For the first time, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has implemented a new initiative to rank universities in the UAE using a transparent and equitable framework aligned with the nation's vision and priorities. This move underscores the Ministry's commitment to enhancing higher education standards across the UAE. Known as the National Higher Education Institutions Classification Framework, it has received approval from the UAE Cabinet. Under this framework, all Ministry-licensed higher education institutions (HEIs) will undergo ranking based on well-defined criteria designed to reflect the UAE's strategic objectives and educational priorities.
Following international standards in higher education ranking, MoE-licensed HEIs in the UAE have been categorised into two groups under the new National Higher Education Institutions Classification Framework. The first category, known as the Research Cluster, includes HEIs offering both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The second category, the Non-Research Cluster, consists of HEIs that offer undergraduate programs exclusively, without postgraduate offerings.
In the initial phase of this framework, HEIs were evaluated across four main pillars, research and innovation (35%), teaching quality and student life (35%), employment and labour market alignment (20%), and international collaboration (10%). This assessment does not cover HEIs established within the last five years, those exclusively offering master's and doctoral programs, or institutions with revoked or suspended licences.
As a result of this classification, institutions like the American University of Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates University, Khalifa University, Mohammed bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and New York University Abu Dhabi have been placed in Group One based on their performance across these pillars.
Group Two under the National Higher Education Institutions Classification Framework includes Abu Dhabi University, American University in Dubai, The British University in Dubai, University of Sharjah, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, Rochester Institute Of Technology-Dubai, Zayed University, Ajman University, and University of Wollongong in Dubai.
Group Three in the National Higher Education Institutions Classification Framework includes American University in the Emirates, American University of Ras Al Khaimah, Emirates College For Advanced Education, Gulf Medical University, Sorbonne University, Al Ain University, Canadian University Dubai, Institute of Management Technology, University of Dubai, Dubai Pharmacy College, Rabdan Academy, and Saint Joseph University, Dubai.
Group Four within the National Higher Education Institutions Classification Framework comprises institutions such as Skyline University College, Emirates Aviation University, Imam Malik College, University of Fujairah, City University Ajman, Al Wasl University, Jumeira University, and Rak Medical and Health Sciences University.