The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) offers graduate study opportunities for students interested in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Robotics, Natural Language Processing, and related fields.
For the 2027 intake, the MBZUAI graduate application portal is scheduled to open on September 7, 2026, with the final application deadline on December 15, 2026. Admission decisions are expected by March 31, 2027.
Funded students can receive tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, health insurance, annual return airfare, and UAE residence support. However, funding conditions differ between M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, so applicants should understand the funding structure before applying.
MBZUAI Scholarship 2027 Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence |
| Location | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| Study Level | M.Sc. and Ph.D. |
| Main Fields | Artificial Intelligence and related disciplines |
| Application Opens | September 7, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | December 15, 2026 |
| Decision Date | March 31, 2027 |
| International Students | Yes |
| International M.Sc. Stipend | AED 15,500/month when funded |
| International Ph.D. Stipend | AED 17,500/month when funded |
| Tuition | Fully covered for funded students |
| Health Insurance | Available for funded students |
| Airfare | One return airfare per year |
| Visa | UAE residence visa support |
| Application Fee | AED 200 |
What Is the MBZUAI Scholarship?
The MBZUAI Scholarship is the financial support available to eligible graduate students at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.
MBZUAI is a graduate research university focused specifically on Artificial Intelligence. Its graduate programs cover areas such as Computer Science, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Robotics, and Statistics and Data Science.
For funded students, the university can provide:
- Full tuition coverage
- Monthly stipend
- Health insurance
- Annual return airfare
- UAE residence visa support
However, not every admitted M.Sc. student is automatically guaranteed funding.
Is MBZUAI Scholarship Fully Funded?
Ph.D. Students
MBZUAI provides a structured funding pathway for Ph.D. students.
During the first year, funding is centrally provided while students work toward being matched with a faculty advisor.
By the beginning of the second year, funding moves to the faculty advisor’s funding, subject to the required advisor match and satisfactory academic progress.
M.Sc. Students
The funding structure is different for M.Sc. students.
M.Sc. applicants are not automatically guaranteed university funding simply because they receive admission.
Funding can come through:
- Faculty-sponsored research or teaching assistantships
- Approved government scholarships
- Merit-based funding
Students without an applicable funding source may be admitted as fee-paying students.
Therefore, applicants should not assume that an M.Sc. admission offer automatically means a fully funded scholarship.
MBZUAI Scholarship Benefits
Monthly Stipend
The current published stipend for international students is:
- M.Sc.: AED 15,500 per month
- Ph.D.: AED 17,500 per month
MBZUAI states that these stipend amounts include housing support, with students responsible for paying their housing costs directly.
Tuition Fee Coverage
Funded graduate students receive 100% tuition coverage according to the applicable funding arrangement.
Health Insurance
Funded students receive health insurance during the applicable funding period.
Airfare
Funded students can receive one return airfare per year to their home country.
UAE Visa
The university provides UAE residence visa support for eligible funded international students.
MBZUAI Graduate Programs
Master’s Programs
MBZUAI offers graduate-level programs in AI-related disciplines, including areas such as:
- Computer Science
- Machine Learning
- Computer Vision
- Natural Language Processing
- Robotics
- Computational Biology
The exact programs available should be checked for the specific admission cycle.
Ph.D. Programs
Doctoral study includes areas such as:
- Computer Science
- Machine Learning
- Computer Vision
- Natural Language Processing
- Robotics
- Statistics and Data Science
MBZUAI Computer Science Ph.D.
The Computer Science Ph.D. is particularly relevant to students coming from IT, Computer Science, and Computer Engineering backgrounds.
Research areas can include:
- Algorithms
- Data structures
- Software engineering
- Artificial Intelligence
- Large language models
- AI systems
- Edge computing
- Security
- Privacy-preserving technologies
Students interested in advanced AI systems, software, computing infrastructure, and emerging AI technologies may find this program particularly relevant.
Who Can Apply for MBZUAI Scholarship 2027?
Applicants generally need an academic background in a relevant STEM field.
Examples include:
- Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Other relevant science and engineering disciplines
Applicants must meet the academic requirements of their selected program.
Academic Requirements
The required minimum CGPA can vary by program.
