Frequently Asked Questions About Admission to Zayed University

Enrollment and Admissions

Q What are the admission requirements for Zayed University?

A A minimum high school average of 70% and a CEPA English score of 150 or greater are the minimum criteria for admission to Zayed University. Admitted students will be placed in our pre-undergraduate English enhancement program based on their CEPA score. Applicants who can provide a valid IELTS certificate (test date less than 2 years) with an overall score of 5.0 or greater may be admitted directly to our undergraduate program credit level courses.

Q Is the TOEFL or IELTS exam a requirement to be admitted to ZU?

A No, but they are requirements to be admitted to our undergraduate credit level courses and programs.

Q How do I apply to Zayed University?

A Please refer to the 'How to apply section' at http://www.zu.ac.ae/main/en/enroll/how_to_apply.aspx

Q When can I apply to Zayed University?

A NAPO begins accepting applications around January for the Fall (September) semester.

Q Can we apply for ZU in the second semester of the academic year?

A Yes. ZU admits students for both the Fall (September) and the Spring (February) semesters.

Please note that not all courses may be available for Spring admission.

Q I am at high school now. I have not applied to ZU yet. Can I apply now?

A Yes, you can register interest in joining ZU, fill in one of the "Feedback forms" and we will contact you for further discussion. All applications must go through NAPO.

Q I got my high school certificate several years ago. Can I join ZU?

A Yes you can, but priority for admission is given to students leaving school this year. Apply as soon as you can. All applications must go through NAPO.

Q If I select HCT or UAEU as my first choice in the application, can I later change my mind?

A Yes, you can change your mind but preference is given to those who have ZU as their first choice. The deadline to apply to Zayed University for the Fall (September) semester will be July 1 of each year

Q If I want to apply for ZU and my mother is national but my father is not, will I be accepted as a national student?

A For a student to be considered national, he/she must hold a valid U.A.E. passport and a National ID. Any person who does not hold both is not considered to be a national student.

Q I have a UAE passport but not a National ID, can I apply to ZU as a national student?

A If you can provide NAPO with a National ID prior to August of the year you want to attend, you should submit your application and notify NAPO that your National ID is coming. If you cannot provide a National ID, NAPO is unlikely to approve your application.

Students without a National ID are still welcome to apply as an international student, but you will be charged tuition fees.

Q When will I be informed if I am accepted at ZU?

A At the end of July the names of the government funded students approved to join ZU will be published in the local Arabic newspapers, and an SMS message will also be sent to parents or guardians from NAPO. Zayed University will send a "Welcome Package" with important information and dates regarding student orientation and the starting of the semester to all newly accepted students.

International students are approved on a case by case basis and will be contacted as necessary throughout the application process.

Q I am a previously dismissed/withdrawn student. Can I come back to ZU?

A The "Fresh Start" Program at Zayed University allows a student previously academically dismissed from the undergraduate program to be considered for re-admission if he/she has been suspended for at least one semester, but not more than 2 years. You must have a valid IELTS score of 5.5 (test date less than 2 years old) and you must maintain a GPA of 2.5 in your first semester back.

If you were previously dismissed or withdrawn from our English enhancement program (Academic Bridge), you can return to ZU if you have a valid (test date less than 2 years old) IELTS score of 5.5 and it has been less than 2 years since you attended ZU. There is no re-admission to the Academic Bridge Program.

Q Is it true that ZU has male and female students?

A Yes. In Abu Dhabi, men and women attend separate campuses. In Dubai, the men and women are on the same campus, but classes are scheduled at different times of the day. Women's classes run during the day and men's classes take place in the late afternoon and evening. Classes will not be mixed during the day.

Q How many male students attend ZU?

A In Abu Dhabi the male campus has nearly 400 students. In Dubai, ZU will be admitting approximately 300 male students for the first time in Fall 2010.

Q What majors will be available for men?

A All current majors offered at ZU will be available to men so long as the enrollment number is sufficient

CEPA Related Questions

Q When is the next CEPA English Test?

A Please contact NAPO at 02-6428400. Exams run several times during the year

Q My friend and I got the same CEPA score but we are in different ABP levels?

A Placement in the ABP is determined by both the CEPA score AND the Writing Band score.

International Students

Q What is the tuition for International Students at ZU?

A Tuition for any of the academic programs at ZU is AED 75000 per academic year. This fee does not include the cost of the required laptop.

Q If I get admitted to Zayed University, could I bring my own laptop or buy my laptop from the market?

