Admission Requirements

Advance your professional journey through accredited credentials offered via Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University’s advanced training programs.

HBMSU’s professional programs are designed to support ambitious professionals seeking to build leadership capabilities and achieve measurable impact across diverse sectors. Through smart and blended learning options, these programs provide a practical pathway to develop skills, earn recognized certifications, and apply knowledge directly in the workplace.

Whether your goal is organizational excellence, leadership across sectors, distinction in education or healthcare, advancing sustainability, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, or mastering data analytics, our programs offer learning opportunities led by expert faculty, grounded in global best practices, and tailored to the needs of working professionals.

Your experience makes the difference. Learn effectively, apply with confidence, and earn accredited credentials that reflect your capabilities.

Grounded in a lifelong learning model, HBMSU’s professional programs are designed for professionals balancing work and education. The programs combine best practices with strong alignment to labor market needs, while the admission framework provides flexible and inclusive access for learners from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.

Our programs integrate academic depth with practical application, with a clear focus on developing the skills required to address market challenges and deliver tangible outcomes at both individual and organizational levels across quality, innovation, leadership, healthcare, smart education, sustainability, and artificial intelligence.

Flexible learning pathways that support your professional ambitions and empower you to lead the future with confidence.

Through expert-designed curricula, applied projects, and nationally recognized certificates, these programs prepare participants to navigate industry challenges, strengthen leadership and innovation capabilities, and excel in competitive environments.

Prepare for your academic journey with flexible, globally recognized pathways.

At HBMSU, undergraduate admission welcomes ambitious learners who aspire to be future-ready leaders. To qualify for admission, applicants must:

• Hold a recognized General Secondary School Certificate (GSSC) or equivalent from the UAE Ministry of Education or an accredited international authority.
• UAE Curriculum or Equivalent: Successful completion of high school from a recognized UAE curriculum or an approved international curriculum.
• Achieve a minimum secondary school average as set by the Ministry of Education for their academic stream (science, arts, etc.).
• Applicants may fulfil this requirement in one of the following ways:
• Graduating from an English-medium secondary education program.
• Meet the English proficiency requirement by achieving one of the following:
  • Achieve a score of 80% or higher in the high school English subject studied within the UAE.
  • Graduates of English-medium secondary education programs are considered to have met the English proficiency requirement. However, an Equivalency Certificate issued by the UAE Ministry of Education must be submitted to complete the admission process.
  • Learners from non-English-medium curricula must fulfil the English proficiency requirement by achieving one of the following standardized test scores:  
    • TOEFL: 500 (paper-based), 173 (computer-based), or 61 (internet-based)  
    • IELTS Academic: 5.0 or higher
  • Secure a minimum score of 70% in high school Mathematics studied within the UAE. Applicants who score below 70% are required to complete a remedial math course (MATH001) as part of the admission process. 

Required Documents

Applicants must submit:

• A certified copy of a high school certificate and transcripts
• Equivalency certificate (if a high school certificate was issued outside the UAE)
• Official English proficiency test scores
• Valid Emirates ID and passport copy
• One recent passport-sized photograph
• Valid Police clearance certificate  
• Employment letter (if applicable)

Conditional admission may be granted to applicants pending English or mathematics proficiency fulfilment. HBMSU ensures a learner-centered pathway with flexible, technology-driven education that empowers learners from diverse backgrounds. 

Conditions for Continuation

• Learners conditionally admitted for English or Math must enroll in the required non-credit remedial courses.
• Learners must maintain satisfactory academic progress as per HBMSU’s academic policies.
• All submitted credentials are subject to verification; failure to provide valid documentation may result in revocation of admission. 

Transfer of Credit for Undergraduate Learners

Learners may apply to transfer credits from other recognized institutions. Based on the official policy:

• Transfer credits may be granted only for courses completed at accredited higher education institutions.
• Courses must be equivalent in content and learning outcomes to HBMSU courses.
• Only courses with a grade of C or higher are eligible.
• The maximum number of transferable credits is subject to HBMSU’s undergraduate transfer policy.
• Applicants must provide official transcripts, detailed course syllabi, and a completed transfer credit application form for evaluation by the academic department.
• Learners must have a minimum CGPA of 2.0 or higher to be eligible to apply for credit transfer

Advance your expertise with academic rigor and global perspectives.

Applicants to HBMSU master's programs must demonstrate academic achievement and readiness for advanced study. Admission criteria include:

• A recognized bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Conditional admission may be granted to applicants with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.99, who must achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA in their first 9 credit hours.
• Non-business or non-management graduates must successfully complete the Management Appreciation Program (MAP) before beginning core courses.
• English proficiency demonstrated by:
  • TOEFL: minimum 550 (PBT) or 79 (iBT)
  • IELTS Academic: minimum overall score of 6.0
• Exemption: Applicants who have completed a degree where English was the medium of instruction.  

Required Documents

Applicants must provide:

• Attested copies of a bachelor’s degree and transcripts
• Equivalency certificate (if degree obtained outside the UAE)
• Official English proficiency test scores
• Valid Emirates ID and passport copy
• One recent passport-sized photograph
• Police clearance certificate
• Employment letter (if applicable)
• Active LinkedIn profile link 

Certain programs may require an interview or submission of a personal statement. HBMSU master’s programs foster leadership, innovation, and professional growth across industries. 

Conditions for Continuation

• Learners admitted conditionally for English must obtain the standard English proficiency score within the first semester to continue registering for academic courses.
• Learners conditionally admitted on CGPA must complete the first 9 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.0 to retain enrollment eligibility.
• All submitted credentials are subject to verification. 

Transfer of Credit for Master's Learners

HBMSU allows the transfer of credit hours from accredited graduate programs into applicable master’s programs. To qualify, learners must meet the following requirements: 

• Only courses with a grade of B or higher are eligible.
• Learners must have a minimum CGPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible to apply for credit transfer.
• Courses must be equivalent in content and learning outcomes to those offered at HBMSU.
• Transfer credits are subject to academic review and approval by the program committee.
• Learners must submit official transcripts, course syllabi, and a transfer credit application. 

Lead research and innovation at the highest academic level with HBMSU's doctoral programs.

HBMSU’s doctoral programs admit accomplished professionals and scholars committed to advancing quality, innovation, and research excellence. Admission requirements include: 

• A recognized master’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Submission of a detailed research proposal aligned with HBMSU’s research focus areas.
• Successful completion of an evaluation interview.
• Proof of English language proficiency via:
  • TOEFL: 550 (PBT) / 213 (CBT) / 80 (iBT)  
  • IELTS Academic: minimum overall score of 6.0, with a minimum writing band score of 6.5

Required Documents

Applicants must submit:

• Attested copies of master’s degree and official transcripts
• Equivalency certificate (if degree obtained outside the UAE)
• Official English proficiency test scores
• Updated CV including academic, research, and professional achievements
• Letter of intent outlining research interests and career goals
• Research proposal summary
• Two recommendation letters (academic or professional)
• Valid Emirates ID and passport copy
• One recent passport-sized photograph
• Police clearance certificate
• Employment letter (if applicable)
• Active LinkedIn profile link 

Additional requirements may include prerequisite courses in research methods or statistics if the applicant’s background is outside the discipline. HBMSU’s doctoral programs nurture high-level research, critical thinking, and transformative leadership.