Analysis Student Surveys International Student Barometer Middle East International Education Performance Benchmarking 06.02.2026
How Sharjah can become a global higher education hub
All across the Gulf, there is a quiet revolution that is reshaping higher education. Driven by youthful demographics and substantial public investment, Sharjah and its neighbours across UAE are building modern universities that can attract students from across the world, thereby changing what it means to study in the region. Previously, much of the focus and discussion has been defined by institutions from UK, Australia and USA setting up overseas campuses in Dubai and Qatar. This article explores the critical components of the student experience that can be leveraged by Sharjah institutions to deliver a world-class experience, support recruitment strategies, and build competitive advantage.
Sharjah is perhaps unique amongst the Emirates in that it has managed to maintain its cultural heritage combined with a growing population of over 1.8 million. Roughly 1.6 million of those are expatriate residents making up nearly 90% of the Emirate’s population. This growing population is also young with over 22% under the age of 19, and 51% between the ages of 20 – 39. This relatively unique demographic creates a wealth of opportunity for higher education in the region, but does not come without its challenges, especially when it comes to ensuring all student populations receive a world-class student experience, thereby helping to position the region’s institutions as destinations of choice.
Etio runs the largest survey of international students in the world – the International Student Barometer - so we are well-positioned to provide real insight into how Sharjah can ensure the success of its institutions in attracting new international students as well as ensuring its existing population wishes to study there. Ensuring that their expatriate youth wishes to study in Sharjah is also key since there is a real danger of a large-scale ‘brain drain’ as they look for educational and career opportunities outside the Emirate.
The importance of future career impact
We know from our global data that future career impact is the key factor in choosing a place to study with over 96% of students selecting it as a key decision-making factor.
Sharjah’s HE institutions need to ensure that all students can move seamlessly into local careers. Therefore, institutions should establish clear pathways and incorporate a range of internships open to local, expatriate and international students, but, critically also ensure that these opportunities are clearly communicated to their student populations. Many universities we work with have such pathways in place, as well as the initiatives to communicate them with student populations. However, when scrutinized, student experience data often indicates that employability support remains an area for improvement. So, it’s really important to understand how your message is landing with students.
We also know that students globally want a curriculum that is related to their future careers; therefore, Sharjah’s institutions need to work with local and regional industries to design and update the curriculum.
In addition, Sharjah has a lot going for it.
Safety as a decision-making factor
Our data indicates that safety is another one of the key decision-making factors for students and parents, with 93% of students indicating it as a key factor in their choice of where to study. Sharjah, with its visible public security and low levels of crime, makes it a very attractive place to live and study for many international students.
A place to focus on study
In addition, although Sharjah may not have the distractions and glitz of Dubai, for parents this can be seen as an advantage with a more conservative mind set allowing for a focus on studying.
Affordable accommodation
Perhaps more importantly the cost/availability of accommodation is now seen as a key concern and deterrent across the more traditional study destinations, especially in Australia and the UK. Sharjah is more affordable than neighbouring Emirates and, with examples like NEST campus near University City, is ensuring high-quality affordable accommodation is available.
How institutions can get the student experience right
We would recommend that all institutions should have a continual dialogue with their local and international students and act on what you learn. Our Student Barometer allows you to collate data on the student voice at your institution and then crucially benchmark your results against local, regional and global peers or competitors to give you real insight into where your institution’s strengths and areas to work on are.
You need to invest in the areas that matter most to students, and this often means prioritising employability — so, effective career services, employer partnerships and practical learning is central to turning enrollment into long term graduate success. You also need to ensure that your students are your active ambassadors, recommending your institution to their peers due the excellent student experience you provide that positive word of mouth will ensure an increasing stream of students will be choosing your institution.
Understanding students’ perceptions of the institution and the various initiatives it puts in place is the first step to ensuring you are investing time and resources in the right areas; understanding these in the context of how other institutions are performing is the best way to elevate those efforts to a demonstrable world-class standard.
Final thoughts
The region’s educational surge is both strategic and pragmatic: it responds to a youthful demographic and to economic diversification goals. For students seeking a secure, globally relevant and culturally affirming experience, the UAE and nearby Emirates offer strong options. For universities and policymakers, the brief is clear: listen to students, invest in what leads to jobs, and build clear pathways from learning to employment.
The International Student Barometer is the world's largest student experience survey of enrolled students. It is used by Higher Education institutions, membership bodies, networks and national governments around the world to provide the global benchmark for the international student experience.
