King Abdulaziz University (KAU) is one of Saudi Arabia’s largest and most respected public universities. Located in Jeddah, the university was founded in 1967 as a private institution and later became a government university in 1971. For over five decades, KAU has been shaping the future of Saudi Arabia through quality education, applied research, and community service.

KAU operates with a clear vision: to become a globally distinguished university committed to sustainability and community partnership. Its mission is to elevate society through pioneering education and research excellence. These principles guide everything the university does, from its academic programs to its innovation initiatives.

The university draws students and scholars from more than 100 countries, making it one of the most diverse academic communities in the Arab world. KAU is consistently ranked among the top universities in Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region in leading global rankings including QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE).

Key Facts and Highlights

Ranked #1 in Saudi Arabia
100,000+ Students Enrolled
Students from 100+ Countries
33 Faculties and Institutes
Top 200 Globally (QS & THE Rankings)
Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030

Faculties and Institutes

KAU is home to 33 faculties and institutes organized across four main streams:

Health Faculties

Faculty of Medicine
Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences
Faculty of Dentistry
Faculty of Pharmacy
Faculty of Nursing
Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences

Scientific Faculties

Faculty of Sciences
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Computing and Information Technology
Faculty of Architecture and Planning
Faculty of Earth Sciences
Faculty of Marine Sciences
Faculty of Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Economics and Administration
Faculty of Human Sciences and Design
Faculty of Tourism
Faculty of Maritime Studies
Applied Faculty

Literary and Humanities Faculties

Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Communication and Media

Rabigh Branch Faculties

KAU operates a full branch campus in Rabigh offering programs in medicine, applied medical sciences, computing, engineering, sciences, business, and arts.

Specialized Institutes

Institute of Islamic Economics
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal Institute for Moderation
English Language Institute
Arabic Language Institute for Non-Native Speakers
Institute of Chinese Culture and Science
Institute of Medical Genomics

Admission Programs

KAU welcomes students at three academic levels:

Undergraduate Admission: Bachelor’s degree programs across all faculties and disciplines
Postgraduate Admission: Master’s and doctoral programs for advanced study and research
Diploma Admission: Specialized short-cycle programs for vocational and professional development

International students can apply for scholarships offered by KAU. The university actively attracts talented and outstanding students through dedicated sponsorship programs.

Research and Innovation

KAU is a research-driven institution. The university supports a wide range of research activities through dedicated centers, chairs, academic journals, and funding programs.

Research Excellence

Dedicated Research Centers across multiple disciplines
Research Chairs held by leading scholars and academics
Peer-reviewed Academic Journals published by the university
Published research outcomes available through the university research portal
Active partnerships and agreements with global research institutions

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Support and funding for startup companies and new ventures
Knowledge Economy and Technology Transfer programs
Patent filing and intellectual property development
Wadi Jeddah: the university’s science and technology park supporting commercialization
Mubdi’oon Center for Studies, Consulting, and Training

Research Support Services

Dedicated researcher services portal
Scientific research funding and grants
Central Library with comprehensive academic resources
Research programs and collaborative research groups

Campus Life and Student Experience

Life at KAU goes beyond the classroom. The university offers a rich campus experience that supports students academically, socially, and professionally.

Modern facilities across the main Jeddah campus and the Rabigh branch
E-learning platform for flexible and digital education
Training and Professional Development programs for students and staff
Cultural and extracurricular activities that encourage leadership and creativity
International student support and community engagement programs
A Virtual Media Center for news, events, and institutional communications

Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030

KAU plays a central role in supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The university’s strategic plan is directly aligned with the national transformation agenda, focusing on five key pillars:

Enhancing the quality of education and academic programs
Fostering creativity, innovation, and digital transformation
Empowering national talent and building human capital
Strengthening global research partnerships and collaborations
Contributing to economic and social development in Saudi Arabia

KAU aims to rank among the world’s top 100 universities by 2030, a goal that shapes its investment in faculty, facilities, research, and student services.

Leadership and Governance

KAU is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by a University President supported by four Vice Presidents covering Research and Innovation, Educational Affairs, Campus Life and Operations, and Transformation and Strategy. This structure ensures strong institutional governance aligned with national and international standards.

Language of Instruction: Arabic and English

Branch Campus: Rabigh, Saudi Arabia

Electronic Services Portal: sso.kau.edu.sa

Why Choose KAU?

One of the largest universities in Saudi Arabia with over 100,000 students
Diverse academic community drawing students from more than 100 countries
33 faculties and institutes covering health, science, engineering, arts, law, and more
Ranked among the top universities in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world
Strong commitment to Saudi Vision 2030 and national development goals
Active research ecosystem with dedicated centers, chairs, and journals
Wadi Jeddah science park supporting innovation and entrepreneurship
Scholarship programs available for international and talented students
Two campuses: main campus in Jeddah and branch campus in Rabigh
Digital transformation through an e-learning platform and electronic services portal