• Minimum score of achievement in each of the following EmSAT subjects: Math 1000, Physics 800, Arabic 700,  Computer Science 800 (Java or C++ or Python), one elective from Chemistry or Biology 800, and English 1250 to be conditionally accepted into the Foundation program.

or:

• Minimum score of achievement in each of the following EmSAT subjects: Math 1250, Physics 1000, Computer Science 800 (Java or C++ or Python), Arabic 700, one elective from Chemistry or Biology 800, and English 1400 to be fully accepted into freshman year.

For non-Arabic speakers, the EmSAT Arabic exam is not mandatory.

For more information on the EmSAT exam, please click here.

Applicant should have graduated from high school no later than two years prior to the current year. Applicant must hold a UAE Secondary School Certificate with a minimum average of 75% or its equivalent.

In addition, all applicants coming from high schools inside the UAE, need to meet the below EmSAT requirements:

• • Minimum score of achievement in each of the following EmSAT subjects: Math 1000, Physics 800, Arabic 700,  Computer Science 800 (Java or C++ or Python), one elective from Chemistry or Biology 800, and English 1250 to be conditionally accepted into the Foundation program.

  or:

  • Minimum score of achievement in each of the following EmSAT subjects: Math 1250, Physics 1000, Computer Science 800 (Java or C++ or Python), Arabic 700, one elective from Chemistry or Biology 800, and English 1400 to be fully accepted into freshman year.

  For non-Arabic speakers, the EmSAT Arabic exam is not mandatory.

  For more information on the EmSAT exam, please click here.

Khalifa University may award advanced standing credit for certain academic work completed prior to enrollment at the University.  This includes sufficiently high scores on some national/international secondary school examinations such as the College Board Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Advance “A” Level GCE (General Certificate of Education).  This may make it possible for a student to complete the Bachelor’s degree in less than the normal duration or take other courses.

Advanced Standing Credit may only be granted after the student has been fully admitted as a freshman to Khalifa University.  All students who would like to be considered for advanced standing credit must complete the Advanced Standing Credit Evaluation form at the Office of Admissions and provide either the original score certificate or an official copy from the appropriate examining agency.  Each student will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.   All students must submit their request for advanced standing credit evaluations within the first semester of their freshman year at Khalifa University.  Credits earned through “Advanced Standing” are considered “transfer credits” (non-residence credits) for degree requirement purposes. 

For more information regarding “Advanced Standing Credit and Credit by Examination Policies and Procedures,” please visit: #advanced-standing-credit-and-credit-by-examination-policies-and-procedures/. 

COLLEGE BOARD ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)

Khalifa University grants credit for a score of 4 or 5 on certain College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exams. The University does not grant credit for secondary school courses teaching AP curricula, or partial credit for lower scores. If the AP exam is taken more than once, the higher score will be counted.

All official AP scores should be sent directly to KU registration department by using our college code 7860.

Details of credit for various exams appear below:

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

Khalifa University grants credit for a score of 5 or higher on certain Higher Level (HL) International Baccalaureate (IB) exams. The University does not grant credit for secondary school courses teaching IB curricula, or partial credit for lower scores. If the IB exam is taken more than once, the higher score will be counted.

Details of credit for various exams appear below:

ADVANCE “A” LEVEL GCE (GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION).

Khalifa University grants credit for a grade of B or higher on certain A-level exams. The University does not grant partial credit for lower grades. If the A-level exam is taken more than once, the higher grade will be counted.

Details of credit for various exams appear below:

*Examination Policies and Procedures

The following documents are required as part of the undergraduate admissions process:

• A completed Khalifa University online application form
• An attested copy of High School certificate.
  • Government high school students should submit a copy of their grade 12 first term certificate if the final certificate is not yet issued.
  • Private high school students should submit a copy of their final grade 10 and 11 certificates, in addition to a copy of their Grade 12 first term certificate, if the final certificate is not yet issued.
  • British System high school students should submit certificates of their O level, AS and A levels. If final certificates are yet to be issued, a letter from the school stating predicted grades is required.
• TOEFL or IELTS certificates (original, plus an extra copy) if any.
• Good Conduct Certificate
• Passport
  • For UAE Nationals: front page and unified number page
  • For UAE Residents: Copy of passport name page and visa permit page
  • For International students outside the UAE: Copy of passport name page
• Passport size photograph
• For UAE Nationals and UAE Residents: Emirates ID (Front and Back)
• For UAE Nationals Only: A complete copy of Khulasat Al Qaid (UAE National Family Book)

IMPORTANT NOTES: Please provide the school’s grading scale equivalency where required. All foreign and private school certificates must be equated and attested by the Ministry of Education in UAE. Applications with missing documents will not be accepted.

