Cost of living

Cost of living

A realistic, line-by-line breakdown of monthly expenses in Dubai so you can budget accurately before you arrive, not figure it out the hard way after.

Where a typical student's money goes

This reflects a moderate, balanced lifestyle: home cooking most nights, the occasional meal out, and public transport. Figures exclude rent, which varies widely by housing choice.

Groceries

Groceries

Home cooking, basics

AED 600
Eating out

Eating out

A few meals a week

AED 450
Transport

Transport

Metro/bus pass

AED 300
Mobile & internet

Mobile & internet

Data plan + Wi-Fi share

AED 150
Social & leisure

Social & leisure

Gym, outings, entertainment

AED 400
Personal & misc.

Personal & misc.

Toiletries, clothing, etc.

AED 300

Total (excl. rent)

prices in Dubai shift with inflation and season.

AED 2,200

1. Select country

2. Student basic categories

Currency

ItemApprox. cost
Inexpensive restaurant mealAED 30–100
Mid-range meal for twoAED 150–400
Fast food combo mealAED 30–40
Coffee (cappuccino)AED 14–30
Dozen eggsAED 8.6–18
1kg chicken filletsAED 15–55

Typical living costs over 10 months

AED 41,957one person, excl. rent

Source: Numbeo, October 2026. Converted at today's exchange rates.

Working part-time covers more than you'd think

Part-time work, done right

With a No Objection Certificate from IBTE and a MOHRE-approved permit, most students can work up to roughly 15–20 hours a week during term, and full-time during official breaks.

AED 2,000–4,000
An IBTE student working on a laptop in the campus lounge

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our programs, admissions, and more.

View all FAQs

At IBTE, there's typically no specific deadline for submitting your application. You're welcome to register and apply whenever it suits you. We typically admit students for the current term, based on program availability and the month of your application. Even if you register late (such as in the summer), we can provide you with comprehensive learning opportunities to ensure that you don't miss anything important.

In short, it's the price and the experience. The educational outcome and quality remain the same. If you wish to study abroad in a foreign country and you don’t mind the expenses, we recommend you complete your first year at IBTE, and we will then help you secure a conditional offer from one of the most reputable universities in the UK to carry on your studies there.

IBTE stands out among other educational providers due to its distinct business model and mission to prioritize affordability. This is reflected in the smaller campus, reduced staffing, and lower marketing expenses. IBTE also focuses on offering programs in high demand or with lower overhead costs, and has formed partnerships with other institutions and organizations to offer courses at a lower cost by sharing resources and facilities. Through these efforts, IBTE is able to offer quality education at a lower tuition fee, making education accessible to more students.

IBTE has established offices and agencies abroad that act as its representatives. These entities have the task of promoting IBTE, attracting students from different parts of the world, forming collaborative relationships with other educational institutions, and offering help and aid to current international students. If you are interested in discovering further information about our international offices and partners, please feel free to contact us at help@ibte.me.

IBTE does not mandate any entrance examinations. Your primary focus should be to satisfy our admission criteria, and then we can allocate an appropriate seat for you at IBTE. However, please be aware that there is an English proficiency entrance exam for students who do not meet the required criteria for English language proficiency.

Need help?

Our team is always happy to assist and answer all your questions. You can also visit our FAQ section to find answers to most common questions. If you want to learn more about becoming a student visit the Admissions page.

Call us at: +971 45 788822|
+91 86793 99879 (India)

We're available Monday-Friday 10am - 5pm (local time - UTC +04:00)

WhatsApp us: +971 55 677 12 31

Our team usually replies within 24 hours

Email us: help@ibte.me

Our team usually replies within 24 hours

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Opening hours

Monday – Friday9:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday – Sunday10:00am – 5:00pm

All times in Gulf Standard Time (UTC +04:00).

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