Students preparing for university this September have a world of factors to consider before they decide where to continue their learning journey.
The academic excellence of their chosen institute is paramount but tuition fees, cost-of-living expenses and future career opportunities also weigh heavily on young minds seeking to broaden their horizons.
Many are flocking to Norway, Germany and France, which provide work visas after graduation, apart from being home to many of the world's top universities.
Malaysia is also a popular port of call as it has low tuition fees and hosts the campuses of a number of internationally renowned universities.
Traditional markets include Canada, the US and the UK, but high fees and competition have led students to look further afield.
“I think price point has become a very important factor especially, with the parents and students fearing an incoming recession,” said Vandana Mahajan, founder of Futures Abroad, an education consultancy in the Emirates.
“They are quite price sensitive and look at options which give them a good, affordable tuition fees and settlement opportunities afterwards.
“One question we get a lot from students is where can I get the [highest] scholarship.”
Erudera, an AI-backed education search platform, has created a list of countries in Europe where higher education is free or comes at a minimal cost.
Countries such as Austria, the Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Malta, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia and Sweden offer free education for some nationalities.
Here is a list of some of the most affordable countries in terms of tuition and cost of living for international students:
Germany
Many public universities in Germany offer tuition-free education but students at these seats of learning would have to pay a fee ranging from Dh1,160 to Dh1,950 each semester.
The cost of living in the country is about Dh3,500 a month. Students are eligible for a post-graduation work visa of up to 18 months.
Ms Mahajan said Germany was on top of students' list in terms of affordability because there was no tuition fee at many universities.
“It is a very attractive option and we do get a lot of queries on a daily basis,” she said.
France
Students from the EU have to pay about Dh1,470 a year while those from non-EU countries pay about Dh10,900 for a bachelor's degree annually and Dh14,800 for a master's degree.
Living costs go up to Dh3,500 a month.
Ms Mahajan said there has been massive interest from students interested in studying in France due to the lower tuition fees and the opportunity to secure a work visa of up to a year after graduation.
Poland
English-speaking universities in Poland, the Netherlands and Georgia are increasingly attracting students from the UAE, education consultants told The National last year.
International non-EU students pay about Dh7,500 to Dh23,000 a year on average for their degrees at Polish universities while living costs are between Dh1,500 and Dh2,300 a month. Students can secure a work visa of up to nine months after graduation.
“We get a lot of interest for Poland as it is quite affordable. Lots of students look at Poland for medicine-related programmes because of the ease of admissions and affordability,” said Ms Mahajan.
Norway
Norway is very popular with students in the EU and globally as its public universities offer tuition-free education, with a few exceptions.
However, the country is considering asking international students from outside the EU or the European Economic Area to pay for tuition from the autumn of 2023.
Tuition fees for non-Europeans may go up to Dh47,747 ($13,000) for some programmes.
The cost of living in Norway ranges from Dh2,700 to Dh3,500 a month.
International students in Norway can work for up to 20 hours a week during their studies and secure a one-year work visa after graduating.
Mexico
In Mexico, public universities can charge international students between Dh1,500 and Dh3,000 a year.
At the country's private universities, tuition fees for international students are between Dh5,800 and Dh58,800 per academic year.
The cost of living for an international student in Mexico is about Dh3,700 a month.
India
The number of overseas students coming to India for studies surged by about 42 per cent in less than a decade, Indian media reported last year.
Tuition fees depend on the course and university but average between Dh4,000 and Dh20,000 a year.
Living costs usually come up to Dh1,000 to Dh1,500 a month.
Argentina
Argentina offers a range of grants and scholarships to international students while tuition at public universities is free of charge.
Fees at most private universities are between Dh18,000 and Dh55,000, while living costs are about Dh1,300 a month.
Taiwan
Universities in Taiwan are considered very competitive and average tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate courses range between Dh5,900 and Dh17,000 a year.
Accommodation costs about Dh920 a month.
Malaysia
Malaysia is considered an education centre and is home to more than 120,000 international students.
Ms Mahajan said Malaysia was extremely popular with international students because of very low tuition fees and the fact that it was home to several branch campuses of academic institutions such as Monash University or the University of Nottingham.
She said students took it as a pathway to study for two years in Malaysia and then transfer, for example, to two years to Canada or the UK.
Estimated tuition fees for a bachelor's programme are about Dh15,000 a year.
South Africa
More than 40,000 international students attend South African universities each year, with its multicultural environment proving a big draw.
Tuition fees come to an average of Dh22,000 for international undergraduates at the University of Cape Town.
Living costs go up to Dh2,785 a month.
What else must students consider?
While the price point is an essential factor, students also take into consideration the institution's reputation, the quality of the academic programmes, the availability of financial aid and scholarships, the institute's location, the potential for internships, job placements and opportunities after graduation.
“One of the biggest factors students look at, after affordability, is which country is giving them a settlement opportunity and [whether] there is a prospect of getting a postgraduate work permit and of getting a job,” said Ms Mahajan.
Donjeta Pllana, analyst at Erudera said students should not be guided only be affordability.
“In the decision-making process to pursue education in foreign countries, while price is a major consideration, it is not the determining factor,” she said.
“Students must carefully balance the financial costs with other important factors such as cultural integration, academic progress [and] professional growth when deciding to pursue higher education abroad.”
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Afghanistan squad
Gulbadin Naib (captain), Mohammad Shahzad (wicketkeeper), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
THREE
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UAE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Adel Al Hosani
Defenders: Bandar Al Ahbabi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Mohammed Barghash, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Hassan Al Mahrami, Yousef Jaber, Salem Rashid, Mohammed Al Attas, Alhassan Saleh
Midfielders: Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Majed Hassan, Yahya Nader, Ahmed Barman, Abdullah Hamad, Khalfan Mubarak, Khalil Al Hammadi, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Harib Abdallah, Mohammed Jumah, Yahya Al Ghassani
Forwards: Fabio De Lima, Caio Canedo, Ali Saleh, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 575bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh554,000
On sale: now
Hurricanes 31-31 Lions
Wellington Hurricanes:
Tries: Gibbins, Laumape, Goosen, Fifita tries, Barrett
Conversions: Barrett (4)
Penalties: Barrett
British & Irish Lions:
Tries: Seymour (2), North
Conversions: Biggar (2)
Penalties: Biggar (4)
The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester
Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)
ETFs explained
Exhchange traded funds are bought and sold like shares, but operate as index-tracking funds, passively following their chosen indices, such as the S&P 500, FTSE 100 and the FTSE All World, plus a vast range of smaller exchanges and commodities, such as gold, silver, copper sugar, coffee and oil.
ETFs have zero upfront fees and annual charges as low as 0.07 per cent a year, which means you get to keep more of your returns, as actively managed funds can charge as much as 1.5 per cent a year.
There are thousands to choose from, with the five biggest providers BlackRock’s iShares range, Vanguard, State Street Global Advisors SPDR ETFs, Deutsche Bank AWM X-trackers and Invesco PowerShares.
