American University of Sharjah
The American University of Sharjah (AUS) is an independent, not-for-profit, coeducational institution of higher education located in University City, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, founded in 1997 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the UAE Supreme Council.[1] It operates on the American liberal arts model, emphasizing broad undergraduate education alongside specialized professional programs in fields such as engineering, business, architecture, and the humanities.[2] AUS holds accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), making it the first university in the Gulf region and the second outside the United States to achieve this recognition, alongside program-specific accreditations including ABET for all six bachelor's engineering degrees and specialized approvals from bodies like the National Architectural Accrediting Board.[3] The university offers 26 undergraduate majors, 48 minors, 16 master's degrees, and a doctorate in engineering systems management, serving a diverse student body from over 80 countries with a focus on research, innovation, and employability.[1] In QS World University Rankings 2026, AUS ranks =272 globally, first in the UAE for employer reputation, and among the top institutions in the Arab world for arts, humanities, and social sciences.[4][5] Notable for its rapid establishment and growth under royal patronage, AUS has prioritized academic excellence and international partnerships, producing graduates who excel in regional and global job markets while maintaining institutional autonomy within the UAE's higher education framework licensed by the Commission for Academic Accreditation.[6] Its engineering college, founded concurrently with the university, achieved early accreditations and continues to drive technological research aligned with Gulf economic diversification goals.[7]History
Founding and Early Development
The American University of Sharjah (AUS) was established in 1997 as a private, non-profit institution by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, with the aim of providing higher education modeled on the American liberal arts system within the United Arab Emirates.[6] [8] The university opened its doors to students on October 4, 1997, commencing operations with an initial enrollment of 285 undergraduates and a faculty of 30 members, focusing primarily on baccalaureate programs in fields such as business, engineering, and liberal arts.[6] In its formative phase from 1997 to 2001, AUS prioritized institutional licensing and accreditation to ensure academic standards. In 1998, Dr. Roderick French was appointed as the first chancellor, and the university received its initial license from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research; that same year, it held its inaugural Student Council elections, with Omran Al Owais elected as the first president.[6] By 1999, AUS obtained licensure from the UAE's Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), marking a key step in formal recognition.[6] Enrollment grew steadily during this period, reflecting increasing regional demand for Western-style education, though specific annual figures beyond the founding year remain limited in public records. Significant milestones in early graduate offerings and external engagement occurred by 2000, when AUS launched its first master's program, the Master of Business Administration (MBA), expanding beyond undergraduate instruction.[6] The Hamid D. Jafar Pioneer Scholarship Fund was also established that year to support student access.[6] The period culminated in 2001 with the university's first commencement ceremony, conferring degrees on 82 graduates, solidifying AUS's operational maturity after four years of development.[6] Notable early visitors included Nelson Mandela, who lectured on the campus on October 4, 1997, coinciding with the start of classes.[6]Expansion and Key Milestones
Following its founding in 1997 with an initial enrollment of 285 students and 30 faculty members, American University of Sharjah experienced rapid expansion in student numbers, reaching over 5,000 by 2009.[6] This growth reflected increasing regional demand for its American-style liberal arts education, supported by investments in infrastructure such as the opening of a new library in 2006 and the AED 90 million School of Business and Management building in June 2011.[6] Programmatic expansion marked further milestones, including the launch of the university's first MBA in 2000 and its inaugural PhD in Engineering Systems Management in 2018, transitioning AUS toward comprehensive research university status.[6] In 2014, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi announced plans to broaden academic horizons and enter a new development phase, emphasizing sustained distinctiveness amid growth.[9] Subsequent achievements included QS World University Rankings placement in the top 500 starting in 2012 and Times Higher Education recognition as the global leader in international student percentage in 2017.[6] Recent years have seen accelerated enrollment and faculty growth, with undergraduate numbers hitting a decade-high and total enrollment a seven-year record in Fall 2023, alongside 37 new faculty hires.[10] By Fall 2025, over 1,300 new students joined, including a 60% increase in PhD enrollment, supported by 45 additional faculty and initiatives like dual master's programs with international partners launched in 2024–2025.[11] [12] These developments align with the 2025–2030 strategic plan's focus on curriculum updates, research deepening, and facility enhancements to accommodate expanded graduate studies and emiratization priorities.[13]Governance and Academic Structure
Leadership and Administration
