AQF Domestic Scholarship

Eligibility Criteria

The requirements outlined below are the minimum criteria that must be met in order to be considered for a possible Domestic Scholarship. However, the application process is competitive and meeting these basic eligibility requirements does not guarantee a scholarship award:

Undergraduate Degree (Bachelor)

• UAE citizen (or child of national mother) from Ras Al Khaimah;
• Minimum score of 90% in the General Secondary Certificate Examination or equivalency;
• Graduated from secondary school less than two years ago (unless enrollment delay was due to military service);
• Minimum EMSAT score of 1400 for English, Mathematics and Physics;
• Valid minimum TOEFL score of 520 or IELTS score of 5.5 (general studies);
• Valid minimum TOEFL score of 550 or IELTS score of 6.0 (pharmacy and nursing studies);
• Valid minimum TOEFL score of 590 or IELTS score of 7.0 (medical studies);
• Selected degree aligns with Ras Al Khaimah’s strategic vision and is included on the eligible degree program list;
• Unconditional admission to an eligible university approved by the Ministry of Education and included on the Scholarship Office list;
• Study leave certificate stating the type of leave, duration, and whether leave is paid or unpaid (if applicable);
• Applicants must not receive scholarship funding from another entity unless it is from the university itself; and
• Applicants must not have been previously dismissed from a university for academic or student conduct issues.

Postgraduate Degree (Master and Ph.D.)

• UAE citizen (or child of national mother) from Ras Al Khaimah;
• Bachelor’s / Master’s degree with a minimum of 3.5 GPA equivalent;
• Valid minimum TOEFL score of 550 or IELTS score of 6.0 (general studies);
• Valid minimum TOEFL score of 570 or IELTS score of 6.5 (pharmacy and nursing studies);
• Selected degree aligns with Ras Al Khaimah’s strategic vision and is included on the eligible degree program list;
• Unconditional admission to an eligible university approved by the Ministry of Education and included on the Scholarship Office list;
• Study leave certificate stating the type of leave, duration, and whether leave is paid or unpaid (if applicable);
• Applicants must not receive scholarship funding from another entity unless it is from the university itself; and
• Applicants must not have been previously dismissed from a university for academic or student conduct issues.

List of Scholarship-Eligible Domestic Universities

• American University of Ras Al Khaimah
• Ras Al Khaimah Medical & Health Sciences University
• American University of Sharjah
• New York University Abu Dhabi
• Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
• Khalifa University

Required Documents for Domestic Scholarship Applications

General Application Documents (required for all applications)

• Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Statement of Intent outlining reasons for chosen degree/university, career aspirations, and how the studies align with Ras Al Khaimah’s strategic vision
• Copy of Valid passport
• Copy of UAE Identity Card (ID)
• Copy of the Family Book (‘Khulasat al Qaid’)
• Copy of Academic IELTS exam results
• Copy of National Service Completion, release, deferment (for male applicant)
• Copy of Unconditional University Acceptance Letter(s)stating the total cost and duration of the academic study program
• Two (2) recent passport‐sized photographs  

Additional General Application requirements for non-UAE citizens with national mothers:

• Copy of a valid mother's passport
• Copy of valid mother’s Emirates ID
• Copy of the mother’s family book (Khulasat Al Qaid)

Undergraduate Application Documents (required for bachelor’s degree scholarship applications)

• Copy of Grade 10, 11, 12 Secondary School Certificates (only undergraduate)
• Copy of National exam EmSAT results
• Approved study leave certificate(s) stating the type of the leave, academic program, duration, and whether leave is paid or unpaid (if applicable)

Postgraduate Application Documents (required for master’s or Ph.D. scholarship applications)

• Copy of all application essays and research proposals submitted during the university admissions process
• Copy of previous academic qualification and academic transcripts for all completed (and in-progress) coursework at the university level 
• Equivalency Certificate Letter from the Ministry of Education for the previous academic qualification(s)
• Copies of all completed university degrees
• Recommendation letter from university professor (student) or department head (government employee) on preparedness of applicant for postgraduate study and professional benefits of earning advanced degree (optional, but encouraged, requirement)
• Approved study leave certificate(s) stating the type of the leave, academic program, duration, and whether leave is paid or unpaid (as applicable)

Self-Funding or Continuing Students

• Enrollment Letter from the university of study, including fee information
• Recent official academic transcript stating all completed academic courses
• A letter from the university stating duration of study years, course(s) plan and total credit hours for graduation