Applications Are Now Open:
Applications are currently open for multiple scholarship programs at Canadian University Dubai (CUD), located in the heart of Dubai, UAE. Whether you are a fresh high school graduate, a student already enrolled at CUD, a talented athlete, or someone going through financial difficulties, CUD has a scholarship that might be the right fit for you.
These scholarships are partially funded — meaning they cover a portion of your tuition fees, ranging from 10% all the way up to 50% depending on which scholarship you qualify for and how strong your academic record is. There is no single “fully funded” option, but combining multiple scholarships can bring your total fee reduction up to 60% in a semester.
All nationalities are welcome to apply. CUD scholarships are open to students of any citizenship, as long as they have met the university’s admission requirements. There is no application fee to apply for any of these scholarships.
The deadline for fall semester applications is July 7th, and for spring semester it is December 20th. Applications must be submitted by email to scholarship@cud.ac.ae along with all required documents. Late or incomplete applications are not considered — so getting everything ready on time matters a lot.
The scholarships covered in this guide include the Academic Excellence Scholarship, Schools MoU Scholarship, Sports Scholarship, Financial Hardship Scholarship, Special Needs Scholarship, Special Talent Scholarship, and the Study Scholarship (available for both undergraduate and graduate students).
Key Details:
- Host Institution: Canadian University Dubai (CUD)
- Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Degree Level: Undergraduate and Graduate
- Scholarship Type: Partial tuition waiver (10% to 50%; up to 60% when combined)
- Open to All Nationalities: Yes — any citizenship is eligible
- Application Fee: None
- Application Deadline (Fall): July 7th
- Application Deadline (Spring): December 20th
- Summer Semesters: Not covered by any CUD scholarship
- Minimum Enrollment: 12 credit hours per semester (4 courses minimum)
- How to Apply: Email scholarship@cud.ac.ae with completed form and supporting documents
- Funding Type: Partial (tuition waiver only; does not cover housing or incidental fees)
What These Scholarships Offer:
Every scholarship at CUD is designed around one idea — removing the barriers that stop capable students from getting a quality education. Here is what you actually receive and gain through these programs:
Tuition reduction is the core benefit across all scholarships. Depending on the scholarship type and your eligibility level, you receive a waiver between 10% and 50% off your tuition fees for that semester. For the Academic Excellence Scholarship specifically, if you receive it in the fall semester, it stays valid for a full academic year — so you are not reapplying every few months, as long as you keep your grades where they need to be.
Combining scholarships is something CUD actively allows. If you qualify for more than one scholarship or discount, you get to pick the one with the highest value. In some cases, you can stack eligible scholarships together, bringing your total reduction up to 60% in a single semester. That is a significant saving when you think about annual tuition costs in Dubai.
Inclusivity and access are built into several of these scholarships. The Financial Hardship, Special Needs, and Special Talent scholarships are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, which means the university looks at your full situation rather than applying a rigid cutoff. This gives students who might not fit a standard academic mold a real chance at financial support.
Recognition for athletic and creative achievement comes through the Sports Scholarship and Special Talent Scholarship. These are not just about grades. If you have competed at a city level or higher in any sport or talent field — whether that is music, art, debate, or anything else — CUD values that and rewards it with up to a 40% tuition waiver.
Community engagement is something scholarship recipients in the Sports, Financial Hardship, and Special Talent categories contribute to. Successful recipients give up to 15 hours per month in community service to the university. This is not just an obligation — it is a chance to build your professional network, develop soft skills, and become an active part of campus life.
Early payment benefits are available through the Study Scholarship. By paying your semester fees in full before June 30th, you unlock a 10% reduction on tuition. For new students, a minimum 60% upfront payment also qualifies you for this benefit. It rewards financial planning and commitment.
Scholarship Types and Eligibility Criteria:
Academic Excellence Scholarship:
This is the flagship scholarship at CUD for students with strong academic records. It rewards both incoming high school students and continuing CUD students who maintain high GPAs.
For new students (first semester):
- 85% – 89.9% high school average → 20% tuition waiver
- 90% – 94.9% → 30% tuition waiver
- 95% – 98.9% → 40% tuition waiver
- 99% – 100% → 50% tuition waiver
For returning CUD students:
- CGPA 3.80 – 3.84 → 10% waiver
- CGPA 3.85 – 3.89 → 20% waiver
- CGPA 3.90 – 3.94 → 30% waiver
- CGPA 3.95 – 3.97 → 40% waiver
- CGPA 3.98 – 4.0 → 50% waiver
The fall semester award stays valid for a full year provided the student registers for at least 12 credit hours each semester. Spring semester awards are valid for one semester only. High school grades must be from the UAE Secondary School Certificate or an equivalent qualification.
Schools MoU Scholarship:
CUD has formal agreements with a number of top schools across the UAE. If you graduated from one of the participating schools, you may be eligible for a scholarship under this MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) arrangement. The participating schools include:
- American Gulf School
- Ignite School
- Philadelphia Private School
- Al Mawakeb Schools
- Raha International School (Gardens Campus and Khalifa City Campus)
- Greenfield International School
- Dubai British School Jumeirah Park
- Dubai British School Emirates Hills
- Jebel Ali School
- Jumeirah Baccalaureate School
- Lycée Libanais Francophone Privé Meydan
- American Academy for Girls
- Uptown International School
If your school is on this list, contact CUD directly to understand the specific terms tied to your institution’s agreement. Note that the MoU flat tuition reduction cannot be combined with the Study Scholarship.
