MBZUAI Scholarships 2027 in the UAE | Fully Funded Master's and PhD Programs

Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence Scholarships 2027

Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, has opened applications for its 2027/2028 academic year graduate admissions cycle, offering full funding opportunities for eligible students pursuing research-based Master's and PhD degrees.

MBZUAI is a specialized academic institution focused on artificial intelligence, offering advanced programs in machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, computer science, robotics, computational biology, and statistics and data science.

Its approved graduate funding package includes tuition-fee coverage, monthly stipends of up to AED 15,500 for international Master's students and AED 17,500 for international PhD students, health insurance, annual return airfare, and university-sponsored residency benefits, subject to applicable conditions.

Applications opened in September 2026, with different deadlines depending on the selected academic program.

📋 Scholarship Overview

Important: The Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence is a tuition-based professional program and is not covered by the university's research Master's and PhD funding package.

🎓 Available Academic Programs

Research Master's Programs

The available programs and pathways include:

1. Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence.
2. Computer Vision concentration.
3. Machine Learning concentration.
4. Natural Language Processing concentration.
5. Master of Science in Computer Science.
6. Master of Science in Robotics.
7. Master of Science in Statistics and Data Science.
8. Master of Science in Computational Biology.

Some artificial intelligence specializations are presented as concentrations within a unified Master's degree rather than separate degrees. Applicants should select the exact program and concentration available in the admissions portal.

PhD Programs

• PhD in Artificial Intelligence.
• PhD in Computer Vision.
• PhD in Machine Learning.
• PhD in Natural Language Processing.
• PhD in Computer Science.
• PhD in Robotics.
• PhD in Statistics and Data Science.
• PhD in Computational Biology.
• PhD in Human-Computer Interaction.

Some specialties may be listed as concentrations within the unified Artificial Intelligence doctoral program.

Note: Applicants must verify the availability and official designation of their intended program during the current admissions cycle.

💰 Scholarship Funding and Benefits

Students receiving approved university funding may be entitled to:

• Full tuition-fee coverage.
• A monthly stipend.
• Health insurance throughout the approved funding period.
• One annual round-trip airfare to their home country.
• A university-sponsored UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, where eligible.
• Opportunities to study and conduct research in specialized AI laboratories.
• Academic research activities and collaboration with university faculty.

Monthly Stipends for International Students

Monthly Stipends for UAE Nationals

These amounts apply to approved funded students and remain subject to academic progress and compliance with university regulations.

Continued Funding Requirements

For PhD students, MBZUAI states that the first year is centrally funded while the student is matched with a suitable faculty advisor.

The advisor match must be confirmed by the end of the first year, and funding transitions to the faculty advisor no later than the beginning of the second year.

The current Master's admissions page describes eligible research Master's funding as fully provided by the university throughout the program, subject to its applicable conditions.

Students must:

• Maintain full-time enrollment.
• Demonstrate satisfactory academic progress.
• Remain physically present on campus during the funded period.
• Obtain approval for absences.
• Disclose external scholarships or fellowships.

Important: Individual funding and benefit conditions are ultimately governed by the official scholarship and admission offer.

Are Accommodation and Travel Covered?

The official graduate admissions information confirms one annual return journey to the student's home country for funded students.

Applicants should verify university housing arrangements, potential accommodation costs, and any related deductions in their individual funding and housing documentation rather than assuming free housing is provided separately from the monthly stipend.

⚠️ Non-Funded Program: Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence

MBZUAI also offers a professional Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence, which is separate from the funded research Master's programs.

Its main features include:

• Two-year study duration.
• Full-time and part-time study options.
• Industry-focused practical learning.
• Tuition of AED 5,000 per credit.
• Total of 34 credit hours.
• Total tuition fees of AED 170,000.
• No eligibility for university-sponsored or faculty-sponsored scholarship funding provided for research programs.

The application deadline is February 28, 2027.

The program page also specifies an AED 5,000 seat-holding payment credited toward tuition and additional financial security requirements upon enrollment, subject to its published conditions.

This professional Master's degree must not be advertised as a fully funded scholarship.

✅ Eligibility Requirements

Master's Eligibility

Applicants generally must:

1. Hold a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics discipline.
2. Have obtained the degree from a recognized academic institution.
3. Meet the applicable minimum GPA, generally 3.0/4.0, depending on the program.
4. Demonstrate relevant academic preparation in AI or a related field.
5. Meet the English-language requirement.
6. Provide the required recommendations.
7. Complete the mandatory screening assessment.
8. Attend a technical interview if shortlisted.

PhD Eligibility

Eligible doctoral programs may admit applicants through either of the following academic routes:

• A relevant Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5/4.0, or equivalent.
• A relevant Master's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0, or equivalent.

Additional requirements include:

• A strong academic and research record.
• Appropriate disciplinary preparation.
• A research statement.
• Academic or professional references.
• Evidence of English-language proficiency.
• Completion of required screening and interviews.

Program-specific criteria should always be reviewed before applying.

Is There an Age Limit?

MBZUAI does not impose a general maximum age for graduate applicants.

Can Final-Year Students Apply?

Yes. Final-year students may apply using their current academic transcript and a letter stating their expected graduation date.

Admitted applicants must subsequently submit their final official degree certificate and academic transcript.

Degree recognition or attestation requirements must also be completed according to the applicable UAE regulations.

🗣️ English-Language Requirements

The published research graduate programs accept the following English-language qualifications:

Important Notes

• Test results must be valid, generally for two years.
• Home-based versions of tests requiring approved test-center administration are not accepted.
• Duolingo results are accepted under specific circumstances, particularly when access to other approved tests is limited.
• Valid English evidence or an eligible waiver document must be supplied with the application.

