With nearly 950 students in its freshman class this fall semester, AUS reported a seven percent increase over last fall's enrollment. The total AUS student body this semester, including graduate students, stands at approximately 4,380, compared to 4,100 last fall. The student body is composed of 41.4 percent women and 58.6 percent men, said AUS Chancellor Dr. Winfred Thompson at a press conference in September.

The enrollment increase was reported even though AUS adopted a stricter admissions policy this academic year. The university raised admission standards from a minimum high school average of 70 percent to 80 percent. The new policy also increased the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score from 173 to 180.

The qualifications of incoming students continued to improve. The average high school score of the new students was approximately 89 percent, and their average TOEFL score was 574.

UAE nationals account for 20 percent of the new students admitted this fall. That compares with 19 percent last fall. The top 10 other nationalities in terms of enrollment are Jordanian, Palestinian, Saudi, Iranian, Syrian, Pakistani, Indian, Egyptian, Lebanese and Americans. This year, 1,864 students reside in the residential halls—790 females (representing 42 percent) and 1,074 males (58 percent). About 55 percent of the students are receiving some form of financial assistance either from university funds or from external sponsors this year.