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Rochester Institute of Technology | DSO (RIT Dubai)

A premier American university located in the heart of the Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) technology park in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
23 August 2026 by
Vriksh Insights Network
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The Rochester institute of Technology is an educational institution in the United Arab Emirates. The campus of RIT Dubai is located within Dubai Silicon Oasis, which is a technology park. The university was founded in 2008 as a branch of the renowned Rochester Institute of Technology located in New York. However, the main campus has been existing for almost two centuries, offering quality education. RIT Dubai provides high-standard studies to students, following the same educational tradition as its parent organisation, and meeting the vast needs of the Middle East, as well as students from North America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

The purpose of opening the Rochester institute of Technology in Dubai was to provide knowledge and professional skills to the Middle East’s leading companies. This campus is a non-profit organization that primarily focuses on providing excellent educational services and opportunities to students. Graduates of the university receive degrees awarded by the parent campus in New York, whereas the programs themselves are approved by the UAE’s Ministry of Education. Therefore, RIT Dubai offers a variety of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs that are in demand in modern job markets. Students have an opportunity to choose from multiple fields of study, including the different tracks of engineering, computer science, homeland security, business, psychology, and design.

One of the essential advantages of RIT Dubai is the possibility to participate in the cooperative education program. Such a unique opportunity allows the students to gain experience while studying, which is beneficial for their future careers. Cooperative education provides students with full-scale professional development, establishing them as competitive job applicants upon graduation. Modern and well-equipped buildings and learning facilities represent another advantage of the university, attracting more and more students from different parts of the world. The first phase of the strategic master plan for the development of the campus has already been completed, offering students a great opportunity to relax and interact. Moreover, there are plans to develop more and welcome more students to become part of the RIT Dubai community.

Besides the wide range of educational programs, students can enjoy the possibility to become familiar with the local culture and experience. Therefore, the campus welcomes international students, representing different ethnicities and cultures, and aiming to contribute to their country’s development through knowledge and skills gained at RIT Dubai. Additionally, one can experience the local hospitality and choose the option to study at the main campus in New York or other RIT branches around the world. RIT Dubai aims to provide quality education to young people from the Middle East and other parts of the world, following the educational traditions of its parent organisation. Thus, RIT Dubai is a great opportunity for students to receive a solid American education and obtain the necessary skills to build their bright careers ahead.

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Established

RIT Doha: Education Hub in the Heart of UAE

The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Dubai was opened in 2008 and is based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was created by the famous Rochester Institute of Technology from the United States and provides students with an opportunity to get a local American education. Attributing its popularity and success to the demand for professional learning, RIT Dubai offers a variety of programs to students interested in engineering, business, computer science, and design. The institution’s modern facilities welcome students from local authorities, surrounding countries, and international students. Since its opening, RIT Dubai has been committed to providing quality education and professional learning to students in order for them to be competitive in the job market. As such, it provides the same standard of education as in the US, which leads to many students choosing RIT Dubai over other local universities. Over the years, the institution has been gaining popularity and is now one of the most renowned educational establishments in the country.

Fees

According to the official RIT Dubai Tuition and Fees schedule, the yearly cost of all undergraduate majors in Bachelor of Science is AED 68000 (~USD 18516). Meanwhile, the graduate master’s program is charged per program basis, not per year, and costs between AED 117000- AED 143550.

Undergraduate Tuition Fee Details

AED 68000 (~USD 18516) is charged annually per student for any of the 12 – 18 credit-hour semesters for computing, engineering, business, or design programs.

Payment PlanAmount (per year)Instalment Details
Yearly PlanAED 66,000Paid in 1 instalment by September 15 / January 31
Semester PlanAED 67,280Paid in 2 instalments (AED 33,640 per semester)
Standard RateAED 68,000Calculated at AED 2,750 per credit hour standard rate

Graduate Program Total TuitionMaster of Science program fees cover the entire duration of the degree (typically 30–33 total credit hours):

  • Electrical / Mechanical Engineering: AED 117,000
  • Cybersecurity / Integrative Design: AED 117,000
  • Data Analytics / Future Foresight: AED 128,700
  • Engineering Management: AED 129,000
  • Smart Cities Programs: AED 143,550

Mandatory One-Time & Annual FeesBeyond core tuition, students must account for the following auxiliary student expenses:

  • Enrolment Admission Deposit: AED 2,500 (Non-refundable; credited to tuition)
  • Student Visa Fee: AED 5,300 (Includes a refundable AED 2,500 deposit)
  • Annual Student Visa Renewal: AED 1,750
  • Health Insurance: AED 3,150 (Narrow Package) to AED 6,000 (Comprehensive) per year
  • Student Activity Fee: AED 500 per year
  • Course Lab Fee: AED 860 per engineering/computing lab course

