The United Arab Emirates has cut government funding for Emirati students who want to study in the UK, in a move linked to diplomatic strains over the UK’s stance on the Muslim Brotherhood.
Abu Dhabi has excluded British universities from its list of institutions eligible for state-sponsored scholarships and degree recognition, prompting concerns among prospective students and universities. The revised list, published in June by the UAE’s higher education ministry, includes universities in the United States, Australia, Israel and France, but not the UK — despite its globally ranked institutions.
Officials familiar with the situation say the decision reflects anxiety in the Emirates about the risk of Islamist radicalisation on British campuses, particularly linked to groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood, which Abu Dhabi designates as a terrorist organisation. UK authorities previously declined to proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood, a stance that has long drawn criticism from the UAE.
When challenged by UK officials, Emirati representatives indicated that the absence of UK universities on the list was intentional rather than an oversight. Those already enrolled in British institutions continue to receive support, though new funding for students intending to begin courses in the UK has been denied in many cases.
The number of Emirati students granted UK study visas has fallen sharply, with 213 students recorded in the year ending September 2025 — a 27 per cent decrease from the previous year and a 55 per cent drop compared with 2022 figures.
While some Emiratis still study in the UK by paying privately, the funding shift signals a broader chill in bilateral relations. It follows disagreements over issues including Abu Dhabi-backed investment bids in UK media, alleged Emirati support for armed groups in Sudan (which the UAE denies), and disputes over sports governance.
UK officials have stressed the importance of academic freedom, even as both sides have refrained from extensive public comment. Despite the funding changes, British universities remain popular internationally, including in the UAE, where institutions such as the University of Manchester and Heriot-Watt have established campuses.
This funding restriction is the latest sign of growing diplomatic friction between the UK and the UAE, highlighting how geopolitics and concerns over political Islam are affecting educational ties.
