NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) this fall welcomed its twelfth class of 530 students from 87 countries and six continents who speak more than 75 languages.
With the Class of 2025, the undergraduate student population now stands at more than 1,800 from over 120 countries and all seven Emirates in the UAE.
Students at NYUAD undergo a rigorous application process and need to showcase notable academic results. More than 17,300 prospective students from across the world applied to join NYUAD’s Class of 2025. The yield for the new class – the percentage of students who choose to attend NYUAD after being admitted – was 74 percent, making the University one of the most highly selective in the world, a particularly significant distinction given the ongoing global pandemic.
Twenty percent of students are first-generation university students, meaning that they are the first in their immediate family to attend university. One percent of students are under-represented minorities as defined by the US Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.
Emirati citizens make up the largest group of students by nationality, with 19 percent UAE Nationals. The next largest cohorts include students from Pakistan, US, India, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Nepal, Egypt, China, and Jordan.
I am deeply rooted in my city, born and raised in Abu Dhabi; I could not imagine anywhere else to advance my academic vocation. I have been a part of NYUAD from a young age. From attending NYUAD's seasonal public speaking programs to the NYUAD Summer Academy, it seemed to be a yearly tradition to develop myself at NYUAD. As someone who was always a part of NYUAD in some capacity, I can confidently assert that my childhood and current self are all products of the university's pedagogy and its overall holistic academic vision.
Class of 2025 student Juan Guevara, from Venezuela, commented, "I wanted to immerse myself in the beauty of intercultural exchange and to pursue that in a university. The multicultural environment and the academic prestige of NYUAD are unmatchable. I hope to grow into a global academic, and NYUAD feels like the right place to do so. I hope to continue to nurture my interests in teaching and coding and keep myself open to new possibilities and experiences."
Class of 2025 student Zhushan Xiang, from China, said, “I first heard about NYUAD – at the age of 11 – while watching a news broadcast of a Chinese girl studying with a diverse group of international students in front of a striking purple banner. I was enchanted with the University’s globally intellectual community and unique atmosphere. At that moment, I knew NYUAD was the perfect university for me, where I hope to expand my knowledge in a large array of fields and disciplines as well as pursue my love for computer science."
In addition to its undergraduate program, NYUAD also has students as part of its Global PhD in Science and Engineering, and Master of Science in Economics and Master of Fine Arts programs.
Established in partnership between NYU and the emirate of Abu Dhabi, NYUAD has assembled over the past decade a remarkable community of scholars, students, researchers, artists, inventors, and others who have contributed to the growth of the UAE’s capital as a global hub of knowledge and culture, while establishing a new model of higher education for today’s complex world.
NYU ranks 26th globally in Times Higher Education World University rankings for 2022. The University ranks 42nd in the QS World University Rankings for 2022. Rankings are based on enrollment and programs throughout all campuses of NYU, including NYUAD.
