The UAE Government issued a Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2025 on Higher Education and Scientific Research at the end of 2025, aimed at establishing a comprehensive federal legislative framework. The Federal Decree-Law regulates the higher education and scientific research sector and strengthens governance and effective management of higher education institutions (HEIs) and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions. The legislation also aims to enhance the quality and competitiveness of higher education and to further align educational outcomes with labour market requirements while supporting lifelong learning for all graduates.

The provisions of the Federal Decree-Law apply to all HEIs and TVET institutions across the UAE, including those in free zones. The Decree-Law affirms the integration of the higher education system with the education system within a sustainable future-oriented vision, defines the stages of higher education in alignment with the levels of the National Qualifications Framework and obliges institutions to develop academic programmes characterised by innovation, flexibility and forward-thinking approaches that keep pace with scientific and technological developments and meet labour market needs.

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has issued key policies and decisions to regulate higher education, ensuring effective governance and quality. Some of the prominent ones are:

1. Ministerial Resolution No. 19 of 2024 Concerning Admission Standards for Higher Education Institutions' Programmes (PDF, 500 KB) sets updated guiding criteria for student admissions, giving higher education institutions flexibility when applying such criteria to their programmes or to customise criteria as needed.
2. expansion of the initiative of recognising university qualifications issued from outside the UAE – This is a proactive service by the ministry to include several scholarship-granting entities, thereby streamlining and accelerating the recognition process.
3. introduction of a new streamlined system for institutional licensure and programme accreditation for UAE-based higher education institutions - This initiative includes the adoption of an Outcome-based Evaluation Framework in accordance with Ministerial Resolutions No. 27 of 2024 and No. 62 of 2025. The decision establishes clear pathways for institutional licensure and programme accreditation for both existing and new institutions and also introduces a unified framework to evaluate institutions based on performance indicators.
4. establishment of the Advisory Committee for Higher Education and Future Skills, a subcommittee of the Higher Education Committee of the Education, Human Development and Community Council - The committee contributes to building a flexible, forward-looking education system capable of meeting national development priorities while keeping pace with the rapid transformation of the global labour market.