About AUE
A university built on excellence
Since 2006, one of the core higher education institutions in the GCC.
Academics
Eight colleges, one campus
16 undergraduate and 22 graduate programs, shaped with industry input.
Our colleges
Admission
Start your journey
Fall, Spring and Summer intakes, with an admissions team to guide you every step.
Fees & scholarships
Research
Driving future discoveries
Research centers, conferences and partnerships with global institutions.
Students
Everything you need, in one place
Advising, schedules, handbooks and the life that happens around them.
News & Media
What's happening at AUE
News, events and publications from across our campus community.
General Education
General Education (GE) is the set of courses every AUE undergraduate completes. It builds critical thinking, a broad understanding of the humanities, arts, social and natural sciences, a common grounding in Islamic and Emirati studies, and the communication, quantitative and digital skills you need in higher education.
At a glance
Minimum
30 credit hours
Competencies
7
Course areas
7
GE courses
28
What you will gain
Every GE course develops one or more of these competencies, whichever program you study.
01
Develop effective strategies for communicating in writing and speech.
02
Use mathematical and other quantitative information to reach evidence-based conclusions.
03
Interpret information from print and digital sources, and research effectively and ethically.
04
Apply scientific methods and ideas to contemporary issues.
05
Think critically to analyse and solve problems.
06
Recognise ethical issues within a given context.
07
Express personal reflection through creative work.
GE courses
Each undergraduate program requires at least 30 credit hours of GE. The courses you take depend on your program's study plan. All GE courses carry 3 credit hours.
3 courses
ASC 101 · University Life
Helps new students make the transition into AUE's academic and cultural environment and build the confidence to meet academic requirements. Academic content is combined with interactive class activities so students understand their curricular options and begin a career plan through self-reflection.
INV 200 · Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Sparks an interest in innovation and inspires entrepreneurial action through experiential learning, critical thinking and creative problem-solving. Students identify opportunities for creative disruption, design a strategy to implement it, develop innovative business ideas in practical workshops, and build a personal mastery portfolio.
ASC 219 · Introduction to AI
A practical introduction to artificial intelligence for students in every discipline. Through hands-on exercises students explore problem-solving, decision-making, simple machine learning, reinforcement and probabilistic learning, and natural language processing, with a focus on AI's impact on society, ethics and everyday life.
6 courses
ENG 101 · Academic Writing
Builds advanced English writing skills for study in any academic specialization, covering structure, technical writing, research papers and essays.
ASC 207 · Introduction to Research
Introduces research terminology and the research process, from choosing a topic to writing an APA-style proposal. Students learn to read and review journal articles, research ethics, data collection instruments and how to interpret data.
ARLAA 100 · Communication Skills in Arabic
For Arabic speakers. Develops the writing of reports, official letters, minutes, recommendations and systematic research, along with spelling rules, punctuation, paragraphing and essay writing.
ARLAA 105 · Arabic Composition
For Arabic speakers. Students analyse texts from different fields of knowledge and learn to write them correctly, using models, linguistic rules, planning and cohesion to inform and persuade the reader.
ARLNA 100 · Arabic for Non-Arab Speakers
Builds listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in Arabic step by step, using text-based dialogues so learners can interact confidently with the Arab community.
ENG 100AR · English I
For programs taught in Arabic. Develops the English listening, speaking, reading and writing skills needed across disciplines, and prepares students to research, draft and write an article.
4 courses
MAT 100 · General Mathematics
Develops a solid understanding of fundamental mathematical concepts and the ability to think logically and concisely, giving students the confidence to take further courses in mathematics and statistics.
ASC 210 · Natural Science
A survey of astronomy, geology, biology, chemistry and environmental science, including weather, water, nutrition and the chemistry of life. Students build skills in observation, critical thinking and interpreting scientific facts.
ASC 211 · Environmental Science
Introduces the principles of environmental science, from ecology and ecosystems to population dynamics, biodiversity, air quality, and water and waste management, with the knowledge to identify, prevent and solve environmental problems.
ASC 212 · Sustainable Energy
A thorough introduction to sustainable energy, conservation and efficiency in the UAE and the world, covering climate change, sustainable food production, waste management, environmental law and solutions to the energy crisis.
6 courses
ASC 201 · Introduction to Philosophy
Introduces the key concepts and tools of philosophy and its main schools of thought, applying philosophical analysis to knowledge, religion, mind, freedom, responsibility and ethics.
ASC 203 · World History
Surveys the history of humankind from 250 CE to 1990 CE, with interregional, comparative and cross-cultural perspectives. The course explores the roots of contemporary globalization and develops historical thinking and writing.
ASC 204 · Middle East History
An overview of the history of the Middle East and its historical sources, concluding with different perspectives on the region's history.
ENG 200 · English Literature
An overview of literature in English from the United States, from early Anglo-American writers and the major literary movements to the minority voices that shape American literature today.
DES 104 · Contemporary Arab Art
Explores Arab art and aesthetics from the early twentieth century to today: contemporary art and design movements in Arab countries, the expression of cultural identity, and the pioneering artists who shaped them.
DES 105 · History of Islamic Art
A chronological overview of the trends and approaches in Islamic art, exploring how the rise of Islam led to a new artistic culture across the world.
6 courses
ASC 110 · Introduction to Social Sciences
An interdisciplinary introduction to anthropology, sociology, psychology, political science and economics, and to a lesser extent history and geography, building critical thinking about social issues, change and institutions.
ASC 104 · Introduction to Sociology
Introduces sociology as the systematic study of societies, institutions and social relationships, including the methods used to study social interaction and stratification.
ASC 102 · Introduction to Anthropology
The study of human beings across time and space from both biological and cultural perspectives. Students experience ethnographic fieldwork as part of the course.
ASC 200 · General Psychology
An introduction to the science of psychology: its history, the biology of the mind, memory, learning, child and personality development, and psychological disorders and therapy, with applications to everyday life.
ASC 202 · Introduction to Political Science
Introduces the key concepts and tools of political science and the roles and functions of the main political actors.
ASC 206 · Introduction to Geography
A comprehensive overview of human and physical geography, focusing on the concepts needed to understand global, regional and local issues.
2 courses
ASC 105 · Islamic Culture
Explores Islamic culture and its characteristics, the sources of legislation in Islam, and the history of Islam.
ASC 106 · Islamic Civilization
An in-depth look at the universal principles behind Islamic civilization, its basic ideas and their contemporary relevance and challenges, including the debate on the 'clash of civilizations'.
1 course
ASC 208 · Emirati Studies
Formerly UAE and GCC Society. Introduces the history and distinctive features of UAE and GCC society, its customs, traditions and lifestyle, and the processes, challenges and future aspirations of its development.
Each program's study plan shows exactly which GE courses you will take and when.
About AUE
Our story
Leadership
Quality & structure
Academics
Our colleges
Programs
Executive education
Admission
Apply as
Fees & scholarships
Living & help
Research
Students
Alumni
News & Media