Admission

Admission to Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai is contingent upon meeting the academic standards and English language proficiency requirements which may vary according to the curriculum. All applicants are considered on an individual basis and with reference to grade averages and to curriculum-specific and standardised placement examinations.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

The following academic performance criteria apply depending on the high school curriculum:

  • Academic Performance

    • American curriculum/SABIS: 70% overall average. In American curricula, SAT-1 Math score of 450 is required for UAE Equivalency.
    • British curriculum (IGCSE/A-Levels): 5 IGCSEs at grade C or above and 2 AS-Levels or 1 A-Level at grade D or above.
    • International Baccalaureate (IB): Minimum of 24 points.
    • India & Pakistan National Board: Overall average of 60% to 65%
    • UAE Ministry of Education: 70% for elite/applied programs and 75% for general/applied programs
  • Stream Requirements: For engineering and computing, advanced Mathematics and two core sciences (Physics, plus either Chemistry or Biology) at sixth form or equivalent with minimum grades of 61% to 80% depending on the examined system.
  • Placements tests: In order to determine readiness for the college-level Mathematics and Physics courses, all admitted students majoring in Engineering and Computing must pass the university’s Math and Physics placement examinations prior to registering for classes.

Graduate Admission Requirements

Prospective postgraduate students applying to Master of Science programs must provide the following:

  • Academic qualifications: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university is required with a 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA average (B). In some cases, lower than 3.0 GPA is considered for conditional admission.
  • Discipline: Engineering field of study is preferred for MS candidates who graduate from different specialisations outside of engineering.
  • Application package: Curriculum Vitae or resume, 500-word statement of purpose and two recommendation letters.

English Proficiency Benchmarks (All Students)

Full, unconditioned entry requires standardised proofs of English fluency. If scores fall slightly short, conditional admission routes are extended through the on-campus English Language Center: 

Testing FrameworkFull Admission ScoreConditional Admission Band
Academic IELTS6.5 and above5.0 to 6.0
TOEFL iBT79 and above61 to 78
TOEFL ITP550 and above500 to 547
EmSAT English1550 and above1100 to 1525

(Note: RIT Dubai explicitly rejects TOEFL Home Edition, IELTS Indicator, or Duolingo for master's programs).

Academic Programs & Accreditations

  • Dual Degrees: Students graduate with two degrees; one from RIT New York, while another is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education in the United Arab Emirates.
  • Undergraduate Degrees: Students can enroll in a wide range of Bachelor of Science programs. Some of the areas covered include, but are not limited to, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computing Security, Cyber-security, Business Administration, and Marketing.
  • Graduate Degrees: The university offers several master’s degree programs in double-digit specialisations including, but not limited to, Cyber-security, Data Analytics, and Engineering Management, designed to meet the needs of various professionals.
  • Global Campus Exchange: Students have an exclusive opportunity to either study abroad or permanently transfer to the main campus in New York.

The DSO Campus Environment

  • Location

    • The university is located within a Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) Innovation Hub which provides a strategic home for multinational technology companies and start-up businesses.
  • Facilities

    • The campus includes a digital library, cutting-edge engineering and robotics labs, student housing and extensive sporting facilities.
  • Industry Links

    • Innovation and industry partnerships are strong with students being required to undertake a co-op work placement as part of their degree, gaining valuable paid experience with many multinational organisations within the DSO before graduation.

Contact

  • Address: Opposite to DSO Warehouses - Nadd Hessa - Dubai Silicon Oasis - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
  • Timing: 

    • Sunday - Closed
    • Monday - 9 am–5 pm
    • Tuesday - 9 am–5 pm
    • Wednesday - 9 am–5 pm
    • Thursday - 9 am–5 pm
    • Friday - 8 am–12 pm
    • Saturday - Closed
  • Website: https://www.rit.edu/dubai/
  • Number: +971 4 371 2000

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Review

What our customers are saying about us.

Rating

I am currently applying to RIT Dubai and my overall experience has been fantastic, largely thanks to Raquel Costa from the admissions team. We initially connected via email, and later I had the pleasure of meeting her in person at the university. From the very beginning, she has been incredibly kind, professional, and fast in guiding me through the application process. She helped me navigate the portal and solved every issue with great patience, making what could be a stressful experience completely smooth. Excellent support!

FP
Local Guide
Rating

Top notch university with AI integration. Great campus and well managed by professional staff and its management headed by a well informed president Dr Yousef Al Assaf Good facilities and great location. Skilled professors and highly educated students.

Mohammad Al Adwan
Local Guide
Rating

Happened to attend the open day of RIT. I was impressed with the cleanliness, amenities, Labs (👍), lounges, big campus. Overall it was very good. They have facilities for hostels too. Good Courses, Career fairs are held.

Soleha Sameer
Local Guide
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