Dubai: As the new academic year 2026-2027 approaches, the UAE Ministry of Education has revealed 13 digital guidance requirements that link the school track to the university specialisation, as well as the conditions for admission to higher education institutions in the country. The requirements place before students and parents an early map of the required subjects and grades according to the targeted university destination.The requirements, included in the Ministry’s study plan guide for the new academic year, are distributed among three English language objectives, according to the university program level, two for medicine and dentistry, two for pharmacy, three for engineering, and one requirement for law, in addition to requirements related to the qualifying study track for each specialisation.The Ministry specified in the guide that students must have an average of 80% in English for a Bachelor's degree, and 70% for a higher diploma and a diploma. The guide also stipulated that for medicine and dentistry, the average must be 90% in mathematics along with two subjects from chemistry, biology, and physics. For pharmacy, it is 80% in mathematics and two subjects from the three scientific subjects, as well. For engineering, it is 80% in both mathematics and physics and one subject from chemistry or biology, compared to 70% in mathematics for law.This map reveals a direct link between a student’s choice of path in high school and the range of their university options later on, as medicine, dentistry and pharmacy are linked to the advanced path. Engineering allows enrolment through the advanced path or the general path, according to the scenario that includes physics. Law is available through the general and advanced paths. This makes planning for university specialisations actually begin from school, before students obtain their high school diploma.According to the guide, the criteria are based on Ministerial Resolution No. (19) of 2024 regarding the guiding admission criteria for higher education institutions in the UAE, and include requirements in English according to the program level, in addition to specific grades in secondary school subjects related to the nature of the specialisation.The notes accompanying the requirements in the guide confirmed that all Bachelor’s degree programs require an 80% score in English, making proficiency in the subject one of the key factors for transitioning to university studies, in addition to the specialised requirements of the different programs.Medicine: The ceiling for requirements is 90%Specifically, medicine and dentistry top the list of programs with the highest requirements, as the guide links enrolment in them to the advanced track: students must achieve a 90% average in mathematics, and 90% in two subjects, between chemistry, biology and physics.This means that the path to medical specialties actually begins years before university, as choosing an advanced track and maintaining a high level of achievement in mathematics and science becomes an essential part of the academic planning process of a student wishing to study medicine or dentistry.Pharmacy: 80% in mathematics and two science subjectsThe guide placed pharmacy among the disciplines associated with the advanced track, and set a minimum grade of 80% in mathematics and two subjects from chemistry, biology, and physics. These criteria give the student an early indication of the required level of academic performance, and confirm that the decision to choose the track is inseparable from the university specialisation, especially in scientific programs that depend directly on the subjects studied by the student in secondary school.Engineering: Two paths and the gateway to physicsAs for engineering, the guide makes it possible to access it through the advanced track or the general track, provided that the general track is in accordance with the scenario that includes studying physics. It sets the guiding requirements at a rate of 80% in both mathematics and physics, and one subject from chemistry or biology.Physics stands out here as a crucial subject in the academic map of a student wishing to study engineering. Law: 70% in mathematicsIn the field of law, the range of options is wide, as the guide allows enrolment for students in the general and advanced tracks, with a requirement of obtaining a 70% average in mathematics. This causes the law track to differ from the medical and engineering tracks, which impose more specific scientific requirements, especially in mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology.Specialisations without specific subject requirementsAs for the other group of disciplines, which includes technology, applied sciences, business administration and humanities studies, the guide allows enrolment in them through the general or advanced track, without specifying requirements for specific subjects within the provided guiding standards.This map draws a clear progression in requirements. The more a student moves towards medical and engineering programs, the greater the weight of mathematics and science in the admission equation, while the flexibility of choice expands with a number of other specialisations.Guidance only, not guaranteed acceptanceThe Ministry stressed the need to verify the requirements of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the conditions of the higher education institution that the student intends to enrol in. Therefore, the percentages and paths mentioned in the guide represent guiding standards for academic planning, and are not an automatic guarantee of university admission, as universities and educational institutions may set additional requirements or conditions specific to their programs.The 2026-2027 study plan rearranges the choice equation for students and families: university major first, then its requirements, then the school track, materials and grades needed to reach it, so that secondary school decisions are transformed from immediate study choices to early steps that chart the path towards university and career paths.
