The MBZUAI Postgraduate Scholarships guide explains graduate funding for the Fall 2027 intake in Abu Dhabi. Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence publishes different funding rules for MSc and PhD students. An admission offer does not mean that every master’s applicant receives a full scholarship.
PhD funding starts centrally in the first year and later moves to faculty support. MSc programmes are fee-paying by default, with selected research or teaching assistantships and approved scholarships available. This distinction matters when choosing a programme and preparing a realistic study budget.
MBZUAI Postgraduate Scholarships Details
The university’s graduate admission process assesses academic preparation, English proficiency and technical readiness. Applicants should use the requirements for their selected programme, because degree backgrounds and GPA thresholds are not identical across all programmes.
Graduate applications opened on 7 September 2026, except Computational Biology, which opened on 30 September. The official admissions page gives a common December deadline for graduate programmes other than the Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence. The latter is a fee-only route.
Host | Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence |
|---|---|
Country | United Arab Emirates |
Intake | Fall 2027 |
Level | Eligible MSc and PhD programmes |
Funding | Programme-dependent; MSc funding is not automatic |
Deadline | 15 December 2026, 17:00 GST; excludes MAAI |
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MBZUAI Postgraduate Scholarships Benefits
MBZUAI describes its doctoral scholarship as covering tuition, accommodation, healthcare, a student visa and a monthly stipend. Other items, such as travel or residence support, depend on the funding arrangement attached to an offer. These benefits apply under the relevant funding arrangement, rather than to every admitted student.
Stipend amounts can differ by programme and funding source, so confirm the exact figure on the official MBZUAI page or in your offer letter. PhD students must confirm an advisor by the end of year one. Continued funding depends on satisfactory progress and the applicable university or faculty conditions.
For other graduate routes, compare the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme. Research applicants can also consider the UCL Foundational AI PhD Studentship, while the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships support eligible Oxford graduate courses.
MBZUAI Postgraduate Scholarships Eligibility
Applicants need the academic qualification and STEM background specified by their chosen degree. The official page lists GPA thresholds that differ by programme, including 3.0 or 3.5 on a four-point scale. Check the programme’s own rule before assuming that one minimum covers the entire university.
English-language evidence must meet the relevant admission requirements. Technical screening can assess mathematics, programming and core computer science, with additional machine-learning knowledge for PhD applicants. Some shortlisted candidates also complete a technical interview.
Requirements and Documents
Prepare a current CV, statement of purpose, academic transcripts and degree certificate, or the accepted evidence of expected graduation. The admissions checklist also requests identity documents, a photo and valid English-language evidence. PhD applicants need a research statement.
The listed reference requirement is two referees for MSc applicants and three for PhD applicants. A non-refundable AED 200 application fee is charged after screening, subject to the university’s stated waiver or reimbursement rules. A screening score of at least 75% can qualify for the published waiver.
How to Apply
Complete any screening and interview steps requested by the university. Review the funding terms attached to an offer before accepting it, especially for an MSc programme. MBZUAI lists admission decisions by 31 March 2027 for programmes other than MAAI, whose decision schedule differs.
Application Deadline
The relevant Fall 2027 graduate deadline is 15 December 2026 at 17:00 GST. This date applies to programmes other than MAAI. The fee-only MAAI deadline is 28 February 2027 at 17:00 GST and should not be mistaken for the scholarship-route deadline.
Submit the complete application before the applicable cutoff and monitor messages about screening or missing evidence. MSc assistantship availability is conditional; the December application date is not a promise of financial support.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers distinguish admission eligibility from funded status. The university’s published programme and funding rules remain the basis for any offer.
Applicants should check their exact degree route before comparing stipends or deadlines. The MSc, PhD and MAAI arrangements differ.
Are all MSc students fully funded?
No. MSc programmes are fee-paying by default. Selected applicants may receive faculty research or teaching assistantships, or approved government scholarships.
Does the scholarship guide include MAAI funding?
No. The Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence is a fee-only programme. Its February deadline does not extend the December deadline for the other graduate programmes.
What changes after the first PhD year?
PhD funding moves from central support to faculty support after the first year. Students must confirm an advisor by the end of year one and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Conclusion
MBZUAI Postgraduate Scholarships can support eligible AI researchers, especially through the published PhD funding structure. MSc applicants should examine assistantship or approved scholarship conditions instead of budgeting on automatic funding.
Choose the programme that fits your preparation, document its requirements and submit by the correct December deadline. Read any offer carefully for its stipend, tuition, advisor and continuation conditions.
