5 Most Popular in Dubai for Master's Degree in Urban Planning under AED 90,000 with Scholarships in 2026

About RIT Dubai

The Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai (RIT Dubai) maintains its position as a prestigious satellite campus of the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, United States, while operating in the city of Dubai within the United Arab Emirates territory. RIT Dubai provides a total of 11 doctoral degrees, together with 78 bachelor's degrees and 73 master's degrees. The college delivers 49 dual-degree programs among its university offerings. All programs at RIT Dubai received accreditation from the Commission for Academic Accreditation under the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR).

The government authority, known as the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, licensed the Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai to operate as a private educational institution in Dubai. 

RIT maintains more than 300 groups covering political science, athletics, movement arts, drama and music, and virtual gaming. RIT Dubai provides students access to multiple facilities, including technology and engineering laboratories, a bookstore and gym space as well as outdoor sports areas, cafeteria service, and a reading library.

Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai History

Two foundations merged together to establish the Rochester Institute of Technology when the Mechanics Institute joined forces with Rochester Athenaeum in 1885. The institution received its present name in 1944. The initial Bachelor of Science degree was issued by Rochester Tech in 1955.

RIT Dubai emerged in 2008 as the not-for-profit global branch of Rochester Institute of Technology, which originated as one of the world's top technology-centered institutions with 185 years of academic legacy in New York.

The establishment of the Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai started in 2008 at the Dubai Silicon Oasis to provide top-tier higher education in the vicinity. The institution delivers undergraduate and graduate academic programs to Middle Eastern student groups across North Africa and Southeast Asia.

President Mustafa A.G. Abushagur stood as the founding president of RIT Dubai when he established its first Middle Eastern campus. He served as the mediator who brought RIT together with the UAE government to develop a university campus within the Dubai Silicon Oasis.

RIT Dubai served as evidence of the partnership between RIT president William W. Destler and Dubai officials. The Rochester Institute of Technology was invited by the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority to establish a community and network of highly skilled, technology-proficient people. RIT gained the chance to pursue its strategic plan that sought platform growth and worldwide educational possibilities for students.

Dr. Youssef Al Assaf took over as president of Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai in 2013 after Mustafa A.G. Abushagur accepted the prime minister position in modern Libyan history.

In February 2019, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum initiated the development of new RIT Dubai campus facilities through his role as the Chairman of the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA). The construction project worth 500 million AED requires completion by 2023, and the first building phase will finish by the first quarter of 2020.

Education at RIT Dubai

RIT Dubai grants bachelor's degrees together with master's degrees in multiple disciplines between computers and business administration alongside engineering and leadership. The innovative cooperative education program delivers practical work experience to students via their curriculum, which increases their career market value in this highly competitive environment.

RIT Dubai receives its program authorization from the United Arab Emirates, allowing students to receive American academic credentials. Likewise RIT Dubai students acquire the opportunity to take classes at any of its international campuses together with its New York residence location.

The United Arab Emirates conducts accreditation of RIT Dubai programs to deliver American degrees to students. The education at RIT Dubai allows students to add international study experience through their facilities throughout New York and its global locations.

All educational programs of Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai align with New York programs, which delivers the exact degrees given to New York campus students. All academic programs at RIT Dubai received approvals through MOHESR's Commission for Academic Accreditation.

Programs for Undergraduate Students

RIT Dubai initiated the provision of Bachelor of Science degrees in the autumn of 2010, offering a variety of major program options and concentrations. RIT Dubai provides a variety of disciplines, including:

• Business Management Marketing International Business Finance Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Microelectronics Engineering – 2+2 Program – Complete your degree in Microelectronics Engineering at the NY campus after spending two years studying Electrical Engineering in Dubai.
• Industrial Engineering
• Information and Computer Sciences
• Computer Security Computing and Information Technologies

These undergraduate programs are intended for full-time study, allowing students to integrate practical experience with academic foundations and an emphasis on modern and newly developed technologies. Students have the opportunity to satisfy a portion of their degree requirements by attending classes at the New York campus and studying abroad.

