Gulf regional tensions - advice and support for our Dubai community
Our overwhelming priority is the safety and wellbeing of our staff and students – in Dubai, elsewhere in the region and everyone in Birmingham with personal, family, or professional ties to the region.
Teams in both Dubai and Edgbaston have been monitoring developments closely and have been working continuously to coordinate our response.
At this time campus remains closed to staff, students, and the public.
Teaching provision
All teaching will continue online until the end of the Easter vacation (Monday 27 April).
From the week commencing 27 April, at present, we plan to revert to face-to-face teaching, which is our preferred mode of teaching on campus. There are no changes otherwise to the academic calendar, including teaching periods, the Easter break, and assessment periods.
Please ensure that you are monitoring your emails and your Student Information Canvas page to understand the impact to your timetable and how to access your timetabled sessions.
Whilst the campus remains safe, secure and able to function, students and staff should not travel to campus until further notice. Staff will be kept updated on any changes through the usual internal channels.
Travel advice
All but essential travel to the region is not advised at the moment. Please check the latest official guidance, including:
- If you wish to contact your Embassy, see Diplomatic & Consular Corps in the UAE.
- UK students travelling for personal purposes should refer to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) web pages for information.
Support and wellbeing
Student support
We appreciate that this has been a very unsettling time and want to reassure you that the University is here to support you.
If you’d find it helpful to talk to someone, you can access our online support through the Wisdom App: Mental Health Support Line listening service (video and live chat), or you can book a one-to-one appointment with the Student Wellbeing Team. These spaces are confidential and there for you whenever you need them.
If your ability to complete or engage in academic work has been affected, you can apply for Extenuating Circumstances or an Extension where appropriate.
Students can also speak to their Personal Academic Tutors. If you are not sure how to reach them, please use the ‘Student Support and Development Hub’ on the Student Information Canvas page.
Please do reach out if you need support or simply someone to talk things through with - you are not alone, and we are here for you.
Staff support
As an institution, we remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of our entire community.
If you require support or would like to speak confidentially, please do reach out to your line manager or members of the senior management team, who are also here to support.
Please also note that you can access the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) through the My Allianz App provided by our Medical Insurance.
Our self-help guides
We publish a series of self-help guides that offer practical tips, advice and guidance, as well as links to further support that is available. Our guides include topics such as anxiety, bereavement, stress and sleeping problems - and are also available as audio guides to listen to.
Financial support
Student Support Fund
All students, including those at our Dubai campus, can access support from the Student Support Fund if, for example, your personal financial situation is affected by the conflict. You do not have to struggle on your own.
The Student Support Fund (SSF) offers non-repayable support to help with essential living and course-related costs. You should apply to the SSF if you are struggling to meet your basic living costs. All current, normally registered University of Birmingham students are eligible to apply, regardless of level of study or whether you study part-time or full-time. This includes Doctoral Researchers who are in Thesis Awaited (writing up), so long as you have not exceeded the maximum period of registration for your programme.
In order to assess your eligibility, please complete the Dubai Student Support Fund application with the information we require about your exceptional circumstances. Please provide as much information as possible to enable us to assess your situation and determine if you meet the exceptional circumstances criteria.
If you are an existing student
Where can I find the latest information for current students?
Where can I find the latest information for current students?
All information for existing students can be found on the Student Information Canvas page in the Latest Announcements and on the Academic Programme pages.
Can I go onto campus?
Can I go onto campus?
No, the campus is not open to students at this time.
When will the detailed final exam timetable be released?
When will the detailed final exam timetable be released?
The summer examination timetable was published on Monday 30 March and is available to view on the Student Information Canvas page.
Will final exams be held in person, or could they move online?
Will final exams be held in person, or could they move online?
We understand that the uncertainty is unsettling. We are working hard to assess the options and will confirm to students on Monday 13 April, whether exams will take place in person on campus or online.
If I am affected by the current situation, what support is available?
If I am affected by the current situation, what support is available?
If you’re feeling unsettled or your studies have been affected, a range of support is available. This includes wellbeing appointments, speaking with your Personal Academic Tutor, and applying for Extenuating Circumstances or an Extension where appropriate.
Please see the student support section for full details and links to book appointments or access services.
Is the Library open for study, borrowing books, or laptops?
Is the Library open for study, borrowing books, or laptops?
No. The Library is not open. Students can access resources via our Online Library.
Do I need to tell the University if I have travelled outside of the UAE?
Do I need to tell the University if I have travelled outside of the UAE?
Yes. Please let us know by completing the Student Travel Form.
Is there any support if I am experiencing financial difficulty?
Is there any support if I am experiencing financial difficulty?
Yes, there is. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, please see the Student Support Fund section for details on how you can apply for assistance.
If I leave before I have received my Visa or Emirates ID, will I need to reapply?
