The United Arab Emirates has been recognized as the most improved higher education system in the Arab region, according to the QS World University Rankings: Arab Region 2026 released on Thursday.
The UAE recorded a remarkable rise this year, with 15 universities making the list — nine improving their positions, one maintaining its rank, and four dropping slightly. The University of Fujairah entered the rankings for the first time, debuting in the 151–160 band.
Alongside Saudi Arabia, the UAE continues to dominate regional higher education, with both countries placing three universities in the top 10 and six in the top 20. Khalifa University achieved its highest-ever rank, climbing to third place, while UAE University (UAEU) retained fifth, and the American University of Sharjah (AUS) rose to ninth.
Dr. Ashwin Fernandes, QS Executive Director for the AMESA region, praised the UAE’s strong progress, calling it a model for excellence and internationalization. He noted that the country leads the region in attracting international students and faculty, with the number of foreign students expected to reach 120,000 by 2030.
The UAE posted a 33% system-wide improvement, driven by gains in employer reputation, web impact, and international student ratio — making it the top-performing Arab nation in higher education advancement.
