Overview
Khalifa University of Science and Technology is located in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. It ranks among the UAE's most internationally influential research-intensive universities and is a leading higher-education institution for scientific research across the Middle East. Boasting well-established research platforms, an international faculty, and an industry-engaged research ecosystem, Khalifa University offers doctoral students excellent opportunities for international research collaboration.
Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School and Khalifa University signed a joint doctoral training agreement in 2025 to implement co-supervision and joint training for PhD candidates.
This program aims to cultivate high-caliber international talents equipped with interdisciplinary expertise, cross-cultural communication and collaboration skills, broad global vision, and outstanding global competence. It adopts a dual-supervisor joint-training model with English-language instruction throughout the program. Students are required to complete one doctoral dissertation written in English. A joint doctoral degree is awarded by both universities: each university issues its own degree certificate, while Tsinghua University additionally issues a graduation certificate. Students are exempt from tuition fees at the host partner institution during their study period there.
Standard study duration
4 years for Regular Doctoral Students; 5 years for direct-entry PhD and master-doctor integrated program students (including the master's phase). Students shall spend a cumulative period of no less than one-year studying and conducting research at each university.
Admission Rules
Tsinghua students going to Khalifa University Current PhD candidates enrolled in the Environment Science and New Energy Technology doctoral program who have passed the program's qualifying examination are eligible to apply for this joint program. They are exempt from further admission selection assessments by Khalifa University.
Khalifa University students going to Tsinghua University Khalifa University PhD students who have passed their qualifying examination must first obtain nomination through Khalifa University's internal selection. They will then go through Tsinghua University's admission interview process as required by the joint program. Selection criteria shall satisfy the requirements of both institutions simultaneously.
Khalifa University application window: Around November each year through late February-early March of the next calendar year.
How to Apply:
Doctoral students of Tsinghua University who meet the application requirements are requested to refer to the internal notice and submit the relevant application materials to imr.internation@sz.tsinghua.edu.cn by December 1.
Tsinghua University application window: Mid-September each year until the end of May of the following year.
Intake: August-September every year (Autumn Semester).
Eligible PhD students from Khalifa University are suggested to first contact a potential supervisor at Tsinghua University prior to submitting their applicationin the system.
Tsinghua Supervisors
The program features world-class faculty. For individual faculty profiles please visit:
https://www.sigs.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/7537/list.htm
Khalifa University of Science and Technology
Official website:
Postgraduate Admissions:
https://www.ku.ac.ae/postgraduate-admissions
Contact
iMR Academic Affairs Office
Email: imr.internation@sz.tsinghua.edu.cn
(For international admissions inquiries)
