The United Arab Emirates has taken a decisive step to limit government funding for Emirati students wanting to study at British universities, reflecting rising tensions over the UK’s stance towards the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood. The move signals deeper tensions in a historically close relationship and raises questions about the future of education ties between Britain and the UAE.
UAE excludes British universities from scholarship list
According to a Financial Times report, the UAE Ministry of Higher Education released a revised list of international universities eligible for government scholarships in June 2025. While institutions in the United States, Australia, France and Israel were included, British universities were notably missing.Officials told U.K. officials that the exclusion was intentional and not an oversight. Sources familiar with the discussions said Abu Dhabi’s main concern was to prevent Emirati students from being exposed to potential Islamist radicalization at British universities. One person with direct knowledge said: “They don’t want their children to be radicalized on campus.” British officials responded by emphasizing the importance of academic freedom.Officials with knowledge of the policy also said The TimesUK that federal funding for citizens wanting to study in the UK was limited, but that the government had not imposed a blanket ban on enrollment. Wealthier families can continue to send their children to British universities if they cover the costs themselves, while government funding continues to be available for students studying in other countries.The decision comes after federal funding for Emiratis studying in the UK had already fallen before June. Students already enrolled at UK universities will continue to receive support, but the new rules mean Emirati students starting studies in the UK will receive limited or no government funding.
Sharp decline in the number of Emirati students going to the UK
The effect was noticeable. In the year to September 2025, only 213 Emirati students received visas to study at British universities, representing a 27 percent decline from the previous year and a 55 percent decline from 2022.Beyond the scholarship restrictions, the UAE has also stated that qualifications from universities not on the approved list, including most UK institutions, will not be recognized domestically. This reduces the value of British degrees to Emirati students seeking employment or further study in the UAE.
Radicalization Concerns and the Muslim Brotherhood
The UAE’s move is closely linked to its long-standing concerns about Islamist movements, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood. Since the 2011 Arab uprisings, Abu Dhabi has implemented strict controls on Islamist activities domestically and sought to restrict political Islam regionally. Under President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the UAE has repeatedly questioned Britain’s decision not to ban the Brotherhood.Official UK data shows that in the 2023/24 academic year, 70 students at British universities were referred for possible participation in the government’s Prevent deradicalization program because of signs of “Islamist radicalization”, almost double the previous year’s figure, out of a total university population of almost three million students. While a British academic downplayed the extent of Islamist activity on campus, he noted that events such as the Israel-Gaza conflict had contributed to increased tensions and protests on campus.The British government’s 2015 review concluded that the Muslim Brotherhood was not linked to terrorist activity in or against Britain. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government said last year that the matter would continue to be “closely examined”. Separately, Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, has promised to ban the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes prime minister. The UAE government funded Farage’s visit to the country in 2025.
Wider diplomatic tensions
The scholarship restrictions are part of wider tensions in relations between the UK and the UAE. Previous disagreements have included Abu Dhabi-backed attempts to acquire The Daily Telegraph in November 2023, allegations of UAE support for paramilitary groups, which the UAE denies, and a legal dispute in the English Premier League involving Emirati football club Manchester City.Despite these tensions, the UK continues to expand its educational presence in the UAE. Several British universities, including the University of Manchester and Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, operate campuses in Dubai. Nevertheless, the exclusion of British institutions from government scholarships highlights the challenges faced by Emirati students wishing to study in the UK.
