Gulf Medical University receives QAA re-accreditation

Gulf Medical University in the United Arab Emirates has successfully completed its International Quality Accreditation (IQA) and has been awarded accreditation by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

Gulf Medical University first received QAA accreditation in 2021, and successfully completed its mid-cycle review in 2024. It has now completed its first full re-accreditation by QAA.

IQA provides institutions with an independent peer review which tests whether an institution meets the ten standards of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).

The review visit was conducted on 22-23 April 2026 by a team of three independent reviewers (including a student reviewer) appointed by QAA. The team concluded that Gulf Medical University meets the standards for International Quality Accreditation and may therefore be granted QAA accreditation. 

Established in 1998, Gulf Medical University is a specialised academic healthcare institution which offers a portfolio of undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, diploma and continuing professional education programmes across Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Medical Imaging Sciences, Anaesthesia Technology, Healthcare Management, Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, Veterinary Medicine, and Health Professions Education. In academic year 2024-25, its had a total of 2,820 students.

The IQA report identifies seven areas of good practice, and made two recommendations for enhancement.

The report notes the following features of good practice:

• The initial development and continuing enhancement and support for the Quality Assurance and Institutional Effectiveness Portal, which is highly integrated and all-embracing. 

• The comprehensive approach to preparing proposals for new programmes, which includes the commitment to adequate resourcing.
• The deliberate and consistent use of learning outcomes, which significantly helps shape student engagement with their learning.

• The effective integration of internships into the curriculum, which supports a clear progressive design and is in full alignment with learning outcomes.

• The peer-assisted learning scheme, which is a valued and effective academic support mechanism and which makes a meaningful contribution to high retention levels.

• The holistic and genuine way that students are supported, which has a clear impact on student professional and personal development and progression.

• The highly effective arrangements for the dissemination of the outcomes of external review, which results in the wider adoption of recommendations across the university. 

The report makes the following recommendations to Gulf Medical University:

• Expand its Teaching and Learning Methodologies Policy to be more explicit about the delivery options which correlate with the principles outlined. 

• Develop an institutional continuous professional development plan mapped onto its strategic objectives to ensure all staff remain fully attuned to mission-relevant training. 

Prof. Manda Venkatramana, Chancellor of Gulf Medical University, said: "Our QAA journey since 2021 has been transformative – not only in validating our quality, but also in strengthening and advancing it."

Sam Booth-Malone, QAA’s International Quality and Enhancement Manager, added: 'QAA is pleased to congratulate Gulf Medical University on its successful re-accreditation. We have very much enjoyed working with our colleagues in Ajman, and we look forward to collaborating with them in the future.'

By securing accreditation from QAA, institutions can clearly highlight their quality and standards internationally, and more easily start dialogues with institutions beyond their own regions. You can read Gulf Medical University's full IQA report on our website, where you can also find out more about International Quality Accreditation. If you are interested in your institution seeking accreditation or international membership, and wish to discuss this further, please contact the QAA Global team at accreditation@qaa.ac.uk