United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has achieved a new milestone in global higher education. According to the twenty-third edition of the rankings published by QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the UAEU is ranked 217th globally, demonstrating a remarkable improvement of 79 positions over the last five years, with a 12-position rise this year. This new ranking underscores the UAEU's continued upward trajectory in global rankings. The achievement comes at a particularly meaningful time as UAEU celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of excellence in education, research, and national development.
This year’s rankings evaluated more than 1,500 universities across 106 higher education systems worldwide, including 12 universities from the United Arab Emirates. The 2027 QS Rankings reaffirm UAEU's position as the UAE's leading national university through exceptional performance across several key indicators. UAEU ranked first among UAE universities in Academic Reputation, Sustainability, and International Research Network, while placing second in Employer Reputation, Employment outcome and Faculty-to-Student Ratio.
On this occasion, His Excellency Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the UAE President and Chancellor of United Arab Emirates University, emphasized that this achievement reflects UAEU’s strong and sustained academic and research journey, rooted in the UAE’s vision of making knowledge and innovation the foundation of development and future progress.
He stated: “Since its establishment by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, UAEU has represented a pioneering national project with a profound scientific and humanitarian mission. Beyond its role as an educational institution, the university has served as a catalyst for knowledge creation, empowering generations of graduates to lead the future and contribute to sustainable development.”
His Excellency added: “Today, UAEU continues to enhance its position as a globally influential academic institution through strategic investments in scientific research, the attraction of distinguished talent, and the expansion of international partnerships. These efforts reflect the university's commitment to excellence and reinforce the UAE's growing prominence on the global higher education landscape.”
H.E. Professor Ahmed Ali Alraeesi, Vice Chancellor of United Arab Emirates University, noted that this remarkable progress in the QS World University Rankings is the result of sustained institutional efforts focusing on quality education, research excellence, and the development of a competitive academic ecosystem aligned with the highest international standards.
Professor Alraeesi added: “The University is committed to providing an integrated educational and research environment that fosters innovation and empowers students and researchers to contribute to the creation of knowledge with meaningful and sustainable impact.”
The QS World University Rankings is among the most influential and comprehensive higher education rankings worldwide. Universities are assessed based on nine key indicators: Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Employment Outcomes, Faculty-to-Student Ratio, Citations per Faculty, International Faculty, International Students, International Research Network, and Sustainability.
