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Dubai campus

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Dubai

About the campus

SKEMA has chosen Dubai as its base in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Situated at the intersection of the East and the West, Dubai is ranked third globally for talent flows by the Harvard Business Review. A cosmopolitan, forward-thinking city, it is home to 90% expatriates and 30% international students.

SKEMA's Dubai campus is more than merely a place of learning; it is a centre of academic excellence where students from across the world meet, exchange ideas, and grow together.

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), which hosts SKEMA's campus, is not only a world-renowned financial centre, but also home to prestigious academic institutions. This prominent academic proximity enables the school to strengthen its international network and offer its students unique opportunities for collaboration and learning. Dubai's spirit of initiative and innovation can be felt everywhere, making it the 'city of possibilities'.

  • Address: DIFC Academy, DIFC, The Gate village, Gate village 02 — p/o BOX 74 777 Dubai, UAE
  • Contact: info-dubai@skema.edu
  • Metro: Emirates Tower (MRed), Financial Centre (MRed) 

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Dubai: innovation and modernity at the heart of the Middle East

Once a small fishing village in the Arabian Gulf, Dubai is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Dubai has become one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, with people of over 200 nationalities living side by side in this city of 3.6 million inhabitants, making it a truly multicultural society.

Dubai is within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population. Dubai International Airport (DXB) is one of the busiest airports in the world. It handles more than 90 million passengers annually and operates more than 6,500 weekly flights to over 270 cities.

Dubai is particularly famous for its eye-catching landmarks, including the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain, the Burj Al Arab, and Palm Jumeirah, among others. The stunning Museum of the Future is the latest addition to the Dubai skyline. Dubai is also known for its picturesque beaches and desert landscapes, as well as its excellent culinary scene bursting with diverse flavours.

With its bold architecture, ultra-modern infrastructure and strategic role in trade, finance and technology, Dubai embodies innovation and modernity.

Finally, the city offers a truly cosmopolitan environment, conducive to international cultural and professional exchange. It ranks among the world's leading cities for talent attraction, placing 3rd globally according to the Harvard Business Review.

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

Thanks to a strategic agreement with the DIFC Academy and the University Leadership Council, SKEMA Business School is located at the heart of the dynamic Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a major financial centre in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region.

This dynamic, cosmopolitan district is home to over 4,300 companies and 36,000 professionals, offering a unique setting where innovation and business meet.  

The DIFC stands out for its frequent cultural and professional events, which offer our students excellent opportunities to meet new people and enrich their experience in this unique district.

With its ultra-modern urban architecture and vibrant energy, the Dubai International Financial Centre is a vibrant neighbourhood with galleries showcasing the work of emerging and established artists from around the world. The high point of this lively cultural life is the 'Art Nights' in the Gate Village, during which the district comes alive with live music concerts and various exhibitions.
 

Arche DIFC

Key figures - Dubai and the UAE

1st

Most populous emirate (source)

3.9 million

inhabitants in Dubai (source)

~ 92%

of Dubai's inhabitants are expatriates (source)

42,000

students in Dubai's private universities (source)

33%

of international students (source)

4th

smartest city in the world (source)

Programmes

Since September 2024, SKEMA has offered several programs in Dubai.

This portfolio of programs will very quickly be supplemented by other Master’s level programs.
 

Explore the programmes

Accommodation

Options on the Dubai campus

SKEMA has developed the Dubai Housing Guide to help students find accommodation in the heart of the city.

Learn more

Dubai Frame

NEARBY PLACES

Frequently Asked Questions - Dubai campus

  • All information related to this is available on the accommodation page.

  • We have a special partnership with Accor, which allows you to benefit from preferential rates on rooms at the Ibis and Novotel hotels at the World Trade Centre (located near the campus). To benefit from this offer, our students can contact the accommodation team.

  • First, SKEMA's international department obtains an entry permit for our students' to travel to Dubai. If necessary, they can contact them at international.office@skema.edu. Next, Nour, a dedicated local representative, takes care of all the necessary procedures once they arrive in Dubai. She arranges their medical appointments and biometric examinations, and our students receive their identity card within a few days.

  • As you will not be in Dubai as a tourist but as a resident, you will need to take out local health insurance to be covered in case of medical issues. Upon your arrival on the Dubai campus, Nour, a dedicated local staff member, will assist you with the process and offer you various insurance options.

  • There are two metro lines connecting north to south. The Financial Centre and Emirates Towers stations serve our campus (tickets cost less than one euro for students; you can find more information and purchase tickets on the Road Transport and Authorities - Nol Fares website). Taxis and Uber are much cheaper than in France.

  • If you have a European driving licence, you can drive, but you must exchange it for a United Arab Emirates driving licence. The procedure is very simple: you just need to take a quick eye test and visit an RTA (Road and Transport Authority) service centre. The licence exchange costs around £180 and is mandatory for residents.

  • Hiring a car in Dubai is not very expensive. With companies such as Dollar or Thrifty, you can find a small city car for £130 per month. You can drive these hire cars in the United Arab Emirates. However, to drive them abroad, you will need to obtain specific documents from the hire company.

  • Accommodation is the only significant expense; everything else is generally cheaper than in France (transport, food, etc.).

  • Dubai enjoys a reputation as a safe city, particularly in terms of crime. However, the current geopolitical situation may cause some concern for travellers. It is important to note that the United Arab Emirates is the only country in the world to maintain excellent relations with Iran (600,000 Iranians reside in Dubai), Israel (with which a strong economic and strategic partnership unites the two countries) and all countries in the region. This diversity of population and the peaceful diplomatic relations that the United Arab Emirates maintains with its neighbours make it, and Dubai in particular, one of the safest cities in the world, despite geopolitical unrest.

  • Yes, the regulations are very clear on this point: students simply need to provide a letter of non-objection from SKEMA, stating that the school accepts an internship or part-time contract. However, please discuss this in advance with the Dean of Studies or the career guidance team.