MBZUAI’s current admission information lists minimum CGPA requirements of 3.0 or 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, depending on the selected program.
Applicants should therefore check their specific program rather than assuming that one CGPA requirement applies to every MBZUAI degree.
MBZUAI Master’s Eligibility
For M.Sc. programs, applicants generally need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant STEM discipline.
Relevant backgrounds can include:
- Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Related science and engineering fields
Applicants should also satisfy the specific prerequisites of their chosen program.
MBZUAI Ph.D. Eligibility
Ph.D. applicants must meet the academic requirements of their selected doctoral program.
Applicants who already hold a master’s degree may be required to submit both:
- Bachelor’s degree documents
- Master’s degree documents
The exact requirements depend on the selected Ph.D. program.
English Language Requirements
International applicants generally need to demonstrate English-language proficiency unless they qualify for an applicable exemption.
Accepted evidence and exemption conditions depend on MBZUAI’s current requirements.
Applicants should not automatically assume that previous education in English qualifies them for an exemption.
Is GRE Required for MBZUAI?
No.
The GRE is currently optional.
MBZUAI states that GRE scores may be considered positively during evaluation, but applicants are not required to submit a GRE score simply to apply.
Documents Required for MBZUAI Scholarship
Documents for All Applicants
Applicants should generally prepare:
- CV
- Official bachelor’s transcript
- Bachelor’s degree certificate or expected graduation letter
- Statement of purpose
- English-language proficiency evidence
- Passport copy
- Recent photograph
- Recommendation letters
Additional Documents for Ph.D. Applicants
Ph.D. applicants may also need:
- Master’s transcript
- Master’s degree certificate
- Research statement
- At least three recommendation letters
Recommendation Letters
The current requirements distinguish between degree levels.
M.Sc. applicants generally require at least two referees, while Ph.D. applicants generally require at least three.
Choose referees who can provide meaningful information about your academic, technical, or research ability.
Statement of Purpose
The Statement of Purpose should explain why you are applying to MBZUAI and why your selected program fits your background and goals.
A strong SOP should address:
Academic Background
Explain your previous degree and relevant coursework.
Technical Experience
Discuss relevant projects, research, internships, or professional experience.
AI Interests
Explain the AI or computing area you want to pursue.
Why MBZUAI?
Connect your interests with MBZUAI’s programs, research environment, and faculty.
Career Goals
Explain what you intend to do after completing your degree.
Avoid writing a generic statement that could be submitted unchanged to multiple universities.
Research Statement for Ph.D. Applicants
The research statement is particularly important for Ph.D. applicants.
Research Problem
Clearly identify the problem you want to investigate.
Existing Research
Demonstrate that you understand the current research landscape.
Research Gap
Explain what remains unresolved.
Proposed Direction
Describe how you would approach the problem.
Research Significance
Explain why solving the problem matters.
MBZUAI Fit
Explain why MBZUAI is an appropriate environment for your proposed research.
Your research statement should connect logically with your previous academic and technical experience.
MBZUAI Screening Exam
Applicants should also prepare for the MBZUAI screening exam.
The university states that the exam evaluates foundational knowledge relevant to the selected program.
Depending on the program, applicants may encounter areas such as:
- Mathematics
- Programming
- Machine Learning
- Computer Science fundamentals
The exact emphasis depends on the selected program.
Application Fee
The application fee is currently AED 200.
MBZUAI provides specific conditions under which applicants can receive a fee waiver or reimbursement.
For example, applicants who achieve an overall screening exam score of 75% or higher can qualify for the applicable fee waiver.
MBZUAI Technical Interview
Selected applicants may be invited to a technical interview with members of the admissions committee.
You should be prepared to discuss:
- Your academic background
- Technical projects
- Research experience
- AI interests
- Previous work
- Proposed research direction
- Motivation for studying at MBZUAI
The interview should not be treated as a simple motivational interview. Technical preparation is important.
How to Apply for MBZUAI Scholarship 2027
Step 1: Choose Your Program
Start by selecting the program that matches your academic background and career objectives.
For Computer Science applicants, this could include a relevant Computer Science, Machine Learning, or other AI-focused program.
