B.Arch. in Dubai: Best Colleges, Admission, Fees, & Salary Packages
Pursuing bachelor in Architecture is often considered a major milestone in the profession of interior designing and construction works. If it is done from Dubai, UAE, the study experience and journey can even be more profound and transformative for students. But in a city like Dubai which is home to world’s top B.Arch. institutions and international universities to study the modern science of construction and development, the process to find and select the best college demands careful consideration and planning. And to make things even more complicated, there are up to 70+ B. Arch colleges in Dubai, including Heriot-Watt University Dubai, American University in Dubai (AUD), and Amity University Dubai—providing globally recognized programs, state-of-the-art facilities, experienced faculty, and strong industry links that help students gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in the field of architecture.
If you also want to get a solid academic foundation and boost your creativity, innovation, and sustainability in the ever-evolving world of architecture, consider reading this post. As in the following content, we are going to discuss everything that you need to know about pursuing B.Arch. in Dubai, UAE.
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B.Arch in Dubai - Terms of Admission and Eligibility Criteria
While the idea of pursuing a Bachelor's in Architecture can give wings to your professional career, it's important to choose institutions whose admission terms and eligibility criteria you can meet. Since different B.Arch. institutions may have varying requirements, we’ve outlined some common admission criteria to help you better understand what most colleges expect.
|
Terms of Admission |
Eligibility Criteria |
|
Fall intake (most common) |
Completion of 12 years of schooling (high school diploma or equivalent) |
|
Some colleges also offer Spring and Summer intakes |
Minimum academic score (varies by institution, usually 60-75% aggregate) |
|
Submission of academic transcripts |
Strong foundation in Math and Physics preferred |
|
English language proficiency test (IELTS/TOEFL) required |
Minimum IELTS score around 6.0–6.5 or equivalent TOEFL score |
|
Submission of portfolio (optional/required by some colleges) |
Demonstrated interest or experience in design or arts preferred |
|
Entrance exam (only at some institutions) |
Passing the institution’s own entrance or aptitude test (if applicable) |
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Best B.Arch. Colleges in Dubai - All Certified and Well Accredited Colleges
Your journey to become and work as an esteemed architect in the world of construction starts from finding the best architecture college in Dubai, UAE. An institution or college which is both certified by the Government of UAE and accredited by any top entity is said to be the best. To help you out with the right choice, we have curated a list of best colleges of Architect in Dubai known for their excellence in architectural education, cutting-edge facilities, experienced faculty, and strong industry connections.
|
College Name |
Accreditation/Certification |
Highlights |
|
Heriot-Watt University Dubai |
KHDA Licensed, UK Accreditation (Royal Institute of British Architects - RIBA) |
Strong international curriculum, industry connections |
|
American University in Dubai (AUD) |
KHDA Licensed, NEASC Accredited |
Comprehensive architecture program with experienced faculty |
|
Amity University Dubai |
KHDA Licensed, NAAC Accredited (India) |
Emphasis on innovation and sustainable design |
|
Canadian University Dubai |
KHDA Licensed, CCAA Accredited |
Canadian curriculum, focus on practical skills |
|
University of Dubai |
KHDA Licensed, AACSB Accredited |
Strong industry tie-ups and internship opportunities |
|
Manipal Academy of Higher Education Dubai |
KHDA Licensed, NAAC Accredited |
International faculty, emphasis on research and innovation |
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B.Arch in Dubai, UAE - Best Colleges with Ranking
Being certified, approved, and accredited is one thing—but featuring in the list of the best colleges is something entirely different that you must consider when exploring options for studying B.Arch in Dubai, UAE. A well-ranked institution reflects not only the experience of its faculty but also their expertise in guiding students to transform ideas into lasting, meaningful structures by combining creativity with technical skill. Below is a list of architecture colleges in Dubai, known for their academic excellence and world-class infrastructure—ideal for studying the science and art of construction.
