Best Civil Engineering Courses in Dubai

Dubai stands out to be one of the top destinations for studying civil engineering courses owing to its top universities. Most of the top universities have a lot of international accreditations such as the Commission for Academic Accreditation and different accreditations from the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. On top of that, universities such as Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates University, University of Sharjah, and many others have also made it to the top spots on the QS World University Ranking & Times Higher Education Ranking lists 2023.

The UAE government has recently become concerned about its higher education level and has spent fortunes on universities to make it more accessible and preferential for international students to choose UAE. This has led to making Dubai an extremely student-friendly location. In addition to the same, a lot of multinational companies such as Google, Apple, Amazon, Meta, etc., have started setting up bases in the cultural city leading to an influx in employment rates. In this article, Gyanberry aims to aid you in your search for the perfect university to pursue civil engineering courses in Dubai!

Civil Engineering Courses in Dubai: Overview

A brief overview of all that entails for your search for civil engineering courses in Dubai universities for international students is tabulated below for your easy perusal.

Why should you pursue Civil Engineering Courses in Dubai?

Some of the major reasons you should consider studying civil engineering in Dubai, especially as an international student, are listed below.

• Global Influence: With a great influx of foreigners into the city and the international standards it boasts, major global companies such as Google, Amazon, Apple, etc. are opening their offices in Dubai to provide more creative and lucrative options for employment in the field.
• CAA Accreditation: Many courses in various universities all over UAE are certified with CAA accreditation. CAA stands for the ‘Commission for Academic Accreditation’, which evaluates all higher educational institutes to check if they meet international studying standards. This fosters transparency and certification to numerous courses at different levels in universities in Dubai. Moreover, there is also accreditation for different courses by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
• Top Universities: Universities like Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates University, University of Sharjah, and many more have top spots in the QS World Ranking 2023 and Times Higher Education Ranking 2023 lists. On top of that, these are some of the best engineering universities in Dubai, which provide many degrees on different levels in civil engineering. 
• Cosmopolitan City: With its multicultural aspects and Burj Khalifa, Dubai is a modern, safe metropolitan area with welcoming people who emphasize courtesy and hospitality. Moreover, students worldwide strive to study in the leading city, so you’ll get plenty of cross-culture experience and holistic development while studying for your civil engineering degree!
• Government Support: The UAE government recognizes the importance of the technology industry and has made significant investments in initiatives such as the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and the Dubai Smart City project. These programs aim to make the country a worldwide technology center and a knowledge-based economy, opening up numerous opportunities for civil engineers to flourish.
• High Standards of Living: The UAE is an excellent destination for students interested in studying civil engineering because of its high standard of living, safety, and modern utilities. The country offers cutting-edge labs, good lecturers, and a pleasant lifestyle, providing students with several opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities and learn about the country’s culture.

Best Universities for Civil Engineering Courses in Dubai

Various international universities with branch campuses in the UAE provide high-quality civil engineering programs. Some of these top-ranked universities are listed below.

University of Birmingham, Dubai

The University of Birmingham (UoB) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023). Additionally, the Dubai campus of the University of Birmingham is ranked among the top 8 foreign universities in Dubai. When you study with UoB Dubai, you will graduate with the same UoB degree as in the UK, acknowledged globally for its research foundation and industrially focused character. The University’s Department of Civil Engineering is proud of its great education, teaching, and research. Their programs provide progressive learning and hands-on experience, preparing you for a career in a variety of industries. 

There are 3 postgraduate courses in civil engineering one can undertake whether it be in a part-time mode or full-time mode. Although there is no application deadline for admission into the course, it is still preferred for international students to make the application before May 2023 for the September intake for 2023-24. The admission process is on a strictly first come first serve basis.

University of Wollongong, Dubai

According to the QS World University Rankings 2023, UOW’s Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.) in Civil Engineering program is ranked in the top 250 in the world by subject for Civil and Structural Engineering. Along with being one of the best international universities in Dubai for engineering, the university is also quite known for its top digital marketing degrees in Dubai. The degree is designed to give you a solid technical foundation as well as the necessary skills to begin a career in the construction sector. You will be introduced to several notable architectural landmarks and construction sites in and around the UAE as part of the course, and you will have the opportunity to work on simulations and real-life projects as well. This degree will prepare you to work as a Structural Engineer, Site Engineer, Quantity Surveyor, Project Management Engineer, Construction Engineer, and other positions. The university is also included in some of the cheapest universities in Dubai for international students.

