UK unis removed from list eligible for Emirati state scholarships

The United Arab Emirates has restricted state-funded scholarships for students pursuing studies at UK universities, a move reflecting Abu Dhabi's long-standing concerns over the perceived tolerance of Islamist Muslim Brotherhood ideology on British campuses. While not preventing enrolment outright, the decision effectively curtails public funding, a significant deterrent for many Emirati students. This policy shift underscores tensions between the UAE, which designates the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation, and the UK, which has resisted similar classification. Sources suggest concerns over potential student radicalisation prompted the decision, with UK campuses viewed as spaces where Brotherhood-linked ideas circulate. The policy is expected to impact future recruitment flows, reversing a trend that saw UAE student numbers in the UK double between 2017 and 2024. US Vice President JD Vance criticised the decision, highlighting concerns among Gulf allies about Islamist indoctrination in the West. The development signals how geopolitical tensions are increasingly shaping international student mobility. Read More