In addition to the minimum admission criteria, to be considered for full-admission (First/Freshman Year), applicants must also satisfy the following requirements:

• Proof of English language proficiency, which may take one of the following forms:
  • An academic IELTS minimum score of 6.0 out of 9.0; or
  • An EmSAT English minimum score of 1400; or
  • A TOEFL minimum score of 79 on the Internet Based Test (IBT).

  Note: TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two calendar years only and should be taken from an approved testing center. (TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language | IELTS – International English Language Testing System)

• A minimum EmSAT Math score of 1250
• A minimum EmSAT English score of 1400
• A minimum EmSAT Physics score of 1000
• A minimum EmSAT Arabic score of 700 (For non-Arabic speakers, the EmSAT Arabic exam is not mandatory)
• A minimum EmSAT Computer Science score of 800 (Java or C++ or Python) 
• One EmSAT elective Chemistry or Biology minimum score of 800
• Satisfactory entrance interview

Applicants who do not meet the requirements for full admission as freshmen in English and who have been judged to have the potential to reach these standards, may be offered conditional admission and required to complete the Preparatory Program within a maximum of 12 months. In addition to the minimum admission criteria, to be considered for conditional admission (Foundation Year), applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• Proof of English language proficiency which may take one of the following forms:
  • A minimum academic IELTS score of 5.5 out of 9.0; or
  • A minimum EmSAT English score of 1250; or
  • Equivalent in other tests approved by the Ministry of Education.
• A minimum EmSAT Math score of 1000
• A minimum EmSAT English score of 1250
• A minimum EmSAT Physics score of 800
• A minimum EmSAT Arabic score of 700 (For non-Arabic speakers, the EmSAT Arabic exam is not mandatory)
• A minimum EmSAT Computer Science score of 800 (Java or C++ or Python) 
• One EmSAT elective Chemistry or Biology minimum score of 800
• Satisfactory entrance interview

The Preparatory Program is an intensive, full-time program of developmental study in academic and technical English, mathematics, physics and chemistry 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 are not able to achieve the standard for successful completion of the Preparatory Program within 12 months will have their conditional admission withdrawn, and they will be asked to leave the University.

• Applicants who hold an undergraduate or graduate degree from universities outside the UAE must present Certificate of Equivalency for their graduation certificates from the UAE Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Affairs Division.
• Applicants who earned their degrees from universities inside the UAE may be required to present Certificate of Equivalency for their graduation certificates from the UAE Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Affairs Division. If this is required, Khalifa University’s Graduate Admissions Office will notify the applicants.
• Please note that Khalifa University is not involved in the equivalency process. The UAE Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Affairs Division is fully responsible for issuing the Certificate Equivalency. 

• To request a Certificate of Equivalency, you must register online by going to this link.
• You can also access the MOE website by going to moe.gov.ae/en, select “E-Services – Service Catalog”, then select the “Certificate Equivalency – Higher Education” option.  You will be asked to create an online account and log in, fill in the e-application, submit and upload the required documents, and pay the applicable fees. For a detailed list of the requirements and documents, visit the Certificate Equivalency section on www.moe.gov.ae/en , or contact 80051115, or email equ.corr@moe.gov.ae
• Applicants have to prepare and attest all the required university and high school certificates and transcripts from the country in which they graduated.
• Equivalency applications have to be submitted in person in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Applications should be submitted at least one month prior to the first day of class.
• Applicants who have applied for Certificate of Equivalency but have not concluded the Equivalency process by the time of registration would be given the chance to register for the first semester as long as they sign the Graduate Admission Contract.

All students must participate in a personal interview conducted by a Khalifa University admissions committee.

During the interview, students will be assessed on:

• Ability to communicate in English
• Familiarity with the relevant profession
• Commitment to pursue a professional degree program
• Reasons for wanting to attend Khalifa University
• Potential leadership capabilities in the UAE

Students interested to transfer from another university to KU, have to apply through the KU admission website/portal, and, meet the following minimum requirements:

• Should be in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.5 or greater.
• Should be eligible to continue their enrollment at the institution from which they wish to transfer.
• Should be transferring from a reputable and lawfully accredited university.
• Should have graduated from High School no later than two years prior to the current year.
• Should satisfy the minimum EmSAT requirements for direct admission to the First year at KU: Math 1250, Physics 1000, Computer Science 800 (Java, or C++, or Python), Arabic 700, one elective from Chemistry or Biology 800, and English 1400.
• Should satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement by achieving one of the following scores:
  • An academic IELTS minimum score of 6.0 out of 9.0; or
  • An EmSAT English minimum score of 1400; or
  • A TOEFL minimum score of 79 on the Internet Based Test (iBT).

Note: Not all the courses taken at the initial University will be transferred to KU. Make sure to provide a copy of the syllabi of all courses taken to be able to be considered for course transfers.