Short Courses in UAE: Self Paced and Live Options
Read this page in Arabic: العربية | Last updated November 2026
Short courses in the UAE that fit around a full time job are self paced and cover one subject each, and most list about 45 to 50 hours of study. Some are free, and many paid ones are AED 2,199 self paced. Start with the free Supply Chain Management Fundamentals if you want to test the format, or Leadership Essentials at AED 399 self paced if you have just taken on a team.
At a glance
- Most self paced courses list about 45 to 50 hours of study, and many are AED 2,199.
- Free self paced courses exist in aviation, finance, sales ethics, operations excellence and supply chain.
- Live online programs such as PMP and CIPS cost more and prepare you for a credential from an awarding body.
- Study online or at a Blue Ocean office in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Riyadh, or ask an advisor about arranging a class locally.
Courses and fees (AED)
Fees come from our course catalog and can change. They do not include the exam, so ask an advisor what it costs and confirm the format before you enroll.
What counts as a short course in the UAE?
Here a short course is a self paced course on one subject, and most list about 45 to 50 hours of study.
The live online programs are a different kind of product. Ask an advisor how long each takes before you compare them with a self paced course.
Which short courses suit aviation and airport staff?
Mastering Aviation in AI Era is written for aviation professionals, airport and airline personnel, and operations managers. It lists about 48 hours of study and costs AED 2,199 self paced.
Dubai International handled 95.2 million passengers in 2025, serving 291 destinations in 110 countries, according to Gulf News. If you work near that operation but are not yet in aviation, start with the free Fundamentals of Aviation, which suits students, recent graduates and airport service staff.
Which short courses suit logistics, shipping and warehouse work?
Fundamentals of IMDG and Warehousing and Distribution are two to compare. Each lists about 47 hours of study and costs AED 2,199 self paced.
Fundamentals of IMDG suits shipping professionals, port and warehouse personnel, and compliance teams. Warehousing and Distribution suits supply chain planners, demand and inventory planners, and warehouse and distribution managers. Jafza reported hosting more than 650 logistics companies in 2024; if you work for one of them, pick the course that matches your daily task.
Mastering SCOR is a third choice, for supply chain professionals, logistics managers and procurement specialists.
Which short courses suit compliance, finance and management roles?
Match the course to the job you hold now. These are all self paced and AED 2,199 unless noted.
- Anti Money Laundering Awareness suits compliance officers, risk and audit professionals, and legal and MLRO teams.
- Finance for Non Finance Professionals suits managers, department heads and project managers.
- Balanced Scorecard is a Leadership level course for executives, strategy professionals and department leaders.
- Leadership Essentials is AED 399 and suits first time managers and senior professionals moving into people leadership.
Which short courses suit quality, safety and operations teams?
These courses each list about 45 to 47 hours of study and cost AED 2,199 self paced.
- Mastering Kaizen suits employees, supervisors and team leaders.
- Mastering Total Quality Management suits quality managers and process engineers.
- HSE Professional suits safety supervisors and plant managers.
- Permit to Work (PTW) Professional suits permit issuers, maintenance supervisors and control room teams.
- POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Awareness suits employees at every level.
Which short courses in the UAE are free?
Free self paced courses include these, each listing about 45 to 48 hours of study, so you can try the format before you pay for another course.
- Fundamentals of Operations Excellence for operations professionals, team leaders and supervisors.
- Mastering Ethics in Aviation for airline and airport employees and safety and compliance staff.
- Mastering Ethics in Sales for sales professionals and account managers.
- Fundamentals of Finance for early career finance professionals, supervisors and managers.
- Fundamentals of Aviation and Supply Chain Management Fundamentals, linked above.
Short course or live online certification?
Choose a self paced short course to add one skill. Choose a live online program when you are working toward a credential such as PMP, a CIPS level or the International Certificate in Logistics and Transport.
- PMP preparation: Project Management Professional, AED 5,700 live online.
- Procurement: CIPS Level 4: Diploma in Procurement and Supply, AED 7,250 live online.
- Logistics and transport: International Certificate in Logistics and Transport, AED 7,300 live online.
If you are aiming for a PMI or CIPS credential, look at the live online programs rather than a short course. CIPS fees cover training only: CIPS sets its own exam fees, which you confirm with CIPS. Ask an advisor how long the live online programs take.
Your next moves
Work through these in order before you pay for anything.
- Pick the course in the list above that matches the job you hold today.
- If you are unsure about the format, start with one of the free courses.
- Ask an advisor to confirm the format for any Executive level course before you pay.
- If several colleagues want the same course, send the details through the corporate enquiry page.
Three ways to study from UAE
- Online: self paced, or live online classes with an instructor.
- In a class arranged locally: ask an advisor about arranging a class in UAE.
- At a Blue Ocean office: Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Riyadh.
| Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | B2505, Latifa Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road, opposite the Museum of the Future, Dubai, UAE | +971 4 314 8500 |
| Abu Dhabi | Office 1402, Al Dhaheri Building, Lulu Center, Al Danah Zone 1, Abu Dhabi, UAE | +971 2 886 4323 |
| Riyadh | 530/4, Fifth Floor, Al Akaria 2, Gate 8, Olaya, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | +966 11 260 5558 |
IATA courses run through our Authorized Training Center in Dubai.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
How long are short courses in the UAE?
Most self paced courses list about 45 to 50 hours of study. For live online programs, ask an advisor how long each one takes.
Are there free short courses in the UAE?
Yes. Free self paced courses include Fundamentals of Aviation, Fundamentals of Operations Excellence, Mastering Ethics in Aviation, Mastering Ethics in Sales, Fundamentals of Finance and Supply Chain Management Fundamentals.
How much do the paid short courses cost?
Many of the self paced courses listed here are AED 2,199, and Leadership Essentials is AED 399 self paced. The exam is separate from the course fee, so ask an advisor what it costs.
Can I study a short course in person?
You can study at a Blue Ocean office in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Riyadh, or study online. Ask an advisor about arranging a class locally.
