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Costs, intakes and work rights side by side. Pick up to three countries.
| UAE | France | UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universities on Gradwalk | 17 | 54 | 36 |
| Programs | 381 | 739 | 13,873 |
| Main intakes | September, January (some May) | September, January | September, January (May at selected universities) |
| Tuition per year | About AED 21,500–91,000 a year (most programs) | €7,000–€47,000 a year, mostly €10,500–€21,000 at private schools | £11,400–£38,000 |
| Living costs per year | About AED 4,000–6,000 a month | €7,380 a year (funds to show) | £10,800–£14,100 |
| Working while you study | Part-time work needs a MOHRE work permit and a no-objection letter from your university. It is usually about 15–20 hours a week in term and more in breaks. | Work up to 964 hours a year (about 20 hours a week). No separate work permit is needed. | Up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during official holidays for degree-level students (10 hours a week below degree level). The limit covers all jobs combined and is counted Monday to Sunday. |
| After you graduate | Job-seeker visa (60–120 days) After graduating, you get a grace period to change status, and you can apply for a job-seeker visa (60–120 days). Outstanding graduates (high GPA, from a top-ranked or UAE university) can apply for a 5–10 year Golden Visa without an employer sponsor. | 12 months; up to 24 for Indian Master's graduates The APS / RÉCE residence permit gives Master's graduates 12 months to look for work or start a business, with full-time work rights. Indian Master's graduates can get up to 24 months under the France–India agreement. Indian alumni of French Master's degrees can also get a 5-year short-stay Schengen visa. | Graduate Route: 2 years after a Bachelor's or Master's (18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027), 3 years after a PhD. No job offer or sponsor needed: work in any job, change jobs or start a business. Apply from inside the UK before your Student visa expires. Fee £880 plus the health surcharge (£1,035 a year). To stay longer, switch to a Skilled Worker visa with a sponsored job offer. |
| Settling long term | Employment visa: sponsored by your employer, usually for 2 years and renewable. Golden Visa (5–10 years) or Green Visa (5 years) for skilled professionals, freelancers and high earners. The UAE has no standard route to permanent residence or citizenship. | Employee work permit (salarié): when you find a job related to your studies. Talent Passport: a renewable residence permit of up to 4 years, for skilled jobs above the salary threshold. Long-term residence: possible after 5 years of legal residence. | The usual path is Student visa → Graduate visa → Skilled Worker visa → Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) → British citizenship. The UK is moving to an "earned settlement" system, which raises the standard wait for ILR from 5 years to a 10-year baseline for most migrants, including Skilled Workers. High earners and Global Talent visa holders may qualify sooner. Since January 2026, Skilled Worker applicants need English at B2 level. The settlement rules are still being finalised, so check GOV.UK before planning. |
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