Student Accommodation Dubai

Dubai is one of the most charming student cities in the United Arab Emirates and attracts thousands of students from across the world every year. This is largely due to the presence of top universities like the United Arab Emirates University and Khalifa University, known for their academic excellence and vibrant student life.

There are several popular neighbourhoods in Dubai for student living, such as Dubai International Academic City, Silicon Oasis, and International City, which offer a variety of options, including shared apartments, En-Suite / Non-En-Suite rooms, and studio apartments. Some top student accommodation in Dubai includes Dubailand, The Myriad, and ESAW, and the starting rent for these properties is just under AED 2250 per month!

However, with so many options available, choosing the best student accommodation in UAE can feel overwhelming for students. This is where University Living comes in. With over 10+ years of experience in the accommodation abroad industry, we have helped more than 2,000,000 students find their home away from home. So, if you are an international student looking for accommodation in Dubai, you are at the right place.

In order to boost convenience and provide students with better options in terms of the type of properties, the student accommodation in United Arab Emirates is divided into 2 basic types, namely: Student Housing and Private Apartments. These types are common for student properties in Dubai as well! Both of these have their own pros and cons and therefore are suited for different sets of people with different budgets.

Student housing is further divided into 4 types, which have been detailed in brief below:

Student Housing

Also popularly called PBSAs (Purpose-Built Student Accommodations), these are special properties that are made specifically for students in Dubai. The best part about these properties is that their rent includes major utility bills like electricity, water, gas, and Wi-Fi bills, along with several facilities that students might require while pursuing their education in Dubai, UAE.

To cater to the needs of students with all sorts of economic backgrounds, PBSAs are further divided into 4 types, which are also explained briefly below:

• Shared Apartments: These are the most affordable type of student rooms in Dubai. Students get to share a room with 2/3 other occupants along with a shared bathroom, living room, and kitchen. Since everything is shared, the per-person costs turn out to be incredibly low.

• En-Suite Accommodations: These are the most preferred type of student apartments in Dubai. In these properties, students get to have an entire room to themselves along with a personal bathroom, and come with a shared living room and kitchen.

• Non-En-Suite Accommodations: These properties are very similar to En-Suite Accommodations. The only difference between the two is that, unlike its counterpart, a Non-En-Suite Accommodation does not come with a personal bathroom. Students get a personal room, but the bathroom, living room, and kitchen are shared among all occupants of the property.

• Studio Apartments: These are the most comfortable and private student apartments in Dubai. In these properties, students get to have an entire unit to themselves that comes with a bed, bathroom, and a kitchen.

Private Apartments

Private Apartments are the most comfortable type of student properties in Dubai. These are not a part of PBSAs and are leased out on an individual basis as independent units. Students who book these properties get the entire apartment with 2/3 rooms with bathrooms, a living room, and a kitchen to themselves. Students must note that the rent for these properties does not include any utility bills like electricity, water, or gas. Every expense is on top of the rent you already pay. These properties are suited for both university students and working professionals.

Dubai is a futuristic, glittering city in the middle of the desert, known for breaking world records and pushing the limits of architecture and luxury. Located on the coast of the Arabian Gulf, Dubai is home to the tallest building in the world (the Burj Khalifa), the largest shopping mall (The Dubai Mall), and man-made islands shaped like palm trees. Unlike older, historic cities, Dubai feels brand new, shiny, and fast-paced, with highways full of luxury cars, indoor ski slopes in the desert, and gold vending machines in hotels. The cost of living is high, but there is no income tax, which attracts workers and entrepreneurs from all over the world, over 85% of Dubai's population are expats.

Dubai is famous for its extravagant lifestyle, year-round sunshine, and incredible diversity, with people from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Europe, and beyond living and working together. Beyond the skyscrapers and malls, you can explore traditional souks (markets), ride a wooden abra boat across Dubai Creek, or go dune bashing in the desert. The city has strict laws based on Islamic culture, but it is also very modern, safe, and welcoming to tourists. Dubai's motto could be: bigger, taller, shinier, and anything is possible.