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi serves as President and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of American University of Sharjah (AUS), having been appointed to these combined roles in January 2023 to enhance alignment between the university's governance and strategic objectives.[14][15] In this capacity, she oversees high-level decision-making and institutional vision, drawing on her background in cultural and educational initiatives within the emirate of Sharjah.[16] Dr. Tod A. Laursen holds the position of Chancellor, responsible for executive leadership and operational management of the university.[17] He assumed this role following nearly eleven years as president of Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, where he advanced research and academic programs in science and technology.[18][19] The Board of Trustees, under Sheikha Bodour's chairmanship, provides oversight on policy, finances, and long-term development.[14] In May 2025, the board facilitated strategic appointments, including new trustees Prof. Tony Chan, Dr. Ebtesam Almazrouei, and Mohamed Khadiri, alongside expansions in the leadership team to support academic and infrastructural advancements.[20] Key members of the Leadership Cabinet include Dr. Matthias Ruth, who serves as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost, managing curriculum, faculty affairs, and academic standards.[17] This structure emphasizes a hierarchical administration typical of private universities in the UAE, with the chancellor reporting to the president and board while directing day-to-day administration.[19]Colleges, Schools, and Degree Programs
The American University of Sharjah (AUS) organizes its academic offerings into four primary units: the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD), the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), the College of Engineering (CEN), and the School of Business Administration (SBA).[21] These units collectively provide 33 undergraduate majors and 48 minors, alongside approximately 20 master's programs and 8 PhD programs, emphasizing a liberal arts foundation integrated with professional training aligned to regional needs.[19][22] College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) offers undergraduate degrees focused on creative and applied design disciplines, including the five-year Bachelor of Architecture, which incorporates professional training and design-build projects, and the four-year Bachelor of Science in Interior Design.[23][24] The Department of Art and Design provides Bachelor of Science degrees in Design Management, Film and New Media Design, and Graphic Design, supporting multimedia and visual communication skills.[25] At the graduate level, CAAD includes the Master of Urban Planning, emphasizing applied learning in urban contexts.[26] College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), the most diverse unit with 9 departments, delivers 15 programs spanning humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, including undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degrees in English Language and Literature, International Studies, Media Communication, and Psychology.[27][28] Graduate offerings feature the Master of Arts in International Studies, Master of Arts in Media Studies and Practice, and Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, alongside doctoral programs in select fields.[29] College of Engineering (CEN) provides ABET-accredited undergraduate Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, with curricula covering core areas like thermofluids, dynamics, and manufacturing.[30][31][32] Graduate programs include Master of Science degrees in engineering disciplines such as Mechatronics and Engineering Systems Management, plus a PhD in Engineering Systems Management.[33][34] School of Business Administration (SBA) grants undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degrees with majors in Accounting, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Management, and Management Information Systems.[35][36] Graduate options encompass the Master of Business Administration (with core and elective courses, some online), Master of Science in Accounting, and PhD in Business Administration.[37][38][39]Accreditations and Quality Assurance
The American University of Sharjah (AUS) holds institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) in the United States, which was reaffirmed following a comprehensive evaluation in 2019, with the next periodic review scheduled for 2027-2028.[40] This accreditation affirms that AUS meets rigorous standards for academic quality, institutional effectiveness, and continuous improvement across its operations.[40] In the United Arab Emirates, AUS is licensed by the Ministry of Education, and all its degree programs are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), ensuring compliance with national standards for higher education quality and relevance to regional needs.[41] The CAA's evaluation framework includes assessments of academic standards, student outcomes, and institutional risk management, with AUS's quality assurance processes deemed to meet these requirements as of the latest review.[42] Program-specific accreditations further underscore AUS's commitment to specialized excellence. The School of Business Administration's undergraduate and graduate business programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a designation held by fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide, emphasizing ethical leadership, innovation, and engagement.[43] In engineering, the College of Engineering's undergraduate programs—civil, chemical, computer, electrical, and mechanical—received reaccreditation from ABET's Engineering Accreditation Commission in 2018, validating their alignment with global criteria for technical competency and professional practice.[44] The Bachelor of Architecture program in the College of Architecture, Art and Design is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), confirming preparation for professional licensure and practice in architecture.[41] Other programs within the College of Architecture, Art and Design, including interior architecture and design and multimedia design, hold CAA accreditation.[45] These layered accreditations collectively ensure that AUS graduates meet both international benchmarks and UAE labor market demands, with periodic reviews enforcing ongoing quality enhancements.[41]Campus and Facilities
