UAE Universities Embrace Flexible Admissions Amid Ongoing Exam Disruptions

As classrooms across the United Arab Emirates resume normal operations, thousands of students pursuing International Baccalaureate (IB) diplomas and United Kingdom qualifications like A-levels and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) continue to adapt to the cancellation of their high-stakes final exams. The decision by major exam boards—including the IB Organization, Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel, and OxfordAQA—to scrap the May/June 2026 series stems from persistent regional security concerns, yet UAE higher education institutions have swiftly pivoted to ensure seamless pathways for incoming undergraduates.

This shift underscores the resilience of the UAE's education sector, where universities and colleges are prioritizing holistic evaluations over traditional exam scores. With over 10,000 students affected, institutions like New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Khalifa University, and Zayed University are leading the charge by accepting alternative grading mechanisms such as the IB's Non-Exam Contingency Measures (NECM) and portfolio-based assessments.

The Scope of Exam Cancellations and Shift to Alternative Assessments

The cancellations, announced progressively from late March 2026, replaced formal written exams with robust internal evaluations. For IB Diploma Programme students, NECM involves schools submitting internal assessments for external moderation, alongside teacher-predicted grades calibrated against IB grade descriptors, mock exam results, and historical performance data. These are standardized globally by the IB to maintain credibility.

UK curricula schools compile comprehensive portfolios encompassing coursework, prior exam components, controlled assessments, and teacher judgments. Regulators like Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and Abu Dhabi's Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) have issued guidelines ensuring these portfolios accurately reflect student mastery, with schools conducting additional mocks and revision sessions even as classrooms reopen.

This approach mirrors successful precedents from the COVID-19 disruptions of 2020-2022, where similar methods were widely accepted without compromising standards.

Proactive Responses from Leading UAE Universities

UAE universities have publicly committed to flexibility. NYU Abu Dhabi has confirmed full acceptance of NECM grades and portfolios, conducting holistic reviews that consider school profiles and contextual factors. "We recognize the extraordinary circumstances and are dedicated to supporting our prospective students," a NYUAD admissions spokesperson stated.

Khalifa University, a hub for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs, emphasizes internal assessments in its evaluations, offering interviews and supplementary tests where needed. Zayed University provides dedicated counseling for affected applicants, honoring contingency grades while prioritizing UAE nationals and residents.

Other institutions like the American University of Sharjah (AUS), Heriot-Watt University Dubai, and University of Birmingham Dubai are extending application deadlines—some to August 2026—and incorporating predicted grades with weightings adjusted for reliability. Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) and United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) align with Ministry of Education (MoE) directives, focusing on portfolios for competitive programs.

Regulatory Support and Alignment with National Vision

The MoE, KHDA, and ADEK have coordinated responses, endorsing predicted grades and portfolios as equivalent to formal results. KHDA's directives mandate schools to document evidence rigorously, while ADEK ensures Abu Dhabi institutions integrate these into admissions algorithms. This aligns with UAE Vision 2031, promoting adaptive, student-centered higher education.

A joint statement from regulators reassures that all UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA)-approved universities will recognize these grades, mitigating risks for local placements. For international aspirations, universities worldwide—including UK and US counterparts—have precedents for accepting such provisions, as confirmed by the IB's recognition team.

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Student Experiences: From Anxiety to Empowerment

Students report mixed emotions. Year 13 pupil Ibrahim Tanvir at Brighton College Dubai expressed relief: "Returning to class has restored routine, and focusing on portfolios feels more manageable." However, Year 11 UAE national Alia Bin Thaneya noted lingering uncertainty, though school support has boosted confidence.

Experts like Richard Drew, Chair of the UAE IB Association, highlight the fairness of NECM: "Predicted grades, moderated internally and externally, ensure equity." Schools are enhancing wellbeing through counseling and resilience workshops, helping students channel efforts into meaningful evidence.

Challenges in Predicted Grades and Equity Concerns

While robust, predicted grades raise equity questions—subjective elements could disadvantage some. Schools mitigate this via calibration sessions and historical data analysis. International university applications add complexity; UCAS in the UK accepts teacher predictions routinely, but US Common App requires portfolios.

UAE universities address this through provisional offers and bridge programs, ensuring no student is penalized. Statistics from past contingencies show grade distributions mirroring exam years, building trust.

Case Studies: Success Amid Adversity

At Jumeira Baccalaureate School, NECM implementation has streamlined assessments, with students submitting extended internal work by early May. Nord Anglia International School Dubai prioritizes targeted revision, yielding strong predicted outcomes.

Heriot-Watt Dubai reports a 15% uptick in UAE applications, attributing it to flexible policies and GCC scholarships. Khalifa University's STEM bridge courses prepare portfolio applicants, fostering innovation.

• NYUAD: Holistic reviews led to 20% more conditional offers.
• AUS: Portfolio workshops for 500+ students.
• Zayed: Wellbeing-integrated admissions counseling.

Strategic Adaptations for UAE Higher Education

This crisis accelerates trends like portfolio-based admissions and hybrid learning. Universities invest in AI tools for equitable grading reviews and expand online orientations. Enrollment may shift toward flexible local programs, boosting UAEU and AUS intakes by 10-15%.

Long-term, it enhances graduate employability through self-directed skills. Partnerships with exam boards ensure future resilience.

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Actionable Insights for Students and Families

1. Document all work meticulously with timestamps and feedback.
2. Request teacher endorsements for predictions early.
3. Contact target universities' admissions teams now—many offer webinars.
4. Leverage school counselors for UCAS/Common App strategies.
5. Maintain routines: attend classes, revise mocks, prioritize mental health.

Varun Jain of UniHawk advises: "Proactive communication with unis turns challenges into opportunities."

Outlook: Building a Resilient Education Ecosystem

As results emerge in July 2026, UAE higher education emerges stronger, with flexible systems poised for future disruptions. This adaptation not only safeguards student futures but positions UAE universities as global leaders in inclusive admissions. Stakeholders anticipate normalized pathways by 2027, but the lessons in agility endure.IB's official update affirms worldwide recognition.