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Yes, you can. Most universities in the UAE allow applications before you receive your final certificate. In this case, you submit interim academic documents.

What is needed for this?

Transcript (academic transcript) — an official document from a school or university that includes:

• list of subjects studied
• grades for each year of study
• average grade (if calculated)
• signature and seal of the educational institution

Simply put, it’s a structured report of academic performance.

How to get it?

1. Contact your school administration.
2. Request an official academic transcript in English.
3. If the school issues it only in the national language, do a notarized translation.

Important: this must be an official document — not just a photo of a diary.

Predicted grades

If you study A-Levels, IB, or another international programme, your school may issue predicted grades (expected final grades). They are used for pre-enrollment.

What happens next?

If the university is satisfied with your current results, it may issue a Conditional Offer.

This means you are accepted, but you must still:

• provide the final diploma
• confirm final grades
• meet the language requirements

Once the conditions are met, the offer becomes unconditional.

Requirements vary by university and program.

IELTS — what is it?

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is an international English language exam.

Typical requirements:

• 5.5–6.0 for Bachelor’s degrees
• 6.0–6.5 for Master’s degrees

Is it possible without IELTS?

Often — yes, at the application stage. Many universities accept applications without a completed language test and issue a Conditional Offer. In that case, IELTS (or another accepted test) can be provided later, before the program starts.

What is GPA?

GPA (Grade Point Average) is the average academic grade that reflects overall performance.

It can be calculated differently in different countries:

• average percentage (e.g., 75%)
• average score on a 4-point scale (e.g., 3.2/4.0)
• average score on a 5-point scale (e.g., 4.3/5.0)

Universities in the UAE usually list requirements as a percentage or on a 4-point scale.

How to calculate GPA?

If you have a percentage system: add all final grades and divide by the number of subjects.

If you have a 5-point system: add all grades and divide by the number of subjects.

Approximate conversion to a 4-point scale: (your score ÷ 5) × 4

This is an approximate conversion — the exact method may vary depending on the university.

Typical requirements

For Bachelor’s degrees in the UAE, approximate requirements are:

• 60–70%, or
• equivalent to 2.5–3.0 on a 4-point scale

Competitive and prestigious programs may require a higher GPA. Keep in mind: GPA is one key criterion, but decisions are made holistically (subject profile + language level + overall fit).

Intake is the period when universities accept new students.

In the UAE, it’s common to have:

• September (main intake)
• January
• sometimes May