Quick Summary
Kuwait University is a public founded in 1966, located in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Ranked #851-900 globally by QS World University Rankings 2026, it enrolls 38500 students including 12% from outside Kuwait. Known for strengths in Petroleum Engineering, Medicine, Architecture, it maintains an acceptance rate of 20%.
01
Institutional Profile
Who they are
It is the premier public research institution in Kuwait with highly subsidized education for citizens and state-of-the-art facilities at the new Shadadiya campus.
Subject Strengths
Petroleum EngineeringMedicineArchitectureLawBusiness Administration
Founded1966
TypePublic
Total Students38500
Intl Students12%
Faculty Ratio25
CampusMulti-campus (Sabah Al-Salem University City)
Campus Size1200000 m²
Affiliated HospitalsMubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, Kuwait University Medical Center
AccreditationABET (Engineering), AACSB (Business), Kuwait Ministry of Higher Education
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Global Standing
Three independent ranking systems
QS World 2026
#851-900
Quacquarelli Symonds
Times Higher Ed
#1001-1200
THE World University
ARWU Shanghai
#901-1000
Academic Ranking
03
Academics & Research
What you can study
Arts, Science, Engineering and Petroleum, Medicine, Allied Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Law, Sharia and Islamic Studies, Social Sciences, Education, Business Administrative, Life Sciences, Architecture, Computing
Programs
PhD in Law, PhD in Medicine, PhD in Arabic Language, PhD in Engineering, PhD in Microbiology
PhD Programs
Not Available
Online Programs
Kuwait University Research Sector, Petroleum Research Center, Water Research Center
Research Centers
High
Research Output
ABET (Engineering), AACSB (Business), Kuwait Ministry of Higher Education
Accreditation
04
Admissions Brief
What it takes to get in
Entry Requirements
Acceptance Rate20%
IELTS6
TOEFL78
Min GPA2.5
GRERequired for specific graduate programs
GMATRequired for MBA programs
SATNot Available
ACTNot Available
Key Dates
FALLApplication Deadline · August
SPRINGApplication Deadline · December
MAR-APRDecisions Released
Required Documents
TranscriptsSOPEnglish ScoresLORsPassport
Insider Tip
Focus on high scores in the University Aptitude Tests (AAT) for Mathematics and English as they are heavily weighted.
05
Cost Ledger
Amounts in Kuwaiti Dinar
UG Tuition
KD1,000/yr
per year · KWD
Living Cost
KD4,600/yr
per year · KWD
PG Tuition
KD1,400/yr
per year · KWD
Application Fee
$33
one time · USD
Total Estimated Annual Cost
KD5,610/yr
tuition + living + essentials · KWD
Scholarships AvailableAvailable
Financial AidAvailable
Work-StudyAvailable
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Featured & Popular Programs
A sample from Arts, Science, Engineering and Petroleum, Medicine, Allied Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Law, Sharia and Islamic Studies, Social Sciences, Education, Business Administrative, Life Sciences, Architecture, Computing programs total
| Program | Level | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering | BACHELOR | 3-4 YRS |
| Medicine | MASTER | 1-2 YRS |
| Business Administration | PHD | 3-5 YRS |
| Accounting | MBA | 12-24 MO |
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Career Outcomes
Where graduates land
$42,000
Average Salary After Graduation
88%
Employment Rate
Internship PlacementStrong connections with Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) and national banks.
Industry Connections
Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC)Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR)ZainNBK
Notable Alumni
Dr. Rola Dashti, Faisal Al-Rashed, Marzouq Al-Ghanim
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Campus & Student Life
Life beyond lectures
Housing
On-campus available
Sports Facilities
Olympic-sized swimming pools, multi-purpose sports halls, football stadiums, tennis courts
Student Clubs
Engineering Society, Medical Students' Association, Debate Club, Photography Club
Library Resources
Jaber Al-Ahmad Central Library, extensive digital archives, medical library
Exchange Programs
Available
Summer Programs
Available