Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI)

What you'll study

The degree is primarily research-based; coursework exists to provide the technical toolkit needed to complete a thesis. The minimum credit requirement is 60 credits distributed across core courses, electives, internships, advanced research methods, and a substantial research thesis.

• Core: 2 courses (8 credits) — mandatory foundational coursework chosen in consultation with the supervisory panel.
• Electives: At least four elective courses (totaling at least 16 credits) selected to support the student’s research direction.
• Internship: At least one internship of minimum three months duration is required (2 credits).
• Advanced research methods: 1 course (2 credits) to develop rigorous research techniques.
• Research thesis: Major component of the program (32 credits).

Program learning outcomes emphasize developing expertise across specialized computer vision research areas; critical literature synthesis; advanced problem solving and technical execution; effective communication of complex ideas through publications and presentations; practical use of programming tools and libraries for real-world vision tasks; independent and collaborative research leadership; creation of new knowledge suitable for academic or industrial roles; adherence to research ethics; and awareness of legal, ethical, environmental, and socio-cultural implications of vision technologies.

Notable faculty associated with the program include Ian Reid, Fahad Khan, Hao Li, Salman Khan, Karthik Nandakumar, Mohammad Yaqub, Rao Muhammad Anwer, Hisham Cholakkal, Muhammad Haris Khan, Min Xu, Xiaodan Liang, Ivan Laptev, Xiaojun Chang, and Jorge Alejandro Amador.

Entry requirements

The public course page references the graduate admission process but does not list specific academic or documentation requirements. Applicants should consult MBZUAI’s graduate admissions information for precise eligibility criteria and application materials.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for research roles in both academia and industry. The curriculum and thesis training target positions that require development of novel computer vision algorithms and systems for areas such as autonomous driving, AR/VR, robotics, biometrics and forensics, remote sensing, and security/surveillance.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The program page does not specify funding details. Prospective candidates should review MBZUAI’s admissions and scholarship pages for information on fellowships, the Aspire PhD Fellowship Program, or other financial support opportunities and contact the university for current funding options.