Step 2: Check the Eligibility Requirements
Check:
- Degree requirements
- Minimum CGPA
- English-language requirements
- Program prerequisites
- Additional academic requirements
Do this before preparing the rest of your application.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Prepare your:
- CV
- Transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Passport
- English test evidence
- Recommendation letters
- Statement of purpose
- Research statement, if required
Step 4: Submit the Online Application
Complete the MBZUAI online application.
Submit only one application per admission cycle.
MBZUAI states that multiple applications submitted during the same cycle will not be processed.
Step 5: Complete the Screening Exam
Prepare for and complete the required screening assessment.
Review the mathematics, programming, and other technical fundamentals relevant to your selected program.
Step 6: Pay the Application Fee
Pay the AED 200 application fee unless you qualify for an applicable waiver.
Step 7: Attend the Technical Interview
If shortlisted, complete the technical interview.
Use this stage to demonstrate actual knowledge rather than relying only on your academic record.
Step 8: Wait for the Admission Decision
For the 2027 intake, MBZUAI expects to announce admission decisions by March 31, 2027.
Successful applicants must respond to their offers by April 15, 2027.
MBZUAI Scholarship 2027 Deadline
The current application timeline is:
| Application Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | September 7, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | December 15, 2026 |
| Admission Decision | March 31, 2027 |
| Offer Response Deadline | April 15, 2027 |
Applicants should not wait until December to begin preparing their documents.
Recommendation letters, official transcripts, and English-language tests can take considerable time.
How to Make Your MBZUAI Application Stronger
Build Relevant Technical Experience
For Computer Science and AI applicants, relevant evidence can include:
- Machine learning projects
- AI research
- Computer vision projects
- NLP projects
- Robotics
- Data science
- Software engineering
- Research publications
- Open-source contributions
A small number of strong, relevant projects is more useful than a long list of superficial projects.
Develop a Clear Research Direction
Avoid vague statements such as:
“I want to study AI because AI is the future.”
Instead, identify a specific area or problem.
For example:
“I am interested in developing efficient multimodal models for resource-constrained environments.”
This gives your application a much clearer research direction.
Connect Your Experience to Your Goals
Your application should tell a consistent story:
Academic background → Technical experience → Research interest → MBZUAI program → Career objective
If these elements appear unrelated, the application becomes weaker.
Research MBZUAI Faculty
For research-oriented applications, investigate faculty members and research groups working in your area.
Look for genuine research alignment rather than simply mentioning a professor’s name in your SOP.
Common MBZUAI Application Mistakes
Assuming Every M.Sc. Student Gets Funding
This is one of the most important mistakes to avoid.
M.Sc. admission does not automatically guarantee university funding.
Submitting Multiple Applications
MBZUAI states that only one application should be submitted per admission cycle.
Writing a Generic SOP
A generic statement does not demonstrate why MBZUAI is the right university for you.
Ignoring the Screening Exam
The screening exam is an actual part of the admissions process.
Prepare for it seriously.
Submitting an Unfocused Research Statement
Ph.D. applicants should have a clear research direction rather than describing AI generally.
Waiting Until the Deadline
Do not wait until December 15 to request recommendations or official academic documents.
Is MBZUAI Scholarship Competitive?
Yes.
MBZUAI states that admission is highly competitive and that places in the incoming cohort are limited.
However, MBZUAI does not currently provide a reliable official acceptance rate that would justify claims such as “only 2% of applicants are accepted.”
The selection process considers multiple aspects of an applicant’s profile, including:
- Academic performance
- CV
- Statement of purpose
- Research statement
- Recommendations
- Screening exam
- Technical interview
Can International Students Apply?
Yes.
MBZUAI accepts international applicants who satisfy the requirements of the relevant graduate program.
International funded students can receive UAE residence support and other benefits included in the applicable funding package.
Can Pakistani Students Apply for MBZUAI?
Yes.
Pakistani students can apply as international applicants if they meet the relevant academic and program requirements.
Applicants should ensure that their academic documents satisfy MBZUAI’s requirements for degrees obtained outside the UAE.
The university may require a Certificate of Recognition for foreign qualifications during the student’s first semester.
