Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi Merit Scholarship
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is the official UAE campus of France's historic Sorbonne University — established in 2006 under an agreement between the UAE government and France. The Merit Scholarship offers tuition reductions of 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% to outstanding international undergraduate applicants. The total annual tuition is approximately AED 75,000 (LKR 6.5M), so even the 50% tier saves AED 37,500 per year. Programmes are offered in French (humanities, history, art history, philosophy) and English (business, law, economics, computer science). The campus is on Reem Island in central Abu Dhabi, with a strong Francophone academic identity. Sri Lankan applicants — especially those with prior French education through Alliance Française Colombo — find Sorbonne Abu Dhabi a unique pathway.
Fall 2027 intake: applications close 15 May 2027; admissions open continuously
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
25% / 50% / 75% / 100% Tuition
Duration
3 Years (renewable)
Application
Automatic at Admission
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.
What it covers
25% / 50% / 75% / 100% Tuition Reduction. This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.
Where we come in
We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Sorbonne Abu Dhabi UG Admission
You must be applying to a Sorbonne Abu Dhabi undergraduate programme (Licence-equivalent 3-year Bachelor's). Eligible fields include Business, Law, Economics, Computer Science (English-track) and History, Philosophy, Art History, French Studies (French-track).
Strong Academic Record
Top award tier (100%) typically requires 3 As at A/L, IB 38+/45, or French Baccalauréat 16+/20. Mid-tiers (50-75%) for solid second-upper results. Subject choices should align with the intended programme (e.g. combined maths for CS).
French OR English Pathway
Most Sorbonne Abu Dhabi humanities programmes require strong French (DALF C1 or equivalent). Business, Law, Economics, and CS are taught in English with French as a required minor. Sri Lankan applicants from Alliance Française Colombo with DELF B2+ can target French-track entry.
Renewable with Strong Grades
Scholarship is renewable each year subject to maintaining academic performance — typically a GPA of 12/20 (French system) or 3.0+/4.0 (US-equivalent). Drops below the threshold reduce the award tier.
account_tree Application Process
Apply via Sorbonne online portal
Submit your Sorbonne Abu Dhabi UG application via the online admissions portal. Application fee approximately AED 500. Required: A/L statement, school transcripts, IELTS/TOEFL OR DELF/DALF (depending on track), motivation letter (in French or English), recommendations.
Possible interview
Shortlisted candidates may be invited to a virtual interview, particularly for French-track programmes. Interviews assess language proficiency, motivation, and fit with the Sorbonne academic culture.
Automatic scholarship review
Sorbonne Abu Dhabi's admissions office automatically reviews applications for both admission and scholarship tier. There is no separate scholarship application. Strong academic record + clear motivation letter = best chance at higher tiers.
Offer + UAE student visa
Successful applicants receive their offer letter specifying scholarship tier. Sorbonne Abu Dhabi handles UAE student visa processing. The campus on Reem Island offers on-campus accommodation (separate fees apply).
Why Sorbonne Abu Dhabi?
Sorbonne University in Paris is one of the world's most historic universities (founded 1257) and a global leader in humanities, sciences, and medicine. The Abu Dhabi campus delivers the same Sorbonne degree (validated by Paris) in a smaller, more international setting on Reem Island. With around 1,500 students from 80+ countries, it offers an intimate Parisian academic experience in the UAE. For Sri Lankan students with French language background, this is a unique pathway to a recognised European degree close to home.
#59
QS World Ranking 2026 (Sorbonne)
~1,500
Students at Abu Dhabi
80+
Nationalities on Campus
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.
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Tuition, living costs, visa funds and flights for your destination — so you know the gap you are actually trying to close.
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