High School Grads Prioritize University Majors Based on Tuition Fees and Job Prospects

A new survey reveals that two-thirds of UAE students choose their university majors based on tuition costs and job prospects rather than their interests or talents. The findings highlight a growing concern that financial pressures are steering students away from fields the country needs most for its future economy.

The poll, conducted during Abu Dhabi's three-day university education fair, surveyed 120 students from different nationalities. Results showed 34% of students pick their major based on what their families can afford, while 32% focus primarily on employment opportunities after graduation. Only 24% prioritize their academic interests and passion when choosing a field of study.

Students interviewed at the fair explained the harsh reality behind these numbers. Many take gap years after high school to work and save money for university. Some study part-time while working to cover expenses. Others abandon higher education entirely or return to their home countries seeking cheaper alternatives.

The financial burden hits female students particularly hard. Several female students noted they have fewer options for studying abroad compared to male peers, as many families hesitate to send daughters to distant countries for education.

The cost breakdown shows why students face these tough choices. Medical programs charge around 3,000 dirhams per credit hour, with some degrees requiring over 240 credit hours. Engineering programs average 1,700 dirhams per credit hour. High-demand fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and renewable energy cost about 1,500 dirhams per credit hour. Total annual fees range from 70,000 to 150,000 dirhams for these specialized programs.

Dr. Murad Al-Rajab from Abu Dhabi University identifies four main challenges students face when choosing majors. Schools provide insufficient academic guidance during secondary education. Parents often lack understanding of modern fields like AI, genetics, or data science, sticking to traditional career advice about medicine, engineering, and law. Communication between schools and universities remains weak. And rising tuition costs force families to choose cheaper options regardless of student aptitude.

The consequences extend beyond individual students. Dr. Fatima Al-Marashda, an educational leadership expert, warns that choosing majors based on cost rather than talent creates graduates who know their profession but don't love it. This approach widens the gap between what universities produce and what the job market needs.

The country ends up with too many graduates in traditional, lower-cost fields while facing shortages in technical and scientific specialties crucial for keeping pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Current fully-funded scholarship programs reach only limited numbers of students, leaving many talented individuals unable to pursue careers in space sciences, AI, cybersecurity, or renewable energy.

Abu Dhabi's Department of Education and Knowledge has established policies for university and career guidance. The initiative aims to build student ambition for post-secondary education from an early age and increase awareness of career concepts among middle school students. The program helps students explore career paths in detail and develop workplace skills through school activities and external enrichment programs.

But the fundamental challenge remains: when financial constraints drive academic choices, the country risks losing talented individuals to fields where they're needed most. The solution requires balancing accessibility with the strategic need to fill critical roles in emerging industries that will define the UAE's economic future.