Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University جامعة الأميرة نورة

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 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: Largest women's university in the world Diverse and quality academic specializations Inspiring and rich campus life A research environment that drives creativity 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.