Physical Layout and Infrastructure
The American University of Sharjah (AUS) campus, located in University City, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, at coordinates 25.3097° N, 55.4906° E, adopts a compact, pedestrian-oriented layout segmented into academic, residential, and recreational zones to foster efficient movement and interaction among its over 5,000 students.[46][47] Central to this design is the Main Building, which functions as the primary administrative and lecture facility, anchoring surrounding academic structures.[47] Key academic buildings include Engineering Building 1 (EB1) and Engineering Building 2 (EB2) for technical programs, the Engineering Sciences Building (ESB) housing specialized labs spanning 38,000 square meters across three structures, the School of Business Administration building, College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) building, Language Building, Humanities and Social Sciences Building, Performing Arts Building, and New Academic Building (NAB).[47][48] The Library Building provides central research resources, while the Student Center serves as a social nexus.[47] Infrastructure encompasses extensive parking facilities labeled P1 through P12, internal bus routes for campus navigation, and pedestrian pathways linking buildings to support daily operations.[49][46] Utility elements include a campus-wide wireless network for connectivity, a mosque, health center, bank, pharmacy, and mini-mart integrated into the layout.[50][51] Recreational infrastructure features the AUS Sports Complex with indoor amenities such as two basketball courts, two volleyball courts, two badminton courts, two squash courts, two fitness centers, and a 50-meter Olympic-size swimming pool, promoting physical activity amid the academic core.[52] Residential facilities consist of separate men's and women's halls situated on the periphery, ensuring privacy and accessibility.[47] This configuration, established since the university's opening in 1997 with subsequent expansions like the ESB, emphasizes functionality in a subtropical desert environment.[48]Academic and Support Facilities
The American University of Sharjah (AUS) maintains a central library that houses 135,000 physical items and provides access to over one million e-books, along with 140 computers, study rooms, and instruction in research skills.[53] The library building, which opened in 2006, spans 8,750 square meters and includes dedicated computer areas, collaborative study spaces, and a services desk for user assistance.[54] AUS features multiple academic buildings equipped with classrooms, lecture halls, and specialized laboratories to support teaching and hands-on learning across disciplines.[55] For instance, the School of Business Administration includes 18 smart classrooms, each accommodating 42 students, with three featuring advanced video capture and conferencing technology.[55] Laboratories are integrated into programs requiring practical training, such as engineering and sciences, though specific configurations vary by department. Research facilities at AUS are anchored by interdisciplinary centers, including the Materials Research Center, which focuses on advanced materials development through collaborative projects involving faculty and students.[56] Other centers address sustainability, energy, water resources, manufacturing, healthcare, and creative industries, fostering research aligned with regional priorities.[57] In June 2024, the AUS Board of Trustees approved three additional research centers to expand these capabilities.[58] Support services include the IT Support Service Desk, which handles technical issues via WhatsApp, phone, email, and after-hours assistance for critical problems, alongside broader IT infrastructure, management information systems, and cybersecurity measures.[59][60] The University Health Services operates as an accredited outpatient facility under the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with a dedicated emergency line for urgent care.[61][62] Additional student support encompasses career guidance, multicultural learning programs, and the AUS Solution Center, a centralized hub in the Main Building for administrative and advisory services.[63][64]Student Housing and Residential Life
The American University of Sharjah (AUS) offers on-campus housing in gender-segregated residence halls comprising seven buildings for men and five for women, supervised by staff on a 24/7 basis to ensure security and a balanced environment supporting both social interaction and academic focus.[65][66] These facilities accommodate over 1,400 students, providing convenient access to campus resources while adhering to university policies on residency, which prioritize full-time enrolled undergraduates.[65][67] Room options include private rooms with single occupancy, private bath, and kitchenette; semi-private rooms with single occupancy and shared bath; sharing rooms with double occupancy and shared bath; and quad rooms for four occupants sharing two bathrooms.[68] Additional amenities encompass laundry facilities, computer labs, study lounges, and recreational areas designed to foster community and academic success, with the Student Residential Life Department overseeing operations to align with AUS's educational mission.[65][67] Residential policies enforce rules on guest access, quiet hours, and maintenance to maintain a safe living environment, including requirements for full-time enrollment and potential room reallocation for non-residents.[67] The department organizes programs to enhance student development, though specific event details vary by semester and are promoted through official channels.[67]Student Body and Admissions
Enrollment Demographics and Diversity
