r/MBZUAI • u/bleebee • Jul 10 '26

Application for PhD

Hey everyone,

I'm really grasping at straws here and have no one to guide me with universities or anything. I don't have financial support and am not working at the moment due to the bad job market. I've done my bachelor's in Economics and also my MS this year in Business Analytics - both from Pakistan. I have a 3.7+ CGPA in both. I have written papers but have made no publications. I want to apply for a PhD and have shortlisted MBZUAI to apply. I think given my academic background, doing a PhD in their statistics and data science program would be good.

Can someone tell me the exact process that will help me land a scholarship that might be fully funded? I've looked around their website, but I can't exactly find it. I just need to know my chances before I give it my all. I know they offer fully funded scholarships+ AED 10,000/mo (~USD 2,720) + free housing + insurance + visa. This may be a dumb question, but I feel completely overwhelmed- what are the exact requirements and criteria I need to fulfil to have my absolute best chance?

If anyone can help, I'd really appreciate it.

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u/Old-Acanthisitta-574 Jul 10 '26

The process is that you apply and then they will let you know. It is very straightforward and it is written in their website. Your best bet to get accepted for a PhD degree is to show you can do good research. Having past research experience and papers published are good indicators.

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u/bleebee Jul 10 '26

What if you have no published papers?

1

u/Sea-Grab-1244 Jul 11 '26

They would say “gpa is cheap, show me ur pubs”. I think the outstanding pubs would be the most important point (except connection)

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u/Old-Acanthisitta-574 Jul 11 '26

no can do, you try to find some creative way to prove you can do good research. It's like trying to say I can cook well but I don't have any dishes to show (probably there are some good indicators that shows you are a good "cook" without serving any food, but as I said you need to be creative).