Sports Scholarship:
This scholarship is for athletes who have competed and achieved results at a city level or above in any sport. The waiver can go up to 40% of tuition fees.
Eligibility:
- New (high school) applicants need a minimum academic average of 70%
- Returning CUD students need a minimum CGPA of 3.0
- Valid for one semester; reapplication required each semester
Required documents:
- Completed application form
- Brief bio with sport accomplishments
- Reference letters from coach or PE teacher on official letterhead
- Copies of relevant sport certificates and achievements
Successful recipients also commit to supporting CUD’s sports department at events and contributing up to 15 hours of community service per month.
Financial Hardship Scholarship:
This scholarship exists specifically to make sure that financial difficulty does not stop a deserving student from pursuing higher education. A waiver of up to 40% is available, determined individually based on the applicant’s circumstances.
Eligibility:
- New applicants need a minimum high school academic average of 75%
- Returning students need a minimum CGPA of 2.8
- Valid for one semester; reapplication allowed each semester
Required documents:
- Completed application form
- Current rental contract
- Bank statements
- Employee certificate and salary details for each working family member
- Passport and visa copies of all working family members or both parents
- Tuition fee certificates for each sibling currently in education
All submitted documents are kept strictly confidential. Any incomplete application will not be reviewed by the committee, so making sure every document is included before the deadline is essential.
Special Needs Scholarship:
CUD is committed to an inclusive campus environment and supports students with physical or cognitive disabilities through this scholarship. Eligible students can receive up to a 40% tuition waiver.
Eligibility:
- New applicants: the scholarship committee reviews academic average on a case-by-case basis
- Current students need a minimum CGPA of 2.0
- Deadlines of July 7th (fall) and December 20th (spring) must be met
An up-to-date, professionally documented medical or psychological diagnosis must be submitted with the application. This documentation is kept confidential. The final decision rests with the scholarship committee.
Special Talent Scholarship:
Similar in structure to the Sports Scholarship but open to students with exceptional abilities in any non-sports field — arts, music, debate, entrepreneurship, technology, or any other recognized area of achievement. Success at city level or above is the benchmark, and up to 40% of tuition can be waived.
Eligibility:
- New applicants need a minimum high school average of 70%
- Returning students need a minimum CGPA of 3.0
- Valid for one semester; reapplication required each semester
Required documents:
- Completed application form
- Documents evidencing achievement in the talent field
- Certificates related to the talent
- Recommendations from teachers, trainers, or professionals in that field
Recipients commit to up to 15 hours of community service per month.
Study Scholarship (Undergraduate and Graduate):
This is a straightforward 10% tuition reduction for students — both new and returning — who register early and pay their semester fees in full before the deadline.
For new students:
- Must register for a minimum of 12 credit hours in Fall 2026–27
- Must pay at least 60% of the first semester value (which includes the AED 2,500 non-refundable but adjustable tuition deposit) before course registration
- Full semester payment must be completed by June 30th, 2026
For returning students:
- Must register for a minimum of 12 credit hours
- Must pay the AED 2,500 tuition deposit before registering
- Full semester payment by June 30th, 2026
This scholarship can be combined with other eligible scholarships and discounts, but not with the MoU flat tuition reduction. The overall cap on combined reductions is 60% per semester. Applies to credit courses only — not to non-credit courses or incidental fees.
Programs Available:
CUD scholarships are open to students across all faculties and programs. Fields of study eligible for these scholarships include:
- Architecture
- Interior Design
- Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and more)
- Business Administration
- Finance
- Accounting
- Marketing
- Human Resource Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Media and Communication
- Law
- Postgraduate and MBA Programs
Guiding Principles That Apply to All Scholarships:
Regardless of which scholarship you apply for, the following rules apply across the board:
- Open to all nationalities who meet CUD admission requirements
- Must be enrolled full-time in a minimum of four courses (12 credit hours) per semester
- CGPA requirements must be maintained throughout the scholarship period
- No scholarship applies during summer semesters
- Scholarships only cover current tuition fees — not housing or other fees
- If eligible for multiple scholarships, students choose the highest-value option (or combine where allowed)
- All remaining fees must be paid on time to keep the scholarship active
- Scholarship decisions made by the committee are final and cannot be appealed
How to Apply:
Applying for any CUD scholarship follows a straightforward process:
- Step 1: Identify which scholarship or scholarships you are eligible for based on your academic record, background, or circumstances.
- Step 2: Download and complete the relevant scholarship application form from the CUD website or visit the Student Affairs office on campus.
- Step 3: Gather all required supporting documents as listed under the specific scholarship you are applying for.
- Step 4: Send your completed application form and all documents to scholarship@cud.ac.ae before the applicable deadline — July 7th for fall intake and December 20th for spring intake.
- Step 5: Wait for the scholarship committee to review your application. Note that decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Make sure your application is complete before sending it. The committee does not consider late or incomplete applications under any circumstances.
For further information, you can also visit the scholarship section of the Student Affairs office at CUD directly.
All information in this article is based on details published by Canadian University Dubai and is subject to change. Always verify the latest requirements directly with CUD before submitting your application.
