Located in the Gulf — a region marked by rapid growth and global connectivity, having an American education, particularly in business, can give you an edge. This is because many of the world’s most influential companies, such as Apple, Google, and Amazon, operate on business principles pioneered in the US. At the American University of Sharjah, you’ll be trained in these same strategies.
Getting a degree from the School of Business Administration (SBA) means immersing yourself in global best practices anchored in the UAE but designed to resonate nationwide. However, this perspective isn’t just theoretical; it’s applied.
Accredited by both the UAE’s Commission for Academic Accreditation and the AACSB in the United States, an SBA education goes beyond traditional learning. A key feature of this experiential journey is AUS’s interactive Trading Floor, the only one of its kind in the region. Equipped with 24 Bloomberg terminals, it allows you to work with real-time financial data from global markets, deepening your understanding of the complexities of stock prices, currencies, and economic trends.
Apart from smart classrooms and advanced computer labs, the school invites distinguished corporate leaders and academics to share industry insights, including two Nobel laureates, as well as alumni who return to inspire the next generation of business leaders with practical advice and career guidance.
All aspirations are solidified through a mandatory three-month internship — a pivotal phase where you’ll engage in the corporate world and apply classroom knowledge to solve real business issues. Many students secure job offers through these opportunities.
STATS
15:1 STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO
86% OF FACULTY HOLD PROFESSIONAL RANKS
90 NATIONALITIES REPRESENTED
32.5% OF STUDENTS LIVE ON CAMPUS
5 transformative business programmes
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
SBA’s blended MBA requires you to complete seven core courses (four of which are done online) and two electives, plus a professional research project. These courses will give you a comprehensive foundation of the fundamentals of global business. You’ll learn to identify, analyse, and understand the interrelationships among business organisations both internationally and in the UAE. In addition to the analytical skills, you will also practice effective communication and decision-making as you participate in class discussions and take on case studies with your classmates.
Master of Science in Accounting (MSA)
Enrolling in the MSA will give you an edge in passing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Its curriculum is designed to help students pass the CPA by enforcing theoretical and practical experience in accounting and auditing. Practical exercises are more focused as you will apply class lectures to real-life cases in fields of accounting, finance, and other business-related areas. To graduate with an MSA degree, you must complete seven core courses, choose two out of five accounting electives, and conduct and present a research project.
Master of Science in Finance (MSF)
MSF students here learn to adapt to today’s global finance environment using important analytical skills they gained from lectures. Sessions equip them with the necessary quantitative and theoretical expertise for analytical jobs in the finance sector. This includes evaluating investment risks, pricing significant financial assets and securities, devising financing strategies, facilitating financial decisions using acute problem-solving techniques, and analysing advanced financial statements.
Master of Science in Economics and Policy (MSEP)
If you see yourself working as an economist, economics consultant, data and business analyst, or policy advisor, the MSEP is the degree you are looking for. This master’s programme covers economic theory, policy evaluation, and data analysis, providing the proper knowledge and critical-thinking skills you will need to thrive across sectors. The five core courses, three electives, and thesis will revolve around understanding global economic trends and developing data-informed decisions and policies that address today’s challenges in the field.
PhD in Business Administration (PhD-BA)
The PhD-BA is SBA’s highest level of business education. Offering a concentration in finance, this programme is focused on solving business challenges both locally and in neighbouring countries through interdisciplinary research. Hence, your studies do not only take place in one location. The university has partnered with the University of South Carolina‘s Darla Moore School of Business to transport you abroad in your second year. Two study locations also mean you will earn a degree from two institutions.
Hear from students
Husain Shabbir Rangwalla
“We’re always told the real world is a different ball game altogether, and you learn none of it at school. As a recent graduate, though, I feel confident and prepared. The exposure, realism, and diversity I’ve experienced at the American University of Sharjah have enabled me to dream, believe and triumph in the corporate world. I can connect the dots to group projects, corporate visits, guest lectures and academic events every day. I eagerly wait to give back in the form of opportunities and experiences to the faculty and students at my alma mater.”
Zaid Khan
“Studying at the School of Business Administration is a great honour and privilege. The school provides an ideal platform for students to develop their skills in the world of business and prepares them for the challenges that lie ahead. The renowned faculty allows students to express their full potential and guides them to become the business leaders of tomorrow.”
Mariam Mohsen
“Being a student at the School of Business Administration is a great opportunity. The learning experience I receive is unique and interesting through the different business and other major courses that are offered. The professors here make lessons really interesting by bringing real-life examples into class. The university does not only offer textbook knowledge but also integrates this knowledge with activities done on campus like different workshops, lectures, and gatherings. I am really pleased with my choice of joining the School of Business Administration and am very excited to see what experience and knowledge I will receive in the next two years.”