To qualify for admission at ACD, an applicant must hold a UAE Secondary School Certificate or its equivalent covering 12 years of education or a terminal secondary education completion certificate that qualifies the applicant to enroll in an institution of higher education in the country of origin where the certificate was issued, as determined by the authorities of that country.

All students applying for admission must submit a TOEFL score of at least 500 (173 - computer based system). All applicants must demonstrate a proficiency in English and Mathematics necessary for achieving their academic objectives; thus all applicants are required to take a placement test in English and Mathematics prior to registration.

Those requiring additional skills in these areas are assigned preparatory courses. The college has a policy of interviewing all prospective students to assess whether the student's interests and career goals are congruent with ACD's mission and programs.