Study in the Middle East: A Guide for American Students

A generation ago, studying in the Middle East usually meant a summer of Arabic. Today it can mean a full American degree in Abu Dhabi, a fully funded doctorate on the Red Sea, or a semester in Doha's Education City alongside students from more than a hundred countries. Our overview of the region's universities and research introduces the leading institutions.

The appeal is practical as well as adventurous. Classes at the featured campuses are taught largely in English, the region's economies are hiring in technology, energy, finance and tourism, and graduates leave with a network that spans the Gulf, Asia and Europe. Campuses are modern, safe and well connected, with nonstop flights from the US to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh.

In the Gulf, your university does most of the work. In the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman, an admitted student is normally sponsored by the university for a student visa or residence permit, which involves a medical check and, in most cases, biometric registration after arrival. Short programs of a few weeks can sometimes run on a tourist entry; our Visas and Entry guide and the pages on the UAE visa and Saudi eVisa explain the basics.

In Jordan, Morocco and Egypt, students in language programs usually enter as visitors and extend their stay locally, with help from the host institute. Rules change, so always confirm with the official government portal and your university's international office before you book.