Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University جامعة الأميرة نورة

University at a Glance

The numbers speak clearly about PNU’s scale and impact:

• 18 Colleges and Institutes
• 142 Academic Programs
• 32,143 Enrolled Students
• 2,149 Faculty Members
• 82 Bachelor’s Programs
• 34 Postgraduate Programs
• 26 Diploma Programs

The university also has branch campuses in several cities, including Al Kharj, Al Dilam, Al Quwayiyah, Al Aflaj, Al Majmaah, Adduwadimi, Shagra, Wadi Addawasir, and more.

Academic Programs and Colleges

PNU offers a rich and diverse range of academic programs. The university organizes its colleges into four main categories.

Scientific Colleges:

• Computer Science and Information
• Sports Sciences and Physical Activity
• Business Administration
• Engineering
• Sciences

Health Colleges:

• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Pharmacy
• Nursing
• Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
• Foundation Year for Health Colleges

Humanities Colleges:

• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Education and Human Development
• Art and Design
• Languages
• Law

Applied and Language Institutes

• Applied College
• Arabic Language Teaching Institute (for non-native speakers)
• English Language Institute

Furthermore, students may apply for programs at the bachelor’s, diploma, or postgraduate level. This wide range ensures that every student finds the right path for her academic goals.

Research and Innovation

PNU takes research seriously. The university runs several active programs and units dedicated to advancing knowledge and innovation.

Key research initiatives include:

• Scientific Research Programs funded institutionally
• Research and Development and Innovation Unit (RDI)
• Research Services Unit
• Research Chairs Management
• Researcher Support Initiative
• Research Ethics Framework

Moreover, PNU actively encourages students and faculty to participate in national and international innovation competitions. In 2025, teams from PNU won top positions at the Saudi International Invention and Innovation Exhibition (SGiE 2025).

Rankings and Accreditation

PNU holds strong positions in global and regional university rankings. The results confirm its academic excellence and research output.

• THE World University Rankings 2026: Ranked 7th nationally, within the 401-500 band globally
• QS World University Rankings 2026: Ranked 731-740 globally
• Shanghai Ranking 2025: Ranked 3rd nationally, within the 301-400 band globally

Most importantly, PNU received full institutional accreditation until 2032 from the National Center for Academic Evaluation and Accreditation (NCAAA), which falls under Saudi Arabia’s Education Evaluation Commission.

In addition, PNU received renewed accreditation from the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Health-Promoting University.

Women’s Leadership and Empowerment

PNU does not just educate women. It actively builds future female leaders. The university runs a dedicated ecosystem for women’s entrepreneurship and leadership.

This includes:

• Sarah Al-Sudairi Center for Women’s Studies
• Princess Nourah Prize for Women’s Excellence
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center
• Women Leadership Center
• National Observatory for Women

Additionally, PNU offers investment, training, and volunteering opportunities through its “Your Opportunity at Nourah” platform. This initiative connects students and community members with real-world professional development.

Campus Life and Facilities

Life at PNU is vibrant and well-supported. The campus offers students a well-rounded university experience.

Campus highlights include:

• A modern, fully equipped campus in Riyadh
• Sports facilities and athletic programs
• A university library for research and study
• Digital systems and smart e-services
• A 360-degree virtual tour for prospective students
• Electronic mail and student portals

Clearly, the campus is designed to support both academic growth and personal development.

Digital Services and E-Systems

PNU offers a full suite of online services for students, faculty, and staff. These include:

• Electronic Services Portal
• Smart Bag (digital learning toolkit)
• Student Email System
• E-Registration and Admission Systems
• Online Academic Calendar

In turn, these tools make it easy for students to manage their studies from anywhere.

Why Choose PNU?

There are five strong reasons that set PNU apart:

1. Largest women’s university in the world
2. Diverse and quality academic specializations
3. Inspiring and rich campus life
4. A research environment that drives creativity
5. Global partnerships and premium training opportunities

Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University aspires to be a beacon of knowledge and values for women. This mission runs through every program, center, and initiative the university offers.

Scholarships and International Students

PNU welcomes international students. The university offers international scholarships to non-Saudi female students who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Selected students can receive up to 18,000 SAR for their studies.

The scholarship aims to promote Arabic language learning, spread knowledge, and strengthen international academic cooperation.

Key Awards and Achievements (Recent)

PNU continues to earn recognition on national and global stages:

• WHO Health-Promoting University Accreditation (renewed)
• Full Institutional Accreditation until 2032 from NCAAA (March 2025)
• 2nd Place at Naql-Thon Hackathon (Computer Science team, December 2025)
• Top positions at SGiE 2025 Saudi International Inventions Exhibition
• Trailblazers Award for innovation in digital learning and AI culture
• 1st Place in Women’s Esports Championship Season 16 (two consecutive years)
• Best Practices in Quality Award at the 12th Arab International Conference on Higher Education Quality Assurance.