UAE Country Partnership Meeting 5 June 2009 Alison Devine, Regional Manager Education UK, Middle East

1. TNE in the UAEResearch Findings UAE Country Partnership Meeting 5 June 2009Alison Devine, Regional Manager Education UK, Middle East

2. Research undertaken to determine • i) The number of students studying at international (non-UAE) higher education institutions in the UAE in which the medium of instruction is English – and the number of students studying at UAE federal HEIs to draw a comparison between the two • ii) Students’ countries of origin • iii) The number/proportion of students who specifically entered the UAE to undertake international (non-UAE) higher education in which the medium of instruction is English • iv) Type/level of qualification being taken

3. v) Subjects being taken • vi) Tuition fees charged by international institutions and source of tuition fees • vii) Why the students chose to study in the UAE rather than another country • viii)Why the student chose that particular institution • ix) What is THE factor that would influence students to study • i) in the UK • ii) at a UK institution in the UAE?

4. Research methodology • Secondary & primary research, using qualitative & quantitative research methodologies • Stage 1 – Higher education institutions in the UAE • Comprehensive analysis of the UAE higher education market, focus on international institutions • Stage 2 – Customer research study • 14 focus group discussions among UAE-based and ‘external’ students studying at international universities in the UAE • 8 in-depth interviews among working graduates & parents of students in international HEIs • 450 interviews among UAE-based and external students studying in international HEIs in the UAE; 50 parent interviews

5. Analysis of the UAE higher education market

6. Higher education institutions in the UAE • 32% of higher education institutions in the UAE are international (i.e. non Emirati) • Only 13 are locally accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Researchwww.caa.ae

7. Distribution of international HEIs by emirate • The largest concentration is in Dubai, accounting for 79% of all international HEIs in the UAE

8. Country of origin of international HEIs • UK, USA and India are the top three source nations, accounting for 73% of all international HEIs in the UAE

9. International HEIs in the UAE

10. Most popular HEIs: American University of Sharjah, American University in Dubai, University of Wollongong, Manipal Academy of Higher Education and Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, together accounting for 48% of the total student population in international HEIs in the UAE

11. Country of origin and level of study offered 1 Belgium, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, Sri Lanka UG: Undergraduate; PG: Postgraduate • 44% of the international HEIs in the UAE offer undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes • 17% offer only undergraduate programmes • 40% offer only postgraduate programmes of study

12. Students in international HEIs in the UAE • Of the estimated 91,154 students enrolled in 96 public and private colleges and universities in the UAE, 28,717 (32%) are enrolled in international institutions, of which 89% are pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in HEIs where the medium of instruction is English

13. Nationalities of student population • Asians (51%) constitute the largest student community in the UAE • Emiratis (11%), other Arabs (28%) and other nationalities (10% - Europeans, Americans, nationals of CIS countries, Africans) account for the balance 49% of students enrolled in international universities in the UAE • Among Asians, Indians are the single largest nationality group, followed by Pakistanis

14. External student population • Altogether, 6,125 students or 24% of the total student population in international institutions in the UAE are ‘external’ students (on a student visa in the UAE) • The largest proportion of international students are Asians (51%), followed by GCC/Middle East nationals

15. Students by level and mode of study • 63% of students in international universities are enrolled in undergraduate programmes • 37% are enrolled in postgraduate programmes

16. Subjects studied

17. Tuition fees – undergraduate programmes • Undergraduate tuition fees vary from AED 12,000 to AED 73,220 per year • Fee discounts ranging from 5% to 30% are offered to students based on merit • Family discounts are also offered by some universities [1]Currency conversion: AED 5.54 = £ 1, as on May 10, 2009

18. Tuition fees – postgraduate programmes • Postgraduate tuition fees vary from AED 16,000 to over AED 300,000 per year [1]Currency conversion: AED 5.54 = £ 1, as on May 10, 2009

19. Qualitative research – focus groups

20. Attitudes and aspirations of HEI students in the UAE • Postgraduate students • Master’s degree • Get better job; higher salary • Gain ‘more’ specialised qualifications • Stay competitively ahead • Change career track • Improve business • Get promoted • Grow into general management roles • Undergraduate students • Higher education • An important part of ‘growing up’ • Become knowledgeable • Develop one’s personality • Pre-requirement for job; career aspirations • Financial independence • Enhance one’s position in society

21. Motivations to study in the UAE • Postgraduate students • Excellent quality of education • Availability of international universities • Varied subject choices • Career opportunities • Affordable cost of education • Flexible delivery & timings • Study while working • Undergraduate students • Be home, stay close to family & friends • Good education available in the country • Affordable education • Good lifestyle, home comforts • Safety & security • Work opportunities • Family won’t permit study abroad • No interest in study abroad

22. Motivations to study in the UAE • External students (from outside UAE) • Opportunity to study in international university • Affordable cost of education • Easier admission • Ease of getting student visa • UAE safe country • Islamic country • Family & friends in UAE • Close to home • Good lifestyle • Work opportunities