There are several good neighborhoods in Dubai; however, not every area is the best suited for students. There are several neighborhoods that are built specifically for student accommodation in Dubai and already have an established student community. This means that these areashave everything that a student might need while pursuing education in the city! These are close to the main universities in the city and therefore, reduce the transportation costs for students! These neighbourhoods have been explained briefly below:

Dubai International Academic City (DIAC)

Home to over 20 international universities, the Dubai International Academic City is the city’s dedicated education hub. This is one of the best places for Dubai student accommodation, as students can literally thrive in this neighbourhood for the rest of their student life without any problems. Everything from housing to shopping to eating to recreation, everything can be done at one single place! DIAC is also connected to major areas in the city through metro and bus services! One of the best cafes in the area for students is the Filli Cafe, which is located inside Academic City and is known for its signature Zafran tea, Karak chai, sandwiches, and fast service.

This is a go-to spot for students and staff residing in the neighbourhood. It also houses The Myriad Dubai, which is the largest student residence in Dubai spanning 7 buildings in central DIAC, and houses up to 2,200 residents. The Myriad features rooftop pools, library lounges, gyms, a supermarket, café, and basketball court. Another one of the top spots for students in the neighbourhood is the Bunk Station Cafe, a cozy, welcoming cafe in Academic City's food court. It is known for fresh coffee, delicious veg burgers, and a relaxed atmosphere ideal for study sessions or hanging out with friends. This is undoubtedly the best areas for students in the city and the average rent for student properties in DIAC ranges between AED 3500 and AED 4200 per month!

Silicon Oasis (DSO)

Located just a short 5-minute drive from the DIAC, Silicon Oasis is another one of the top neighbourhoods for student housing in Dubai! This is a tech-centric, purpose-built community that blends modern apartments with a high-tech environment. It is ideal for engineering, IT, and technology students who appreciate innovation-focused surroundings. Silicon Oasis also offers great facilities for students like gyms, parks, and hospitals. This neighbourhood is best suited for students of the RIT Dubai and BITS Pilani, as both of these universities are located in the locality. One of the best places in the neighbourhood is the Dubai Digital Park, which is a booming hub for tech companies and startups within DSO.

Students attend networking events, coding workshops, and career fairs here, which helps them land a good job after completing their education! DSO is also home to the DSO Mall, one of the best community malls in Dubai with retail stores, dining options, and a supermarket for everyday needs. Let’s just agree that the Dubai mall is overstuffed with people and tourists in the city! The neighbourhood is also home to some really good themed cafes and restaurants in the city! The average rent for student properties in DSO ranges between AED 3200 and AED 3700 per month!

International City

Located a short 15-minute drive to DIAC and DSO, the International city is one of the most affordable options for student apartments in Dubai and is home to the most vibrant student community in the city! International city is a multicultural community, which is literally themed around different countries like China, Morocco, Greece, India, etc., with each cluster having its own cafes, stores, and vibe. This neighbourhood is extremely popular among students for its affordability and great transport connectivity! It is also home to the Dragon Mart, the largest Chinese trading hub outside mainland China! The Dragon Mart is a massive shopping complex featuring thousands of Chinese retailers selling everything from electronics to furniture, and it is a popular weekend destination for bargain hunting.

International City is also home to the IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world's largest indoor theme park, which features special Marvel and Cartoon Network zones. The neighbourhood also houses the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, wetland reserve famous for its flocks of pink flamingos. The average rent for student properties in International City ranges between AED 3000 and AED 3500 per month!

Dubai Marina

Another one of the most preferred neighbourhoods for student properties in Dubai is the Dubai Marina. This neighbourhood is strategically located a short 10-minute drive from the American University in Dubai and the University of Wollongong in Dubai! This is one of the most expensive neighbourhoods for students in the city and offers great waterfront views and a glamorous lifestyle for students who can stretch their budgets! The neighbourhood features stunning skyscrapers, man-made lakes, and promenades, and is literally the best place to live in Dubai is budget is not a problem for you! Dubai Marina is home to the world-famous The Walk at JBR, a lively beachfront promenade with outdoor dining, street performers and access to Marina Beach.

