The United Arab Emirates has secured the top position in the 2026 QS Arab University Rankings, emerging as the regional leader in higher education, with nine Emirati universities ranked among the top 25 institutions in the Arab world.
According to the 12th edition of the QS Arab Region University Rankings 2026, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) — a global higher education analytics firm — a total of 298 universities across the Arab world were evaluated.
The rankings were determined based on several indicators, including academic and employer reputation, research impact and collaboration, teaching resources, internationalization, and faculty qualifications.
UAE Universities Dominate Regional Rankings
Leading the UAE’s impressive performance, Khalifa University of Science and Technology ranked third in the Arab world and first nationally. It was followed by United Arab Emirates University in fifth place and the American University of Sharjah in ninth.
Other UAE institutions also secured top spots:
- Abu Dhabi University — 11th
- Ajman University — 12th
- University of Sharjah — 14th
- Canadian University Dubai — 21st
- Zayed University — 23rd
- Al Ain University — 25th
Beyond the top 25, several other Emirati universities also made it to the regional list:
- American University in Dubai — 47th
- American University of Ras Al Khaimah — 51–60 range
- British University in Dubai — 71–80 range
- University of Dubai — 81–90 range
- American University in the Emirates — 101–110 range
- University of Fujairah — 151–160 range
UAE Excels in Global Academic Appeal
UAE universities scored exceptionally well in key performance metrics. They dominated the top 10 rankings for the proportion of international faculty and students.
Khalifa University earned top marks for its faculty-to-student ratio, international research collaboration, and PhD-qualified academic staff.
Meanwhile, United Arab Emirates University was recognized for its academic reputation, digital impact, and global research partnerships.
The American University of Sharjah stood out for achieving the highest employer reputation score in the region, reflecting the strong employability of its graduates.
Regional Context
The 2026 QS Arab University Rankings were led by King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia, followed by Qatar University, Khalifa University, King Saud University, and United Arab Emirates University, rounding out the top five.
The rest of the top 25 featured leading institutions from Lebanon, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, and Kuwait.
