“Higher Education” updates the guiding criteria for admission to programs in higher education institutions

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research issued Ministerial Resolution No. (19) of 2024 regarding admission criteria for programs in higher education institutions in the country. Pursuant to the decision, the guiding standards were updated regarding the admission criteria that higher education institutions in the country can use or develop as they deem appropriate when determining the admission criteria for their programs for bachelor’s degrees, higher diplomas, diplomas, and partial qualifications, in addition to short learning units (levels 4 and 5 within the national framework). for qualifications).
Commenting on the issuance of the decision, the Acting Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for the Higher Education Operations Sector, Director of the International Education Support and Scholarship Department, Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Saadi, indicated that updating the guiding standards for admission to higher education institutions comes in line with the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen partnerships with educational institutions. Higher education and enabling universities to design their academic programs in a way that suits students’ aspirations and better prepares them for the requirements of the labor market, while maintaining clear and transparent standards that guarantee the quality and excellence of academic programs.
His Excellency Ahmed Al-Saadi added: “This flexible approach will contribute to increasing the number of students enrolled in higher education institutions by providing more opportunities for students to enroll in academic tracks that suit their potential. This approach takes into account the specializations that students intend to study, so that non-related subjects do not affect We will continue to work on launching specialized programs and initiatives that contribute to providing educational opportunities for all students, while ensuring that the student’s academic journey is fruitful. And related to his professional career after graduation.”
According to the update to the guiding standards that higher education institutions can use as evidence when determining admission criteria, the general high school average is no longer part of the admission requirements at a higher education institution, as the institution can accept the student according to the grades of the subjects required for the specialization. Universities can also require a student to be accepted at the master’s or doctoral level to obtain an academic qualification from the level preceding it, according to the National Qualifications System 2024, for example. The decision clarified that the indicative high school grades are the grades of the educational curriculum certificate approved in the United Arab Emirates in the advanced track and its equivalent according to the matrix in force in the Ministry of Education.
As for students who studied educational curricula in the English language that are not affiliated with the ministerial curriculum, they are not required to prove proficiency in the English language. As for students who studied non-Ministry of Education curricula in a language other than English, they can prove proficiency by passing international standard tests as determined by the university. Students who have studied curricula not affiliated with the Ministry of Education can also prove proficiency in subjects related to the specialty to be studied according to the standards set by the university. Universities can accept students conditionally on passing qualifying or remedial subjects or programs offered to the student to ensure proficiency, without the general average. High school is part of the admission requirements.
The Ministry called on students and parents to learn about the admission requirements for each university and according to the academic specialization that the student wishes to study, through direct communication with the relevant higher education institutions, and to meet those requirements in accordance with the applicable rules and systems.