|
Institution (City) |
QS 2025 Overall Rank |
Architecture/Design Ranking & Accreditation |
Highlights |
|
American University of Sharjah (AUS) |
QS 332 (UAE) / #208 in Asia for Architecture & Built Environment |
NAAB‑accredited BArch; top in UAE architecture/design per QS subject ranking |
Highly competitive 5‑year program with mandatory internships; regional leader in architectural education. |
|
American University in Dubai (AUD) (Dubai) |
QS 601‑610 (2025) |
NAAB‑accredited BArch via U.S. liberal arts/architecture model |
Strong international recognition; studio‑based, hands‑on curriculum in Dubai. |
|
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) (Dubai) |
QS 523 (2025) |
Architecture & Interior Design programs benchmarked against Canadian/US standards; local accreditation |
Practical studio focus; strong ties to industry and design hubs (e.g. d3, Burj Khalifa area). |
|
Heriot‑Watt University Dubai (Dubai) |
QS 256 (2025) |
Accredited by UK’s CAA and licensed by KHDA; architecture/architectural engineering offerings |
UK‑standard degree, British RIBA recognition; high KHDA ratings and Middle East awards. |
|
University of Sharjah (UoS) (Sharjah) |
QS 434 (2025) |
Offers Architectural Engineering degrees (CAA‑accredited); solid QS subject ranking |
Regionally strong engineering‑architecture programs, solid regional reputation. |
|
United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) (Al Ain) |
QS 261 (2025) |
Offers BSc in Architectural Engineering; ranked #70 in Asia for Architecture |
UAE’s oldest national university and strong research orientation in built environment.
|
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B.Arch Colleges in Dubai with Fees
Studying in a city like Dubai — a global hub for luxury and innovation — can be a significant financial decision for many students. That’s why finding the best B.Arch college with affordable tuition can be a daunting task. But don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Below, we’ve listed B.Arch colleges in Dubai that offer affordable fees, especially suitable for students from Asia.
|
University (Campus) |
Degree Duration |
Annual Tuition (AED) |
Estimated Total (AED) |
Notes |
|
American University in Dubai (AUD) |
B.Arch. – 5 years |
~91,000–108,000 |
~455,000–540,000 |
Estimate based on course cost ~108,000 AED for first year and ~24,800/yea |
|
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) |
B.Arch. – 5 years |
~88,500 AED/year (incl. incidentals) |
~440,000–450,000 |
Fee/credit ~2,407.5 AED = ~90,700 AED/year including incidental costs |
|
Heriot‑Watt University Dubai |
BA (Hons) Architecture – 3–4 years (UK-style) |
85,500 AED/year |
~256,500–342,000 |
UK‑based degree; fees inclusive of VAT; extra studio costs may apply |
Note: The fees mentioned above exclude the hostel fee. Fees are subject to change at the discretion of the university. For the latest updates or any possible changes in fees, please check the university's official website.
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B.Arch Colleges in Dubai with Placement and Salary Packages
A B.Arch. college in Dubai with a good placement record can lay a strong foundation for your career in the architecture and construction industry. The institutions we have found for you don’t just excel in teaching, design, innovation, and structural excellence—they also offer invaluable exposure to some of the world’s leading construction and architectural firms, including renowned names like Foster + Partners, Zaha Hadid Architects, Atkins, and local giants such as Emaar, Nakheel, and DAMAC. By choosing any of these B.Arch. institutions or universities, you can end up getting selected for a high paying job in Dubai or anywhere else in the world.
|
College (Dubai) |
Placement Insights |
Starting Salary (Per Month) |
|
American University in Dubai (AUD) |
Generally good placement support; internships with major firms; top students sometimes receive offers from global consultancies and developers. |
Entry-level: AED 12,000–15,000 in international firms; other graduates may earn AED 6,000–10,000 (as reported by Glassdoor for Graduate Architect roles in Dubai) |
|
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) |
Practical studio-focused training and industry project exposure; some students intern with design companies in d3 and Dubai Marina. Specific placement stats not publicly published. |
Fresh graduate: Air around AED 10,000–12,000; interns average ~AED 2,000–4,000/month |
|
Heriot‑Watt University Dubai |
Accredited UK-style degree; placements often facilitated through studio modules and global exchange—but no public placement salary data. |
Entry-level: likely in similar range AED 10,000–15,000 depending on firm and experience. |
|
Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai |
KHDA-licensed and Indian-accredited program; some students transition to UAE firms or pursue higher studies. Public placement data limited. |
Expected entry package ~AED 10,000/month. |
|
Other Dubai-based accredited colleges |
Some NAAB-accredited programs: graduates increasingly join regional firms—but structured placement figures not disclosed. |
Entry-level compensation similar to industry norm: AED 10,000–15,000/month. |
Note: The figures provided are indicative and meant to give a general idea about the university’s placement and possible salary range. Actual data and figures may vary. For latest update, please consider to go through the university website.
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