Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University

Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, widely known as PNU, is a public women's university in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was originally founded in 1970 as the Riyadh University for Women and later acquired its current title and status in 2007.PNU is the largest university for women in the world. It operates under the Saudi Ministry of Education. The university serves as a key institution in advancing higher education for women across the Kingdom and beyond.Clearly, PNU is more than a university. It is a national symbol of women's educational leadership in Saudi Arabia and the broader Arab world.University at a GlanceThe numbers speak clearly about PNU's scale and impact:18 Colleges and Institutes142 Academic Programs32,143 Enrolled Students2,149 Faculty Members82 Bachelor's Programs34 Postgraduate Programs26 Diploma ProgramsThe 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 CollegesPNU offers a rich and diverse range of academic programs. The university organizes its colleges into four main categories.Scientific Colleges:Computer Science and InformationSports Sciences and Physical ActivityBusiness AdministrationEngineeringSciencesHealth Colleges:MedicineDentistryPharmacyNursingHealth and Rehabilitation SciencesFoundation Year for Health CollegesHumanities Colleges:Humanities and Social SciencesEducation and Human DevelopmentArt and DesignLanguagesLawApplied and Language InstitutesApplied CollegeArabic Language Teaching Institute (for non-native speakers)English Language InstituteFurthermore, 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 InnovationPNU 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 institutionallyResearch and Development and Innovation Unit (RDI)Research Services UnitResearch Chairs ManagementResearcher Support InitiativeResearch Ethics FrameworkMoreover, 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 AccreditationPNU 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 globallyQS World University Rankings 2026: Ranked 731-740 globallyShanghai Ranking 2025: Ranked 3rd nationally, within the 301-400 band globallyMost 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 EmpowermentPNU 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 StudiesPrincess Nourah Prize for Women's ExcellenceInnovation and Entrepreneurship CenterWomen Leadership CenterNational Observatory for WomenAdditionally, 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 FacilitiesLife 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 RiyadhSports facilities and athletic programsA university library for research and studyDigital systems and smart e-servicesA 360-degree virtual tour for prospective studentsElectronic mail and student portalsClearly, the campus is designed to support both academic growth and personal development.Digital Services and E-SystemsPNU offers a full suite of online services for students, faculty, and staff. These include:Electronic Services PortalSmart Bag (digital learning toolkit)Student Email SystemE-Registration and Admission SystemsOnline Academic CalendarIn 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:Largest women's university in the worldDiverse and quality academic specializationsInspiring and rich campus lifeA research environment that drives creativityGlobal partnerships and premium training opportunitiesPrincess 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 StudentsPNU 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 ExhibitionTrailblazers Award for innovation in digital learning and AI culture1st 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.