UAE Leads MENA as Top Study Destination With 59% of Searches

The United Arab Emirates has emerged as the leading study destination in the Middle East and North Africa, capturing 59% of all MENA study destination searches on Keystone’s platforms in June 2025. According to Keystone search data, international study interest in the UAE and other MENA destinations increased by nearly 90% compared to the previous year, reflecting a significant shift in global student mobility patterns.

The surge is driven by a highly diverse audience, with the UAE attracting students from South Asia - particularly India and Pakistan - as well as Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Europe. There has also been a modest increase in interest from US students. India remains the UAE’s largest source of international interest; over 42% of Dubai’s international student population is Indian. The fastest-growing audiences in 2025 include Singapore, France, the US and Germany.

The UAE’s rise as a study destination comes as traditional destinations like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia face increased visa constraints, immigration policy tightening, and affordability concerns.

Keystone’s data, which tracks millions of monthly searches, identifies subject availability and tuition fees as the two main factors influencing student decisions to study in the region. The UAE’s appeal is further strengthened by its proximity to South Asia, multicultural environment, and high graduate employment rates.