United Arab Emirates University, Dubai

The United Arab Emirates University, Dubai, is one of the leading institutions in civil engineering. Along with being the second top-most ranking institute in UAE for higher education according to the QS World University Rankings 2023, the civil engineering undergraduate program in the College of Engineering at the United Arab Emirates University is also accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Furthermore, the university also belongs to some of the best universities in UAE for computer science.

There are multiple areas of specialization which include:

• Structural Engineering & Concrete Technology
• Surveying
• Highway & Transportation Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Construction Management
• Water Resources & Environmental Engineering

With more than 23 elective courses offered at the Master’s level in addition to having an optional thesis undertaking during the study, the postgraduate program is also available in both part-time and full-time mode.

Abu Dhabi University, Dubai Campus

The Abu Dhabi University branch campus in Dubai ranks 5th in the country for studying engineering in Dubai. The university has more than seven international accreditation regarding its engineering courses. Through the civil engineering courses, you will gain a thorough understanding of the fundamental subjects that underpin civil engineering, as well as skills to design and propose solutions using advanced tools and technologies such as computer-aided design (CAD), geographical information systems (GIS), and 3D computer modeling. You will develop problem-solving and analysis skills to identify realistic solutions to real-world civil engineering challenges while considering pertinent social, economic, environmental, and sustainability considerations.

The Master’s program in civil engineering is offered in two streams, one as a Project option and one as a Thesis option. Both options are available with approximately 12  elective courses and full-time and part-time study modes. This degree will broaden your knowledge of all aspects of civil engineering, from structural design to construction management. Not only is the university in the running for offering the best civil engineering courses, but is also one of the best universities for software engineering in the UAE.

BITS Pilani, Dubai

A renowned name in the Indian sphere, the BITS Pilani Dubai campus has equal, if not more, opportunities to offer in addition to being an applaudable student-friendly university. The civil engineering department offers a top-notch academic program with a modular framework. Students can enroll in electives in their area of interest during their studies, allowing them to delve deeper into a specialization. Students can also choose to work on specific projects during their studies. 

The institute also offers a one-of-a-kind 7.5-month internship program called practice school, in which students spend substantial time working in the business, acquiring skills, and obtaining practical experience. Candidates interested in furthering their studies are encouraged to work on research projects as part of their final-year thesis. The department also works with prestigious professional organizations.

Tuition Fees for Top Bachelor of Civil Engineering Courses in Dubai

Studying a bachelor’s in civil engineering in Dubai has a lot of options when it comes to choosing a particular university. Many top universities, both public and private, have top rankings in various international lists. Some of the top universities in Dubai offering Bachelor / undergraduate courses in civil engineering for international students are mentioned below, along with the tuition fees. 

*Fees change depending on availing scholarships, bursaries, and exemplary charges from university to university.

Admission Requirements

For admission into undergraduate civil engineering programs in Dubai universities, some compulsory requirements must be fulfilled before you get a sure shot at admission! International students need to fulfill the following criterion for the same.

• Minimum scores on an English proficiency test:  IELTS: at least 6; TOEFL: at least 80; PTE: at least 63; EmSAT: 1550
• Certificate of Equivalency for completion of secondary education certificate from the UAE Ministry of Education
• Minimum scores in compulsory subjects which include Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, or its equivalent, depending on the university taking admission.
• Valid Passport
• Transcripts of Academic results to date
• Copies of degree certificates

Note: Admission and eligibility requirements may vary depending on the university and program chosen.

Tuition Fees for Top Master of Civil Engineering Courses in Dubai

The top universities in Dubai offering civil engineering courses at the post-graduate level are displayed in the table below, along with their tuition fees for the upcoming year, 2023-24.

*Fees change depending on availing scholarships, bursaries, and exemplary charges from university to university.

Admission Requirements

Some minimum requirements are necessary for admission to Master’s programs for top universities in Dubai when it comes to pursuing civil engineering. Individual master’s programs may set additional and/or higher standards for admissions. The basic requirements for admission to master’s programs are listed below.

