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New York University, Abu Dhabi tops our list of 8 Arts, Design & Architecture universities in the United Arab Emirates at #38 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. It is followed by American University of Sharjah (QS World #272) and University of Sharjah (QS World #328). Across the whole list there are 19 courses to choose from.
8 universities · ranked best first
how we rankPublic University · 1 course in Arts, Design & Architecture
Private University · 4 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 1 course in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 1 course in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 3 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 1 course in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 2 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 6 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
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5 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #38 (New York University, Abu Dhabi) to #501 (Abu Dhabi University); they are listed first, in that order. The rest are ordered by research impact. University of Sharjah has the largest research record in this group, with 1,076,195 citations and an h-index of 319.
The split is 7 public to 1 private institutions. By location, Sharjah (2) account for the most of those we can place. The oldest is Ajman University, founded in 1988. University of Sharjah is the largest, with 17,000 students.
By level: 14 bachelor's and 5 master's. The usual length is 4 years and 1–2 years. 100% are full-time. Start dates lean to Fall (100% of courses with a stated intake) and Spring (91% of courses with a stated intake). American University in Dubai offers the widest choice, with 6 of these courses.
We hold indicative fees for 2 of these universities. University of Sharjah is the least expensive at USD 14,000 a year and American University of Sharjah the most at USD 22,000; the middle of the range is about USD 22,000. Check each university's own fee page before you budget — figures change every year.
New York University, Abu Dhabi (QS World #38), American University of Sharjah (QS World #272) and University of Sharjah (QS World #328) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.
Of those with published fees, University of Sharjah is the least expensive at about USD 14,000 a year. Fees are indicative — confirm on the university's site.
7 public and 1 private universities are on this list.
Most listed courses run 4 years, with 1–2 years the next most common.
Fall is the main intake — 100% of courses with a stated start date begin then, and Spring is the second.
American University in Dubai, with 6, ahead of American University of Sharjah (4).
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