Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai () is an offshore campus of Middlesex University London in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Situated across two locations in Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai International Academic City, the campus was inaugurated in 2005 and currently has over 7,100 students from over 127 nationalities studying across both locations. Professor Cedwyn Fernandes is the Director of Middlesex University Dubai, alongside his duties as Pro-Vice Chancellor of Middlesex University London.
Middlesex University's student body has over 37,000 students from more than 140 nationalities.
Middlesex University opened its first overseas branch campus â Middlesex University Dubai in 2005. It is a private university located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the first overseas campus of Middlesex University London (UK).
The university campus is located in Dubai Knowledge Park as part of Dubai's Technology and Media Free Zone. This is a joint venture with Middlesex Associates, a business consortium in Dubai. The campus was the first Middlesex campus outside North London.
The university offers a wide range of foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate and MBA programmes across both its Dubai campuses, including: Accounting and Finance, Business and Management, Marketing, Computer Engineering and Informatics, Data Science, Robotics, Education, Psychology, Law, Digital Media, Film, Sport Science, Fashion Design, and Graphic Design.
The campus is licensed by Dubai Knowledge and Human Authority (KHDA), and its programmes are approved by the KHDA. In August 2009, KHDA's University Quality Assurance International Board (UQAIB) commended the quality of university's programmes. The Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the UAEâÂÂs Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) granted Middlesex University Dubai its institutional license in January 2025. The MoHESR license underscores the commitment of Middlesex University Dubai to maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence.
MDX Dubai was recognised by KHDA as DubaiâÂÂs largest UK university for a fourth consecutive year as of 2024, with over 6,458 students from over 127 nationalities. Middlesex University Dubai received a 5-Star KHDA rating for the quality of its education and overall student experience in 2020, followed by a second in 2022.
In 2017, the university hosted the EU and UAE conference regarding the Rule of Law and Arbitration, where the Head of Delegation of the European Union to the United Arab Emirates, along with the legal director of Clyde & Co and the head of advocacy of Taylor Wessing were present.
In August 2019, the university was chosen to be a partner of the PRCA in the Middle East and North Africa region.
In November 2021, Middlesex University has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first international university in Dubai to provide a multi-site experience across the city's global higher education hubs. The design and build for this groundbreaking project were awarded to Horton Interiors.
In October 2023, Middlesex University Dubai launched the 'MDXplorer', a mobile, interactive hub designed to engage school students and inspire them about their future career choices through activities, games and quizzes. The MDXplorer comes in the form of a red London bus, paying homage to its home campus.
In December 2023, Middlesex University Dubai partnered with the Climate Law and Governance Initiative, Cambridge University, and University of Dubai to host the 2023 Climate Law and Governance Day (CLGD 2023) in conjunction with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP28) held in Dubai from November 30 to December 12.
In March 2024, Middlesex University Dubai launched the Middlesex Innovation Hub (MIH). The MIH is designed to provide students with access to the resources and guidance needed to develop business ideas, launch entrepreneurial initiatives and test innovative ideas. The inauguration was attended by His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF).
The history of Middlesex University began during the 1880s, when two colleges, St Katherine's College and the Hornsey School of Arts and Crafts, started operations in north London. Both eventually became a part of Middlesex Polytechnic, which was later founded in 1973. Middlesex was awarded the title âÂÂUniversityâ by Royal Assent in 1992. The University opened its global branch campuses in Dubai in 2005 and Mauritius in 2010.
Middlesex University Dubai operates two campuses in Dubai. The universityâÂÂs main campus is located in Dubai Knowledge Park. Dubai Knowledge Park was established in the year 2003. The university opened its second campus location in Dubai International Academic City in September 2021.
The Middlesex University Dubai is licensed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), which is part of the government of Dubai. It was awarded a 5-star rating in the 2020 KHDA Higher Education Classification. It is audited by the UK's Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education. Academic programmes in the Middlesex University Dubai campus have the same validation and monitoring system as the parent university. The Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the UAEâÂÂs Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) granted Middlesex University Dubai its institutional license in January 2025. The MoHESR license underscores the commitment of Middlesex University Dubai to maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence.