The United Arab Emirates has announced it will remove state funding for students to study in the United Kingdom, citing concerns about the risk of radicalisation while abroad, according to reporting by Times Higher Education. The policy change — communicated this month — primarily affects UAE nationals whose university places and tuition are paid or guaranteed by government scholarships. While official implementation details and timelines are still emerging, the move represents a significant tightening of sponsor oversight for international study.
For students in Jordan and the wider Middle East, the immediate practical impact varies. Jordanian applicants who are privately funded or supported by different national sponsors are not directly subject to the UAE decision, but the announcement increases the likelihood that other Gulf sponsors will review and possibly tighten their own scholarship rules. Applicants currently in the UK on UAE sponsorship or planning to accept UAE funding for upcoming intakes should contact their sponsor or scholarship office immediately to confirm whether their awards remain valid and to learn about any new restrictions or repatriation requirements.
What students should do now: first, contact any sponsoring body (ministry, scholarship office, employer) and request written confirmation of funding status and next steps. Second, review deadlines and application routes for alternative funding — many UK universities offer institutional scholarships, bursaries, and postgraduate funding that can be applied for directly; check university portals and the UK Council for International Student Affairs. Note major application timelines: UCAS deadlines for undergraduate single-year entry are typically January 31 for most courses, while Oxbridge and competitive programs (medicine, veterinary, dentistry) have earlier October deadlines; postgraduate deadlines vary by program. Third, identify alternative destinations and funding: Germany, the Netherlands, Canada and the US have established scholarship and low-fee opportunities, and regional universities in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia also expand options.
Students who had planned UK study should also check visa and accommodation arrangements, and prepare contingency plans in case sponsor payments are suspended. For nursing and health professions applicants, be aware of related regional changes — for example, some universities in Lebanon have already adjusted intake plans for specific programs — and consider strong local alternatives such as Jordanian public and private universities that continue to admit nursing and allied health students.
Shatnawi for College Admissions and Academic Consultations can help students and families affected by this announcement to confirm sponsor status, identify alternative scholarship routes, and adjust application plans for 2026–27 intakes. Our advisers can review timelines, help apply for university-led funding, and prepare emergency contingency applications. For personalized guidance contact us via WhatsApp +962791888699 or visit shatnawiedu.com.