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UAE may unify scholarship system, ease university access as FNC pushes reforms
The Federal National Council is pushing for a unified scholarship policy, which members say could improve clarity, fairness, and alignment with future skills needs
- PUBLISHED: Tue 31 Mar 2026, 8:05 PM
The UAE could move towards a unified national scholarship system and more flexible university admissions after the Federal National Council (FNC) called for sweeping reforms to higher education policies during its latest session.
At the council’s meeting on Tuesday, members urged the government to introduce a single national framework for scholarships and study abroad programmes, alongside fast-tracking a federal law to regulate grants and overseas missions.
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The recommendations, which will now be redrafted, come as the country continues to refine how students access higher education amid growing demand and evolving labour market needs.
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Why this matters now
Currently, scholarship pathways in the UAE are spread across multiple entities and programmes, with eligibility often tied to strict academic criteria, approved universities and priority specialisations aligned with national goals.
Students must typically secure admission into approved universities and majors, often linked to global rankings and workforce priorities, before qualifying for government-funded study.
The FNC’s push for a unified policy signals a potential shift towards a more coordinated system – something members said could improve clarity, fairness and alignment with future skills demand.
Pressure on university seats
Beyond scholarships, capacity emerged as a key concern. FNC members called for expanding intake at public universities, noting rising numbers of secondary school graduates and increasing competition for seats.
Responding to the debate, Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said a five-year expansion plan (2025–2030) is already in place for federal universities, supported by a new funding model aimed at increasing flexibility.
Shift towards flexible admissions
The session also revealed a broader shift in how students are admitted. Al Awar said recent policy changes clarified that universities must set admission criteria for all programmes but can also accept students who do not fully meet standard requirements, as part of a more flexible system.
He added that the changes have already contributed to a rise in enrolment, with around 11,000 additional students entering higher education during the comparison period.
More changes under discussion
Among other proposals, the council called for:
Special admission pathways for students of determination
A review of current admission criteria rules (Ministerial Decision No. 19 of 2024)
A national academic guidance platform for students studying abroad
Faster processing of requests for students already enrolled overseas
The discussion also touched on how admissions policies, scholarships and academic guidance can better align with job market needs and future-focused specialisations.
The recommendations were referred back to the council’s education committee for further revision before being finalised.
