The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has restricted state funding for its citizens wishing to study at British universities, citing profound concerns about Islamic radicalisation on UK campuses. This move, which saw British institutions excluded from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education's revised list of eligible universities for government scholarships and official degree certification, became widely known following recent reports in British dailies like the Financial Times and The Times, though the funding cuts were implemented in June last year. The primary driver behind this decision is the UAE's apprehension regarding the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood within the British education system. The UAE has designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation and has consistently pressed European governments, including the UK, to follow suit. However, a 2015 UK government review concluded that while the group's beliefs were at odds with British values, it lacked evidence linking it to terrorist activity in or against the UK, and therefore resisted a ban. Emirati officials reportedly clarified to their UK counterparts that the exclusion was intentional, expressing that they "don't want their kids to be radicalised on campus." The UK, in response, emphasized the importance of academic freedom and existing measures for student welfare. The impact on student mobility is already visible, with a significant decrease in study visas granted to Emirati citizens for the UK. For instance, in the year ending September 2025, Emirati student visas fell by 27% compared to the previous year and 55% compared to 2022. Furthermore, degrees from unapproved UK institutions may not be recognized domestically, potentially diminishing their value for returning Emirati graduates. This educational dispute is part of broader diplomatic strains between the UK and UAE, which include disagreements over various political and economic issues.