University College London's new Dubai school will focus on business of healthcare

University College London is poised to establish a new school in Dubai, centered around the business aspects of healthcare. The UCL Global Business School for Health is scheduled to open in 2027, situated within Dubai Healthcare City. The project is the brainchild of Prof Nora Colton, the school's founding director, driven by her vision of how healthcare must adapt to future challenges, particularly in terms of digital transformation and preventive care.

Colton highlighted the school's relevance in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, which exposed critical management and leadership issues within healthcare systems worldwide. The pandemic underscored the necessity for innovative crisis management approaches and a reevaluation of the entire healthcare landscape. Colton expressed confidence in Dubai's potential to become a hub for healthcare and health sciences, praising the UAE's dynamic health system and its status as a center for change.

She emphasized that the UAE's multicultural environment offers unparalleled opportunities for cross-cultural training.

UCL, renowned for its excellence, recently ranked eighth in the QS World University Rankings for 2023 and seventh in the 2025-2026 Best Global Universities list. Colton assured that the educational experience and quality at the Dubai school would be on par with their London counterpart. The facilities at the Dubai campus will be equipped to match the standard of those in London, with no compromise on quality or resources.

The inaugural three programs will encompass digital health and entrepreneurship, health and wellness management, and the Executive MBA in Health. Each program will enroll approximately 30 students per year, with a hybrid curriculum featuring bi-monthly on-site sessions led by professors from the London campus, supplemented by online coursework throughout the two-year duration. Colton hinted at the possibility of introducing full-time programs on-site in Dubai following the successful execution of the initial plans.

Colton is also exploring expansion prospects and prospective partnerships with local healthcare institutions and startups. She aims to bolster UCL's presence in the UAE over the subsequent years. The announcement coincides with the launch of the Dubai Authority for Healthy Longevity, an initiative aimed at solidifying Dubai's position as a global leader in longevity and wellness sciences.

UAE's Vice President and Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, expressed optimism about attracting global talent to Dubai, fostering innovation, and advancing medical, wellness, and transformative life-enhancing technologies.