Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) Licensure
The Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the UAE’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has granted Middlesex University Dubai its institutional license on 9 January 2025. Being recognised at the federal level the MoHESR license underscores the commitment of Middlesex University Dubai to maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence.
With our Institutional Licensure and ongoing programme accreditation process, we are firmly positioned to offer a world-class education that is recognised and valued both locally in the UAE and internationally.
For more information, visit: https://www.mdx.ac.ae/mohesr-license
Dubai Government’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority Classification
Middlesex University Dubai is licensed by the Government of Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). Established in 2006 by royal decree, the KHDA is responsible for licensure and quality assurance across the entire education and human development continuum covering schools and higher education institutions in the Emirate of Dubai.
In addition to annual licensure, all programmes at Middlesex University Dubai are reviewed by the KHDA’s University Quality Assurance International Board or UQAIB, which is a board of influential academics and quality assurance experts from all over the world that has been assigned the responsibility for setting standards across international higher education on offer in the Emirate. Reviews conducted by UQAIB essentially require that the University demonstrates that the quality of programmes taught in Dubai are equivalent to those at the home campus in London.
For more information, visit: https://www.mdx.ac.ae/khda-higher-education-classification
The British Council and Times Higher Education Report Recognises Middlesex University Dubai
Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai featured in the British Council report, in collaboration with Times Higher Education, on “Examining the Sustainability of Transnational Education (TNE) in Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE.”
MDX Dubai is categorised as TNE, as our home campus is based in Hendon, London. In the report, MDX Dubai has been recognised as one of the largest international branch campuses in the UAE, with a focus on student experience, effective international recruitment practices, and a broad range of programme offerings aligned with Dubai’s economic needs.
The report commended MDX Dubai for our high educational standards, excellent student services, aligning programmes with Dubai's needs, and our focus on enhancing the student experience. The report also underscores the University’s effective international recruitment practices and our broad range of academic offerings, which contribute to the success and sustainability of the campus. The report acknowledged MDX Dubai for our viability, driven by strong student enrolment, excellent student services, and alignment with the local market. The success of the campus is further supported by a focus on student experience, which includes a balance of academics, extra-curricular activities, and comprehensive student support. The emphasis placed on both academics and sports, along with an effective careers and employability service, also garnered positive feedback.
MDX Dubai serves as a positive example for other international branch campuses, showcasing sustainable practices that ensure financial viability while maintaining high educational standards and meeting the needs of the student community.
For more information and to view the full report, visit: https://opportunities-insight.britishcouncil.org/features/upcoming-report-sustainability-of-tne-partnerships-egypt-qatar-and-uae
The UK’s Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education Institutional Audit
Middlesex University has had the quality and standards of its provision confirmed by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) in the UK. The QAA reviews UK universities to provide public information about the maintenance of academic standards and its audit processes are respected globally for their robustness. QAA's Higher Education Reviews are carried out by experts from other universities and colleges. Every review team includes a student reviewer because QAA believes that students should be partners in the quality assurance of their education. A team of QAA reviewers visited Middlesex University in October 2015 and judged that its academic standards, the quality and enhancement of its student learning opportunities, and the quality of information about its learning opportunities all meet UK expectations.
You can read the full report here: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews-and-reports/provider?UKPRN=10004351
The previous Middlesex University review report published in 2009 identified as ‘good practice’ the meticulous attention given to the establishment, development, and integration of the University’s Dubai campus. The panel praised Middlesex Dubai for the meticulous methods and detailed attention to quality matters, and perhaps more importantly for assuring learning opportunities in Dubai are comparable to those available to students in London.
In 2014, QAA conducted a Review of Transnational Education (TNE) in the UAE which resulted in a positive report for Middlesex University Dubai. The pastoral and academic support provided to students was a particular strength noted in the review. The review found that “students have a range of opportunities for engaging with employers during their studies with employability embedded within the curriculum and extracurricular activities provided”. The report also offered an acknowledgement of ‘a growing research culture’ on campus. A range of students from across the university participated in this review and their contribution was instrumental in offering the QAA an insight into the strengths of our campus.
The QAA is an independent body that provides an integrated quality assurance service for UK higher education institutions. The agency promotes public confidence that quality of provision and standards of awards in higher education are being safeguarded and enhanced. The Agency’s reviews cover public and private higher education in universities and colleges, including arrangements for collaboration with overseas partners; and by assessing the quality and standards of teaching and learning at subject level. These activities result in reports that are available to the public, as printed publications and on their website.
For more information, visit: www.qaa.ac.uk
Quality Assurance Agency’s (QAA) Research Case Study
Middlesex University Dubai was selected to produce an in-depth case study on Fostering Research in International Branch Campuses for the Quality Assurance Agency’s (QAA) Quality Enhancement of UK Transnational Education Scheme (QE-TNE). The case study contributed to the first year of the QE-TNE scheme focused on three selected destination countries for UK TNE: United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Germany.
As an exemplar of best practice in fostering research in International Branch Campuses (IBCs), our case study detailed the wide range of initiatives designed to develop and maintain an active and impactful research culture among our staff and students. The exemplar case study published by QAA showcases MDX Dubai's research progress, maturity and achievements. The learnings from this case study will be helpful for other IBCs looking to foster a research culture.
In highlighting the value of our case study for enhancing practices and quality UK Transnational Education provision the QAA noted that “Sector colleagues will be particularly interested in:
- The commitment to supporting and developing research at strategic, structural and operational level
- The rich range of initiatives to develop a research culture and support staff in becoming research-active
- The complementary suite of initiatives that create research-active students
- The concept of a branch campus presented and the analysis of the potential developmental journey of branch campuses
- The recognition of the place of research in a competitive TNE market.”
For more information, visit: https://www.qaa.ac.uk/news-events/news/qe-tne-case-studies-now-available-for-scheme-participants
Middlesex MBA Tops Forbes Middle East MBA Programme Ranking in Dubai
In the March 2012 Forbes Middle East Magazine, the Middlesex MBA was ranked as the number one MBA in Dubai. The top ranking is an affirmation of the unique attributes of the Middlesex MBA which are :
- A UK accredited degree with a comprehensive business management syllabus.
- A multi-cultural cohort that work in a range of industries and businesses
- Outstanding full time faculty with industry experience based in Dubai
- A range of specialisations : Business Excellence, Finance, International Business, Marketing, and Operations & Logistics
- Invited faculty from the top international businesses
- Four Applied Learning Experiences and Four Executive Skills Development activities - away from the classroom
- International experience with a well-established international field trip to Paris or Milan or Shanghai.
- A range of practical assessments for each module spread out over the term
- A project-based MBA that can be taken further in setting up a business or has consultancy applications.