Alfaisal University is an accredited institute of higher education located in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The King Faisal Foundation founded the university in 2002. The university is private and non-profit. It is built on a truly unique location.

The campus sits on the grounds of the palace of His Majesty the Late King Faisal, right in the heart of Riyadh, the political and financial center of Saudi Arabia.

Clearly, this is not just any university. Alfaisal combines a rich heritage with a forward-thinking academic vision. It trains students to lead, innovate, and serve society.

Accreditation and Rankings

Alfaisal University holds strong credentials that speak for themselves.

The university is fully accredited by the Saudi Ministry of Education and the National Center for Academic Accreditation and Evaluation (NCAAA).

Furthermore, Alfaisal University holds multiple specialized accreditations, including AACSB for Business, ABET for Engineering, and LCME for Medicine.

In terms of global standing:

Alfaisal University is ranked between 301–350 worldwide by Times Higher Education (THE) in its World University Rankings.
The university is ranked second among Saudi and Arab universities according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in 2021.
The College of Medicine ranks first among all medical colleges in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Evidently, Alfaisal has built a strong reputation both locally and internationally in a short span of time.

Colleges and Academic Programs

Alfaisal University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Students can choose from six colleges.

The university is made up of the following colleges:

College of Business
College of Engineering and Advanced Computing
College of Medicine
College of Pharmacy
College of Science and General Studies
College of Law and International Relations

Additionally, the university offers more than 30 regular majors, unique area majors, and minor degrees. It also provides more than 10 accredited graduate degree programs, along with many Executive Education courses.

Graduate students can pursue specialized master’s programs. These include the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and the Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS), which covers tracks such as Molecular and Cell Biology, Infection Control, and Clinical Embryology and Reproductive Biology.

Moreover, professional certifications are available, including the Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Project Management Professional (PMP), and Certified Big Data and Data Analytics Practitioner (CBDDAP).

Student Life and Campus Experience

Alfaisal University has over 3,000 students representing more than 40 nations. This creates a truly international campus environment.

The student population is made up of approximately 67% local students and 33% international students from more than 40 countries.

One key advantage is the small class size. The majority of classes average only 18 students. This means professors know students by name and have time to mentor and provide one-on-one guidance.

Beyond academics, student associations, clubs, and organizations provide opportunities for both personal and professional growth. The university seeks to graduate socially responsible global citizens committed to lifelong learning.

The university also supports inter-collegiate sports teams, making campus life well-rounded and engaging.

Faculty and Academic Excellence

The quality of faculty at Alfaisal University is a major differentiator.

Alfaisal University faculty are internationally acclaimed researchers and scholars. They have published extensively in their research areas and in the most reputable professional journals.

The university employs around 200 academic staff, with international faculty from over 30 nations.

Notably, faculty can help connect students with research opportunities, internships, and jobs that are a good fit for them. This kind of direct mentorship sets Alfaisal apart from larger institutions.

Research and Innovation

Research is at the heart of Alfaisal University. The university actively invests in cutting-edge science and innovation.

The Alfaisal Centre for Research and Consultancy Studies houses various research units, including the Alfaisal Center Index, the Alfaisal Statistical Consulting Unit, the Product Design and Development Unit, and the Alfaisal Competitiveness Consultancy Unit.

Research teams also conduct collaborative research with partner institutions such as King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre.

In addition, Alfaisal has partnered with multi-national companies such as Boeing, BAE Systems, Thales, and Shell.

Most importantly, Alfaisal University ranked first in the Kingdom with the highest average citation impact of 1.46 for clinical medical and health sciences papers, according to the Thomson Reuters Indicators Report.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Alfaisal University supports students financially. More than 22 million Saudi Riyals were distributed in financial aid during 2020–2021, through an extensive program of university and college-funded scholarships.

This reflects the university’s commitment to making quality education accessible to deserving students.

Vision 2030 Alignment

Alfaisal University is deeply aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The university is committed to building future generations of youth and citizens, and providing the labor market with quality candidates to meet the needs of the Kingdom in accordance with Vision 2030.

In turn, this makes Alfaisal a strategic institution for the future of Saudi Arabia’s knowledge economy.

Why Choose Alfaisal University?

Here is a quick summary of why Alfaisal stands out:

Private, non-profit university founded by the King Faisal Foundation
Fully accredited by NCAAA, with AACSB, ABET, and LCME program-level accreditations
Top-ranked in Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, and globally
Small class sizes averaging 18 students per class
International faculty from over 30 countries
Students from more than 40 nations
Strong research partnerships with Boeing, Shell, BAE Systems, and King Faisal Hospital
More than 22 million SAR distributed in scholarships
Fully aligned with Saudi Vision 2030