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By Olami, AbroadPilot · Reviewed September 2026
The MBZUAI Scholarship fully funds master’s and PhD study at the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in Abu Dhabi — the world’s first research university dedicated entirely to Artificial Intelligence. A key feature: the scholarship is awarded to all admitted full-time graduate students, so getting in is the scholarship.
What the MBZUAI Scholarship covers
- Full tuition
- A monthly living stipend — around AED 15,500 (MSc) / AED 17,500 (PhD), with on-campus housing support deducted from the stipend
- Health insurance
- UAE residence-visa sponsorship for non-UAE nationals
- On-campus housing allocation (subject to availability) and industry internships
Who is eligible?
- Open to all nationalities (international and UAE applicants).
- A degree in a STEM field (computer science, electrical/computer engineering, mathematics, physics, etc.) from a recognised university.
- Master’s: a four-year bachelor’s with CGPA around 3.2/4.0 (some sources cite 3.0–3.2 depending on programme). PhD: a relevant master’s (CGPA ~3.2), or direct-entry from a strong bachelor’s (CGPA ~3.5).
- English proficiency: e.g. TOEFL iBT ~90, IELTS 6.5, or EmSAT equivalent (a GRE score can help).
- No prior work experience required.
Documents you’ll need
- Completed online application
- CV (academic background, research/publications, programming skills)
- Official transcripts and degree certificate(s)
- Statement of Purpose (~500–1000 words)
- Research statement (PhD applicants)
- English proficiency score
- Recommendation letters — two for MSc, three for PhD
- Passport copy and a white-background photo
How to apply: step by step
- Open the MBZUAI application portal and create your applicant profile.
- Choose your MSc or PhD programme and complete the form with your academic and personal details.
- Upload all documents (English or certified translations; transcripts stamped/signed).
- Submit by the deadline. For a Fall intake, the priority deadline is typically mid-November and the final deadline mid-December — applying by the priority date is strongly encouraged.
- Assessment: shortlisted applicants may sit a screening exam and a technical interview; decisions usually arrive around mid-March.
How competitive is it?
MBZUAI is highly selective — it’s a small, world-class AI institute, so admission (and therefore the scholarship) is competitive even though funding is automatic for those admitted. A strong STEM record, demonstrable AI/ML or research experience, coding skills and a focused statement of purpose are what move applications forward, along with performance in the screening exam and interview.
Frequently asked questions
Do I apply for the scholarship separately?
No. All admitted full-time MSc and PhD students receive the full scholarship — you simply apply for admission to a funded programme (note the MAAI programme is excluded).
Do I need a STEM background?
Generally yes. MBZUAI expects a degree in a STEM field such as computer science, engineering, mathematics or physics.
Is work experience required?
No. Applicants can apply directly from their bachelor’s or master’s without prior work experience.
Apply / verify on the official site: MBZUAI Admissions (mbzuai.ac.ae). GPA thresholds, stipends and deadlines change each intake — always confirm on the official page.
Free tools for this
- Scholarship Odds Estimator — real award-to-applicant ratios where funders publish them
- Scholarship Eligibility Checker — which of our tracked scholarships you can actually apply for
- Scholarship Deadlines Calendar — never shows a deadline that already passed
- How to Verify a Scholarship Is Real — the red flags that separate real funders from scams
Explore more on our Scholarships hub.
Olami is the founder and lead writer at AbroadPilot. He started the site after going through the visa process himself — a German student visa in 2019 and a Canadian work permit in 2023 — and learning first-hand how confusing official immigration language can be, how often rules change, and how easy it is to lose money to bad advice. He spent three years as an international education and travel consultant, helping people source and verify the information that landed their visas and planned their trips. Every guide on AbroadPilot is built from official sources — embassy pages, government immigration portals, and .gov fee schedules — and reviewed as requirements change. AbroadPilot does not sell visas or applications; it is a free resource to help readers apply with confidence.
