The United Arab Emirates has decided to withdraw state funding for Emirati students seeking higher education at universities in the United Kingdom, citing concerns that students could be exposed to radical Islamist ideology linked to the Muslim Brotherhood within British academic institutions. The move has added strain to already complicated ties between Abu Dhabi and London, which have faced several points of friction in recent years.
Although the decision to cut scholarship funding was taken as early as June last year, it only drew widespread attention after reports appeared in major British newspapers, including the Financial Times and The Times, in recent weeks. These reports revealed that the UAE Ministry of Higher Education had issued a revised list of overseas universities eligible for government scholarships and official degree recognition. While the list included institutions in countries such as the United States, Australia, France and Israel, universities in the UK were conspicuously absent, despite Britain’s reputation for hosting some of the world’s top-ranked universities.
Sources familiar with the discussions told the Financial Times that the exclusion of British universities was deliberate. When British officials sought clarification, Emirati counterparts reportedly made it clear that the omission was intentional rather than an administrative error. One person with direct knowledge of the exchanges said the core concern was the perceived risk of students being radicalised on British campuses. British officials, in response, emphasised the importance of academic freedom and the independence of universities.
According to reporting by the Financial Times, Emirati concerns are focused on what Abu Dhabi views as the presence and influence of Islamist networks, particularly those associated with the Muslim Brotherhood, within parts of the UK’s higher education ecosystem. The UAE has designated the Brotherhood a terrorist organisation and has long urged European governments to adopt a similar stance. Britain, however, has resisted such calls. A comprehensive UK government review in 2015 concluded that while the group’s ideology conflicted with British values, there was insufficient evidence to link it to terrorist activity in or against the UK.
The issue has gained renewed prominence amid heightened political activism on university campuses following the Israel–Hamas conflict after the October 7, 2023 attacks. Some Emirati officials and commentators see this period as evidence that universities have become more politically charged environments. At the same time, UK data cited by the Financial Times suggests that confirmed cases of Islamist radicalisation remain limited, with only a small number of students referred to the Prevent deradicalisation programme out of nearly three million enrolled in higher education.
Abu Dhabi’s position reflects its broader domestic and regional policies. The UAE views the Muslim Brotherhood as a direct threat to its political system, which is authoritarian but relatively secular. Over the years, dozens of suspected Brotherhood members have been imprisoned, and the UAE supported Egypt’s 2013 military intervention that removed President Mohamed Morsi, who was linked to the Brotherhood. The UAE has also backed political and military actors in Libya and Sudan whom it sees as opposing Islamist movements.
In practical terms, the UAE has not imposed an outright ban on studying in the UK. Wealthier families can still send students to British universities by paying fees privately, while government-funded scholarships remain available for study in other countries. However, the impact of the policy shift is already visible. According to the Financial Times, the number of UAE nationals granted UK study visas fell sharply in 2025 compared with previous years, reflecting the withdrawal of official support.
The UAE has also indicated that degrees obtained from institutions outside its approved list may no longer be officially recognised. This significantly reduces the professional value of UK qualifications for Emiratis returning home, even if they complete their studies using private funds. As a result, Britain’s appeal as a study destination for Emirati students has diminished considerably.
The education dispute is the latest in a series of issues that have strained UK–UAE relations. These include controversy surrounding an Abu Dhabi-backed bid to acquire The Daily Telegraph, allegations—denied by the UAE—of involvement in Sudan’s conflict, and ongoing scrutiny of financial practices at Manchester City, the Premier League club owned by an Emirati entity. The tensions have emerged even as British universities continue to expand their presence in the UAE, with several institutions operating campuses in Dubai and other emirates.
Despite the disagreement, officials on both sides have sought to downplay the broader diplomatic fallout. Emirati officials have insisted that overall relations with the UK remain strong, while British authorities have reiterated their commitment to countering all forms of extremism and maintaining robust safeguards for student welfare. Nevertheless, the decision stands as a clear signal that the UAE has halted scholarship funding for students heading to the UK, driven by fears that exposure to Muslim Brotherhood-linked ideology could lead to radicalisation.
