Student accommodation in Abu Dhabi is mostly university housing. Abu Dhabi University’s rooms cost from AED 5,400 per semester on campus, Zayed University lists single rooms at AED 12,000 and double rooms at AED 6,000 a semester, and NYU Abu Dhabi houses only NYU affiliates. If you rent privately, the lease should be registered on the emirate’s Tawtheeq system. This guide sets out the published figures and what I could not confirm.
Details come from Abu Dhabi University, Zayed University, NYU Abu Dhabi and a Khaleej Times report on Tawtheeq published on 2 June 2026, checked on 1 November 2026. Amounts are in UAE dirhams (AED) as the universities publish them. Neither fee page states an academic year, so confirm the figures for your intake.
Abu Dhabi University housing
Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has separate male and female residences, ideally on campus. Depending on availability, buildings may be off campus within a reasonable distance, with transport on a set schedule. The fees below are per term, and the page was last updated on 23 March 2026.
| Room type | On campus, fall or spring | On campus, winter or summer | Off campus, fall or spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private single (own bathroom and kitchenette) | AED 12,500 | AED 3,800 | AED 13,750 |
| Semi-private single (two per flat, shared bathroom) | AED 9,200 | AED 2,800 | Not listed |
| Double (two occupants) | AED 6,700 | AED 2,000 | AED 7,370 |
| Double shared (four occupants) | AED 5,400 | AED 1,700 | Listed with a conflicting label |
- Who can apply: ADU students, and students from other universities who provide a registration confirmation letter or class schedule for the term.
- Documents for new applicants: a passport-style photo, a copy of your UAE ID or passport, a copy of a parent’s or guardian’s ID or passport, and a recent medical report if you have a health condition.
- How to apply: email studenthousing@adu.ac.ae with your name, ID, contact number, room type and term to confirm the cost, then complete the online application and upload your documents.
- Deposit: the page does not mention one.
Zayed University residence
Zayed University publishes fall and spring semester housing charges. The page does not say which campus it covers, and the university has campuses in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, so confirm that before you apply.
| Student type | Room type | Per semester |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Single standard or special needs | AED 12,000 |
| Undergraduate | Double standard (two occupants) | AED 6,000 |
| Graduate or exchange | Single standard or special needs | AED 13,000 |
| Graduate or exchange | Double standard (two occupants) | AED 6,500 |
Charges include water, electricity, cleaning, maintenance and weekly transport, but not food. A refundable security deposit of AED 2,000 is returned after a room assessment. The page says housing charges are non-refundable, that payment must reach the university before you arrive, and that cash is not accepted by residence staff. Double rooms are limited and allocated first come, first served.
NYU Abu Dhabi
NYU Abu Dhabi’s graduate housing is open only to NYU affiliates, including researchers, postdocs and graduate students, and sometimes their families. The page describes co-ed furnished studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments in buildings A3 and A4, with wireless internet, cable television and utilities included. It does not list rents. Questions go to nyuad.graduateoffice@nyu.edu.
Renting privately in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi keeps a register of tenancy contracts called Tawtheeq. Khaleej Times reports that the system is meant to make contracts legally enforceable, that utilities such as water and electricity require Tawtheeq registration, and that the landlord pays the registration fees (AED 50 a year for a tenancy contract). The same report says only landlords are responsible for registering the property. Ask your landlord for the Tawtheeq registration before you pay, since it protects both sides and is needed to connect utilities.
What to check before you book
- Which term the price covers: ADU’s winter and summer rates are much lower than fall and spring.
- On or off campus: ADU’s off-campus rooms cost more and depend on a transport schedule.
- Refund terms: Zayed University says housing charges are non-refundable, so understand that before paying.
- Documents: you may need a guardian’s ID and a letter or class schedule if you attend another university.
- Tawtheeq registration: ask for it before you sign a private lease, and keep a signed copy.
I could not verify private rents in Abu Dhabi, rankings of areas to live, Khalifa University’s housing costs, or NYU Abu Dhabi’s undergraduate arrangements from official sources, so I have not stated them. Never pay a deposit before you have a written agreement and proof that the property is genuine. Before you commit, read our guide to university halls versus private housing, the checklist of what to look for before you sign and our safety guide.
FAQs about student accommodation in Abu Dhabi
How much does student accommodation in Abu Dhabi cost?
Abu Dhabi University lists AED 5,400 to AED 12,500 per fall or spring term on campus. Zayed University lists AED 6,000 to AED 13,000 a semester. Private rents vary, and I could not verify them.
Can students from other universities live in ADU housing?
ADU says non-ADU students can apply if they provide a registration confirmation letter from their university or a class schedule for the term.
What is Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi?
It is the emirate’s register of tenancy contracts. Khaleej Times reports that landlords register the contract and pay the fee, and that registration is needed for utilities.
Is NYU Abu Dhabi housing open to other students?
No. Its graduate housing page says it is only available to NYU affiliates.
Sources
- Abu Dhabi University: residence life and student housing
- Zayed University: residence charges and conditions
- NYU Abu Dhabi: graduate housing
- Khaleej Times: Tawtheeq platform, registration process and fees
All checked 1 November 2026.
