Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities receives QAA accreditation

Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities in the United Arab Emirates has successfully completed its International Quality Accreditation (IQA) and has been awarded global 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 13-15 April 2026 by a team of three independent reviewers (including a student reviewer) appointed by QAA. The team concluded that Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities meets the standards for International Quality Accreditation and may therefore be granted QAA accreditation. 

Established in 2020, Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities is a public university founded in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE. It is funded by the Abu Dhabi Government and operates in accordance with applicable laws and regulations under licensure by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge. Its mission is to generate high-quality knowledge that fosters citizenship, intellectual leadership, and specialized competence grounded in tolerance and coexistence.

The IQA report identifies one area of good practice, and makes eight recommendations for enhancement.

The report notes the following feature of good practice: the significant and sustained external stakeholder engagement in the design and development of new academic programmes, reflecting the policy of the university.

The report recommends that Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities:

• implements further measures that support the development of a proactive and enhancement-focused quality culture;
• considers further initiatives to engage students as active partners in quality matters;
• develops and clearly communicate a standalone mitigating circumstances policy, separate from arrangements for Students of Determination, alongside clearer step-by-step guidance on academic appeals procedures;
• develops and implement a formal mechanism by which applicants to the university can appeal negative admissions decisions, and ensure this policy is published;
• ensures key current and relevant data points, formerly published under 'Facts and Figures',  are again made  publicly available to staff, students, and external stakeholders;
• ensure that the rationale for decisions taken, including the use of data, are properly and fully recorded in formal deliberative meetings;
• strengthens the currency, visibility, and accessibility of institutional information on its website by developing a clearly defined governance section, ensuring that key policies, processes, decisions, and action plans are presented in a consistent and transparent way;
• establishes mechanisms whereby faculty are able to periodically reflect and input on the development of their own programmes, rather than rely solely on external oversight. 
  

H.E Dr Khalifa Mubarak Al Dhaheri, Chancellor of Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities, said: "The UK's The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education has awarded the International Quality Accreditation to Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, an international recognition of the high academic and institutional standards the university has built. The accreditation affirms the strength of its teaching and research and its commitment to the highest quality benchmarks. It also reinforces the university's standing as a centre of excellence in the humanities as well as for cross cultural dialogue and rigorous scholarship.

Just as important, it widens the path for academic partnerships and international research, advancing the university's mission to educate graduates who possess knowledge and values, strengthen communities, and help build a more sustainable future."

Sam Booth-Malone, QAA's International Quality and Enhancement Manager, added: "QAA is pleased to congratulate Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities on its successful accreditation. We have very much enjoyed working with our colleagues in Abu Dhabi, 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 Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities' full IQA report on our website, where you can also find out more about International Quality Accreditation and QAA International Membership. 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