Establishing flexible criteria for admission to many programs, including bachelor's degrees, higher diplomas, diplomas, partial qualifications, and short learning units, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) detailed these changes in Ministerial Resolution No. (19) of 2024, These changes show the government's will to match higher education with students' objectives as well as the changing needs of the labor market.

Underlining how the changes guarantee academic excellence and openness and give students more chances to follow their intended academic paths, Ahmad Ibrahim Alsaadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Higher Education Operations Sector and Director of the International Education Support and Scholarships Department at MoHESR, said stressing that the resolution enables universities to create academic programs that meet student needs, By let institutions focus on relevant courses for admission, this shift is meant to better equip students for future employment by so reducing the effect of unrelated academic performance on eligibility.

Eliminating the required minimum entry criterion of an overall high school score marks one of the major changes, Rather, HEIs can now welcome students depending on grades in disciplines closely related to their major of choice. Indicative secondary school grades, for example, will refer to scores from an advanced track or equivalent certification allowed in the UAE, therefore providing a more concentrated approach to admissions.

Universities may demand candidates for master's or doctorate programs to have past academic credentials, therefore guaranteeing congruence with the National Qualifications Framework 2024. These developments seek to give students moving through educational levels defined routes, therefore supporting the uniformity and validity of the academic credentials granted.

Admissions criteria have also been established for students educated outside the Ministry of Education (MoE) framework. While students from non-English curricula must pass international standardized tests as decided upon by their university, those who have studied English-language courses will not have to prove English competence. Universities can also set standards for assessing topic competency of applicants to certain majors. This adaptability guarantees equitable chances for enrollment in UAE institutions for students from many backgrounds of study.

HEIs also have the authority to conditionally welcome students requiring extra remedial or preparation courses to improve their topic competency, These steps seek to guarantee pupils have the fundamental information needed for their chosen disciplines of study, independent of overall secondary school averages, By allowing students with different academic backgrounds and capacities, this strategy is supposed to raise enrollment rates.

Alsaadi pointed out that the changes complement the Ministry's more general objectives of improving the accessibility and relevance of higher education and strengthening close ties with universities, The revised admissions criteria hope to produce a more inclusive and dynamic higher education scene by customizing academic programs to students' talents and interests.

The resolution emphasizes even more the need of proactive communication among parents, students, and colleges. The MoHESR has pushed students and their families toward knowledge of the particular prerequisites of their preferred colleges and programs. Direct interaction with HEIs will help one to guarantee that candidates satisfy all required criteria in line with institutional policies and government rules.

These developments generally show the UAE's will to modernize its higher education system in order to better serve its people and the country. The flexible admissions system guarantees diversity and makes sure that educational paths lead to gratifying employment possibilities, therefore helping to match academic standards with international benchmarks. This project shows even further UAE's will to develop talent and improve its educational global ranking.

UAE introduces updates to university admissions

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