American University of Sharjah

AUS is located in the Emirate of Sharjah, in the beautiful setting of University City, about a ten-minute drive from the border with Dubai. The beautiful campus buildings reflect Islamic architectural traditions. 

AUS is a leading comprehensive coeducational university in the Gulf, serving students from the region and around the world. Admission is based on qualifications only, without regard to race, color, gender, religion, disabilities, age, or national origin. AUS is accredited in the United States of America by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and its degree programs are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the Ministry of Education's Higher Education Affairs Division in the United Arab Emirates. 

Total student enrollment is approximately 6,000 students, with a total of 372 full-time faculty. 26% of the student population is Emirati, and the remainder of the top 10 nationalities at AUS includes students from Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Syria, Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Iran. There are currently over 100 nationalities represented among the student population of AUS.

The American University of Sharjah was founded in 1997 by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah, and Chair of the Board of Trustees and President of AUS. Consciously based upon American institutions of higher education, AUS is thoroughly grounded in Arab culture and is part of the larger process of revitalization of intellectual life in the Middle East.

All six of the bachelor's degree programs in the AUS College of Engineering are accredited by ABET, and AUS was the first university in the Gulf region and the second outside the United States to receive this accreditation. The Bachelor of Architecture program of the College of Architecture, Art and Design is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) of the United States. This is the first program outside of North America to receive this prestigious accreditation. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, as well as the Master of Business Administration and Executive Master of Business Administration degrees offered by the School of Business and Management, are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

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  American University of Sharjah

  Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Campus Website

  5,000 - 20,000 on Campus

  250,000+ residents in Sharjah

  Language(s) spoken on campus: Arabic, Persian, Hindi, Urdu

  The American University of Sharjah campus is located in the beautiful University City area of Sharjah, in between the Sharjah International Airport (a five minute drive, just across Sharjah’s Airport Road from University City) and the Dubai International Airport (a 20 minute drive). The park-like oasis of University City is home to a wide range of colleges, universities and heritage offices, and provides a vibrant resting area for a wide range of birdlife migrating to and from all over the world.

  The AUS campus is a stand-alone and self-sufficient campus offering a wide range of amenities and facilities, including two convenience grocery stores, a book store, a variety of cafes and coffee shops, hair salons for men and women, a health clinic, a pharmacy, a travel agency, a branch of the Sharjah Islamic Bank, a post-office, a mosque, a drycleaner, a pre-school, several ATMs, bus stations, a taxi-stand and more. A regular bus service is provided to local grocery stores, and to and from the two closest stations of the Dubai Metro System. Taxis are readily available on campus, and throughout Sharjah and the other emirates. See transportation options available on campus.

  AUS has approximately 70 student organizations and clubs for students to participate in, many of which are cultural clubs (Emirati Club, Iranian Club, etc.). A wide range of cultural events are available for students. AUS maintains a Sports Complex, and a varied athletic program with many different sports teams for both men and women. The International Exchange Office (IXO) plans a schedule of exchange student activities each semester.

  The city of Sharjah has been widely recognized for its development as a traditional Arab City, and provides an interesting contrast to its neighbor, Dubai. The city of Sharjah was designated as Capital of Arab Tourism for 2015 by the Arab Council of Tourism Ministers, in addition to being named the 2014 Capital of Islamic Culture by the Islamic Organization for Education, Science and Culture. Previously, Sharjah was awarded the 1998 UNESCO Cultural Capital Award for the Arab World. The Ruler of Sharjah places a very strong emphasis on education and cultural preservation through University City and a wide range of museums.

  Sharjah has a wide range of cultural offerings, including traditional souks (the Blue Souk, Fish Souk, Vegetable Souk, Bird and Animal Souk, Plant Souk, etc.), Heritage Village 'Heart of Sharjah' areas, a working port loaded with traditional Dhow fishing vessels, etc. See more information about Sharjah Tourism.

  Culturally, Sharjah reflects local values as one of the more conservative emirates, with a dress code requiring that both men and women cover their shoulders and legs to below the knee, and avoid wearing revealing, low cut or transparent clothing. There are no alcohol or pork products available in Sharjah.