UAE ministry explains what will happen to existing degrees, current students and exams following university licence cancellation.
Ajman: Students affected by the recent licence revocation of a private university by the UAE’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) can now get more clarity on the status of alumni degrees, as well as the continuation of studies and exams for current students, Gulf News has learnt.
On July 6, MoHESR announced the revocation of the institutional licence and programme accreditation of Horizon University College (HUC).
A Sharjah past
Gulf News can also reveal that HUC, which was based in Ajman, was formerly known as Skyline University College (SUC) — a well-known private university in Sharjah that operated for decades before relocating its campus to Ajman in 2025 and adopting its new name.
Established in September 1990, SUC operated in Sharjah for 35 years before moving its campus to Ajman in 2025 and rebranding as Horizon University College. The institution’s licence has since been revoked by MoHESR.
During its years of operation, thousands of students are believed to have graduated from the college. Based on the latest publicly available reported figures, HUC had approximately 1,300 enrolled students.
The ministry did not disclose the number of students impacted by the licence revocation. However, in an exclusive response to Gulf News, MoHESR clarified what steps affected students can take, including options for transferring to another institution and the status of exams already completed and degrees already awarded.
Why the licence was pulled
MoHESR revoked HUC’s institutional licence and programme accreditation after the college was found to have committed serious and repeated violations of the UAE’s institutional and academic regulatory requirements.
The ministry said the institution’s continued operations posed risks to educational quality, the credibility of academic outcomes, institutional sustainability and, most importantly, students’ rights.
Following the decision, HUC has been prohibited from conducting any higher education activities. This includes stopping academic instruction, programme promotion, new student admissions, awarding qualifications and issuing academic transcripts.
Helpline revealed
In a detail not previously announced, the ministry said students and parents can contact the task force through the helpline number 800511.
“Any updates or relevant procedures will be announced through MoHESR’s official website and social media channels. Affected students and their parents are encouraged to follow these platforms regularly for the latest updates,” the ministry said, adding that students who require further action will be contacted directly.
Transfer plan in place
Responding to questions about the options available to affected students, MoHESR told Gulf News: “The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), in coordination with the relevant local authorities and concerned entities, has established a joint task force to take all necessary measures to facilitate the transfer of students and ensure the continuation of their studies at licensed and accredited higher education institutions (HEIs), in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and governing policies.”
When asked whether all affected students would be guaranteed admission before the new academic year, the ministry said the task force would work to “ensure the transfer of all students and the continuation of their studies at licensed and accredited HEIs in accordance with the applicable regulations and requirements, and within the designated timeframe.”
Exams and degrees
Addressing the status of students who had already completed, or were preparing to complete, their final examinations, the ministry said: “If a student has fulfilled all graduation requirements before the decision to revoke the institution’s licence was issued, the student’s academic qualification will be recognised in accordance with the applicable laws, regulations and approved requirements.”
Students who had already received degrees from the institution before the licence revocation also do not need to be concerned. The ministry confirmed: “Academic degrees awarded by the university before the issuance of the licence revocation decision will be recognised in accordance with the regulations and requirements approved by MoHESR.”
Not the first case
This is not the first instance in which MoHESR has taken such action. In December 2025, the ministry withdrew recognition of all qualifications issued by Midocean University, which operates an executive office in Fujairah, following serious compliance violations identified during a joint inspection.
However, the ministry later clarified that degrees issued by that institution would not be accepted for employment or professional purposes within the UAE. This measure has not been applied to degrees issued by Horizon University College or its predecessor, Skyline University College.