As of Fall 2022, American University of Sharjah had a total enrollment of 5,431 students, marking a 6% increase from the previous year, with further growth to a seven-year record high in Fall 2023.[69][70][10] The student body is predominantly undergraduate, consistent with the institution's focus on bachelor's-level American-style liberal arts education in the Gulf region. The gender distribution shows a slight female majority, with 54% female and 46% male students in Fall 2022, aligning closely with more recent estimates of 53% female to 47% male.[69][71] AUS exhibits high nationality diversity, drawing students from 91 countries in Fall 2022, with the figure consistently reported as over 90 nationalities in official descriptions.[69][72] Approximately 27% of the student body consists of Emirati nationals, higher than in some peer institutions but reflecting targeted outreach to local students amid the UAE's expatriate-heavy population.[70] Prominent non-Emirati groups include students from Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Syria, and Pakistan, comprising a significant portion of the remaining top nationalities and underscoring the university's regional appeal to Arab and South Asian applicants.[73] This composition contributes to AUS ranking among universities with the highest proportions of international students globally, fostering a multicultural environment shaped by the UAE's demographic realities rather than domestic quotas alone.[74]Admissions Process and Selectivity
The admissions process at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) begins with an online application submitted through the portal at apply.aus.edu, where applicants upload scanned copies of required documents including official secondary school transcripts demonstrating a minimum average of 85 percent (or equivalent) in the final year, proof of English proficiency via accepted tests such as TOEFL iBT (minimum 79), IELTS Academic (minimum 6.5), or EmSAT English (minimum 1550), and a valid passport copy for non-UAE/GCC applicants.[75] UAE nationals and GCC citizens follow the same core requirements but may benefit from government scholarships or quotas prioritizing local students in certain programs, while international applicants must secure a student visa post-admission through AUS sponsorship, requiring additional health checks and financial verification.[72] No standardized tests like SAT or ACT are mandated, with decisions primarily based on academic record, though competitive programs such as engineering may consider EmSAT scores in mathematics and sciences for UAE applicants.[76] Applications for fall intake operate on a structured timeline with three periods—early action, regular decision, and late—allowing rolling notifications to ensure equal consideration, with deadlines typically in March for priority and extending to June for final rounds; spring admissions follow a similar but abbreviated process with seat reservation deposits due by early January for admitted students.[77] Post-acceptance steps include paying a non-refundable seat deposit (AED 3,000 for undergraduates), attesting secondary certificates via UAE Ministry of Education equivalency for non-UAE qualifications, and completing orientation; failure to meet conditional terms, such as submitting final grades, results in offer revocation.[78] Graduate admissions mirror this but require a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 equivalent, GRE/GMAT for select programs, and recommendation letters.[79] AUS exhibits moderate selectivity, with reported acceptance rates ranging from 70 to 85 percent across sources, reflecting a threshold driven by the 85 percent high school average minimum rather than extreme competition; for instance, EduRank estimates 80 percent, while Peterson's reports 85 percent, indicating that qualified applicants meeting the baseline typically receive offers, particularly in less oversubscribed fields.[80][81] This positions AUS as accessible for strong regional and international candidates, though demand for STEM programs can elevate effective selectivity through program-specific caps and waitlists.[82] Retention stands at 81 percent for freshmen, suggesting solid post-admission fit for admits.[83]Rankings and Reputation
Global and Regional Rankings
In the QS World University Rankings 2026, the American University of Sharjah (AUS) achieved its highest position to date at 272nd globally, marking a 60-place improvement from the previous year and placing it among the top 18% of ranked institutions worldwide, as well as third in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).[4][84] The rankings evaluated AUS on metrics including academic reputation, employer reputation (where it ranked first in the UAE), faculty-student ratio, citations per faculty, and international faculty and student ratios.[85] In subject-specific assessments, AUS ranked in the global top 400 for business and management studies.[4] The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026 placed AUS in the 501–600 band globally, with strong performances in international outlook (87.5 score) and research quality (73 score), though it scored lower in teaching (20.9) and research environment (28.7).[71] THE also ranked AUS in the 401–500 band for business and economics, and among the top 125 young universities worldwide in its 2024 Young University Rankings, reflecting its establishment in 1997.[85][86] In the THE Asia University Rankings 2024, AUS was positioned in the top 150.[87] Regionally, AUS ranked ninth in the QS Arab Region University Rankings 2025, within the top 5% of Arab institutions and third in the UAE, excelling in employer reputation and international research network.[4][88] U.S. News & World Report's Best Global Universities ranking placed it at 1,171st overall, with methodology emphasizing bibliometric indicators like publications and citations.[89] These positions highlight AUS's strengths in employability and internationalization amid competition from larger UAE public universities.[85]| Ranking Body | Global Position | Regional/UAE Position | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | =272 | 3rd in UAE | 2026[4] |
| THE World University Rankings | 501–600 | Top 5 in UAE (business/economics) | 2026[71][85] |
| QS Arab Region University Rankings | N/A | 9th in Arab Region; 3rd in UAE | 2025[4] |
| U.S. News Best Global Universities | 1,171 | N/A | Latest available[89] |