Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) - ADNOC Scholarship

Benefit

You will receive your full tuition paid (100%) as well as a monthly allowance towards rent, food and living costs. This will enable you to study engineering or natural sciences in the United Arab Emirates or abroad without having to pay the tuition fees yourself. The scholarship also includes health and dental insurance for the entire duration of your studies, provides additional bonuses for good grades and covers an annual return flight if you are studying abroad. It is provided by ADNOC, Abu Dhabi’s state-owned oil company, and is renewed annually as long as your academic performance remains good. Graduates are also given priority when applying for positions within the ADNOC Group.

Eligibility

• Nationality: You are a national of the United Arab Emirates and hold a valid United Arab Emirates family register.
• Field of study: Your degree subject is on the list approved by ADNOC, for example chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, petroleum or energy engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, computer science, materials science, finance, economics or law.
• University: You already hold a conditional degree from a university on the list approved by ADNOC, whether in the United Arab Emirates or abroad.
• Grades (undergraduate abroad): A school grade point average of at least 90% in the science stream, at least 85% in the subjects of mathematics, physics and chemistry, as well as a TOEFL iBT score of at least 80 or an IELTS Academic score of at least 6.0.
• Grades (undergraduate in the UAE): A school grade point average of at least 85% in the science stream, at least 85% in each science subject, and a TOEFL iBT score of 80+ or an IELTS Academic score of 6.0+.
• Grades (master or PhD): A bachelor’s degree average of at least 3.5 out of 4.0, a TOEFL iBT score of 100+ or an IELTS Academic score of 7.0+, as well as at least 4 years’ professional experience for a Master’s programme or 6 years for a PhD.
• National service: You have completed your military service or are exempt from it. If you are still serving, you may submit a certificate of discharge.
• Health: You have passed the full medical fitness assessment for your chosen specialism.

How to apply

First, obtain a conditional offer of admission from a recognised higher education institution for an approved degree programme. You should then apply online via the ADNOC careers portal. Shortlisted candidates will undertake aptitude tests and interviews, as well as a medical examination, before a final decision is made. Application deadlines apply to specific target groups and are usually announced at the start of the year.

How realistic are your chances?

The selection criteria for this scholarship are very strict: only UAE nationals who are studying specific engineering and science subjects with very good grades and who have secured a place at a recognised university are eligible to apply. This means that the pool of eligible applicants remains small. However, as ADNOC deliberately selects only a small number of scholarship recipients through a selection process involving tests and interviews, it is not enough simply to meet the minimum requirements. If you significantly exceed the grade thresholds, demonstrate strong academic aptitude and apply as soon as the application period opens, your chances are good.