The United Arab Emirates has moved to restrict government funding for scholarships awarded to its citizens seeking to study at British universities, citing concerns over what it describes as the “risk of the spread of Muslim Brotherhood ideology” on UK campuses.
According to a report published by the Financial Times, Abu Dhabi has excluded British universities from its list of approved institutions eligible for government scholarships and degree accreditation, as part of reforms announced by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education last June. The list, however, includes universities from the United States, Australia, France, and Israel.
The report quoted informed sources as saying the decision stemmed from Emirati concerns over what it views as “risks of Islamic extremism” within British universities, stressing that the UK’s absence from the list was not an administrative oversight but a deliberate political decision. British officials, for their part, reaffirmed their commitment to the principle of academic freedom.
Official data show a sharp decline in the number of Emirati students granted visas to study in the UK, falling to just 213 students by September 2025—a 27 percent drop compared to the previous year and a 55 percent decrease compared to 2022.
Background:
This move comes amid growing tensions in relations between Abu Dhabi and London, driven by a longstanding dispute over the designation of the Muslim Brotherhood, Emirati-backed attempts to acquire British media outlets, as well as political and sports-related issues. These include scrutiny surrounding Manchester City Football Club, owned by Emirati interests, and allegations of Emirati support for armed groups in Sudan—claims the UAE has repeatedly denied.
