UAE University Admission Requirements 2026 — After EmSAT Was Cancelled
If you are preparing for EmSAT because you think it is an admission requirement, that information is two years out of date. On 3 November 2024, the official education authorities announced the immediate cancellation of the EmSAT exam for Grade 12 students applying to higher education.
It was not replaced by another unified exam. Each university now sets its own criteria — and this is the change your plan needs to be built on.
What Determines Admission Today
| Factor | Its weight now |
|---|---|
| Grades in subjects related to your major | The heaviest — medicine and engineering look at them individually instead of the overall average |
| Overall secondary school average | Important, but no longer the sole deciding factor |
| University placement test | Decides: direct entry to your major or a foundation year |
| International tests (IELTS · TOEFL · SAT · ACT) | Accepted on many pathways |
💡 The practical result: There is no longer a single exam you can prepare for in two months to rescue a weak year. Your school performance across the year — specifically in the subjects for your major — is what gets read.
The Placement Test — What Has Effectively Replaced EmSAT
Many universities now run their own tests in mathematics, physics and English. Their purpose is not to accept or reject you, but to determine your starting point: do you enter your major directly, or spend a year in a foundation programme?
The difference is a full year of your life and of your study costs — which is why many students underestimate it and then pay the price.
Requirements of the Leading Universities
| University | Minimum GPA | IELTS | SAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYUAD | 3.7+ | 7.0+ | Optional (1450+) |
| Khalifa University | 3.3+ | 6.5 | 1200+ |
| AUS | 3.0+ | 6.0 | 1100+ |
| UAE University | 60%+ | 5.0–6.0 | Not required |
| University of Sharjah | 60%+ | 5.0–6.0 | Not required |
| MBZUAI | 3.0+ (Bachelor's) | 6.5 | Not required |
| Canadian University Dubai | 2.0+ | 5.5 | Not required |
⚠️ Read this before relying on the table: Since EmSAT was cancelled, each university sets its criteria independently, and some change them every year and by major. The figures above are general guidance, and the requirements for your specific major may differ. Check the university's website or admissions office directly before making any decision.
The Four Questions You Should Ask the University
- Which subjects does the placement test cover for my major?
- What score exempts me from the foundation programme?
- Is an international alternative (IELTS, TOEFL or SAT) accepted in place of part of it?
- How many times can the test be retaken, and when?
💰 The third question saves the most: many universities grant an exemption from the English section with an IELTS or TOEFL score — and those who find this out early save an entire course.
A Practical Timeline
| Period | Priority |
|---|---|
| Start of Grade 12 | Choose your target universities and ask them for the exact requirements for your major |
| First term | Fix any weakness in your major's subjects before it is locked into your record |
| Mid-year | Take the required international test, if one is required |
| Second term | Protect your grades in the subjects related to your major — they carry the most weight |
| Before enrolment | Prepare for the university placement test |
Three Mistakes That Cost a Year
- Relying on information from before November 2024. Much of what is published online still talks about EmSAT as an admission requirement.
- Sacrificing a science subject to raise the overall average. That equation has been reversed — a low physics grade no longer disappears inside a good average.
- Underestimating the placement test. Because you cannot "fail" it — and then the foundation year arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has EmSAT really been cancelled?
Yes — for Grade 12 students applying to higher education, by official decision with immediate effect on 3 November 2024.
What if I have already prepared for it?
The material you studied is not wasted: university placement tests measure the same foundations in mathematics, physics and English. What has changed is who sets the test and the style of the questions.
What IELTS score do UAE universities require?
It varies by university and major: NYUAD requires 7.0+, Khalifa 6.5, AUS 6.0, and UAE University and the University of Sharjah around 5.0–6.0. Check the requirements for your specific major.
Do UAE universities accept TOEFL instead of IELTS?
Most of them do. Note that ETS changed the TOEFL score scale to 1–6 from January 2026, with dual reporting on the old scale during a transition period — so confirm which format your university requires.
How We Help
We start with a free assessment that measures your level in the subjects required for your major and identifies the gap to the score that exempts you from the foundation programme — or tells you honestly that you do not need a course.
- University placement test preparation courses
- IELTS courses · TOEFL courses · SAT courses
- Grade 12 guide after the EmSAT cancellation
- Grade 12 Maths · Grade 12 Physics · Grade 12 Chemistry
elmadrasah.com | Official partner of British Council and ETS | Since 2017
Admission requirements and scores are issued by the universities themselves and vary between them since EmSAT was cancelled; they should be confirmed directly with the source. Last updated: 21 September 2026.
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