23. Motivation to study in an international HEI in UAE • Undergraduate & postgraduate students • Superior quality of education, high academic standards • Local & global recognition of degree • Prestige associated with studying in a international university • Choice of subject options • Quality of faculty; professionally qualified, international • Better teaching methods; use of technology • Improve English • Internships; work opportunities while studying • Career opportunities; better jobs, higher salaries • Flexibility to transfer credits • Intent to migrate abroad • Peer pressure

24. Motivation to study in an international HEI in UAE • Working students • Additional reasons • Range of study programmes • Specialised programmes • Flexible timings • Alternative delivery modes • Affordable

25. Reasons for selecting specific HEI Current HEIs American University in Dubai (USA) American University of Sharjah Middlesex University (UK) University of Wollongong (Australia) S P Jain Centre for Management (India) Institute of Management & Technology (India) Preston University (USA) British University in Dubai (UK) Heriot-Watt University (UK) Canadian University of Dubai (Canada) Manipal Academy of Higher Education (India) Birla Institute of Technology & Science (India) London School of Economics (UK) • Ease of admission • Reputation of institution • Popularity of institution among peers • Reputation of faculty • Job placement record of institution • Campus environment & atmosphere • Student profile • Subject choices available • Level of fees • Location - proximity to home/workplace • Class timings & flexibility • Infrastructure & student facilities • Accreditation of institution in UAE • International recognition of degree • Recognition of degree in home country • Award of certification (local/main university)

26. Subject of study • Subject selection led by • Personal interest & goals • Parental advice, parents’ decision • Guidance from family & friends network • Popularity; peer group conformance • Versatility – varied job options • Corporate / market demand • Current job / functional area • Career change plans – new area/function • Undergraduate students • Mainly business, computer science, IT • Some male students engineering disciplines • Some female students media studies, graphic design & fashion designing • Asian students greater interest in commerce & finance • Postgraduate students • Mainly business / management courses • Different areas of specialisation • Quality Management, Human Resources • Project Management, Information Systems • Construction Management • Finance & Banking

27. Intent to study further • Undergraduate students - yes, but would ideally like to gain some work experience prior to studying further • Postgraduate students - no; with one exception, all will look for job or join family business or look for job change (working students) • For some, further study would depend upon availability of financial aid / scholarship • One-third likely to consider study abroad: in UK, USA, Canada, Australia or India • Key factors in destination selection for study abroad - situation for work abroad / career opportunities at time of admission application & overall cost of education (tuition fee, living expenses etc)

28. Perception of UK universities • High quality of education • Strong curricula, ‘hard’ studies • International recognition of degree/qualification • Better appreciation in local/regional context • Professional, qualified faculty • Reputed universities • Expensive • Prestigious • “Better stronger curriculum, study programme” • ‘”In any Arab country, British education is considered stronger than American” • “British qualifications are recognised all over the world. Some of the best universities in the world are UK universities”

29. Motivations to study in a UK HEI • In the UK • Lower tuition fees • Increased opportunity to get financial aid • Easier admission criteria • Easier ‘work load’ • Guaranteed student accommodation • Guaranteed visa • Internships & career opportunities • Work-study options in the UK • Admission in university of choice • In the UAE • Lower tuition fees • Increased opportunity to get financial aid • Easier admission criteria • Easier ‘work load’ • ‘New’ subjects or specialised courses • ‘Top-class’ UK universities in UAE • Local accreditation • Large, ‘impressive’ campus • Extensive student facilities • Transportation & accessible location

30. Subject suggestions for new UK HEIs in UAE • Computer Engineering, Information Technology • Business, Hotel Management, Tourism • Medicine, Nutrition • Hospital Management • Architecture • Archaeology • Law • Genetic Engineering, Biotechnology, Microbiology • Aviation • Media Studies • Introductory Courses to Languages • Arts, Arts & Décor, Photography • Photojournalism, Theatre Arts • Fashion Designing, Cosmetology

31. Quantitative research – 450 students

32. Figures in % Motivations to study in the UAE – all students

33. Figures in % Motivations to study in the UAE – local v external* students *Local students: Emiratis & resident expatriates. External students: on student visa in UAE

34. Motivations to study at an international HEI in UAE - Emiratis Figures in %

35. Considered study abroad – all students Figures in %

36. Reasons for not studying abroad – all students who considered it Figures in %

37. Research sample Undergraduates (n=204) Postgraduates (n=246)

38. Reasons for studying at current university – all students Figures in %

39. Subject of study – undergraduate & postgraduate students Figures in %

40. Importance of fees and financial aid Importance of pricing in university selection (n=450) Figures in %

41. Figures in % Funding sources

42. Satisfaction with current HEI

43. Dissatisfaction with current HEI

44. Intention to study further – all students Motivation to study further in UK (n=40)

45. Perception of overseas education destinations – all students

46. Key motivation to study at a UK HEI in UAE – all students currently in a non-UK HEI

47. Key motivation to study at a UK HEI in the UK – all students

48. Suggestions - UG subjects for new UK HEIs in the UAE Figures in %

49. Figures in % Suggestions - PG subjects for new UK HEIs in the UAE

50. Figures in % Suggestions - vocational subjects for new UK HEIs in the UAE