Study Abroad at RIT Dubai
The RIT Dubai campus is strategically located in the heart of Dubai Silicon Oasis, one of the world’s leading centers of advanced electronic innovation and design.
The Dubai Silicon Oasis master plan is designed as a hi-tech ecosystem that offers businesses many advantages, including a state-of-the-art infrastructure featuring advanced telecommunications, electricity, and road networks. It also features technology investment incentives for large enterprises, entrepreneurial support, an incubation center, and venture capital funding.
Home of the man-made islands, the world’s tallest building, luxurious hotels, and largest mall, Dubai is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences that only amplify the magnificence of engineering feats. business and technology innovation, and cultural diversity.
Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In just the past 30 years, Dubai has transformed itself from a barren desert outpost on the Arabian Peninsula into an exuberant global hub for commerce and tourism.
Dubai is a modern, cosmopolitan city with a diverse population that spans nearly every culture, ethnicity, and religion. The city continues to grow tremendously, and the skyline is constantly changing. Dubai provides endless possibilities for entertainment, culture, adventure, and an educational experience of a lifetime.
Your study abroad experience in Dubai is enhanced by the diversity of cultures, engineering feats, and unique activities that surround you daily. Ride the elevator to the top of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Kalifa, or experience the elegance of the world’s most luxurious hotel, the Burj Al Arab. Travel to the man-made palm islands, shop in the world’s largest mall, ski indoors year-round, travel through the desert in a 4-wheel drive vehicle, horseback or camel, and tour mosques and museums that transport you to a different era. There truly is “nowhere like Dubai.”
Academics
Semester programs offer coursework in:
- Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial
- Computing: Computing Security, Information Technology, Networking, Security and Systems Administration
- Business: Global Business Management, Marketing, Finance
- Liberal Arts/Electives: Anthropology, Communication, Economics, English, Math, Psychology, Science, Statistics
Students typically take at least 12 credits (4 courses) during their academic semester abroad. Your academic advisor can review and pre-approve the RIT courses offered to ensure that you stay on track with your individual degree program. The academic calendar follows the RIT calendar and consists of 2 semesters, each 16 weeks long.
The course descriptions for semester classes offered at RIT Dubai can be found on RIT SIS. Change the location at the bottom of the search page to the appropriate campus to display the course offerings. The course offerings for the Global Campuses are typically released later than the course offerings for RIT Rochester. However, the course offerings are fairly consistent from year to year, so using the previous year’s course offerings as a tentative list is appropriate.
Courses focus on critical thinking, decision-making, communication, and leadership – all the skills necessary for success in today’s global work environment. The teaching methods promote interaction and active participation between students and faculty. Study abroad students are encouraged to participate in activities outside of the classroom to immerse themselves in their new environment and provide additional cultural learning.
Dates and Deadlines
RIT Dubai’s academic calendar closely follows Rochester’s calendar. The fall semester is from early September to mid-December; the spring semester is from late January to mid-May.
RIT Rochester students studying abroad at RIT Dubai may need to arrive a few days before classes start for orientation. Do not book any travel arrangements until you confirm your arrival/departure dates with a study abroad advisor.
Application Deadlines:
Fall semester study abroad in Dubai: April 15
Spring semester study abroad in Dubai: October 1
Living in Dubai
Living abroad is an integral part of your study abroad experience. It will help you connect with your host community and learn more about the local culture. Housing, dining and food, local attractions, student activities, and excursions will all make your study abroad experience more immersive, exciting, and memorable.
Costs and Financial Aid
Studying abroad at an RIT Global Campus may be more affordable than you think! Your program costs will typically include:
- Tuition: you pay your same RIT semester tuition (billed to your RIT eServices account)
- Program Fee: cost of your housing, cultural excursions, airport arrival and departure transportation, international health and emergency evacuation insurance (billed to your RIT eServices account)
- Out-of-pocket Costs: airfare, meals/groceries, personal expenses, books, phone SIM card, etc.
Your RIT study abroad advisor will provide an official budget worksheet that outlines all program costs. You can take the budget worksheet to a meeting with RIT financial aid to determine how your RIT and federal aid and scholarships may cover program costs. Typically, on semester-long programs, you will be considered a full-time student (taking at least 12 credits) and can likely maximize your aid towards studying abroad. If you are going to an RIT Global Campus on a shorter program (i.e. winter break, faculty-led, summer), you may be able to use some of your federal financial aid if you take at least six credits abroad.
Meet the Study Abroad Staff
RIT staff will assist you before and during your time abroad.
Myles Chalue
Ellen Yang
Student Visa Information
Your student visa is an official government document that temporarily authorizes you to be in the country you are traveling to, so it is important to provide the required documents to apply for a visa to the Education Abroad office in a timely manner as part of your study abroad application. You will work with an RIT study abroad advisor on the visa process.