Ahlia University
Bahrain's first licensed private university: a small, English-taught campus in Manama with course-by-course fees.
- Students
- 1,100
- International
- 25%
- of students
- Tuition
- BHD 3,870
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 2001
About AU
Ahlia University was licensed by Bahrain's Cabinet in March 2001, making it the first private university licensed by the Government of Bahrain. It is a not-for-profit institution owned by a private holding company, the Arab Academy for Research and Studies, whose shareholders are companies and individuals from the Gulf Cooperation Council. Teaching is almost entirely in English and programmes are recognised by Bahrain's Higher Education Council.
The university is small: QS lists about 1,100 students, 279 of them international, and 110 academic staff, 64% of whom are international. It is organised into five colleges: Arts and Science, Business and Finance, Engineering, Information Technology, and Medical and Health Sciences. Undergraduate options include accounting and finance, banking and finance, economics and finance, mass communication and public relations, interior design, computer and communication engineering, mobile and network engineering, IT, multimedia systems, physiotherapy, and nutrition and dietetics. Postgraduate study includes an MBA, FinTech, cybersecurity engineering and PhDs hosted from Brunel University London.
Ahlia suits students in the Gulf who want an English-taught private degree with small classes, internships and transparent course-by-course pricing, and who have a secondary school average of around 65% to 75% or higher, depending on the programme.
Why students choose AU
Fees are published per course (BD 300 to BD 390 per 3-credit course), so a standard four-year bachelor's comes to about BD 15,480 in tuition.
Strong school results earn automatic tuition discounts: 20% for an average of 80% or above, 25% for 90% and 50% for 95%.
The Accounting and Finance degree is aligned with nine ACCA paper exemptions.
Physiotherapy students gain clinical experience through a partnership with King Hamad University Hospital.
Admissions
Second Semester 2026/27 (February 2027) and First Semester 2027/28 (September 2027) intakes
Selectivity
Ahlia does not publish an acceptance rate. Admission is merit-based with programme-specific minimum school averages (e.g. 65% for unconditional entry to IT, 70% for Computer and Communication Engineering, 75% plus an interview for Physiotherapy); places are limited by the university and Bahrain's Higher Education Council.
Typical entry requirements
| Bahraini Tawjihia or equivalent secondary certificate | Programme-specific minimum average, e.g. IT 65% (50% with an interview for conditional entry), Computer and Communication Engineering 70%, Physiotherapy 75% in the science track plus an interview |
|---|---|
| Other secondary certificates | Arab ministry certificates and any certificate recognised by Bahrain's Ministry of Education as equivalent to the Tawjihia, endorsed by the Ministry |
| English language | IELTS 5.5 · TOEFL iBT 46 English can be shown by an internationally recognised certificate, an IELTS or TOEFL score, or Ahlia's English placement test. On the Physiotherapy page, IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 46 (or 70% on Ahlia's placement test, or 85% in school English) exempts applicants from English orientation courses; others take orientation courses (BD 1,200) first. |
Deadlines
- Second Semester 2026/2027 (new students) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~4 months13 February 2027
Registration of new students 31 January to 13 February 2027; placement tests 1 to 3 February; classes begin 8 February 2027.
- First Semester 2027/2028 (new students) Non-binding In ~11 months12 September 2027
Registration of new students 2 to 12 September 2027; placement tests 13 to 15 September; classes begin 26 September 2027.
Dates are the registration windows for new students in Ahlia's 2026/2027 academic calendar. Ahlia advises applying well before these dates because places per programme are limited. Non-GCC citizens should secure a Bahraini residence permit before enrolling.
How to apply
Apply online or on the paper form with passport and ID copies, four photos, your secondary school certificate and last three years of transcripts endorsed by Bahrain's Ministry of Education, a medical report and the BD 20 application fee. New students then sit English and Mathematics placement tests unless exempt.
What admissions looks for
- A recognised, Ministry-endorsed secondary school certificate at or above the programme's minimum average.
- The right school track for the programme (for example the science track for Physiotherapy).
- English proficiency for an English-taught programme, shown by a test score or Ahlia's placement test.
- For some programmes, a successful interview (Physiotherapy applicants must score at least 60% on the interview rubric).
Tips for applying to AU
- 1 Get your certificate and transcripts endorsed by Bahrain's Ministry of Education early; unendorsed documents hold up the application.
- 2 Bring an IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 46 score, or prepare for the placement test, to skip the BD 1,200 orientation courses.
