Graduate Catalog

Transfer Students

A student who has completed at least one semester of graduate studies at an accredited or recognized institution may be considered for admission as a transfer student. Admission as a transfer student is highly competitive and is based on the number of students that can be accommodated in a particular program or level of study. The decision to admit a transfer student takes into account the student’s record of achievement in both undergraduate and graduate studies. The following rules apply:

  • Only students in good academic standing with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 or greater (out of 4.0, or equivalent) will be considered for transfer admission.
  • Only students transferring from a federal or recognized and lawfully accredited institution in the UAE, or a recognized and lawfully accredited foreign institution of higher learning, are eligible for admission.
  • Transfer applicants must meet the Khalifa University graduate program admission requirements in effect for the semester in which they intend to enroll.
  • Official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning previously attended must be submitted.
  • Students must be eligible to continue their enrollment at the institution from which they wish to transfer.
  • Up to a maximum of nine credit hours may be approved as transfer credits for taught graduate courses.
  • Graduate courses with a minimum grade of B and deemed equivalent in content and level to those offered at KU will be transferred as equivalent KU courses. Other appropriate graduate courses with a minimum grade of B may be transferred as free/open electives or unassigned courses in the relevant area. No transfer credit will be awarded for taught coursework taken on a pass/fail basis.
  • Courses completed more than five years prior to being admitted as a graduate student at KU are not transferable.
  • Graduate program credits will not be given for work experience, vocational or training courses or coursework that is not considered graduate level.

If a transfer student is admitted, the student may request to transfer courses and credit hours (not grades) from the student’s previous institution to Khalifa University. This request and all supporting documents must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the start date of the first semester of enrollment at KU. A decision to accept a course in transfer will be provided before the end of the Add/Drop period of that semester. The decision to accept a course in transfer is discretionary. The application for transfer credit hours will follow the policy provisions of KU Academic Policy ACA 3270 Transfer Credits and Advanced Standing. The CMHS MD degree program does not accept transfer students.