Is MBZUAI Good for Computer Science Students?
Yes, particularly if your goal is AI-focused Computer Science research.
The Computer Science Ph.D. includes research areas involving:
- Algorithms
- Software engineering
- AI systems
- Large language models
- Edge computing
- Security
- Privacy
- Computing systems
Students primarily interested in AI, machine learning, and advanced computing research should consider MBZUAI seriously.
MBZUAI Scholarship 2027 vs Other AI Scholarships
MBZUAI is unusual because Artificial Intelligence is the university’s central academic focus.
This makes it particularly suitable for applicants interested in:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Generative AI
- Large Language Models
- Computer Vision
- NLP
- Robotics
- Data Science
- AI Security
- AI Systems
If your intended degree has little connection to AI or computing, another university may be a better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MBZUAI Scholarship 2027 fully funded?
Funded students can receive tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, health insurance, annual airfare, and UAE residence support. However, M.Sc. funding is not automatically guaranteed for every admitted student.
How much is the MBZUAI stipend?
The current published stipend is AED 15,500 per month for international M.Sc. students and AED 17,500 per month for international Ph.D. students, when funded.
What is the MBZUAI Scholarship 2027 deadline?
The final application deadline is December 15, 2026.
When does the MBZUAI 2027 application open?
The application portal is scheduled to open on September 7, 2026.
Is MBZUAI open to international students?
Yes. International students can apply if they meet the relevant program requirements.
Is GRE required?
No. The GRE is currently optional.
Is an English test required?
Generally, international applicants must provide English-language proficiency evidence unless they qualify for an applicable exemption.
How much is the application fee?
The application fee is AED 200.
Can I submit multiple applications?
No. MBZUAI states that only one application should be submitted per admission cycle.
When will the admission decision be announced?
For the 2027 intake, MBZUAI expects to announce decisions by March 31, 2027.
Can Pakistani students apply?
Yes. Pakistani applicants can apply as international students if they satisfy the applicable academic and program requirements.
Does MBZUAI offer Computer Science?
Yes. MBZUAI offers graduate-level Computer Science study, including a Ph.D. in Computer Science with research areas related to AI systems, algorithms, software engineering, LLMs, edge computing, security, and privacy.
Final Thoughts
The MBZUAI Scholarship 2027 is a strong option for international students who want to pursue graduate-level study in Artificial Intelligence and related areas of Computer Science.
The combination of AI-focused graduate programs, tuition support, monthly funding, health insurance, airfare, and UAE residence support makes it particularly attractive to international applicants.
However, applicants should understand the distinction between admission and funding. Ph.D. funding follows a structured advisor-based model, while M.Sc. students are not automatically guaranteed university funding.
For the 2027 intake, the key dates are:
September 7, 2026 — Applications Open
December 15, 2026 — Final Deadline
March 31, 2027 — Admission Decisions
If you are serious about applying, start preparing your CV, transcripts, recommendation letters, SOP, English-language documents, and technical preparation before the application portal opens.
The strongest application will not simply show that you are interested in AI. It will demonstrate why you are prepared for advanced AI study, what problems you want to work on, and why MBZUAI is the right environment for that work.
Official MBZUAI Graduate Admissions
MBZUAI Graduate Admission Process
Best link for the main application section because it contains the official eligibility requirements, required documents, screening exam, application fee, funding information, and 2027 deadlines.
MBZUAI M.Sc. in Computer Science
MBZUAI Master of Science in Computer Science
Use this in the Computer Science section.
MBZUAI M.Sc. in Machine Learning
MBZUAI Master of Science in Machine Learning
Use this when discussing Machine Learning study options.
MBZUAI Ph.D. in Computer Science
MBZUAI Ph.D. in Computer Science
Use this under the Ph.D. and Computer Science sections.
MBZUAI Ph.D. in Machine Learning
MBZUAI Ph.D. in Machine Learning
Useful for applicants specifically interested in Machine Learning research.
MBZUAI Ph.D. in Robotics
Use in the Robotics section.
MBZUAI Ph.D. in Statistics and Data Science
MBZUAI Ph.D. in Statistics and Data Science
Use when discussing Data Science-related doctoral options.
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