Top 10 Universities in Saudi Arabia : The Guide is Comprehensive
Top 10 Universities in Saudi Arabia | The process of developing higher education in Saudi Arabia has focused on understanding the job market and meeting its needs.
This involved reducing admissions to colleges that no longer align with job market demands, emphasizing curriculum updates, and increasing admissions to specialized colleges. Additionally, there has been a focus on improving the performance of universities and their faculty members.
The goal is for graduates to find their places in public jobs, both within the Kingdom and abroad, and to be qualified to face the challenges of the global job market. This has positioned the best universities in Saudi Arabia in advanced rankings among the top universities globally and in the Arab world.
Top 10 Universities in Saudi Arabia
The ranking of the best universities is based on several criteria, including the number of students, the percentage of international students, the percentage of foreign professors, in addition to the university’s research contributions and employment results. Based on the QS global university rankings and Times Higher Education rankings, we identify the best universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia :
King Abdulaziz University holds the forefront among Saudi and Arab universities and ranks 101st among world universities.
It was established in Jeddah in 1967 as a private university but joined the system of government universities in the Kingdom in 1973.
King Abdulaziz University deservedly ranks first among the best universities in Saudi Arabia due to its ability to evolve and keep up with new educational concepts. It actively participates in research and innovations in collaboration with global universities.
The university is fully equipped to meet the needs of students, from laboratories and facilities to faculty members.
King Abdulaziz University offers 141 bachelor’s degree programs, 17 distance education programs, in addition to postgraduate programs leading to master’s and doctoral degrees. The university has over 55,000 male students and 60,000 female students. It has submitted 187 inventions under 15 research programs and 64 research groups.
The university includes faculties of:
- Arts and Humanities.
- Engineering.
- Architecture and Planning.
- Economics and Administration.
- Law.
- Earth Sciences.
- Environmental Sciences.
- Marine Sciences.
- Tourism.
- Communication and Media.
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM):
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals is the strongest university in Saudi Arabia in the fields of science and technology.
It has been ranked number 1 in the Middle East twice consecutively and is among the top 50 universities worldwide in the field of mining. Additionally, it is ranked as one of the top 150 universities globally in the fields of chemical and mechanical engineering.
KFUPM is a prestigious institution established 55 years ago and consistently focuses on developing its partnerships with major research institutions and universities.
Study System and Faculties:
The university accommodates more than 7,000 students under specific conditions, as it does not admit female students and only accepts high school graduates who have achieved a composite score of 91% or higher.
Despite the university’s name emphasizing petroleum and minerals, it covers a wide range of traditional fields in engineering, sciences, and business.
The study duration at the university is five years, with the first year being a preparatory year for English, mathematics, and physics. Students also undergo fieldwork training in the summer.
The university includes faculties of:
- College of Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and Statistics)
- College of Engineering (Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil and Environmental, Chemical)
- College of Petroleum Engineering and Earth Sciences.
- College of Environmental Design.
- College of Business.
- Computer Science and Engineering.
Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University:
Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University is considered the best university in Saudi Arabia as it is accredited by a royal decree.
Study System and Faculties:
The university offers a distinguished global model, serving more than 24,000 students. It comprises 10 faculties in the fields of education, scientific research, and community service, such as:
- College of Sciences
- College of Sharia (Islamic Law)
- College of Medicine
- College of Languages and Translation
- College of Arabic Language
- College of Fundamentals of Religion.
Jeddah Technical College:
The college is among the oldest technological institutions in the Kingdom, having been established in 1407 AH. It represents a distinctive edifice that focuses on enhancing the required quality in the job market to contribute to all types of technical and economic development.
Study System and Departments:
- Administrative Technology
- Tourism and Hotel Technology
- Civil and Architectural Technology
- Public Relations and Media
- Information Technology.
Dar Al-Hekma University:
Dar Al-Hekma University is a private, non-profit university established for women in Jeddah. The official language of instruction at the university is English. It began its operations with the approval of the Saudi Ministry of Education in September 1999.
Study System and Departments:
- Business Administration
- Law
- Tourism and Hotel Technology
- Engineering and Information Technology
- Marketing.
Al-Jouf University:
One of the distinguishing features of Al-Jouf University is its focus on curriculum development. In addition to the departments and specializations of its colleges, the university has introduced community initiatives and centers for innovation and entrepreneurship that embrace students’ ideas and projects.
It also has specialized research centers dedicated to olives, guidance studies, and training.
The university was established in 2005 and includes various colleges in Pharmacy, Natural Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Dentistry, Sharia, Medicine, Engineering, and Computer Science. It also places a strong emphasis on practical aspects and training based on the foundations of preparing for professional life.
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University:
The establishment of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University dates back to 1975 when it welcomed its first batch of students in the city of Dammam. The university expanded to include a larger number of colleges and students, reaching a total of 45,000 male and female students. It strives to offer them the best academic courses and curricula, which are periodically developed by experts.
The university’s academic programs vary from bachelor’s degrees to master’s, doctoral, and postgraduate studies. It has excelled in the field of scientific research and recently won the Zaire International Excellence Award in Higher Education for 2023. It is considered one of the best universities in Saudi Arabia due to its advanced educational strategy.
The university comprises more than 21 colleges, including:
- Nursing.
- Dentistry
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Architecture and Planning
- Applied Studies.
- Business Administration.
- Sciences.
- Sharia and Law.
Tabuk University:
Tabuk University has branches in various provinces of the Kingdom. Since its inception in 2006, it has been keen to be the choice of students everywhere in the Kingdom, ensuring that it offers an advanced level of education that matches the needs and developments of the job market. The university has over 36,000 male and female students.
The colleges of Tabuk University include:
- Medicine
- Education and Arts.
- Designs and Arts
- Pharmacy
- Engineering
- Applied Sciences
- Business Administration.
- Designs and Arts
Jazan University:
Jazan University began its journey in 2005 with a limited number of faculties, including medicine, engineering, and computer science. By 2015, the number of its students had reached over 55,000 male and female students.
The university expanded to include 23 faculties in all specializations and several research institutes, upholding the principle of investing in human capital and emphasizing cooperation.
Jazan University managed to rank first among the best universities in Saudi Arabia in employing graduates in the job market with a rate of 77%. It also ranked second with a rate of 43% in the speed of employing graduates in their first year after graduation.
King Saud University:
King Saud University is the first university to be established in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia when it was founded in 1957 in Riyadh. It aims to develop scientific research and offers free scholarships to Saudi and foreign students.
The university annually admits 33,000 students and includes two hospitals and a vast library. Its courses are offered in both Arabic and English.
King Saud University has managed to develop its tools and curricula, achieving significant progress in global university rankings. It currently ranks between 251 and 300 among the best universities in the world. King Saud University comprises specialized faculties in:
- Engineering.
- Applied Medical Sciences
- Applied Medical Sciences
- Pharmacy
- Sciences
- Dentistry
- Education.
- Computer and Information Sciences
- Nursing
- Business Administration.
- Architecture and Planning.
- Archaeology and Tourism
- Arts.
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