Staff
The federal law on Higher Education and Scientific Research aims to align educational outcomes with labour market needs and support lifelong learning
Dubai, Dec 30, 2025: The UAE issued a new federal law on higher education and scientific research on December 30, 2025, to regulate the sector, strengthen governance and for effective management of higher education institutions, and technical, vocational education and training institutions. The legislation aims to align educational outcomes with labour-market requirements and support lifelong learning, while enhancing quality and competitiveness, as announced by the UAE government.
The move comes after the UAE issued a federal decree law on Monday for National Educational Curriculum across all public and private schools, establishing, for the first time, a comprehensive legal framework for its design, approval, implementation and review.
The new law will establish an integrated legislative framework for governing higher education and will apply to all higher education, technical, vocational education and training institutions across the country.
It will also establish national regulatory frameworks for higher education and scientific research, and will regulate licensing, classification, programme accreditation, and ensure sound governance and effective management of higher education, technical vocational education and training institutions.
The new law tightens licensing by prohibiting the establishment or operation of any higher education institution, or the provision, promotion, or advertising of higher education programmes and services, without institutional licensure from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR).
According to the new law, all academic programmes offered by higher education institutions in the country must adhere to accreditation standards and mechanisms set by the ministry to ensure academic quality.
The decree also requires higher education and technical or vocational institutions. that offer e-learning or blended learning to follow approved national quality standards. Moving forward, such programmes must also be independently accredited to ensure effective educational outcomes.
The new law also requires these institutions to use innovative and flexible teaching methods suited to online education, protect data and intellectual property rights, and encourage active participation and interaction between students and faculty.
The new law also regulates higher education institutions in free zones by requiring them to obtain a local permit, institutional licensure, and programme accreditation from (MOHESR). The federal law will provide for periodic classification and evaluation of higher education institutions and publish classification results, enhancing transparency and strengthening competitiveness.
