American University of Sharjah | American University of Sharjah
It is American University of Sharjah (American University of Sharjah – AUS) is one of the most prominent higher education institutions in the United Arab Emirates and the Arab region, distinguished by an academic model that combines American education based on the liberal arts and professional disciplines, alongside an international campus environment comprising students and faculty members from more than 100 nationalities. The university was founded in 1997 in the Emirate of Sharjah.
About the University
The American University of Sharjah is an independent, non-profit, coeducational higher education institution offering academic programs in engineering, architecture, arts and sciences, business administration, and the social sciences and humanities.
The university comprises four main academic units: the College of Architecture, Art and Design, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the School of Business Administration. It also offers a diverse range of programs at the bachelor's, graduate, and doctoral levels.
The American University of Sharjah in Global Rankings
The university has made notable progress in the QS World University Rankings in recent years. In the QS World University Rankings 2027 edition, it reached 258 globally, its best global ranking in the university's history to date, advancing 14 places compared to the 2026 edition. It also maintained its position among the top three universities in the UAE.
As for QS Arab University Rankings 2026, where the university placed 9th in the Arab world, and third at the UAE level, continuing its presence among the top 10 Arab universities for the eleventh consecutive year.
The university also stands out in several qualitative indicators, ranking fourth in the Arab world in Employer reputation, and also ranked fourth in the Arab world in the proportion of international faculty members, according to QS Arab Region University Rankings 2026 data.
Majors and academic programs
The university offers a wide range of academic programs, covering fields such as:
- Engineering.
- Architecture and design.
- Business Administration.
- Economics and finance.
- Computer science.
- Science and mathematics.
- Media and communication.
- Psychology.
- International Studies.
- English Language and Literature.
- Translation.
- Data Science.
Current university data indicate 33 bachelor's majors, 23 master's programs, and 8 doctoral programs, in addition to a wide range of minors.
Academic Accreditation
The university holds local and international academic accreditations, as the university and its programs are licensed and accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation of the UAE Ministry of Higher Education.
A number of its programs have also earned specialized international accreditations, including engineering programs accredited by ABET, and the Bachelor of Architecture program accredited by NAAB, in addition to the accreditation of the School of Business Administration by AACSB.
Distinction by Subject
The university's presence is not limited to the overall ranking; it also appears strongly in subject rankings. In the QS 2026 rankings, the university placed among the world's best in a number of fields, including architecture and the built environment, accounting and finance, business administration, civil and structural engineering, computer science and information systems, and chemical engineering.
In the broad subject-area rankings, the university ranked first in the UAE in Arts and Humanities, third in Social sciences and management, and fourth in Engineering and technology according to the QS 2026 results.
Campus Life and the International Environment
Among the American University of Sharjah's most prominent strengths is the international nature of its campus community. The university comprises students and faculty members from more than 100 nationalities, in addition to more than 100 student clubs and organizations, providing a diverse environment that brings together different cultures and experiences.
The university also offers scholarship and financial aid programs; its data indicates the availability of 17 types of scholarships and aid for undergraduate students, alongside aid, work, and support opportunities for graduate students.
Why does the American University of Sharjah attract students?
The university combines several factors that make it one of the standout options for students wishing to study in the UAE, most notably:
Advanced global ranking — 258th globally in QS 2027.
A strong Arab regional position — Among the top 10 Arab universities in the QS Arab Region Rankings 2026.
A strong employer reputation — First in the UAE in the employer reputation indicator, according to QS 2026.
An international environment — A multinational campus community of more than 100 nationalities.
Academic diversity — Programs in engineering, architecture, business administration, sciences, arts, and more.
International accreditations — A set of programs holding prestigious international professional and academic accreditations.
The American University of Sharjah in Numbers
| Index | Information |
|---|---|
| Year founded | 1997 |
| Website | Sharjah, United Arab Emirates |
| Nationalities represented | 100+ |
| Undergraduate majors | 33 |
| Master's programs | 23 |
| Doctoral programs | 8 |
| Clubs and organizations | 100+ |
| QS World Ranking 2027 | 258 globally |
| QS World Ranking 2026 | 272 globally |
| QS Arab Region Ranking 2026 | 9th in the Arab world |
| Its rank in the UAE – QS Arab Region 2026 | 3 |
| Employer reputation in the UAE | 1 |
These indicators show that the American University of Sharjah has become one of the Arab universities that combine international reach, academic performance, employer reputation, and cultural diversity, which explains its continued presence among the top-tier Arab universities and its rising global ranking in recent years.
Official website: American University of Sharjah
The university's page on QS: American University of Sharjah – QS