The UAE Cuts Scholarships for Its Students at British Universities to Prevent Exposure to “Islamic Ideas”

The Financial Times reported that the United Arab Emirates has reduced scholarships for its citizens wishing to study in Britain, citing fears that they may be influenced by Islamic ideas and what it describes as “Islamic extremism”.

The newspaper indicated that the decision comes within the context of Emirati pressure on the Labour government to impose stricter restrictions on Islamic movements, amid the British government’s reluctance to adopt such measures.

It noted that relations between the two historical allies have deteriorated in recent years. In June, the UAE Ministry of Higher Education published a list of global universities whose degrees it would fund and recognise, as part of reforms aimed at restricting funding to top-performing institutions.

The list included universities from countries such as the United States, Australia, Israel, and France, but excluded Britain, which is home to many of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions.

Three sources familiar with the matter attributed the exclusion of British universities to Emirati concerns over what it considers the “risk of Islamic extremism in British universities”.

When British officials inquired about the absence of British institutions from the June list, Emirati officials said the exclusion was deliberate, according to a person familiar with the discussions.

The source added, “The UAE does not want its children to be exposed to extremism at universities.” In response, British officials emphasised the importance of academic freedom, according to the same source.

The newspaper stated that during the 2023 to 2024 academic year, 70 students at British universities out of a total higher education population of nearly three million were reported for possible referral to the government’s counter extremism programme due to signs of Islamic extremism. This figure was nearly double that of the previous year.

Since the Arab Spring period in 2011, the UAE has imposed a strict crackdown on domestic Islamic activity and has intervened regionally in an effort to curb the influence of political Islam.

Under the leadership of UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi has for years questioned Britain’s refusal to impose bans on certain Islamic movements.

Last year, the government of Prime Minister Starmer said the issue was under close review.

A comprehensive report conducted by the British government in 2015 concluded that there was no link between Islamic movements operating in Britain and any terrorist activity within the country or against it.

For his part, Nigel Farage, whose right-wing populist party Reform leads British opinion polls, pledged to impose bans on Islamic movements if he becomes prime minister.

The Financial Times reported this week that the UAE government covered the expenses of Farage’s visit to the country at the end of last year.

One academic based in Britain downplayed Emirati concerns about the spread of Islamic activity within British universities, but acknowledged that the genocide in Gaza “has had a destabilising impact on British universities”.

The newspaper added that Britain has long remained the preferred destination for Emiratis, who receive generous government scholarships to study abroad.

According to informed sources, federal funding has already been denied to Emiratis seeking to begin studies in Britain before June, as a result of escalating bilateral tensions.

A source indicated that students who had already begun their studies continued to receive funding. In the academic year ending in September 2025, 213 Emirati students received visas to study at British universities, representing a 27% decrease from the previous year and a 55% decline compared to the year ending in September 2022.

The UAE’s exclusion of British universities represents the latest rift in relations between the two countries. This follows disputes over an Abu Dhabi-backed attempt to purchase the Daily Telegraph in November 2023, the UAE’s support for paramilitary forces in Sudan, which it denies, as well as the English Premier League’s case against Manchester City football club, owned by Emiratis, regarding its financial practices.

British officials said it remains unclear how fully the scholarship restrictions are being implemented, noting their awareness of cases involving members of the Emirati military who continue to receive scholarships. Some wealthy Emiratis have also continued to send their children to study in Britain, paying tuition fees directly.

However, the UAE has also announced that it will not recognise qualifications issued by academic institutions not included on its accreditation list. This means that degrees from British universities now hold less value for Emiratis.

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