Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has begun its new academic year with its largest-ever intake, welcoming over 400 students to its campus. This historic cohort for the Fall 2025 semester marks a significant milestone for the institution, which saw a staggering 8,000+ applications, resulting in a highly competitive 5% acceptance rate.
The new student body, comprising 403 students, includes the university’s first-ever undergraduate class of 115 students. The Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence program offers two specialized streams: AI for Business and AI for Engineering. These programs are designed to equip students with the technical skills and entrepreneurial mindset needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Over a quarter of the inaugural undergraduate class are UAE Nationals, reflecting the nation’s commitment to building a local talent pipeline in advanced technologies.
In addition to the undergraduate students, the university has also welcomed new graduate cohorts into its existing programs in Computer Science, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Robotics. Furthermore, the new intake includes the first students for the recently launched Master of Science in Statistics & Data Science and Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence programs.
MBZUAI’s total student population now exceeds 700 students from more than 47 nationalities, solidifying its position as a global hub for AI education and research. This impressive diversity is a testament to the university’s growing international reputation. Over 27% of the incoming graduate students hold degrees from the world’s top 100 computer science universities, including prestigious institutions like Cornell University and Tsinghua University.
The university’s Provost, Professor Timothy Baldwin, emphasized that the curriculum is constantly updated to reflect modern AI research and is grounded in both societal and industrial needs. He highlighted that the university’s programs are directly aligned with the UAE’s National Strategy for AI 2031, which aims to establish Abu Dhabi as a top global AI ecosystem. The new students will participate in an immersive Orientation Week, introducing them to the university’s culture of innovation and preparing them for their academic journey in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s growing tech community.
