Archive · 7 Sep 2026
GMU Begins 2026–2027 Year After QAA Accreditation Through 2031
Gulf Medical University has started a new school year in the United Arab Emirates.
A UK quality agency approved the university until 2031.
The review found that GMU met all 10 required European quality standards.
GMU also received strong positions in a global sustainability ranking.
More students are joining health-related programmes this year.
The university plans to focus on teaching, research, digital health and new ideas.
It has seven colleges and teaches students from more than 111 nationalities.
GMU says it wants to prepare healthcare workers who can help communities around the world.
Gulf Medical University received institutional accreditation from the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in June 2026, valid through 2031.
The international review confirmed GMU met all 10 European quality-assurance standards without conditions.
GMU remained in the 301–400 band of the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rankings 2026.
The university began its 2026–2027 academic year on 31 August with rising student numbers.
GMU operates seven colleges, 45 accredited programmes, seven academic hospitals and partnerships with more than 75 international universities.
- Who
- Gulf Medical University, its leadership, faculty and students, with accreditation from the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
- What
- GMU opened its 2026–2027 academic year after receiving institutional accreditation through 2031 and reporting strong sustainability-ranking results.
- When
- The accreditation was awarded in June 2026, and the academic year began on Monday, 31 August.
- Where
- Gulf Medical University in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, with reference to its Mangaluru roots.
- Why
- The university is focusing on academic quality, healthcare education, research, innovation and preparing graduates for changing healthcare needs.
- Accreditation
- Institutional accreditation from the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, valid through 2031.
- Quality review
- GMU met all 10 European Standards and Guidelines for quality assurance, with no conditions.
- Global ranking
- GMU placed in the 301–400 band of the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rankings 2026.
- Academic year
- The 2026–2027 academic year officially began on 31 August.
- Academic structure
- Seven colleges offer 45 accredited programmes.
- Student community
- The university has students from more than 111 nationalities and faculty from 56 countries.
- Healthcare network
- More than 3,100 training beds support seven Thumbay Group academic hospitals.