Study in the United Arab Emirates (in Arabic, English) - ISEP Exchange
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Study in Sharjah, considered the “Cultural Capital of the Arab World”! Stroll the palm tree-lined walkways of the Al Majaz waterfront as you explore a thriving arts scene, incredible shopping, museums, cafes, and beautiful Islamic architecture.
• Take coursework in English in business, biology, political science, global studies, and engineering. Deepen your understanding of your host culture by taking a class in Islamic studies, or an optional Arabic as a second language course.
• Beyond the classroom, AUS students enjoy a vibrant campus life with access to a wide range of extracurricular activities, clubs, athletic teams, and associations. The study abroad office not only helps you get involved with these opportunities, but they also work hard to provide a welcoming and comfortable home base for all international students.
• AUS is a fully ABET (Engineering), NAAB (Architecture) and AACSB (Business) accredited institution serving a diverse student body from the region and from around the world.
LIFE ABROAD
The stunning city of Sharjah offers a rich environment that led UNESCO to declare it the Cultural Capital of the Arab world in 1998. The endless arts areas, souqs, and museums will keep you exploring for hours on end.
LIVE
Live in a double room in one of the on-campus student resident halls, where each unit has its own bathroom, kitchenette, and small fridge. Resident halls are separated by gender and offers access to shared study areas, workout spaces, free laundry facilities, and a weekly cleaning service.
DINE
AUS has two campus minimarts that provide quick access to any grocery essentials you need to cook a meal in your shared kitchen space. Sharjah is a haven for exploring nearby souks and cafes to sample local specialties including falafel, shawarma, tabouleh, hummus, and more. ISEP Direct students can expect to spend approximately 520 USD per month on food. ISEP Exchange students receive a monthly stipend for groceries.
EXPERIENCE
The International Exchange Office (IXO) offers an exciting schedule of outings and activities throughout the semester, including a city tour to get to know Sharjah and day trips to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. AUS also hosts a Global Day Festival, where students from all over the world set up booths representing their home culture through good, drink, music, language, traditional clothing and more! Additionally, AUS offers some optional excursions at an additional cost including a boat trip to Musandam, Oman and an overnight desert safari.
EXPLORE
Gain a deeper perspective on the region’s history at sites like the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, home to more than 5,000 artifacts including ancient Quran manuscripts, or explore the Heart of Sharjah, the largest historical restoration project in the region, showcasing life in the city during the 1950s. From the striking architecture of Al Noor Mosque and King Faisal Mosque to the serene settings of Al Noor Island and the Al Qasba waterfront, Sharjah offers beauty at every turn.
THRIVE
The Academic Support Center on campus offers services to support you throughout your experience at AUS. Utilize resources such as disability accommodations, peer mentors, and student success workshops to help make your time abroad a productive and fruitful experience.
What We Love About AUS
AUS offers unmatched opportunities to explore Islamic culture and the broader Arab world both inside and outside the classroom, providing an immersive experience for anyone interested in the region’s cultural beauty and rich history.
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses
Course Description
As a student at the American University of Sharjah, course options are almost boundless! While the table below represents some of our more popular course options, AUS provides an opportunity to explore the convergence of culture and religion through virtually any subject. Study arts, history, communication, film or global business. Investigate biology, environmental sciences or engineering through a different lens. Or study architecture and design by uncovering first-hand how some of the most ancient structures and palaces in the world were created.
Credits Earned
Students who complete the program in good standing can expect to earn similar numbers of credits as a U.S. semester institution –12-15 credits is standard. Grades and transcripts are issued in the U.S. letter grade system of A-F.
AUS classes are primarily 13-14 weeks within a 17-18 week semester. Classes are usually 3 credit hours and meet for approximately 3 hours per week (M/W/F or T/Th).
Sample Classes Available:
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Business |
Biology |
Political Science |
International Relations and Global Studies |
Engineering |
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Business Law |
Ecology |
Comparative Politics |
Globalization |
Applied Aerodynamics |
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International Study Tour |
Genetics and Molecular Biology |
American Foreign Policy |
War and Peace-The Middle East |
Biomedical Systems Modeling |
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Financial Accounting (Graduate) |
Principles of Neuroscience |
Public International Law |
Global Political Economy |
Fluid Mechanics |
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Introduction to Business |
Microbiology |
Politics and Civil Society in the Middle East |
International Security |
Thermodynamics |
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Philosophical Foundations of Business Research (Graduate) |
Medical Parasitology |
International Organizations |
Imperialism |
Design of Experiments |
For detailed instructions on how to search for all available courses, please click on the "other academic conditions" dropdown link below.
Academics
Other Academic Conditions
How to Find Available Classes
The quickest way to search for courses available in any given semester is to view the specific schedule for the upcoming semester as well as previous semesters.
The Fall schedule of courses is typically uploaded to the Banner system by mid-March, and the Spring courses by mid-October each year. If courses are not yet uploaded, check the previous Fall for as a basis for the current Fall course-offerings and the same goes for the Spring. Similar offerings in the fall and spring respectively are not always guaranteed and may differ slightly.
Students can also look at the course catalog for information on all courses offered at AUS, although please note that not all courses are offered each semester.
Arabic Language Courses
- Arabic as a Second Language courses are not offered regularly at the American University of Sharjah. Arabic language classes are often available at the elementary level but cannot be guaranteed, as they are subject to a 12-student enrollment minimum.
- Students planning to take courses in Arabic translation, literature, and poetry in Arabic must meet the English language requirements listed above, and submit an additional ISEP Language Evaluation or other official test demonstrating that they have at least a B2 level in Arabic.
Graduate-level Entry Requirements
• Graduate-level students can enroll in graduate-level courses on exchange, but they must be enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited home institution, be in good standing at the home institution, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Students in accelerated master's programs (with combined undergraduate and graduate study), having a cumulative GPA of 3.0 are allowed to take master courses if they have already completed the first 3 years of their studies in their home universities, and as long as they meet the requirements for taking the course. This should be explicitly mentioned in the ISEP Course List.
Academic Calendar
Semester dates typically run as follows:
Fall
Arrival and orientation: Third week of August
Courses start: Last week of August
Exams: Week before Christmas
Spring
Arrival and orientation: Second week in January
Courses start: Last week in January
Exams: Last week in May
If you use financial aid, please speak with a qualified financial aid advisor to understand your academic obligations and the requirements for using financial aid.
Course Considerations
NOTE: Psychology courses at AUS are limited. Enrollment in psychology courses cannot be guaranteed.
NOTE: Performing Arts and Voice Classes required an audition upon arrival. Therefore, enrollment cannot be guaranteed in advance.
Housing
Standard housing is in a shared room. Single rooms may be available at an additional cost. Please contact your Student Services Officer for further information.
Semester & Prices (based on your filters)
Select a semester to calculate the price. Semesters are named according to host university's calendar.Semester Tuition
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