UAE Restricts Funding for Emiratis to Study in UK Amid Fears Over Muslim Brotherhood Influence
Abu Dhabi curtails scholarships for UK university study as concern grows over Islamist ideological influence and London’s refusal to ban the Muslim Brotherhood
The United Arab Emirates has taken the unusual step of restricting state funding for its citizens who wish to pursue higher education in the United Kingdom, citing concerns about the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood and the potential for ideological ‘‘radicalisation’’ on British university campuses.
Emirati authorities have removed UK institutions from the list of foreign universities eligible for government scholarships and official degree recognition, signalling deepening tension in bilateral relations and a significant shift in the Gulf state’s approach to international academic engagement.
The decision reflects Abu Dhabi’s long-standing classification of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation and its view that the group’s ideological reach presents a security concern that Western societies, including the UK, have not fully addressed.
Under the revised policy, Emirati students can still enrol in UK universities, but those reliant on federal scholarships or official recognition of degrees will no longer benefit from state support.
Wealthier families retain the option to send their children to study independently, but the absence of funding and recognition may diminish the value of UK qualifications for many prospective Emirati scholars.
The UAE’s higher education ministry has affirmed that its list of approved institutions includes universities in countries such as the United States, Australia, France and Israel — but notably excludes all UK universities, a deliberate move officials have tied to concerns over Islamist influence on campus.
The backdrop to this policy shift is a broader disagreement over the status of the Muslim Brotherhood, which the UAE has proscribed as a terrorist group and has actively campaigned against regionally.
Abu Dhabi has repeatedly urged Western governments, including London, to impose similar bans, but successive UK administrations have resisted, citing a lack of evidence linking the group’s activities in Britain to terrorism.
A 2015 UK government review concluded that the Muslim Brotherhood had not been connected to violent or terrorism-related conduct in the UK, but the issue remains under ‘‘close review’’ by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government.
Emirati officials have framed the funding decision as a preventive measure to avoid exposing their citizens to what they see as extremist ideology.
The policy change could have far-reaching implications for educational and diplomatic ties between the UAE and the UK, potentially reducing the number of Emirati students in British universities.
Data indicates that the number of UAE nationals studying in the UK had grown substantially in recent years, with several thousand enrolled at leading institutions before the funding restrictions were applied.
British academic leaders and government officials have expressed concern about the impact on student exchange and the longstanding tradition of educational cooperation, while emphasising that academic freedom and campus safety remain priorities in the UK. As both governments navigate this dispute, the UAE’s move underscores the complexities of balancing domestic security priorities with international academic collaboration in an era of heightened sensitivity to ideological influence.
Emirati authorities have removed UK institutions from the list of foreign universities eligible for government scholarships and official degree recognition, signalling deepening tension in bilateral relations and a significant shift in the Gulf state’s approach to international academic engagement.
The decision reflects Abu Dhabi’s long-standing classification of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation and its view that the group’s ideological reach presents a security concern that Western societies, including the UK, have not fully addressed.
Under the revised policy, Emirati students can still enrol in UK universities, but those reliant on federal scholarships or official recognition of degrees will no longer benefit from state support.
Wealthier families retain the option to send their children to study independently, but the absence of funding and recognition may diminish the value of UK qualifications for many prospective Emirati scholars.
The UAE’s higher education ministry has affirmed that its list of approved institutions includes universities in countries such as the United States, Australia, France and Israel — but notably excludes all UK universities, a deliberate move officials have tied to concerns over Islamist influence on campus.
The backdrop to this policy shift is a broader disagreement over the status of the Muslim Brotherhood, which the UAE has proscribed as a terrorist group and has actively campaigned against regionally.
Abu Dhabi has repeatedly urged Western governments, including London, to impose similar bans, but successive UK administrations have resisted, citing a lack of evidence linking the group’s activities in Britain to terrorism.
A 2015 UK government review concluded that the Muslim Brotherhood had not been connected to violent or terrorism-related conduct in the UK, but the issue remains under ‘‘close review’’ by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government.
Emirati officials have framed the funding decision as a preventive measure to avoid exposing their citizens to what they see as extremist ideology.
The policy change could have far-reaching implications for educational and diplomatic ties between the UAE and the UK, potentially reducing the number of Emirati students in British universities.
Data indicates that the number of UAE nationals studying in the UK had grown substantially in recent years, with several thousand enrolled at leading institutions before the funding restrictions were applied.
British academic leaders and government officials have expressed concern about the impact on student exchange and the longstanding tradition of educational cooperation, while emphasising that academic freedom and campus safety remain priorities in the UK. As both governments navigate this dispute, the UAE’s move underscores the complexities of balancing domestic security priorities with international academic collaboration in an era of heightened sensitivity to ideological influence.