Postgraduate programs

In September 2008, the Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai initiated the provision of graduate degree programs in a variety of fields. PhD programs exist to direct training, foster regional economic expansion, and enhance human resources in Dubai and across the Persian Gulf region. All master's programs at RIT Dubai operate on a part-time basis while providing flexible learning formats to meet the needs of working students.

The following master's programs are available:

• Customer Service Innovation and Leadership
• System administration and networking
• Electrical engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Engineering administration

Professional studies: City science, subject to Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research Approval

The English Language Center

The English Language Center also provides English courses for professionals, personal interests, international students, and RIT Dubai students.

Certification

The Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai awards degrees from its main institution, RIT New York, which is internationally recognized. All Master's and Bachelor's programs at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) accrediting body known as the Commission for Academic Accreditation have received their certification. Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai started accepting more students because its Engineering Programs earned accreditation from the US Department of Education and ABET.

The regulatory authority of the Emirate of Dubai called the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, has issued a license to the Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai.

Rochester Institute of Technology holds its accreditation from Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the New York State Education Department. At the same time, it operates with its charter from the New York state legislature.

The Rochester Institute of Technology in New York has bachelor's and master's programs in engineering and business that are accredited by accreditation bodies such as the American Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) and the Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), in addition to institutional accreditation.

Facilities and Services in RIT Dubai

Facilities offered by the Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai include a bookstore, a fitness center, outdoor and indoor sports facilities, a cafeteria, and a library. Additionally, the institute offers engineering and computing laboratories.

An onsite collection of 3,000 volumes is maintained by the library. Furthermore, students at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Dubai have access to more than 125,000 electronic books, 50,000 electronic journals, and 250 databases from the primary campus library in Rochester, New York.

Students from RIT Dubai who require housing are accommodated at the Dubai Silicon Oasis Accommodation, which is situated approximately five minutes from campus. This establishment, which was inaugurated in August 2016, offers a comprehensive array of amenities to accommodate the requirements of students, such as study, dining, recreation, and leisure. Shuttles from the main campus building depart at various intervals throughout the day, and buses are available to convey students to specific malls and metro stations.

If necessary, students are provided with transportation. RIT Dubai provides daily transportation services for students residing in the cities of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and Dubai. Bus routes are available at numerous convenient pick-up locations in neighbourhoods and suburbs across the country. The buses arrive at the RIT Dubai before classes commence at 9:00 AM. Buses depart from RIT Dubai daily between 5:00 and 5:15 p.m.

Campus activities in RIT Dubai

Events University Challenge

The primary event that takes place annually on campus is the RIT Dubai University Competition. High school students are encouraged to participate in a variety of competitions, including those in the fields of engineering, business, and knowledge. The competition's champions are awarded a scholarship to continue their education at RIT Dubai.

Days of Orientation

At the commencement of the academic year in the Fall semester, the university conducts orientation sessions during which students are provided with an overview of the university's operations, register for classes, and complete the Math and English placement tests.

Workshops for Counselors

The counselor workshop is designed to equip high school representatives with the necessary resources to ensure that their students select the appropriate university, whether they are moving abroad to the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or remaining in the UAE.

Student life at Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai

Student government

The student government (SG) elections for president and vice president were conducted on May 1, 2013, with the objective of representing the entire student body of the university and assisting the Student Services department in all student-related tasks. Representative elections were conducted during the initial week of October. External Communication Officer, Internal Communications Officer, Events Organizer, Athletics Director, Treasurer, and Secretary comprise the remaining positions in the Student Government. Candidates who submit applications for these positions are appointed.

The student government at RIT Dubai is one of the most prominent student organizations at the university.

The following are examples of previous Student Government President and Vice President leadership:

• Rabeet Khan and Yara Hattab (2013–2014)
• Tarun Yenna and Yara Hattab (2014–2015)
• Mohammad Yousefi and Mashal Waqar (2015–2016)
• Omar Adel and Kareem Hassan (2016–2017)
• Loana Ifrim and Ira Palaioudi (2017–2018)
• Ronald Noronha and Judy Akbik (2018–2019)

WRITERS Magazine

WRITERS is the inaugural student-run publication at RIT Dubai. It is an online and print publication that is distributed throughout the Dubai Silicon Oasis and at RIT Dubai. The circulation of the magazine exceeds 1000 volumes. The RIT Dubai Marketing Club initiated the WRITERS initiative with the objective of providing a platform for the most opinionated voices of RIT Dubai. It has been instrumental in the discussion of critical issues that students hold dear. Issue 1 was published in May 2015, and issue 2 was released in May 2016.

