Admissions

Admission Requirements

Khalifa University admits female and male students from the UAE and beyond. The admission rules and requirements stated in this section are the basis on which a prospective student’s application is assessed. Details of the Admissions requirements, placement tests, recognized secondary school certificates, and transfer students are set out below.

General Admissions Requirements

Students are admitted to the University undergraduate programs solely on the basis of an assessment of their ability to pursue University level work as evidenced by their academic record. Admission to Khalifa University is competitive. Students seeking admission to the University must meet the following minimum criteria:

  • Maximum age of 20 years. An exception may be granted by University management.
  • Hold a UAE Secondary School Certificate (SSC) in Science with a minimum overall achievement of 80%.
  • For students without the UAE SSC, the equivalent requirements as approved by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education are applied. (See The Section on Recognized Secondary School Certificates).

Freshman (Full) Admission

In addition to the minimum criteria mentioned above, to be considered for full-admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

  • 1- Proof of English language proficiency which may take one of the following forms (Effective June 2010):
    • a. A TOEFL minimum 79 on the Internet Based Test (IBT).
    • b. An IELTS minimum score of 6.0 (out of 9).
    • c. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two calendar years only. *
  • 2- Pass a placement test in Mathematics (Algebra and pre-Calculus).
  • 3- Pass a placement test in Computer Technology.
  • 4- Pass a personal interview.

Conditional Admission

Applicants who do not meet the requirements for full admission as Freshmen, but who are judged to have the potential to reach these standards, may be offered a conditional admission. For example, applicants may be considered for conditional admission if they have failed to attain an acceptable score on Khalifa University’s placement tests or if they do not have the required proof of English proficiency but score at an acceptable level on a University administered test of English.

Khalifa University Preparatory Program is an intensive, full-time program of developmental study in academic and technical English, mathematics, physics and computer technology required for success in a Khalifa University degree program. Students who successfully complete the program are offered full admission into the degree programs.

Students who have the required proof of English proficiency but are asked to take preparatory technical courses may be approved to take a limited number of credit courses that will count toward the degree (a maximum of 15 credits).

Students who are not able to achieve the standard for successful completion of the Preparatory Program will have their conditional admission withdrawn and they will be asked to leave the University.

Entry Assessment

Students who do not have proof of the English proficiency are required to take a University administered test of English. In addition, students in all engineering programs must sit for required placement tests in mathematics (algebra and pre-calculus - See sample Math Test) and computer technology (See sample Computer Test).

All exams are in English but basic Dictionary will be provided

Applicants may be exempted from placement testing if they have attained a satisfactory level of achievement as documented by a recognized external examination.

  • Students may be exempted from the computer technology test if they have earned a computer certificate such as ICDL or IC3 in English.

In addition, all students must participate in a personal interview conducted in English by a Khalifa University admissions committee. Students will be assessed on: a minimum standard of ability to communicate in English, their familiarity with the relevant profession, their commitment to pursue a professional degree program, their reasons for wanting to attend Khalifa University, and their potential for assuming a leadership role in the UAE evolving knowledge-based economy.

Recognized Secondary School Certificates

Secondary school certificates are awarded by either ministries of education or by private schools and institutions. Khalifa University recognizes UAE Secondary School Certificates or their equivalents as approved by the UAE Ministry of Education.

The following secondary school certificates and equivalent admissions criteria are accepted by Khalifa University:

  • UAE National General Secondary School Certificate
  • UAE Institute of Applied Technology (IAT) Certificate
  • International Baccalaureate (IB)
    • Students should have earned higher level scores of 5 or better for Math and Physics
  • American High School Diploma
    • Students must present a transcript of all secondary study (10, 11, and 12).
    • Students must have studied a science track.
  • UK Board(s) Certificates: IGCSE, GCSE, GCE
    • Students must have completed 12 years of primary and secondary study.
    • Students should have completed five O-Level courses with minimum grades of three A’s and two B’s.
    • Students should have completed two A-Level courses in math and science with minimum grades of one A and one B, or four AS-Level courses (including math and science) with minimum grades of three A’s and one B.
  •  Completed application form for Admission.
  •  Passport photocopy accompanied by 5 recent passport-size photographs.
  •  UAE Secondary School Certificate (SSC) or its equivalent as approved by the Ministry of Higher Education.
  •  Khulasat Al Qaid for UAE nationals.
  •  Good Conduct Certificate (from last school attended)
  •  TOEFL or IELTS score (if available)
  •  Computer Certificate (if available)
  •  Medical Certificate of fitness (required after place has been offered).
  •  Visa Documentation (if applicable)

The application form and the supporting documents, including school certificates/transcripts, English language test scores … etc, remain the property of Khalifa University and will not be returned to the applicant irrespective of the Admissions decision.