A World-Class MBA, Built for the MENA Region

The only top US business school MBA offered in MENA, delivering NYU Stern’s world-class curriculum to the region.

Academic Experience

Academic Experience

As a Stern at NYUAD MBA student, you will build the analytical, strategic, and leadership skills to drive innovation and growth across the UAE and beyond, graduating with a fully accredited NYU degree, jointly conferred by NYU Stern and NYU Abu Dhabi.


The program is built on a rigorous foundation of core business disciplines, covering finance, accounting, strategy, leadership, economics, and more. This is the same curriculum that underpins the NYU Stern MBA in New York, ranked #7 among US business schools (US News & World Report, 2026), carrying the full academic rigor and global reputation of one of the world’s leading business schools.

The curriculum leverages case studies and business challenges that are specifically adapted to the MENA region.


CURRICULUM: AT A GLANCE

  • Credits: 54
  • Structure: Six, seven-week modules + orientation pre-module
  • Core courses: Finance, strategy, leadership, economics, and more
  • Electives: Entrepreneurship, sustainability, technology, artificial intelligence, and more
  • Experiential: Stern Signature Project courses embedded across Abu Dhabi modules; Doing Business in NYC in New York, Doing Business in Shanghai, and Doing Business in the UAE
  • Global module: Summer term in New York City and/or Shanghai
  • Degree: NYU degree, jointly conferred by NYU Stern and NYU Abu Dhabi
JANUARY
07

NEXT APPLICATION DEADLINE


The CurriculumThe Curriculum

The Curriculum

Students will be required to complete 54 credits as part of the MBA curriculum, including core courses, elective courses, Experiential Internship courses in Abu Dhabi, and courses that focus on Doing Business in New York City. The MBA program has been structured in an immersive, modular format to facilitate completion in one year.

At the end of this program, Stern at NYUAD One-year Full-time MBA students will have developed effective analytical and decision-making skills. Through a comprehensive MBA curriculum, they will have the capability to successfully collaborate in teams and make ethical professional decisions. Students will also develop the specialized business knowledge they require to pursue their subsequent individual professional journeys, especially in the MENA region.

Upon successful completion of the MBA program, students will graduate with a fully accredited New York University diploma, jointly conferred by NYU Stern School of Business and NYU Abu Dhabi.


*Note: In addition to Doing Business in NYC, students must complete 6 credits in Module 4, for a total of 7.5 credits. Three of the six non-Doing Business in NYC credits must be completed from the Flex Core courses listed above. The remaining three credits can be completed either by taking additional Flex Core courses, or by taking eligible course(s) through the NYU Stern Langone Part-Time MBA, subject to availability.

Our MBA program combines a strong foundation in core business disciplines with a range of electives that foster responsible leadership, critical thinking, and analytical expertise. We aim to equip students to address today’s most urgent business and societal challenges, succeed in an ever-evolving business landscape, and accelerate their professional growth.

Professor Barbara Scheck



Vice Dean of Programs

Stern at NYUAD

Professor Barbara Scheck

Electives

  • Business Analytics
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Leadership, Management, and Strategy
  • Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship

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Professor Jemima A Frimpong
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The Curriculum
Kali Hailegiorgis, a Class of 2025 graduate of Stern at NYU Abu Dhabi One-Year Full-Time MBA.
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MBA Student Voices: My MBA Experience
Stern Signature Project
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Stern Signature Project

Real Experience With the Organizations Shaping the Region

Learning at Stern at NYUAD goes well beyond the classroom. The Stern Signature Project is a distinctive feature of the program that runs across four Abu Dhabi-based modules throughout the year.

Working in teams of three to six, you will partner directly with organizations based in the UAE to address real strategic business challenges, applying the skills and frameworks developed throughout the MBA to complex, real-time business problems. After each module, you will reflect on your experiences, analyze what you have learned, and continue to build on your skill set.

By the end of the program, you will have gained genuine insight into how businesses operate in the UAE and the region, built direct relationships with organizations, and developed the practical problem-solving experience in demand by MENA’s top employers.

OUR STUDENTS SAY IT BEST

The Signature Internship Project was a great experience, and I got the chance to work with one of my target companies.
Hamza, Class of 2025

Syed Hamza Raza

MBA Class of 2025

Hamza, Class of 2025

A Global Mindset, Built Into the Program

Our summer modules offer you the flexibility to tailor your MBA experience while developing a global business mindset through immersive learning opportunities in New York City, Abu Dhabi, or Shanghai.

During your first summer module, you can choose to study at NYU Stern’s Washington Square campus in New York City or remain at NYU Abu Dhabi. Alongside your core courses, you will complete a dedicated Doing Business In course that brings the local business environment into the classroom. Through experiential learning, you will explore organizational cultures, examine the strategies of multinational companies, and gain insights into the opportunities and challenges of operating in a dynamic business hub.

For your second summer module, you can choose between NYU Stern in New York City and NYU Shanghai. Alongside FlexCore courses and electives, you will complete a second Doing Business In course, further expanding your understanding of business practices and perspectives across global markets.

No matter where you choose to study, your summer will provide you with the opportunity to engage with pioneering companies, learn from regional business leaders, and immerse yourself in some of the world’s most influential commercial and cultural environments. The relationships, insights, and perspectives you gain will complement your expertise in the MENA region, equipping you with the cross-border fluency and global outlook to lead in an increasingly interconnected business world.

About the Doing Business in New York course
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About the Doing Business In New York course
Summer in New York
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Summer Term in New York

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Attend one of our regular admissions events to hear more about the program and meet the team, or connect with our admissions team directly to discuss your application.

Tips and Insights for a Successful Application
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Tips and Insights for a Successful Application

Frequently Asked Questions