Nine UAE universities have been included in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2027, up from five in 2021.
Six UAE universities placed among the world’s top 500, putting the country 23rd globally for its representation in that group, according to THE data provided to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
The 2027 rankings cover 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories.
UAE’s highest-ranked universities
Khalifa University and United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) shared the UAE’s highest position, ranking 235th globally.
They were followed by:
Abu Dhabi University and the University of Sharjah: 301–325
Ajman University: 376–400
Al Ain University: 401–450
American University of Sharjah and Zayed University: 501–550
Gulf Medical University: 1001–1200
Gulf Medical University entered the global rankings for the first time in the 2027 edition.
Five universities improve their positions
The results also show improvement among UAE universities that appeared in both the 2027 and previous editions.
Five of the eight returning universities improved their ranking positions, while six recorded higher overall scores.
The number of ranked UAE institutions has also increased from five in the 2021 edition to nine in 2027, despite the global ranking expanding from 2,191 to 2,297 universities.
For students and families considering higher education in the UAE, the wider presence in the global rankings provides more locally based universities with international ranking positions to compare.
UAE scores strongly for international outlook
The rankings show particular strength in research quality and international outlook.
Across the nine ranked UAE universities, the average research quality score was 84 out of 100, while the average international outlook score reached 92.
Every ranked UAE university placed among the world’s top 400 for international outlook, with five making the global top 15 for this measure.
Six of the nine UAE universities also ranked among the world’s top 200 for research quality.
The assessment identified teaching, the research environment and economy-related performance as areas where further progress could be made.
His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said: “The UAE’s growing presence in leading international university rankings reflects the sustained efforts of our higher education institutions to strengthen academic and research excellence and enhance their global competitiveness. These results demonstrate important progress, while also providing valuable evidence to guide the next stage of development across the sector.”
UAE universities cover all subject areas
UAE universities are represented across all 11 subject areas included in THE’s 2027 subject rankings.
The World University Rankings assess research-intensive universities across teaching, research environment, research quality and international outlook, using a range of performance indicators.
The 2027 rankings were published by THE on September 30, 2026.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
