American University of Sharjah Admission Requirements 2026 — Complete Guide
The American University of Sharjah (AUS) is one of the UAE's most prestigious universities, consistently ranked among the top universities in the Arab world. Founded in 1997, AUS offers American-style higher education with a strong focus on engineering, architecture, arts, and sciences. This guide covers everything you need to know about AUS admission requirements for 2026.
→ This article is part of our UAE University Admission Requirements 2026 series. Also read: Khalifa University | NYUAD | University of Sharjah | MBZUAI
1. AUS Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | American University of Sharjah |
| Location | University City, Sharjah, UAE |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Type | Private, non-profit, American-style |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC (USA) + ABET + NAAB + AACSB |
| Language | English (instruction) |
| Students | ~6,500 |
| QS Ranking | Top 400 globally, Top 10 in Arab world |
2. Undergraduate Admission Requirements
| Requirement | Minimum | Competitive |
|---|---|---|
| High School GPA | 3.0 / 4.0 (80%) | 3.3+ / 4.0 (85%+) |
| SAT Total | 1100 | 1200+ |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 26+ |
| IELTS Overall | 6.0 | 6.5+ |
| TOEFL iBT | 80 | 90+ |
| EmSAT English | 1250 | 1400+ |
3. GPA Requirements by Program
| College / Program | Minimum GPA | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| College of Engineering | 3.3 / 4.0 | Strong Math and Physics required |
| College of Architecture, Art and Design | 3.0 / 4.0 | Portfolio required for Architecture |
| School of Business Administration | 3.0 / 4.0 | — |
| College of Arts and Sciences | 3.0 / 4.0 | Varies by major |
| College of Communication | 3.0 / 4.0 | — |
4. SAT Requirements at AUS
AUS accepts the Digital SAT (the current format for international students since 2023). Key points:
- Minimum: 1100 combined (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing + Math)
- Engineering programs: 1200+ recommended, with strong Math section
- Superscoring: AUS accepts superscoring — your best section scores from multiple attempts are combined
- SAT not mandatory for all programs — some accept GPA + IELTS without SAT
→ Read our complete Digital SAT UAE Guide
5. English Proficiency — IELTS and TOEFL
| Test | Minimum Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall | No band below 5.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 80 | — |
| EmSAT Achieve English | 1250 | For UAE school graduates |
| Duolingo English Test | 105 | Check with admissions for latest policy |
Students from countries where English is the medium of instruction may be exempt from the English proficiency requirement — verify with AUS admissions.
→ Full IELTS UAE 2026 Guide | Full TOEFL UAE 2026 Guide
6. Required Documents
- Completed online application (aus.edu)
- Official high school transcripts (all years)
- Official SAT/ACT score report (if applicable)
- Official IELTS/TOEFL score report
- Valid passport copy
- Personal statement / Statement of purpose
- Two letters of recommendation (for some programs)
- Portfolio (Architecture and Design programs)
- Application fee payment
7. Application Deadlines 2026
| Intake | Early Deadline | Regular Deadline | Late Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 (September) | February 2026 | April 2026 | June 2026 |
| Spring 2027 (January) | September 2026 | October 2026 | November 2026 |
Always verify current deadlines at aus.edu — deadlines may change.
8. Popular Programs at AUS
| Program | College | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | Engineering | 4 years |
| Mechanical Engineering | Engineering | 4 years |
| Architecture | Architecture, Art and Design | 5 years |
| Business Administration | Business | 4 years |
| Computer Science | Arts and Sciences | 4 years |
| Mass Communication | Communication | 4 years |
| Visual Communication Design | Architecture, Art and Design | 4 years |
9. Graduate Admission Requirements
For Master's programs at AUS:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 / 4.0 in undergraduate studies
- IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90 (for most programs)
- GRE or GMAT (for some programs — check specific program requirements)
- Statement of purpose
- Three letters of recommendation
- Updated CV/Resume
10. How to Prepare for AUS Admission
The most common gaps for AUS applicants are SAT scores and IELTS/TOEFL scores. Elmadrasah.com is an official British Council partner for IELTS and an official ETS and Amideast partner for TOEFL — providing certified preparation that directly addresses AUS requirements.
- ✅ IELTS preparation — from Band 5.5 to 6.5 in 8-12 weeks
- ✅ TOEFL preparation — from 70 to 90+ in 8-12 weeks
- ✅ Digital SAT preparation — from 1050 to 1200+ in 2-3 months
- ✅ Free diagnostic assessment before starting
- ✅ One-on-one online sessions 7 days a week
- ✅ Start within 24 hours
📞 WhatsApp: +971 50 995 9271 | elmadrasah.com
→ Next in series: Khalifa University Admission Requirements 2026
Elmadrasah.com | Official British Council and ETS Partner | UAE University Admission Preparation | Since 2017