The Dubai Marina Mall is also a great luxury shopping mall which is famous for its waterfront shopping experience, and numerous dining options along the Marina Walk! The neighbourhood also houses the most famous beach in Dubai, the Marina Beach, which is frequented by students for mesmerizing sunset views, beach sports, and relaxation after classes. The average rent for student properties in Dubai Marina ranges between AED 2550 and AED 3000 per month!

Dubai is one of the most expensive cities to live in the UAE! However, the cost of living is a major concern for every international student! Therefore, it is recommended that students make a budget and track their expenses to avoid overspending. If you plan accordingly, you can expect to spend a month in Dubai for well under AED 4,100. The table below highlights the major expenses that students might undertake as students in the city:

PS: Students must note that these figures are tentative and might change based on your actual expenses and expenditures. In order to get a better idea of the cost of living in Dubai, students can use University Living’s exclusive cost of living calculator!

There are several great options for top accommodation in Dubai for students. These properties are loved by students and fulfill all the checklists of a good property. These are located close to the university and the city center and offer some of the best facilities that are offered in student accommodation in the city.

The rent for these properties ranges between AED 2250 and AED 4250 per month!

• Dubailand

• The Myriad

• ESAW

• Makaan

• KSK Homes

• VOGO Grand

Book the top student accommodations in Dubai at never seen before prices, only at University Living!

Dubai is home to more than 3 million residents, and in order to make the daily commute easier for these people, the city has developed an extensive network of public transit systems. These include the Dubai Metro and Bus services! These services provide last-mile connectivity throughout the city and ensure that no student is stranded in the middle of the city! These modes of transit are explained briefly below:

Dubai Metro

Considered to be the lifeline of the city’s transport network, the Dubai metro features driverless air-conditioned trains and is divided into 2 major lines, Red and Green! The metro connects major areas, including the airport, business districts, and key tourist attractions like the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Marina. These services have dedicated cabins for women and children and students get to enjoy discounted fares for daily commute using the NOL Cards!

Buses

One of the most efficient and cost-effective websites for students in the city is the bus service. The city boasts of an extensive network of public buses that cover all areas of the city, including those which are not catered to by the metro! Buses are a cost-effective way to travel for shorter distances or as a feeder to metro stations. Students also get to enjoy discounted fares for daily travel through the bus services!

Dubai is one of the most modern and unique cities in the UAE and therefore, attracts thousands of visitors every year. The city has everything from great parks, gorgeous riverside, museums, and ruins! The best part about these attractions is that they do not have any entry charges for students, while some provide discounted tickets! Some of the top tourist attractions in the city have been explained briefly below:

Burj Khalifa

The tallest building in the world, and the undisputed icon of Dubai, Burj Khalifa is a spot that you can’t simply afford to miss! It boasts of the fastest elevator in the world that takes visitors to observation decks on the 124th and 125th floors, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the city, desert, and ocean. If you wish to have a more exclusive experience, the SKY deck on the 148th floor is also available.

Old Dubai & The Souks

Located in the historic districts of Deira and Bur Dubai, this area is completely different from modern Dubai. Old Dubai takes you through a sensory journey into the city's past as a trading port, with narrow lanes and traditional markets. You can find several gold souks that sell some of the best jewellery in the world, along with the spice market, where the air is filled with the scent of frankincense and saffron. Crossing Dubai Creek on a traditional wooden "abra" (water taxi) is a classic experience.

Desert Safari

Another one of the best things to do in Dubai that you cannot miss is the Desert Safari. This is a quintessential Dubai adventure that takes visitors beyond the city into the Arabian Desert, and is one of the most recommended activities for experiencing the region’s natural landscape! The trip typically includes dune bashing in a 4x4 vehicle, camel riding, sandboarding, and a traditional camp experience with a BBQ dinner, henna painting, and live cultural performances like belly dancing and Tanoura shows. You would need at least one full day to enjoy the safari perfectly!