At a glance
- EmSAT for admission
- Not listed by UAEU, KU, ZU or HCT (Oct 2026)
- Main criterion
- Grade 12 subject percentages
- Common bar
- 80% in English, maths, one science (STEM)
- English tests
- IELTS, TOEFL iBT or ITP, varies by university
- Applications
- MoHESR National Unified Registration System
What four UAE universities ask for now
From each university's admissions page, checked on 6 October 2026. Requirements are for UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) curriculum applicants and vary by programme; this is a summary, not the full list.
| University | School marks | English | Own tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE University (UAEU) | STEM colleges: 80% in maths and one science; Medicine: 90% in maths and a science | 80% in Grade 12 English, or IELTS Academic 5.0, TOEFL ITP 500, TOEFL iBT 61 (Medicine: 90% or IELTS 5.5, ITP 525, iBT 70) | Medicine: MD entrance exam and multiple mini interviews |
| Khalifa University (KU) | Advanced or Elite stream: 80% in maths and one of physics, biology or chemistry | IELTS Academic 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79, mandatory | Shortlisted applicants sit KU admission tests |
| Zayed University (ZU) | No minimum overall average; 80% in maths (or SAT Math 530) for most STEM and business programmes | 80% in Grade 12 English or TOEFL iBT 72 | None listed |
| Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) | Maths 70% for non-engineering; engineering 75% (Advanced or Elite) to 85% (General or Applied) | 80% in Grade 12 English or TOEFL iBT 61 | HCT maths placement test for American-curriculum applicants |
Every university says admission is competitive and subject to seats, so meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place. Always read the current page for the exact programme.
What actually changed for Grade 12 students
Under EmSAT, a student could have a modest school record and still lift their chances with strong EmSAT English and maths scores, and universities used EmSAT bands to place students in or out of foundation English and maths. Now the school's own Grade 12 marks carry that weight. In practice this means three things. First, the Grade 12 end-of-term results in English, maths and the sciences matter directly for admission. Second, students aiming at Khalifa University or English-taught programmes need an IELTS or TOEFL score planned well before the application deadline. Third, the most selective programmes use their own entrance tests and interviews instead of a national score.
Applications for Emiratis and children of Emirati mothers still go through the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research's National Unified Registration System, which covers UAE public and private universities and the national scholarship programme for study abroad.
Is EmSAT gone completely?
No. The Ministry of Education's EmSAT site still describes school-level EmSAT tests used to track progress, separate from university entry.
| Test | Who | When | Subjects and length |
|---|---|---|---|
| EmSAT Advantage | Grades 4, 6, 8 and 10 in targeted schools | Start of the academic year | Arabic 100 min; English reading 50 min and writing 50 min; maths 50 min; science 50 min |
| EmSAT Baseline | Grade 1 Arabic speakers in targeted schools | On entry to school | Arabic early literacy indicators |
The EmSAT site was last updated in August 2024 and some of its general text still describes EmSAT as an admission requirement. The university admissions pages above are the current authority on entry requirements.
What to do in Grades 11 and 12
- List two or three target programmes and copy their exact requirements: subject percentages, English test and any entrance exam.
- Treat Grade 12 English, maths and sciences as admission exams. Find out how each term's assessment counts at your child's school and where marks were lost in Grade 11.
- If a target needs IELTS or TOEFL, book a first attempt in Grade 12's first term, leaving time for a resit before applications close.
- If a target uses its own entrance test, ask the university for sample material and practise it in the months before.
- Keep the Advanced or Elite stream if engineering, medicine or Khalifa University is the goal: KU's published minimums are for those streams.
How one-to-one lessons fit the new system
With admission now resting on school marks, tutoring for UAE MOE students is less about a single test date and more about steady term-by-term results in the subjects universities weigh. A tutor who teaches the MOE maths, physics or English course can follow the school's unit order, prepare the student for each end-of-term assessment, and fix the specific topics that cost marks last term. Where IELTS or TOEFL is needed, the same weekly slot can switch to test preparation for the six to eight weeks before the booked test.
Requirements change every cycle
University minimums and accepted tests are reviewed each year. Check the admissions page of each target university, and the MoHESR unified registration announcements, before your child's final year starts.
Common questions
Is EmSAT still required for UAE universities?
Not by the four we checked. In October 2026, UAEU, Khalifa University, Zayed University and HCT do not list EmSAT in their undergraduate requirements. They use Grade 12 subject marks, English tests and, in some cases, their own entrance tests.
Is there a new national exam that replaced EmSAT?
No single national exam replaced it for university entry. The weight moved to Grade 12 school results, recognised English tests and university admission tests.
Which English test do UAE universities accept?
It varies. UAEU accepts IELTS Academic, TOEFL ITP or TOEFL iBT, or 80% in Grade 12 English. Khalifa University requires IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79. Zayed University and HCT accept 80% in Grade 12 English or a TOEFL iBT score.
Do students still sit any EmSAT tests at school?
The Ministry's EmSAT site still lists EmSAT Advantage for Grades 4, 6, 8 and 10 and EmSAT Baseline for Grade 1 in targeted schools. These track learning; they are not university entry tests.
How much does LiveTutor charge for UAE MOE tutoring?
Every lesson is $15 for 60 minutes one to one, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons billed monthly. Tutors teach the MOE course your child follows, and the first lesson is a free trial.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.
- UAE University, undergraduate admission requirements
- Khalifa University, undergraduate admissions
- Zayed University, undergraduate admission criteria
- Higher Colleges of Technology, entry requirements
- UAE Government portal: student admission (MoHESR unified registration)
- UAE Ministry of Education, EmSAT site (Advantage and Baseline tests)