Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi

Sorbonne Abu Dhabi is a higher education institution that attracts the best students from the UAE and around the world. Established in 2006 as a result of an agreement between the Sorbonne University in Paris and the Government of Abu Dhabi, Sorbonne Abu Dhabi offers the very best in international higher education. Our students benefit from 760 years of academic excellence and learn on a state-of-the-art campus on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi.

Our degrees are issued by Sorbonne University in the fields of Sciences, Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences and by University of Paris for Law, Management and Economics. All our degrees are recognised globally following the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) and officially accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education.

In keeping with our philosophy of providing a world-class education, the university maintains a selective admissions process to ensure a rigorous academic experience and to preserve small classes for an individual approach to learning. At present, there are over 2,000 graduates from over 90 nationalities. We are committed to promoting dialogue and ideas between different cultures and fostering a close-knit community on campus. Visit our Student Life page for more information.

History

Our university was established in May 2006 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) and Sorbonne University, as part of the Emirate’s vision for academic and cultural growth.

This historic agreement represented a shared vision between the UAE Government and Sorbonne University in Paris to bring world-class standards of French education to the Middle East. Sorbonne University and University of Paris were all signatories to the agreement to establish the Abu Dhabi campus and to provide specialised undergraduate and postgraduate academic programmes and lifelong learning programmes.

In December 2009, Sorbonne Abu Dhabi moved into its purpose-built, permanent campus on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi including over 93,000^m2 of teaching, recreational and accommodation facilities. This included a library, a 700-seat auditorium, a sports centre and a cafeteria.

The university is always committed to Abu Dhabi’s vision of creating a cultural and scientific hub and expanding its outreach to students locally and across the world.

Key facts

Established: 30 May 2006
Patronage: Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince
Motto: A bridge between civilisations
Affiliations: Sorbonne University and University of Paris
Accreditation: UAE Ministry of Education, French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
Subjects: Humanities, Sciences, Languages and Social Sciences
Teaching language: French, English, Arabic
System: European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)
Student diversity: over 60 Nationalities (more than 60% of the graduates are UAE Nationals)

Accreditation

Sorbonne Abu Dhabi operates under the administration of the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) and the academic leadership of Sorbonne University.

The degrees are awarded by Sorbonne University or University of Paris, depending on the programme, and accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education and the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. These degrees are recognised worldwide.