonstrated through a TOEFL score of at least 550 or IELTS 6.0. All postgraduate applicants are required to attend an interview with the programme director before a decision is made.

Application steps

To apply to Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi:

• Submit an online application through the university’s admissions portal.
• Provide academic transcripts and proof of language proficiency (French and/or English, as applicable).
• Attend an interview with the programme director (postgraduate applicants only).
• Pay administration and tuition fees upon acceptance to secure your enrolment.
• Apply for housing separately by emailing the residences team, if needed.

Campus life and facilities

SUAD’s Al Reem Island campus places academic buildings, a library, student residences, and dining outlets within close proximity, creating a self-contained environment that suits students who prefer to remain on or near campus throughout the week.

The Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi library

The Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi library, known as the SUAD Library, is one of the campus’s most valued resources. Its collections include a specialist French literature section, broad academic databases, and eBooks. Research support staff are on hand for one-on-one consultations throughout the academic year, making the library a practical starting point for students working on research projects or dissertations.

Student residences

On-campus housing accommodates up to 500 students in separate male and female sections. All rooms are individual with private bathrooms; there are no shared rooms. Each room comes furnished with a bed, desk, wardrobe, refrigerator, telephone, towels, and Wi-Fi access, with weekly cleaning included.

Common areas on every floor include a kitchen, TV room, study room, and an entertainment space with gaming consoles and board games. Building-wide facilities include laundry and ironing services, on-site parking, and 24/7 security. A medical clinic provides scheduled doctor consultations and 24-hour nursing support.

Students who prefer to live off campus can browse apartments for rent on Al Reem Island on Property Finder, with a range of studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units available in buildings close to the SUAD campus.

Dining on campus

Four dining venues operate across the campus:

• Imperial Catering: The main facility, offering a daily breakfast and lunch buffet with a salad bar and live cooking stations.
• First Clique Cafe and Restaurant: Serves coffee alongside freshly prepared saj bread, salads, sandwiches, and hot meals throughout the day.
• Bean There by Abela and Co: A specialty coffee shop at the Zayed Theatre, offering handcrafted coffee, wholesome pastries, sandwiches, and salads.
• Rain Cafe: A UAE-based chain in the campus canteen, specialising in specialty coffee and premium sandwiches, pastries, and desserts.

Sports and student activities

The campus includes gym facilities and a programme of sports activities for enrolled students. A medical clinic on site provides scheduled doctor consultations and round-the-clock nursing support.

Explore the Available Properties for rent in Al Reem Island

How to get to Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi

SUAD is located on Al Reem Island, accessible by public bus, taxi, and private car.

• By bus: Bus Route 65 connects Marina Mall to Al Reem Island and is the most direct public bus option for reaching the campus.

• By taxi: Taxis in Abu Dhabi are metered and widely available. From central Abu Dhabi, the journey to Al Reem Island typically takes around five to ten minutes depending on traffic.

• By car: Al Reem Island is accessible by road from the main Abu Dhabi island via Al Reem Bridges. On-campus parking is available for students living in the residence buildings.

Restaurants near Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi

Al Reem Island has a growing dining scene, with cafes and restaurants across a variety of cuisines within easy reach of the SUAD campus.

• La Brioche: French cafe
• Marjouha: Lebanese cuisine 
• Pizza Express: Pizza, pasta, risotto
• Super Poke: Customisable poke bowls with fish and chicken options
• Urban Portion Restaurant: Contemporary healthy dining
• Tummy Tummy Resto Cafe: International menu 

Key takeaways

• Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi was established in 2006 as the first international university in Abu Dhabi, in partnership with Sorbonne Université and Université Paris Cité in Paris.
• SUAD offers programmes in arts, humanities, law, business, and data science in French and English, from foundation year through to doctoral level, across four schools.
• Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi fees for all bachelor’s programmes total AED 215,100 over three years. Master’s programmes range from AED 143,400 to AED 166,400 over two years. Merit-based and circumstance-based scholarships are available at both levels.
• The Al Reem Island campus includes individual-room residences for 500 students, the SUAD Library with a French literature collection, four on-campus dining venues, gym facilities, and a medical clinic. Bus Route 65 connects the island to Marina Mall.

Frequently Asked Questions

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