Abu dhabi: Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has welcomed its largest cohort for its Fall 2025 intake, enrolling 403 new students. This includes its inaugural undergraduate class, new graduate cohorts in existing programmes in Computer Science, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Robotics, and the first intakes into the Master of Science in Statistics and Data Science and Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence.
According to Emirates News Agency, this semester received more than 8,000 applications across the university's Bachelor and graduate programmes, yielding an acceptance rate of 5 per cent, and reinforcing the university's prestigious position and ability to attract the best talent in the UAE and from around the world. Timothy Baldwin, MBZUAI Provost and Professor of Natural Language Processing, emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating that artificial intelligence is transforming the world at a rapid pace, and MBZUAI is committed to updating its programmes to align with modern AI research methodology and workflows.
The newly launched Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence programme offers two streams, AI for Business and AI for Engineering, combining technical rigor with leadership, hands-on entrepreneurship, and in-situ industry experience. The inaugural class comprises 115 undergraduate students from more than 25 countries, with over 25 per cent being UAE Nationals. Professor Baldwin highlighted the importance of equipping future generations with the necessary skills to navigate the evolving job market shaped by AI.
Key highlights for the Fall 2025 intake include MBZUAI's total student body exceeding 700, representing over 47 nationalities. The undergraduate programmes feature students from Bulgaria, China, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, the UAE, and the UK. Postgraduate programmes bring together students from Canada, China, Egypt, France, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Serbia, UAE, UK, USA, and Vietnam.
MBZUAI continues to attract exceptional students, with 151 of the incoming graduate students holding degrees from the world's top 100 computer science universities, such as Cornell University, Tsinghua University, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of California, San Diego.
In welcoming the new students, MBZUAI has initiated its immersive Orientation Week, designed to introduce students to the university's culture of academic excellence, AI-driven innovation, and community engagement. The programme includes academic sessions, mentorship activities, and cultural programming celebrating UAE heritage and life in Abu Dhabi. Highlights include the Orientation Mini Fair, where partners showcase resources for academic success, career development, and student life, aiming to foster a strong sense of belonging and connection for all students.