Can Students Apply Without IELTS?

Yes, if they meet an officially recognized exemption condition or submit another accepted language test.

A full exemption may be available to applicants who completed a degree entirely taught and assessed in English at a university located in a country where English is an official and dominant language of higher education.

Conditional exemptions may be considered for applicants who studied entirely in English in other countries, provided that they submit official university documentation confirming their language of instruction and assessment.

Important: A medium-of-instruction letter may initially be accepted provisionally but remains subject to verification. Applicants may later be required to provide an approved test result.

📄 Required Application Documents

Master's Applicants

1. Completed online application form.
2. Bachelor's degree certificate.
3. Official academic transcript.
4. Valid English-language certificate or eligible waiver documentation.
5. Updated CV.
6. Statement of purpose.
7. At least two recommendation letters.
8. Valid passport copy.
9. Recent photograph with a white background.
10. Any additional program-specific documents.

PhD Applicants

In addition to the relevant general documents:

• Master's degree certificate and transcript for applicants holding a Master's degree.
• At least three recommendation letters.
• Research statement describing the applicant's interests and proposed research.
• Supporting evidence of research experience and publications, where available.
• Additional documents required by the selected program.

Recommended CV Content

Applicants should include:

• Academic qualifications.
• Work and research experience.
• Technical projects.
• Programming and data-analysis skills.
• Research publications.
• Relevant courses, awards, and achievements.

📝 Statement of Purpose and Research Statement

Statement of Purpose

Some programs require a 500–1,000-word statement explaining:

• Motivation for selecting MBZUAI.
• Academic background.
• Relevant professional and research experience.
• AI-related projects.
• Significant achievements.
• Academic goals.
• Long-term research and career plans.

PhD Research Statement

The research statement should address:

• Proposed title.
• Research problem.
• Literature review and research gap.
• Proposed methodology.
• Expected findings.
• Scientific significance.
• Research timeline.
• References.

Special Computational Biology Requirement: Program-specific instructions request two separate 90-second videos, one introducing the applicant and the other explaining their research interests. MBZUAI specifies that these recordings must be personally prepared and should not contain AI-generated video content.

🧠 Screening Assessment and Interview

Applicants must complete an online screening assessment.

Depending on the program, the assessment may cover:

• Mathematics and linear algebra.
• Probability and statistics.
• Programming.
• Algorithms and data structures.
• Python.
• Machine learning.
• Program-specific technical topics.

Computational Biology assessments may additionally include genomics, bioinformatics, biological data, and medical-data concepts.

Applicants generally receive an invitation to book their screening assessment within ten days of submitting their application.

Selected candidates may subsequently be invited to a technical interview with the admissions committee.

Application Fee

The application fee is AED 200, payable after the screening assessment.

Applicants achieving an overall screening score of 75% or higher may qualify for a fee waiver.

The university also provides for reimbursement of the fee upon enrollment under its published conditions.

📝 How to Apply

1. Visit the official MBZUAI application portal.
2. Create an account.
3. Select the appropriate Master's or PhD program.
4. Complete personal and academic details.
5. Upload degree certificates and transcripts.
6. Upload the CV and statement of purpose.
7. Provide the research statement if applying for a PhD.
8. Enter referee information.
9. Submit English-language evidence or the relevant exemption documentation.
10. Upload the passport copy and photograph.
11. Review and submit the application.
12. Complete the mandatory screening assessment.
13. Pay the application fee or use an eligible waiver.
14. Attend a technical interview if invited.
15. Monitor the application status and final admission and funding decision.

Important: Only one application per admissions cycle is permitted. Multiple submissions will not be processed.

📅 Important Dates

All final application deadlines close at 5:00 p.m. UAE time.

🎯 Selection Criteria

Applications are assessed competitively based on:

• Academic excellence.
• Relevance of previous qualifications.
• Mathematical and technical preparation.
• Programming and AI-related experience.
• Research experience and publications.
• Statement of purpose quality.
• PhD research statement quality.
• Recommendation letters.
• Screening assessment results.
• Technical interview performance, where applicable.

Final admission depends on meeting program requirements, committee evaluation, available places, and applicable funding arrangements.

🔗 Official Links

Official University Website:

https://mbzuai.ac.ae/

Graduate Master's Admission Requirements:

https://mbzuai.ac.ae/admissions/graduate-masters-admissions

Graduate PhD Admission Requirements:

https://mbzuai.ac.ae/admissions/graduate-phd-admissions/

Master's Programs:

https://mbzuai.ac.ae/academics/msc-programs

PhD Programs:

https://mbzuai.ac.ae/academics/phd-programs

Official Application Portal:

https://apply.mbzuai.ac.ae/

Program and Recruitment Enquiries:

student.recruitment@mbzuai.ac.ae

Submitted Application Enquiries:

admission@mbzuai.ac.ae

💡 Need Help Applying?

If you are interested in applying for the MBZUAI Scholarships 2027, the Fursaty team can assist with:

• Academic eligibility assessment.
• Selecting an appropriate degree program.
• Reviewing academic certificates and transcripts.
• Organizing an academic and professional CV.
• Preparing the statement of purpose.
• Reviewing the PhD research statement.
• Organizing and reviewing recommendations.
• Guidance on English-language requirements.
• Preparing for the screening assessment.
• Reviewing the completed application before submission.

Fursaty is an independent application-support service and is not affiliated with MBZUAI. Admission and scholarship funding cannot be guaranteed.

📲 Contact Fursaty via WhatsApp to request an initial assessment of your application profile.