Students planning to study in the United Arab Emirates can consider the Academic Merit Scholarship at the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD). According to the official UOWD scholarship page, the scholarship covers 15% to 50% of tuition fees each trimester and is open to new Bachelor’s students of any citizenship. The scholarship announcement mentions the Winter 2027 trimester with a deadline of 27 November 2026. This guide explains the grade requirements, how the award is retained and how to apply.
Scholarship Overview
| University | University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), Dubai, UAE |
| Scholarship | Academic Merit Scholarship for new Bachelor’s students |
| Award | 15%, 25% or 50% of tuition fees each trimester |
| Eligible Applicants | New (entry-level) students of any citizenship |
| Intake | Winter 2027 trimester |
| Deadline | 27 November 2026, as stated in the announcement (please confirm with UOWD) |
| Selection | First-come, first-served, subject to eligibility and availability |
Scholarship Categories
There are three scholarship categories: 50% (conditions apply), 25% and 15%. The number of scholarships in each category is limited, and applicants must meet the minimum selection criteria for the category they apply for. For Bachelor’s degrees with advanced entry (3 years), the official page lists lower tiers of 25%, 15% and 10%.
Minimum Grades Required
The grade you need depends on your school qualification. The official page lists the following examples for the 4-year degree with an integrated freshman year:
| Qualification | 50% | 25% | 15% |
| UAE / Arabic countries secondary certificate | 98% | 90% | 85% |
| Indian CBSE or State Boards | 95% | 85% | 80% |
| American High School Diploma (grade 12) | 98% | 90% | 85% |
| International Baccalaureate | 40 | 35 | 30 |
| UK A-Levels | 3 A grades | 2 A grades | 1 A grade |
| Australian ATAR | 90 | 85 | 80 |
The official list is not exhaustive, and results from other curricula are also considered. Students with other qualifications should contact UOWD to confirm the grades needed for their curriculum.
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be a new, entry-level student.
- Applications are open to students of any citizenship.
- You must have achieved the minimum grades for the scholarship category.
- You must meet all academic and admission criteria of the university and intend to enrol in the session you applied for.
How to Keep the Scholarship
The scholarship is reviewed every year at the start of the Autumn trimester. According to the official page, students must:
- Enrol in at least 3 subjects in the Autumn, Winter and Spring trimesters.
- Keep a cumulative WAM of at least 75 (50% award), 65 (25% award) or 55 (15% award).
- Receive no fail grades (F or TF).
If a student has no fail grades but does not meet the WAM requirement, the award is reduced to the next lower level: 50% to 25%, 25% to 15%, and 15% to none.
What the Scholarship Does Not Cover
This is a tuition-fee discount only. It does not cover textbooks, excursions, accommodation, living expenses or any other study-related expenses. Students should also plan for travel and daily costs in Dubai.
How to Apply
- Choose an eligible Bachelor’s programme at UOWD.
- Apply for admission to the university.
- Complete the Application for Scholarship form.
- Submit your academic transcripts and other supporting documents.
- Apply before the closing date. The official page says late applications will not be considered.
Since scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, apply as early as possible. Once all scholarships for a trimester have been awarded, no further scholarship applications are accepted. For questions, you can contact UOWD Student Recruitment on +9714 278 1800, as listed on the official scholarship page.
Conclusion
The UOWD Academic Merit Scholarship can reduce tuition costs for students with strong school results, but it is limited and competitive, and it covers only part of the cost of studying in Dubai. Please confirm the latest deadline, required grades and application steps on the official UOWD website before applying. Selection is not guaranteed.
TechKarimi is an independent information website and is not affiliated with the University of Wollongong in Dubai. Applications must be submitted only through the official university channels.