Issue 2 profiles Sharpen Obaid-Chinoy, a two-time Oscar recipient, for her pioneering work in the production of documentary films that address topics that are considered taboo in Pakistan. Mashal Waqar served as the editor-in-chief for both publications. Dana Osman, Bushra Siddiqui, and Junaid Seraj served as the sub-editors for issue 2, while Raina Zakir served as the designer.

Athletic Club

The Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) Sports Cup 2013 was attended by the Sports Club. Basketball, volleyball, table tennis, athletics, football, cricket, tennis, squash, badminton, and swimming were all participated in by approximately forty-five students.

Cultural Club for Palestinians

In 2012, the Palestinian Cultural Club was established with the objective of representing the Palestinian community at RIT Dubai. Its primary objective is to preserve the Palestinian culture and heritage and to revitalize it. Additionally, our objective is to establish connections between the Palestinian community in the UAE and the Palestinian community in Palestine, as well as to engage in communication with various Palestinian organizations and figures both within and outside the UAE. One of the club's ongoing initiatives is the Donate to Educate charity campaign, which is designed to assist students in Palestine in their pursuit of education.

Happenings

The club's inaugural event was the invitation of the General Consul of Palestine to the opening ceremony. This was followed by a delightful evening of Palestinian folklore.

The General Consulate of the State of Palestine organized a charity dinner event at Atlantis to support the financial support box of President Mahmmoud Abbas, which is to assist Palestinian students in Lebanon. The club attended the event.

• The RIT Got Talent event was hosted by the club.
• The PCRF charity marathon, which was organized by Standard Charter and took place on Dubai Mall Boulevard, was attended by members.
• In order to assist students in Palestine in their education, the organization initiated the "Donate to Educate" charity campaign.
• Participated in the Donate to Educate charity campaign by attending the DSO Bazaar.
• The club aimed to broaden its charity campaign in order to garner the support of a larger number of individuals in the UAE. In collaboration with the General Consulate of the State of Palestine and other Palestinian Clubs in the UAE, the PCC-RIT could host an event titled "Voices from the Heart of the Land" on the same day as "Yawm Al-Ard/The Land Day" to assist the blind children in Palestine.

Arab Orients Club

In March 2012, the Arab Orients Club was established with the objective of introducing the various Arab cultures of the globe to the universities in the United Arab Emirates. In April 2013, the Arab Orients Club hosted a "all you can eat" event that was attended by both students and staff.

"The Humanitarian Club"

The RIT Dubai Humanitarian Club was established in 2011 to facilitate the collaboration and work of students who share a common interest in improving the community. In the early months of 2012, the club joined forces with the Sharjah Book Shelter.

Accessibility

The Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai is situated in the Dubai Silicon Oasis, a technology complex that is situated between Academic City and Mirdiff City Center. The University is situated approximately 15 minutes from the Dubai International Airport and 15 minutes from Etisalat Academy, which serves as student accommodation. In 2016, the Student Government organized weekly ASL courses to enhance the campus's accessibility for the deaf community. The classes were led by Mashal Waqar and Asher Kirschbaum.

About BITS Pilani Dubai

The Birla Institute of Technology and Science Dubai or BITS Pilani, offers higher education throughout India. "Train young men and women to be able and eager to create and put into action such ideas, methods, techniques, and information" is BITS's primary goal. The institute is the realization of the late Mr. G.D. Birla's goal. Mr. Birla was a prominent industrialist, a participant in the Indian freedom movement, and a close friend of the late Mr. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, often known as Mahatma Gandhi, who is considered the Father of the Indian Nation. What began as a modest school in the early 1900s grew into a collection of higher education institutions, from engineering to the humanities, until 1964, when all of these institutions united to form a singular Indian university with international recognition. 

The Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, or BITS, Pilani, is the new name for this university. Over the years, students from around India have received the best technical education at BITS, with admission determined by merit. Its graduates can be found in every engineering, science, and business branch. BITS represents how Indian technical skills and "can-do" entrepreneurial spirit have matured, particularly in the private sector. BITS is situated in Rajasthan on the Vidya Vihar campus, close to Pilani.