• Four-year bachelor’s degree from an independently accredited university recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education and by AUS (applicants with a bachelor’s degree obtained outside the UAE must submit an equivalency of their degree from the UAE Ministry of Education)
• Minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.00/4.00 or its equivalent in Bachelor’s degree
• Curriculum Vitae
• Transcripts of Academic results to date
• Copies of degree certificates
• Minimum scores on an English proficiency test:  

IELTS: at least 6.5; TOEFL: at least 80; PTE: at least 63; EmSAT: 1550

• Letters of reference from previous institutes or places of work
• Valid Passport
• 2-3 references from senior officials who can vouch for your academic ability and qualifications

Note: Admission and eligibility requirements may vary depending on the university and program chosen.

Best Universities Offering Civil Engineering Courses Near Dubai

Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi

Khalifa University is one of the top-ranking internationally acclaimed universities. In addition to being the 28th best university in Asia, it also holds the position of being the top university in UAE according to the QS World University Ranking list 2023, with an international ranking of 181 and 103 rank for the subject engineering internationally. Needless to say, it is among the top Engineering universities in Abu Dhabi.

The multicultural university boasts of being a major contributor towards economic diversification within Abu Dhabi, especially in engineering.  The university provides courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels for civil engineering. The university’s main objective is for students to apply their training on the interface of engineering and science in an ethical, creative, and innovative manner to solve problems related to civil and infrastructural engineering that are locally and globally relevant. As far as the duration of the courses goes, the undergraduate degree is a full-time program for four years, and the master’s degree is offered as both a part-time and full-time program respectively. The subject has ample electives that can be undertaken in addition to the core subjects, as per the student’s choice. 

American University of Sharjah, Sharjah

As the top-ranked civil engineering program in the UAE, the American University of Sharjah offers students a unique opportunity to experience world-class education, state-of-the-art labs and facilities, research opportunities with leading researchers, and interaction with a diverse student body. It also helps that the internationally accredited university is in the league for some of the best mechatronics engineering universities in the UAE. The Department of Civil Engineering collaborates with industry, doing joint research, consulting, and training in the following areas: 

• Construction Materials and Quality Control 
• Structural Engineering 
• Transportation Engineering 
• Environmental Engineering 
• Water Resources Engineering 
• Geotechnical Engineering 
• Construction Management  

Cost of Living in Dubai for International Students

The cost of living is one of the aspects that international students consider when determining where to study abroad. This encompasses a variety of expenses such as accommodation, food, living expenses, utilities, transportation, recreation, health, and so on. Admittedly, Dubai is not exactly one of the cheapest destinations for living or studying costs. (Side note: it is still cheaper than New York or London!) 

Living expenses can range anywhere between 2500 AED to 4000 AED per month. But don’t worry; there are many options to reduce your cost of living as an international student in Dubai! Some of these ways include using public transport, which includes trams, buses, ferries, and metro, or working part-time jobs.

Career Prospects for Civil Engineering Graduates in Dubai

Dubai offers a huge prospectus regarding employment for civil engineering graduates. Since its inception as a multicultural global hub, it has quite a lot of engineering firms that need civil engineering graduates from top universities. Some of the top companies that hire civil engineering graduates in Dubai are:

• Petrofac
• Apple
• AECOM
• Dar Group
• Stantec
• Arabtec Construction LLC.
• Dutco Balfour Beatty LLC.
• United Engineering Construction Company (UNEC)
• Parsons International, and many more.

Below are some career prospects that one can pursue after completing your civil engineering degree. The following job prospects are provided with the average annual remuneration they offer as per surveys conducted by the top employment website, Indeed.

*Prices indicated are average salaries provided according to surveys conducted by the top employment website, Indeed.

Conclusion

Studying civil engineering courses in Dubai is extremely efficient and highly rewarding owing to the institutions’ immense degree of accreditation and first-class educational experience. In addition to that, many other factors, such as accommodation, tuition fees, living expenses, commute, etc., have to be considered while deciding which university to be admitted into. 

When choosing, budget, academic requirements, on-campus amenities, and international rankings must all be considered. Our admissions counseling services have helped thousands of students get into the colleges and universities of their dreams. For further information, kindly schedule a video consultation with one of our experts.