MBZUAI Scholarship 2027 in UAE | Fully Funded MSc and PhD in AI

Last checked: 8 November 2026

The MBZUAI Scholarship 2027 is for STEM graduates who want a master’s or PhD in artificial intelligence at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi. In addition, admitted MSc and PhD students get free tuition, a monthly stipend and a yearly flight home, and most applications close on 15 December 2026.

MBZUAI Scholarship Benefits

• Tuition: to begin with, MBZUAI waives your tuition fees in full.
• Monthly stipend: in addition, the official funding table lists AED 15,500 for international MSc students and AED 17,500 for international PhD students.
• Flights: you also get one return airfare each year to your home country.
• Health insurance: likewise, MBZUAI covers you for the approved funding period.
• Visa: finally, the University sponsors your UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, where eligible.
• Not covered: the Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence, because it is a fee-based program with total tuition of AED 170,000.
• Not covered: double funding, since an external scholarship normally replaces the MBZUAI stipend.

However, the funding model differs by degree. For example, MSc students receive University funding for the whole program. PhD students, on the other hand, receive central funding in Year 1 and must match with a faculty advisor by the end of that year to keep it.

Also check: KAUST Scholarships 2026 in Saudi Arabia

MBZUAI Scholarship Eligibility

• Degree: first, you need a degree in a STEM field such as computer science, electrical or computer engineering, mathematics or physics.
• Recognised university: also, your degree must come from a university recognised by the UAE Ministry of Education.
• CGPA: in general, you need at least 3.0 or 3.5 out of 4.0, depending on the program.
• English: moreover, you must submit valid proof of English proficiency that meets your program’s criteria.
• Final-year students: similarly, seniors can apply with their current transcript and send final documents after admission.
• Nationality: importantly, MBZUAI does not restrict the scholarship to specific countries.
• Not eligible: Master in Applied AI students, because MBZUAI does not fund that program.
• Not eligible: second applications in the same cycle, since MBZUAI processes only one application per applicant.

Admission is highly competitive, and MBZUAI limits the size of each cohort. For this reason, strong maths and programming skills matter as much as your grades.

Required Documents

• Completed online application form
• CV with your academic background, research and programming skills
• Bachelor’s transcript and degree certificate, or an expected graduation letter
• Master’s transcript and certificate (PhD applicants with a master’s degree)
• Referee recommendations: at least two for MSc and three for PhD
• Statement of purpose (PDF)
• Research statement (PDF, PhD applicants only)
• Valid proof of English proficiency
• Valid passport copy and a photo with a white background

How to Apply for the MBZUAI Scholarship

1. Choose one program. MBZUAI accepts only one application per cycle, so pick carefully.
2. Create an account next on the MBZUAI applicant portal and fill in the form.
3. Upload your documents then, as PDFs, including your statement of purpose and references.
4. Take the screening exam. It tests advanced maths and programming and, for PhD applicants, machine learning and core computer science.
5. Pay the AED 200 fee after the exam. However, MBZUAI waives it if you score 75% or above on the screening exam.
6. Attend the technical interview if MBZUAI invites you.
7. Wait for the decision. After that, MBZUAI sends results by 31 March 2027.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying to the Master in Applied AI and expecting a scholarship.
• Submitting more than one application in the same cycle.
• Leaving the screening exam until the last week before the deadline.

Above all, MBZUAI charges only its own AED 200 fee, so ignore any agent who asks for money to “secure” a place.

Also check: Khalifa University Scholarship 2026 in UAE

Important Dates

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Articles

• MBZUAI Research Internship
• Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship 2027 in Qatar
• King Fahd University Scholarship in Saudi Arabia
• Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship 2027

Finally, share this guide with a friend who loves AI. Which MBZUAI program are you planning to apply for? Tell us in the comments.

Khalid Amin

Founder of Insurab | Global Opportunities Researcher

Khalid Amin is the founder of Insurab, a resource for international students and young professionals searching for scholarships, fellowships, internships, conferences, free online courses and study abroad guidance. He tracks opportunities across Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East, and verifies every program against its official source before it is published. Articles are reviewed regularly and updated when deadlines, eligibility rules or benefits change.

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