UAE Suspends Scholarship Funding in the UK Over Extremism Concerns

The United Arab Emirates has officially halted the funding of scholarships previously offered to its students wishing to study at British universities, reflecting growing concerns over the potential spread of Islamic extremism in some higher education institutions in the UK.

A UAE official source stated that the decision comes following a comprehensive assessment of the educational environment in the United Kingdom, noting that the goal is to protect Emirati students from any extremist influences they might encounter while studying abroad.

The adjustment includes suspending all forms of financial support, including tuition fees and living expenses at British universities under government scholarship programs.

The decision comes amid increasing British criticism of the UAE’s stance on political Islam, particularly following London’s refusal to classify the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, which has sparked diplomatic tension between the two sides over security and cultural issues.

British media reports indicated that the number of Emirati students studying in the UK reached about 8,500 in 2024, and these numbers are expected to decline noticeably in the coming years due to the new policy, although financially capable families can still send their children at their own expense.

Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer affirmed London’s commitment to addressing extremism on campus, emphasizing that no form of extremism is acceptable in British society, in an effort to reassure students and international stakeholders about the educational environment in the country.

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