Dubai is not only becoming a global center for investment, business and tourism, but the emirate is actively developing its status as a regional hub for higher education. According to the latest data from the Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), every third student at private universities is a foreign citizen who moved to the UAE solely to study.

Education as a driver of demand for renting and buying real estate

Today, 35% of private university students in Dubai are foreigners, and their numbers are growing rapidly. This opens up additional prospects in the real estate market: the demand for student housing, rental apartments, as well as the purchase of real estate for children and long-term investments continues to increase.

According to KHDA:

• Private universities in the emirate have 42,026 students, a record number at the moment.
  
  
• Dubai has 41 private higher education institutions, 37 of which are international campuses.
  
  
• Over the past year alone, the number of international students has increased by 29%, and overall university enrolment has increased by 20%.

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New vector: 50% of international students by 2033

The development project called Game Changer, part of the Education 33 (E33) strategy, has an ambitious goal: to increase the share of international students to 50% by 2033. This underscores the emirate's desire to strengthen its position as one of the world's leaders in higher education.

The new campuses opened in the 2024/2025 academic year include representatives of universities from China, India, Russia and Italy, reflecting global interest in Dubai's educational space.

Popular areas of study

More than 700 academic programs are available in Dubai. The following are especially popular among international students:

• Business and management
  
  
• Information technologies
  
  
• Engineering
  
  
• Media and design
  
  
• Humanities
  
  
• Medicine and healthcare
  
  

This growing demand for vocational education is driving the influx of new students, creating a steady demand for housing, especially in areas close to university campuses such as Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai International Academic City, and Al Barsha.

What does this mean for real estate investors?

For investors and property owners in Dubai, the growing number of international students means:

• Stable rental demand near universities;
  
  
• The possibility of buying real estate for rent for student families or students themselves;
  
  
• Rising prices in areas with developed educational infrastructure;
  
  
• Investments in studio or 1-bedroom apartments are the most popular among students.
  
  

Are you considering investing in housing near universities? We will find properties that are ideal for students to rent or for family members studying at Dubai's leading universities.