Results of the international webinar ED-EX.com

On February 18, ED-EX.com held a webinar dedicated to applying to UAE universities – from the initial decision to career prospects after graduation.

During the broadcast, applicants and parents actively asked questions about:

• admission requirements
• Possibility of applying without a final diploma
• IELTS and language requirements
• GPA and academic criteria
• recruitment deadlines
• tuition fees
• in-demand programs
• career prospects
• submission algorithm through the ED-EX platform

Below are answers to the key questions most frequently asked during the webinar.

Can I apply if I haven't finished school yet?

Yes, you can.

Most universities in the UAE allow applications before receiving the final certificate In this case, the applicant submits interim academic documents.

What is needed for this?

Transcript (academic transcript)

Transcript- This is an official document from a school or university that states:

• list of subjects studied
• grades for each year of study
• average grade (if calculated)
• signature and seal of the educational institution

Simply put, it is a structured report of academic performance.

How to get it?

1. Contact the school administration.
2. Request an official academic transcript in English.
3. If the school issues a document only in the national language, it is necessary to do notarized translation.

Important: this must be an official document, not just a photo of a diary.

Predicted Grades

If a student is studying A-Levels, IB or another international programme, the school may issue predicted grades— predicted final grades.

They are used for pre-enrollment.

What happens next?

If the university is satisfied with the current results, it issues:

Conditional Offer

This is a conditional credit.

The student is officially accepted, but is required to:

• provide the final diploma
• confirm final grades
• meet the language requirements

Once the conditions are met, the offer becomes unconditional.

Is IELTS required?

Requirements vary by university and program.

IELTS – what is it?

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)— international English language exam.

Typically required:

• 5.5–6.0 for bachelor's degree
• 6.0–6.5 for Master's degree

Is it possible without IELTS?

Requirements vary depending on the university and the program chosen.

For undergraduate studies, an IELTS level of 5.5–6.0 is usually required.

Yes, in most cases IELTS is required, but it is important to understand:The certificate can be provided later.

Many universities accept documents without a completed language test at the application stage and issue Conditional Offer In this case, IELTS or another language test must be provided before the start of the course.

Therefore, the absence of an IELTS at the time of application does not automatically mean refusal - everything depends on the policy of the individual university.

What GPA is needed?

What is GPA?

GPA (Grade Point Average)- is the average academic grade, which reflects the overall academic performance of a student.

It is calculated differently in different countries. It can be:

• average percentage (for example, 75%)
• average score on a 4-point scale (e.g. 3.2 out of 4.0)
• average score on a 5-point scale (e.g. 4.3 out of 5.0)

Universities in the UAE usually indicate requirements either as a percentage or on a 4-point scale.

How to calculate GPA?

If you have a percentage system:

Add up all the final grades and divide by their number.

Example:

70 + 75 + 80 + 65 = 290

290 ÷ 4 = 72.5%

Your average score is 72.5%.

If you have a 5-point system:

Add up all the grades and divide by their number.

Example:

5 + 4 + 4 + 5 + 3 = 21

21 ÷ 5 = 4.2

To convert to a 4-point system, you can approximately use the proportion:

(your score ÷ 5) × 4

4.2 ÷ 5 × 4 = 3.36 out of 4.0

This is an approximate translation - the exact calculation may vary depending on the university.

What are the typical requirements?

For a bachelor's degree in the UAE, the approximate requirements are:

• from 60–70% or
• equivalent to 2.5–3.0 on a 4-point scale

More competitive and prestigious programs may require a higher GPA.

It is important to remember: GPA is one of the key criteria, but the decision is made comprehensively, taking into account the subject profile and language level.

How much intake per year?

Intake— this is the period of student recruitment.

In the UAE it is common to:

• September (main set)
• January
• Sometimes May

This is the advantage of the UAE system:

If you didn't make it in September, you can start in January.

How long does a bachelor's degree last?

Depends on the system:

• British system - 3 years
• American system - 4 years
• Some engineering and medical programs take longer

Is it possible to select multiple universities?

Yes, and this is one of the smartest steps to take when applying internationally.

In the UAE education system (and in general for overseas admission) It is not recommended to apply to only one university. Even with a good GPA and meeting the requirements, the decision always rests with the admissions committee.

How does it work through ED-EX.com?

Through the ED-EX.com platform you can:

Analyze the requirements One university may require an IELTS 6.0, while another may require an internal test. Some universities require a minimum GPA of 2.5, while others require a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Apply to several universities simultaneously This increases the chances of receiving at least one Offer Letter.

Create a “safe – target – ambitious” strategy

▸ Safe — a university with more relaxed requirements

▸ Target — the optimal option for your profile

▸ Ambitious is a more competitive program

This approach reduces the risk of rejection and allows the student to choose from several offers rather than being dependent on a single decision. When a student has several offers, he makes an informed decision rather than being forced to settle for the only option.

How do I apply for a Bachelor's degree through ED-EX.com?

Admission to undergraduate programs at UAE universities through ED-EX.com— is a sequential process from choosing a program to obtaining a student visa.

Step 1. Analysis of universities

After reviewing programs, requirements, study periods, and costs, ED-EX.com creates a list of suitable universities.

Important:

• compare the average score with the requirements
• check language conditions
• evaluate the budget and intake

After selecting the program, press the button Enroll.

You can add up to four additional universities to your application.

Step 2. Questionnaire and preliminary check

The questionnaire is filled out indicating:

• personal data
• academic information
• average grade
• level of English
• selected universities

The questionnaire is being moderated by ED-EX.com specialists.

If your profile doesn't meet the requirements, this is reflected in your personal account: your application status changes and a comment appears with recommendations for improvement. All changes are made before the official submission, reducing the risk of rejection.

Step 3. Document preparation and submission

A package of documents is being formed:

• Passport
• Transcript
• Certificate (if received)
• IELTS (if required)

If necessary, documents are translated.

ED-EX.com specialists check documents and process official university applications. The review period is from 5 to 21 business days.

Step 4: Receiving an Offer

The University issues:

Unconditional Offer - credit confirmed

Conditional Offer - additional conditions must be met

Step 5. Confirmation of place and visa

Once the deposit is made, the visa process begins.

Typically required:

• Offer Letter
• copy of passport
• medical examination
• payment confirmation

After receiving a visa, the student can begin studies.

For more details on each stage, please follow the link

Is it possible to work while studying?

In the UAE, students can:

• do internships
• work part-time (depending on visa and employer)

Post-study work opportunities are also available subject to conditions.

What are the career prospects?

Graduates of bachelor's programs in the UAE are in demand both in the UAE labor market and all over the world.

Particularly high demand is observed in the following areas:

• Data Science and AI
• Real Estate and Development
• Renewable Energy
• Healthcare
• Business & Finance

UAE universities collaborate with international companies, and many programs are implemented according to British or international educational standards.

This allows graduates to build careers not only in the region, but also in Europe, Asia, and other countries where international diplomas are recognized.

The sooner you start the application process, the better your chances:

• choose the optimal program
• prepare documents without rushing
• receive an offer from a priority university
• secure a place in the desired intake

Applying early is not just a formality, but also a strategic advantage when applying to your dream university.