- 3 If your school average is 80% or higher, check the automatic tuition discount (20% to 50%).
- 4 If your average is just below the unconditional cut-off, ask about conditional entry via an interview, which some programmes offer.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in BHD
Ahlia gives automatic tuition discounts for high school results (20% for an average of 80% or above, 25% for 90% or above, 50% for 95% or above) and a 50% discount for orphans and people with special needs.
- 50% tuition discount
- High school average 95% or above
- 25% tuition discount
- High school average 90% or above
- 20% tuition discount
- High school average 80% or above
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (two semesters plus a summer session)
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Finance (BSAF)
Aligned with nine ACCA paper exemptions, with internships and accounting software in the curriculum.
Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy (BSPT)
Selective entry (75% science track plus interview) and clinical exposure through King Hamad University Hospital.
Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology (BSIT)
A 134-credit, four-year programme that received a full confidence judgement from Bahrain's quality authority in 2013.
Bachelor's Degree in Computer and Communication Engineering (BSCCE)
One of two engineering degrees, alongside Mobile and Network Engineering.
Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communication and Public Relations (BSMCPR)
A media degree with a matching master's that several Bahraini journalists and broadcasters have taken.
PhD in Management / IT and Computing (hosted from Brunel University London)
Doctoral routes run with Brunel, alongside Ahlia's own PhDs in digital media and business.
Research
- Ahlia hosts PhD programmes from Brunel University London and runs a joint Brunel/Ahlia conference.
- In 2021 Ahlia partnered with Huawei to set up a Huawei ICT Academy and an Internet of Things research effort.
- A Statistical Support Unit helps students and staff with study design and data analysis.
Schools & faculties
- College of Arts and Science
- College of Business and Finance
- College of Engineering
- College of Information Technology
- College of Medical and Health Sciences
- Deanship of Graduate Studies and Research
Ahlia runs an internship programme for every student and a career counselling service, but does not publish a graduate employment rate on its website.
Student life
Ahlia is a compact city university in Manama, based at the GOSI Complex on Exhibition Road. With about 1,100 students from almost 30 nationalities and faculty from over 20, it is a small community. Student activities include a Model United Nations, student representation and sustainability initiatives, and there is an on-campus clinic and career counselling service. The library offers access to 2.5 million e-journals, 40,000 e-books and 8,000 printed books.
- Students from almost 30 nationalities and faculty from over 20.
- Model United Nations and student representation bodies.
- An internship programme that lets every student gain work experience before graduating.
- Exchange and visiting-student options with partner universities abroad.
Location
Ahlia is in Manama, Bahrain's capital, on the island's north-east coast. The city is compact and car-oriented, and the university points to the Formula One circuit, shopping and year-round sport as local draws. Summers are very hot and humid, while winters are mild. Non-GCC students need a Bahraini residence permit to enrol.
Nearest airport: Bahrain International Airport (BAH)
Notable alumni
- MI Mohammed Isa Al AbbasiJournalist and member of Bahrain's Council of Representatives (from 2018); Ahlia graduate
- ZA Zainab Abdul AmirJournalist and member of the Council of Representatives (from 2018); Master of Arts from Ahlia
- MA Mahmood Al BahraniBusinessman and member of the Council of Representatives (from 2018); Ahlia graduate
- MB Mariam BukamalSports commentator and TV and radio presenter; master's in media and public relations (2012)
- LD Lamees DhaifJournalist and satirical columnist; postgraduate diploma in media and MSc in media legislation from Ahlia
Frequently asked questions
How much does Ahlia University cost?
Ahlia charges per course: BD 300 to BD 390 per course for a standard bachelor's, about BD 15,480 in total over four years (roughly BD 3,870 a year). Physiotherapy costs BD 4,100 to BD 6,040 a year.
What grades do I need for Ahlia University?
It depends on the programme: 65% for unconditional entry to IT, 70% for Computer and Communication Engineering, and 75% in the science track plus an interview for Physiotherapy.
Does Ahlia University require IELTS?
Not strictly: you can show English with IELTS, TOEFL, a recognised certificate or Ahlia's placement test. IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 46 exempts you from English orientation courses.
Does Ahlia University offer scholarships?
Ahlia gives automatic tuition discounts for strong school results: 20% for 80% or above, 25% for 90% and 50% for 95%.
When can I start at Ahlia University?
New students can start in February (registration 31 January to 13 February 2027) or September (registration 2 to 12 September 2027).
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to AU in the QS World University Rankings 2027.