American University of Ras Al Khaimah
A public, non-profit higher-education institution in Ras Al Khaimah offering undergraduate and graduate programmes aligned with US accreditation standards.
The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) is a government-backed university founded in 2009, teaching an American-style curriculum in the emirate. It is accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation, and carries programme-level accreditation from AACSB for business and ABET for engineering and computing, which is a more meaningful signal for prospective students than any institutional label alone.
Its academic structure spans arts and sciences, business, and engineering and computing, with around 23 accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programmes between them. The business programmes were revised recently with Commission-approved curriculum changes adding financial technology, digital marketing and entrepreneurship content.
The student body is small and international. Published accounts describe students from more than 40 nationalities, with one guide putting total enrolment above 1,500. Figures differ between third-party sources and none carries a clear as-at date, so enrolment should be confirmed with the university rather than taken from a directory listing.
On rankings, a 2026 guide placed AURAK around 591st in the QS World University Rankings, with a different figure quoted for the following year. Rankings at that band move substantially on methodology changes, so the position is better read as an approximate tier than a precise standing.
Key facts
| Founded | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Type | Public, non-profit university |
| Accreditation | UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA); AACSB (business); ABET (engineering and computing) |
| Programmes | approx. 23 accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programmes |
| Research hub | Innovation City partnership |
| Student body | students from 40+ nationalities; published enrolment figures vary and are undated |
Leadership
Frequently asked questions
Is AURAK accredited?
Yes. AURAK is accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation, and holds programme-level accreditation from AACSB for business and ABET for engineering and computing. Programme-level accreditation is the more useful signal for applicants, since it applies to the specific degree rather than the institution as a whole.
What does AURAK teach?
An American-style curriculum across arts and sciences, business, and engineering and computing, with roughly 23 accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The business programmes were recently revised with Commission-approved additions in financial technology, digital marketing and entrepreneurship.
How many students does AURAK have?
Published figures vary. Accounts describe students from more than 40 nationalities, and one guide puts total enrolment above 1,500, but third-party sources disagree and none carries a clear as-at date. Confirm current enrolment with the university rather than relying on a directory listing.
When was AURAK founded?
2009. It is a government-backed institution based in Ras Al Khaimah, led by President Professor Tod Laursen, and operates on an American higher-education model in both curriculum and academic structure.
Where does AURAK rank?
A 2026 guide placed it around 591st in the QS World University Rankings, with a different figure quoted for the following year. At that band, positions shift substantially when ranking methodology changes, so the number is better treated as an approximate tier than a precise standing.
Is AURAK an American university?
It teaches an American-style curriculum and is structured on an American higher-education model, but it is a UAE institution based in Ras Al Khaimah and accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation. It is not a branch campus of a university in the United States.