Studying in China vs. Uae
China and Uae are both popular study destinations — but the price tag, visa rules, and currency differ. We pulled the numbers from our cost calculator: monthly living averages €557 in China and €1,265 in Uae.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
China
Cheaper monthly living
China
Lower visa proof of funds
China
Side-by-side comparison
China
Uae
Currency
CNY (¥)
AED (AED)
Public tuition (annual)
¥26,000
≈ €3,333 / yr
AED55,000
≈ €12,887 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
¥45,000
≈ €5,769 / yr
AED95,000
≈ €22,259 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
¥4,343 / mo
≈ €557 / mo
AED5,400 / mo
≈ €1,265 / mo
Visa proof of funds
¥100,000
Bank balance proof (annual, X1/X2 visa)
—
Cities tracked
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanjing
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.