If I leave before I have received my Visa or Emirates ID, will I need to reapply?
Should you leave the country before the issuance of your Visa or completion of the Emirates ID process, you may have to reapply, which may incur additional costs.
If you have any concerns, please contact us via our enquiry form and select the ‘Visas and Student Mobility’ department.
If you are holding an offer to study in September 2026
Will the admissions or visa process change?
Will the admissions or visa process change?
No changes are expected to the University’s admissions or visa application processes. Applications will continue to be reviewed as normal, and visa applications will be processed in good time ahead of enrolment.
Are the admissions team operating?
Are the admissions team operating?
Yes. Our Admissions team continues to operate and is available to support all students holding offers to study during this period.
Who can I contact to discuss my offer?
Who can I contact to discuss my offer?
If you would like to discuss your offer or your options, please call our Dubai campus switchboard on +971 4 428 0500, or contact us via our enquiry form and select the Admissions department.
Please have your 7‑digit Application ID ready. You can find this on your Conditional Offer letter
What if I am unable to travel to the UAE while completing my visa process?
What if I am unable to travel to the UAE while completing my visa process?
You can begin your new student visa application from inside or outside the UAE. Some steps can only be completed once you arrive in the country, but this will not prevent you from progressing with your admission.
Will my visa application be impacted?
Will my visa application be impacted?
Visa requirements are set by the UAE authorities and may change in response to the current situation. The University is monitoring developments closely and will provide guidance as soon as further information becomes available.
Can the University help with my visa application?
Can the University help with my visa application?
Yes. Information about the visa process and how to contact our team can be found on our new student visa page.
If I cannot travel to the UAE for the start of term, can I attend classes online?
If I cannot travel to the UAE for the start of term, can I attend classes online?
We are not yet certain what the situation will be by September 2026, however our expectation is to deliver teaching in-person on campus.
If certain countries still have restricted travel routes to the UAE closer to the start of the term, and face‑to‑face teaching has resumed, we will review students’ situations on a case‑by‑case basis.
Can I still make my deposit payment?
Can I still make my deposit payment?
Yes. Deposit payments can still be made through the usual payment channels.
Is my deposit refundable if the situation continues?
Is my deposit refundable if the situation continues?
If the current situation affects your ability to begin your studies as planned in September 2026, your tuition fee deposit will be refundable.
Will my scholarship be impacted?
Will my scholarship be impacted?
No. Your scholarship award will remain valid, and our scholarship policy is unchanged.
My exams have been cancelled. Will my grades still be accepted?
My exams have been cancelled. Will my grades still be accepted?
Yes. We understand that many curricula and schools across the UAE, the Gulf region, and internationally have cancelled examinations or shifted to alternative assessment methods this year. We recognise that this situation may feel unsettling for students and families, and we want to reassure you that your hard work and achievements will continue to be fully recognised.
Final grades will be issued through approved alternative processes, and we want to assure you that the University of Birmingham Dubai will consider grades awarded through any recognised and approved alternative assessment method. These grades will be evaluated in the same way as grades awarded following standard examinations.
Our priority is to ensure that no student is disadvantaged due to changes in examination formats or assessment procedures. Your dedication throughout your studies matters, and we remain committed to supporting you during this period of uncertainty.
If you have recently enquired to study in September 2026
Is the University still accepting applications?
Is the University still accepting applications?
Yes. The University is continuing to accept applications, and our Admissions team remains operational and fully available to provide support for enquiries from prospective students.
Please call our Dubai campus switchboard on +971 4 428 0500, or contact us via our enquiry form, and select the Admissions department.
If I apply, will the application turnaround time be affected?
If I apply, will the application turnaround time be affected?
We are continuing to process applications as normal. However, there may be occasional delays while we manage enquiries related to the current situation. We appreciate your patience and will aim to review applications as quickly as possible.
When is the next Open Day?
When is the next Open Day?
Prospective students are invited to attend our Online Open Day on Tuesday 14 April.
Does the University offer campus tours?
Does the University offer campus tours?
Due to recent guidance from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to support the safety of our community, we are unable to offer campus tours currently.
Where can I receive updates about the situation?
Where can I receive updates about the situation?
We recommend referring to official news sources for updates about the regional situation. In terms of what this means about your university options for September 2026, this page will be updated regularly as further information is available.
If you are a parent or guardian
How will the University support my son or daughter during this period?
How will the University support my son or daughter during this period?
The University is committed to supporting both current and prospective future students affected by this situation. Current students will receive direct communication about the delivery of teaching, as well as the support and wellbeing services available. Support for prospective future students remains unchanged.
Who can parents contact if they have questions?
Who can parents contact if they have questions?
Parents and prospective students are welcome to attend our Online Open Day on Tuesday 14 April, where the Admissions team will be available to answer questions.