How much I spend weekly as a student in Dubai

So, you’re thinking about studying in Dubai, and the first thing your parents probably asked is: “Wait, how much is that going to cost?”

It’s a fair question! People hear 'Dubai' and instantly picture luxury, but student life here is totally what you make of it. I’m Hamzah, a second-year BSc Biomedical Science student at the University of Birmingham Dubai, and I want to give you an honest, unfiltered breakdown of my weekly spending in AED (UAE Dirhams).

I definitely don’t have a flawless, spreadsheet-perfect budget. But over the last year, I’ve figured out how to manage my money without missing out on the fun stuff. So here is exactly where my money goes during a typical week.

The commute (and avoiding traffic)

Weekly spend: 300–400 AED

I live at home with my family in Sharjah, which is a massive money-saver since I don’t pay rent for student accommodation. But the commute? That’s where my budget takes a hit.

I drive to campus, dropping about 300 to 400 AED on petrol every week. To keep costs down (and to save my sanity in the morning traffic), I carpool with my neighbour. We’re actually in the exact same Biomedical Science course, so taking turns driving is a lifesaver. It’s basically our time to vent about our upcoming lab assays or cram for quizzes before we even hit campus!

Keeping fuelled (food and caffeine)

Weekly spend: 200–250 AED

I'm a big believer in saving on the small stuff so I can splurge on the weekends. I almost always make my morning coffee at home before hitting the road. But on those days when I really need it (usually after a long microscopy lab), I'll grab a coffee from Atrium on campus for 24 AED.

Lunch is usually a mix. Some days, I hit up Spinneys—their hot food counter is elite. You get a massive, home-style plate of food for just 20 to 30 AED. Other days, I use the Keeta app to order straight to the University. If you keep an eye on their daily offers, you can easily score a solid lunch for 30 to 50 AED.

When the weekend finally rolls around, I like to treat myself. I usually budget around 70 to 100 AED for a nice dinner out with my mates to decompress after a busy week.

Social life and hobbies

Weekly spend: 150–250 AED

You definitely don't need to empty your wallet to have a good time in this city. For me, staying active is key. I train at a tennis academy once or twice a week, which costs 110 AED a session. It’s the perfect way to clear my head when I'm not stressing over organising Model UN events or studying.

On the weekends, my friends and I usually end up at H Bowling. It's super chill, and a game of bowling plus some ping-pong only sets me back 30 to 50 AED. Now that the weather is cooling down, Topgolf is our absolute go-to. If you grab six friends and split a bay, it’s honestly just 50 to 60 AED each for an hour and a half.

And if we want a completely free day? Kite Beach. The beach itself costs nothing, so I just grab 30 or 40 AED worth of snacks and cold drinks, and we're sorted. Every now and then, I’ll also hunt for Groupon deals to score a cheap pool day pass at one of the hotels.

Subscriptions

Weekly spend: ~6 AED (24 AED per month)

I keep my fixed costs pretty minimal. I don't bother with a paid gym membership since my apartment building has one for free.

My only real must-have is my Apple Music subscription, which is 24 AED a month. Trust me, having a good playlist is non-negotiable for the Sharjah commute and those long library sessions.

My budgeting philosophy

If I’ve learned anything since my first year, it’s that budgeting isn’t about missing out, it’s just about finding the hacks.

For example, switching my food deliveries from Talabat to Keeta made a noticeable difference just because the promos were better. I also can’t recommend apps like Fazaa and the Entertainer enough; the discounts and 2-for-1 deals on food and activities are an absolute lifesaver.

Add it all up, and I'm spending somewhere between 650 and 900 AED a week, give or take, and that's living well, not just scraping by.

Being a student in Dubai is incredible, and once you figure out these little workarounds, living your best life here becomes a whole lot easier on the pocket.