UAE Launches Social Work & Psychology Scholarships for Emirati Studen

The Department of Community Development, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, has launched international scholarships for Emirati students to study at leading universities abroad. The programme will cover bachelor’s degrees in social work and psychology, and master’s programmes in family counselling, counselling psychology and psychotherapy.  According to the departments, one pathway will launch this year on a pilot basis, with the first cohort of master’s students expected to begin in 2026. Beyond tuition, the programme includes training opportunities, mentoring and career guidance to support graduates’ transition into licensed roles. It will target outstanding Emirati students in priority disciplines and is primarily aimed at secondary school students and recent graduates. The initiative sits within a broader expansion of the social development framework, including the establishment of a Ministry of Family in December 2024 with a strategy focused on supporting families and vulnerable groups between 2025 and 2027.