About Us

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD), established in 2006, is a higher education institution located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The university was founded under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, through a partnership between Sorbonne Université and the Government of Abu Dhabi, under the administrative oversight of the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK). Its academic programmes are delivered by Sorbonne Université and Université Paris Cité.

This historic agreement represented a shared vision between the UAE Government and Sorbonne University in Paris to bring world-class standards of French education to the Middle East. Sorbonne University and Université Paris Cité were all signatories to the agreement to establish the Abu Dhabi campus and to provide specialised undergraduate and postgraduate academic programmes and lifelong learning programmes.

In December 2009, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi moved into its purpose-built, permanent campus on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi including over 93,000m2 of teaching, recreational and accommodation facilities. This included a library, a 700-seat auditorium, a sports centre and a cafeteria.

The university is always committed to Abu Dhabi’s vision of creating a cultural and scientific hub and expanding its outreach to students locally and across the world.

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi operates under the administration of the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) and the academic leadership of Sorbonne Université in collaboration with Université Paris Cité.

The degrees are awarded by Sorbonne Université and Université Paris Cité. All SUAD programmes are evaluated by the Higher Council for the Evaluation of Research and Higher Education (HCERES) and accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. Furthermore, all programmes are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA). These degrees are recognised worldwide.

Established: 30 May 2006

Patronage: Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi

Motto: A Bridge Between Civilisations

Affiliations: Sorbonne Université and Université Paris Cité

Accreditations: UAE Ministry of Education, French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation

Subjects Offered: Humanities, Sciences, Languages, Social Sciences

Teaching Languages: French, English, Arabic

System: European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

Student Diversity: Over 90 nationalities, with more than 70% of graduates being UAE Nationals