A All students must purchase their laptop through ZU. This is because our network, software, and support are specially configured for specific models of laptops. ZU makes no profit from laptop sales. We try our best to ensure you are getting the best possible price and we charge only our cost from the laptop supplier.

Q How much will the laptop cost?

A The cost is approximately 6,250 Dhs for a quality laptop that will meet the requirements of a ZU through student over a 4 to 6 year period.

Transferring from other Institutions

Q I graduated from HCT/ UAE. Can I continue my studies at ZU?

A Yes. Students who have completed a diploma or higher diploma are now invited to continue their studies at ZU. If admitted, students will be required to complete at least 60 credits and 2 years at ZU to earn their degree. Applications should be made directly to ZU. Please bring your official transcripts

Q I am currently a student at HCT/UAEU, can I transfer to ZU?

A Current HCT/UAEU students are eligible to transfer to ZU if they have completed the foundations program at those institutions, or can provide a valid IELTS certificate with an overall score of 5.0 and pass any required additional ZU placement testing. ZU does not accept transfers into the Academic Bridge Program (pre-undergraduate English enhancement).

Q I am studying at a private university and would like to transfer to ZU?

A Students in good academic standing at a private university (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater) are eligible to transfer to ZU.

Language Standards

Q What is the English Language requirement for ZU?

A All students admitted to ZU must have a CEPA score of 150 or greater to enter the Academic Bridge Program (pre-undergraduate English enhancement). An IELTS score is not required for admission to the Academic Bridge Program.

All students entering the undergraduate degree programs must have a minimum IELTS overall score of 5.0 or an IBT (Internet Based TOEFL) of 61 or greater, and must be able to pass any required ZU placement testing. Additional testing may be required depending on the students IELTS results.

Q If I do not have an IELTS of 5.0, where in the ABP will I be placed?

A Placement in the Academic Bridge Program is determined by the results of your CEPA testing. The combination of your CEPA English score and your Writing Band score is how your ABP level is assigned. You will be informed of your ABP Level placement when you come for student orientation week and register for your classes.

Q If I am placed in the ABP but then get the IELTS before I start, will I still have to join the ABP?

A If you bring in an IELTS certificate of 5.0 or 5.5, and you pass the ZU English assessment test, you will be admitted directly to the undergraduate general education program.

If you bring us an IELTS certificate of 6.0 or greater, you will not be required to take the ZU English assessment test and will immediately be moved to the undergraduate general education program.

Q Are we going to study in Arabic or English?

A The main language of study at ZU is English, but there is an Arabic language requirement and you will be taking some Arabic courses.

What Happens after I'm Admitted?

Q How do I get to know the university

A In the week prior to the start of classes, all new students attend a comprehensive introduction and orientation to the university.

Q Is there any additional entrance testing for new students? When?

A There is a language test for students who have achieved a 178 CEPA score AND a 5.0 Writing Band. Those students who pass this ZU English assessment test will be admitted directly to the undergraduate general education program. These students will be contacted by phone and mail as to the date of the testing.

Q If I get admitted to Zayed University, could I bring my own laptop or buy my laptop from the market?

A All students must purchase their laptop through ZU. This is because our network, software, and support are specially configured for specific models of laptops. ZU makes no profit from laptop sales. We charge only our costs for the laptop and required insurance, and we try our best to ensure you are getting the best possible price from our suppliers.

Q How much will the laptop cost?

A The cost is approximately Dhs. 5,750/- for a quality laptop that will meet the requirements of a ZU student over a 4 to 6 year period.

Services Available at Zayed University

Q Does Zayed University provide transportation?

A ZU does not provide transportation. Transportation is arranged by students themselves. We can provide information on companies to contact who provide routes to ZU.

Q Does Zayed University provide accommodation?

A ZU does not provide accommodation at this time.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Q How can I get Financial Aid?

A Financial Aid is currently only available to UAE National Students. Please come to the Office of Enrollment Management on campus to complete a financial aid form.

Q What does Financial Aid cover?

A Financial aid is used to cover the costs of laptops, food, transportation, and other special needs that may be required by a student. Textbooks are supplied free of cost to all students by Zayed University.

Q Can International Students get Financial Aid?

A. No, Financial Aid is not available to international students. However, there are ways in which financial support can be obtained.

Q Does Zayed University have a tuition waiver scheme for international students?

A Yes it does, application for a tuition waiver is made through the Office of Enrollment.