About Campus of BITS Pilani Dubai

Many overseas students seeking a high-quality engineering and technology education choose BITS Dubai. International students are drawn to the lively campus, which offers state-of-the-art facilities, highly skilled faculty, smart classrooms, and other amenities for BTech studies in the United Arab Emirates.

The university currently has more than 1,500 international students from more than 20 nations. The institute offers internships to students through partnerships with more than 400 reputable organizations in India and the United Arab Emirates. Alumni from BITS Dubai are in executive roles at more than 1,000 firms worldwide, such as Apple, Dell, AT&T, and Microsoft.

Rankings and Ratings

Birla Institute of Technology and Science is one of the best private universities in Pilani, India. According to the 2025 QS World University Rankings, it is rated #801–850.

• #801-850 - QS World Rankings
• #101-150 SQ WUR Rankings by Subject
• #171 Asian University Rankings
• #28 - Asian University Rankings - Southern Asia

Campus Locations

There are four campus locations for BITS Pilani:

• BITS, Pilani Dubai Campus
• BITS, Pilani Hyderabad Campus
• BITS Pilani KK Birla, Goa Campus
• BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus

Campus

BITS Pilani in Academic City

On an area of 1,200 hectares (2,960 acres), DIAC is a university community that enrolls approximately 27,500 students and is home to 27 colleges and universities, as well as three innovation centers. The food court, residential halls, markets, and restaurants are accessible to students from the constituent colleges.Twenty-five

Dubai Campus of BITS Pilani

The main building, academic departments, and hostels are housed in nine buildings that cover an area of 5.7 hectares (14 acres) at BITS Pilani, Dubai.

• Lecture halls, academic and administrative departments, conference halls, student and faculty lobbies, a mini-mart, a sports complex, an auditorium, and technical laboratories comprise the academic block.
• A workshop area is located on the ground floor of the mechanical block, while other interdepartmental laboratories, including mechanical, civil, and robotics, are located on the upper floors.
• The library building comprises a cafeteria, an activity room, an OPAC & internet browsing center, discussion rooms, and a library.
• In total, the institute operates six dormitories. The boys' hostel is comprised of four buildings (A, B, C, D) that share common facilities, while the girls' hostel is composed of two buildings (G, H) that share common facilities.
• Mess halls, prayer halls, common rooms, recreation rooms, laundries, and gyms are all included in hostel blocks.

The primary structure as seen from a park on campus

The campus also includes a full-length football field, indoor badminton court, race track, lawn tennis court, cricket nets, basketball court, volleyball court, indoor diversions, and student activities section.

Labs of BITS Pilani Dubai

Labs at campus include - Advanced Molecular Biology Lab, Analog Electronics Lab, Biology Lab, Chemical Engineering Lab I & II, Chemistry Lab Communication Lab, Computer Aided Design Lab, Computer Programming Lab, Concrete Lab, Creative Lab, Digital Design Lab, Electrical Machines Lab, Engineering Graphics Lab, Environmental Lab, Fluid Machinery lab, Genetic Engineering Lab, Heat Transfer Lab, Industrial Microbiology & Bioprocess Engineering Lab, Instrumental Methods of Analysis Lab, Instrumentation Lab, Intelligent Computing Facility, Mechatronics & Robotics Lab, MEMS Lab, Materials Testing Lab, Microbiology Lab, Microprocessor Programming & Interfacing Lab, Networking and Distributed Systems Lab, Petroleum Lab, Physics Lab, Power Electronics Lab, Prime Movers and Fluid Machinery Lab, Process Control Lab, Production Techniques I & II Labs, Signal and Simulation Lab, Software Systems Lab, Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering Lab, Survey Lab, Transport Phenomena Lab, Transportation Engineering Lab, Workshop Prime Movers & Fluid Mechanics Lab.

Administration

8 divisions comprise the college administration:

• Faculty Affairs 
• Sponsored Research and Consultancy 
• International Programmes and Collaboration Division (IPCD) 
• Practice School 
• Student Welfare Division (SWD)
• Academic - Undergraduate Studies
• Academic - Graduate Studies and Research 
• Alumni Relations

How is the student life and culture at BITS Pilani Dubai

The majority of students at BPDC are of Indian descent and include day scholars and hostellers. Day scholars are Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Dubai residents.

