Specialises in Languages, management, economics
Notable alumni Georges Pompidou, graduated from the Paris branch
Most popular course BA in economics and management, BA in applied foreign languages, masters in marketing, masters in banking
Most unusual course Masters in performing arts management, where you learn to become an artist’s manager and to produce a show
Pros Diplomas are issued from Paris under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, which means they are recognised throughout Europe, too
Cons Some BA programmes are taught in French, so if you don’t speak it you will need to take a course in French as a foreign language first
Campus life
Fatima Al Shamsi is the deputy vice chancellor of administrative affairs. She says, ‘The campus has over 75 nationalities. We have Emirati, French, Italian and Russian clubs, which host musicals, painting, poetry and calligraphy workshops. The Emirati club also organises National Day events. The public can attend if they pay, while the clubs are free for students. The sports clubs compete against other universities and at a national level. Facilities include a gym, 10m climbing wall – the highest in Abu Dhabi – and a concert hall that seats 700, making it the biggest in the city. We also have a band and a student council, which promotes interaction between students and faculties. Students are given discounts at All Prints and Virgin Megastore bookshops, L’Allouette, Italianissimo and La Brioche cafes on Al Reem Island, and events organised by Flash Entertainment, Alliance Française and Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation.’
Student Sam Richer, 21, is from France. He says, ‘I chose Abu Dhabi because it’s interesting living in the developing world and the weather’s great. I wanted to build worldwide connections and there are business opportunities here. I started studying economics and management in September 2012 and will graduate in June 2015. So far my course has lived up to my expectations, although not all the teachers are proactive, and some come from Europe for a week and rush through material. Overall though, I’m happy. The building is new, clean and well maintained, it has a great gym open 9am-10.30pm and we host lots of sporting and cultural events such as a football tournament across several universities. Some are open to the public; for example, we hosted a Golden Age of Arabic Science exhibition from September 2013 to January 2014.
‘A typical day starts with a 9am class. I have breakfast in the cafeteria, a break at 11am, another class then lunch in the cafeteria. In the afternoon if I don’t have classes I’ll go to the gym. You can also play volleyball, tennis or ping pong for free. Most foreign students live in dorms – men and women are separated. We also have a midnight curfew, even in the holidays, so we can’t party. That’s a problem. We usually hang at La Brioche in Boutik Mall, Almaz by Momo in The Galleria or Olive Garden in Al Wahda Mall.’
Inspired to take a short course? Try… The UAE’s only Italian language course available to the public. It runs from April 14-July 9 (Dhs3,400) but join now and you can catch up. Classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6-8pm.
Al Reem Island, www.sorbonne.ae (02 656 9555).
