MBZUAI Masters 2027: Funding, Deadlines and How to Apply
Funding for MBZUAI masters 2027 is not automatic. For the Fall 2027 intake, MBZUAI’s M.Sc. programs are fee-paying by default, and funding is not guaranteed for every admitted student. For M.Sc. students, funding may come through merit-based funding considered during admissions, a faculty-sponsored research or teaching assistantship, or an approved government scholarship for eligible UAE nationals. PhD students are treated differently: the university funds their first year while they are matched with a faculty advisor.
The final deadline for most graduate programs is 15 December 2026, so it is worth knowing exactly what you would be applying for.
Official pages: MBZUAI graduate master’s admissions and the MBZUAI applicant portal.
How MBZUAI funding works, program by program
MBZUAI runs three different funding situations under one admissions page. Mixing them up is the easiest way to misread the offer.
| Program | Funding status | What that means | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Sc. (all tracks except MAAI) | Fee-paying by default; merit-based funding may be available | Not guaranteed for all admitted students. Students without a funding source are classified as fee-paying | Fall 2027 cost-of-attendance figures are still being finalized by MBZUAI |
| Master in Applied AI (MAAI) | Fee-based program | Not eligible for university or faculty-sponsored funding | AED 5,000 per credit, 34 credits, AED 170,000 in total (about USD 46,000) |
| Ph.D. | Year 1 centrally funded by the university | Moves to the faculty advisor’s funding no later than the start of Year 2. Continued funding depends on a confirmed advisor match and satisfactory progress | Covered for funded students |
What funded students receive
Students who are funded receive free tuition, a monthly stipend, one return airfare to their home country each year, health insurance for the approved funding period, and a university-sponsored UAE residence visa and Emirates ID where eligible.
The published stipend rates for international students are AED 15,500 per month for M.Sc. and AED 17,500 per month for Ph.D. (UAE nationals: AED 37,500 and AED 43,500). One thing to check before you budget: the admissions page does not spell out how housing is handled, so ask MBZUAI whether the stipend is meant to cover it.
Funded students are expected to be on campus throughout their funded period. If you hold an outside scholarship, you must disclose it, and it normally replaces the university stipend instead of adding to it.
Research Note
The funding table says M.Sc. funding passes to a faculty advisor once a match is confirmed, with no fixed date for that to happen. Put plainly, your funding picture can stay open after you are admitted, since one of the two routes is a faculty member sponsoring a research or teaching assistantship. Because that match matters so much, read the faculty directory and research project pages on MBZUAI’s site before you write your statement of purpose, and make sure the interests you state fit the program you choose.
MBZUAI masters 2027 deadlines
| Program group | Portal opened | Final deadline | Decision | Offer response | Apply Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All graduate programs except MAAI and Computational Biology | 7 Sept 2026, 8 a.m. GST | 15 Dec 2026, 5 p.m. GST | By 31 Mar 2027 | 15 Apr 2027 | Apply |
| M.Sc. and Ph.D. Computational Biology | 30 Sept 2026, 8 a.m. GST | 15 Dec 2026, 5 p.m. GST | By 31 Mar 2027 | 15 Apr 2027 | Apply |
| Master in Applied AI (MAAI) | 7 Sept 2026, 8 a.m. GST | 28 Feb 2027, 5 p.m. GST | 15 Apr 2027 | 30 Apr 2027 | Apply |
Open the MBZUAI Applicant Portal
Only one application per admission cycle is processed, so choose your program carefully.
Who can apply
MBZUAI asks for a degree in a STEM field, such as computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, mathematics, physics or another science or engineering major. The degree must come from an accredited university or college recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education. The minimum CGPA is 3.0 or 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, depending on the program, so check the exact number for your track.
Final-year students can apply with a transcript copy and submit the official degree certificate and transcript after admission.
For English proficiency, MBZUAI lists minimum scores for accepted tests, including IELTS Academic 6.5 and TOEFL iBT 90, and test results are valid for two years. Check your specific program page for the complete current list of accepted tests before booking one.
How the application works
The application needs:
- the online application form
- a CV covering academic background, work experience, publications and programming skills
- your official bachelor’s transcript and degree certificate, or an expected-graduation letter
- two referee recommendations for M.Sc. applicants (three for Ph.D.)
- a statement of purpose, uploaded as a PDF
- a research statement, for Ph.D. applicants only, also as a PDF
- proof of English proficiency
- a passport copy and a photo on a white background
After you apply, there is a screening exam that tests foundational knowledge, including advanced mathematics and programming (plus machine learning and core computer science for Ph.D. applicants). The AED 200 application fee is paid after the exam. The fee is waived if you score 75% or above, and refunded on enrollment if you do enroll. A subset of applicants are then invited to a technical interview.
For applicants holding degrees from Pakistan, one detail deserves early attention. Degrees earned outside the UAE need a Certificate of Recognition, which MBZUAI requires within your first semester. The page does not describe a Pakistan-specific route, so ask MBZUAI Admissions (admission@mbzuai.ac.ae) how it expects Pakistani degrees to be handled, and start gathering official documents well before December.
Warning
Do not plan your finances around a scholarship you have not been offered. MAAI costs AED 170,000 in tuition, and M.Sc. fees for Fall 2027 have not yet been published. If an offer arrives without funding, you would be classified as fee-paying. The offer response deadline is 15 April 2027 (30 April for MAAI).
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply to more than one MBZUAI program in the same cycle?
No. MBZUAI processes only one application per admission cycle, and multiple submissions are not processed.
Is the screening exam compulsory?
On the current admissions page, the screening exam is listed among the required elements, and the application fee is paid after completing it.
Can I combine an outside scholarship with the MBZUAI stipend?
You must disclose external funding to the university. It normally replaces the university stipend rather than being paid on top of it.
Related Guides
Sources used
- MBZUAI, Graduate master’s admissions: requirements, application process, important dates, student funding and fees
- MBZUAI, M.Sc. programs: English proficiency requirements
- MBZUAI, applicant portal: official application link
Scholarship requirements, deadlines, and funding details can change. Always verify current information directly with the official provider before applying.
Written by: Zorvia Editorial Board
Research basis: prepared using official scholarship, government, university, and program sources
Zorvia Magazine is an independent guidance resource and is not affiliated with Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) or any organization mentioned above.
The Zorvia Editorial Board consists of experienced higher education advisors, academic researchers, and international guidance specialists. Our team is dedicated to researching, verifying, and publishing transparent information on fully funded global scholarships, university admissions, and international student mobility.