Residential Halls of DIAC

Students from various universities reside in DIAC residential facilities. They are furnished with shopping centers, libraries, leisure facilities, and retail stores.

A residential dormitory of infinite variety

Myriad is a student residence that is situated in front of the third entrance of the BITS campus. It comprises studio rooms, single rooms, or twin rooms. The rooms are equipped with an adjacent shower room, and there are communal kitchen lounges located throughout the building. The halls are equipped with a variety of amenities, including a laundromat, a gym, and dedicated blocks for male and female residents. Additionally, there are sports facilities, such as a basketball court and swimming pool, and entertainment facilities, such as the outdoor amphitheater and Myriacade (a gaming and recreation area).

KSK Homes: These residences are situated nearly one kilometer from the BITS campus. They contain a diverse array of social spaces, including floor lobbies, a communal kitchen, a dining hall, gaming areas, courtyards, gyms, and study centers, in addition to single, double, and twin rooms.

Organizations and clubs

BPDC is home to a variety of technical and non-technical organizations, associations, and societies. Association for Computing Machinery, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Institution of Engineers (India), American Institute of Chemical Engineers, SAE International, and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers are among the international associations that have student chapters associated with technical clubs. Academic departments encompass additional technical organizations, including the Linux User Group, Association for Electronic Engineers (AOEE), Google Developer Student Club, Microsoft Tech Club, and Intelligent Flying Object for Reconnaissance (IFOR).

The institute also has student-run cultural clubs and societies, such as Groove (Dance Club), Trebel (Music Club), Shades (Art and Craft Club), Reflexions (Photography Club), Paribhasha (Theatre Society), Oh Crop! (Design Club), Expressions (Public Speaking and Literary Club), The Wall Street Club (Finance, Economics and Management Club), Flummoxed (Quiz Club), BITS Motorsports, Allure (Fashion Club), Guild (Gaming Club), and Supernova (Astronomy Club). The objective of these organizations is to enhance the social and cultural life of the Institute. In addition to these, it is home to student chapters of international organizations such as Toastmasters International, Make a Difference, and Model United Nations.38

Activities and events

The BITS Sports Festival (BSF) is an inter-university sports event that features over 10 sporting competitions for both men and women, with approximately 45 universities from across the UAE participating. Coca-Cola, Nikon, KFC, and Radio Mirchi are among the brands that sponsor these events.Thirty-nineForty.

Jashn is one of the largest inter-university cultural festivals in the United Arab Emirates. In 2019, the Sunburn Festival transformed BPDC into the UAE's first-ever Sunburn Campus, culminating in the celebration of the semester with Zakir Khan taking the stage.

• Recharge: A sports competition between hostels that is supported by a variety of teams and fan organizations, each of which is wearing their own merchandise.
• Sparks: An intra-college cultural festival that is annually organized by the Event Management Committee (EMC) in October. During this event, a variety of student societies and organizations collaborate to produce numerous events.
• ENGINuity is an annual inter-university techno-managerial and innovation festival that provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their technical aptitude. Its objective is to establish a community of students who share a common interest in management, technology, and science.

In addition to these festivals, academic departments and student organizations organize technical, non-technical, and cultural events and competitions, such as Technofest, Ethnic Day, Spectrum, and ARTEX (Art Exhibition), throughout the semester. After the orientation, BPDC initiates each academic year with a cultural event for freshmen, which is referred to as "icebreakers."

Under the guidance of Mylswamy Annadurai, the former Director of the U R Rao Satellite Centre at the Indian Space Research Organization, BPDC initiated its student satellite program, MAHASAT, in 2023. The pupils conducted the initial phase of this program by testing five Pico Satellites at Sanad Academy in Dubai using a Drone Satellite Launch Vehicle (DSLV).

The radio station known as BPDC Unplugged

The campus radio station (CRS) of BITS Pilani, Dubai, is BPDC unplugged. It is an in-house radio station that regularly transmits podcasts and covers a variety of campus events.