Applied Science University
جامعة العلوم التطبيقية
A private Bahraini university teaching in Arabic and English, with UK dual-award degrees from London South Bank University.
- Tuition
- BHD 2,781
- From · 2025-26 onwards (fee sheet for English-taught programmes, published November 2025)
- Founded
- 2004
- QS World Ranking
- #655
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Suburban
- About 24,000 sq m (campus opened September 2013)
About ASU
Applied Science University (ASU) was licensed by Bahrain's Ministry of Education on 5 July 2004, making it one of the first private universities in the Kingdom. It was founded by Bahraini academic Waheeb Al-Khaja and is owned by the Gulf Education Project company. In September 2013 it moved to a purpose-built campus of about 24,000 square metres in Al Ekir, south of Manama, designed for up to 6,300 students across morning, evening and weekend classes.
ASU has four colleges: Administrative Sciences, Law, Arts and Science, and Engineering. Many of its own bachelor's degrees (Law, Accounting, Business Administration, Political Science, Graphic and Interior Design) are taught in Arabic, while Computer Science, Accounting and Finance and Management Information Systems are taught in English. Through a partnership with London South Bank University (LSBU), it also offers British dual-award degrees in Law, Business Management and four engineering fields, taught in English.
ASU says it was the first university in Bahrain to gain accreditation from the UK's Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and the first with CIOB accreditation for architectural and civil engineering. It suits Bahraini and Gulf students who want a local, flexible-schedule private university, especially in law and business, or a UK degree without leaving Bahrain.
Why students choose ASU
LSBU dual-award degrees (LLB Law, BA Business Management, and BEng Civil, Mechanical, Architectural and Electrical and Electronic Engineering) give a UK degree while studying in Bahrain.
The first university in Bahrain with UK QAA accreditation, and the first with Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) accreditation for its Architectural and Civil Engineering programmes.
Entry from a 60% secondary average for most programmes, with Law requiring 70% (or an interview for 60-70%).
Automatic merit discounts of 15%-30% on English-taught programmes for high school averages from 70% upward, plus a need-based Student Support Fund.
Admissions
2026-27 Second Semester (January 2027) and 2027-28 First Semester (September 2027)
Selectivity
ASU does not publish an acceptance rate. The general minimum is a 60% secondary school average; up to 5% of admitted students can be accepted below 60% (for example national athletes and artists, or applicants with a year of work experience).
Typical entry requirements
| Bahraini secondary school certificate or equivalent | At least 60% overall (70% for Law); scientific track required for Computer Science; students from non-scientific tracks may have to take remedial courses in some programmes |
|---|---|
| Non-Bahraini certificates | Accepted with an equivalency certified by Bahrain's Ministry of Education |
| LSBU dual-award programmes | Separate LSBU entry requirements apply (see ASU's LSBU admissions page) |
| English language | No minimum English score is needed for admission to ASU's own programmes. Every new student takes a placement test that decides which English courses they start with; IELTS 5 or TOEFL (paper) 450 exempts you from the elementary and intermediate courses (ENG 097/098) on English-taught programmes, or from remedial English (ENG 099) on Arabic-taught ones. |
Deadlines
- Second Semester 2026/27 registration (January intake) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months9 January 2027
Guidance, registration, add and drop run 5-9 January 2027, with late registration until 14 January; induction day for new students on 18 January 2027.
- First Semester 2027/28 registration (September intake) Non-binding In ~11 months4 September 2027
Guidance, registration, add and drop run 31 August-4 September 2027 according to the 2026-27 academic calendar.
ASU does not publish fixed application deadlines; applications are processed before each semester's registration week. Past (2026 cycle): First Semester 2026/27 registration ran 1-5 September 2026, with late registration until 10 September. Apply well before registration so your equivalency and placement test are done in time.
How to apply
Apply online through ASU's bachelor's application form (a separate form for LSBU dual-award programmes) with your original secondary certificate and transcript, the Ministry of Education equivalency for non-Bahraini certificates, a copy of your ID and passport and three photos. Then take the English placement test and, for Law or Design, the interview or assessment. International students get visa and accommodation help from the Directorate of Student Affairs.
What admissions looks for
- A secondary school average of at least 60% (70% for Law), with the scientific track for Computer Science.
- For Law applicants between 60% and 70%, a successful interview with the College of Law.
- For Graphic and Interior Design, an interview and assessment showing you are 'well prepared' for direct admission.
- English level, measured by ASU's placement test (or IELTS 5 / TOEFL 450 for exemption).
Tips for applying to ASU
- 1 If your average is 95% or above, LSBU dual awards take 25% off and ASU's English-taught MIS and Accounting and Finance degrees take 30% off; for Computer Science the 30% (or 15%) discount applies to the first semester only, so check the fee sheet for your programme.
- 2 Take IELTS before enrolling: a 5.0 (or TOEFL 450) exempts you from the elementary and intermediate English courses.
- 3 Do not miss the English placement test in your first semester: absence counts as a mark of 0.
- 4 Choose the teaching language carefully: Law, Accounting and Business Administration have Arabic-taught versions, while LSBU dual awards and Computer Science are in English.
Costs & financial aid
2025-26 onwards (fee sheet for English-taught programmes, published November 2025) · figures in BHD
Merit discounts are built into the fee sheet: LSBU dual-award programmes take 15% off for high school averages of 70-84%, 20% for 85-94% and 25% for 95-100%; ASU's English-taught MIS and Accounting and Finance degrees give 15% for 90-94.9% and 30% for 95-100%, while for Computer Science the same discounts apply to the first semester only. The Student Support Fund gives need-based help to students with at least 75% in high school (70% cumulative GPA for continuing students) who have no other sponsor.
- 15%-25% (high school average 70%-100%)
- LSBU dual-award merit discount
- 15% (90%-94.9%) or 30% (95%-100%); Computer Science: first semester only
- ASU English-taught bachelor's merit discount
- Need-based; minimum 75% high school average
- Student Support Fund
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (September, January) plus an optional summer term
LLB (Hons) Law, Dual Award with London South Bank University
A UK law degree taught in Bahrain, BHD 6,240 in year 1 before merit discounts.
Bachelor in Law (Arabic)
ASU's own Arabic-taught law degree, with a 70% entry average or an interview for 60-70%; it also offers master's and PhD study in public and private law.
BEng (Hons) Architectural and Civil Engineering, Dual Award
LSBU degrees that ASU says were the first in Bahrain accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
Bachelor in Computer Science
Taught in English, with new Cyber Security and AI tracks; requires the scientific secondary track.
Bachelor in Business Administration
Arabic-taught, with new Business Analytics and Human Resources tracks, alongside the English-taught BA (Hons) Business Management dual award.
Research
- ASU publishes the Journal of Applied Science University (JASU), founded in 2017, with two issues a year covering business administration, engineering applications, law and information sciences.
- ASU's centre is accredited by Advance HE (UK), and more than 150 faculty members are recognised as HEA fellows or senior fellows.
- ASU reports a 101-200 place in the THE Impact Rankings 2026 and 522nd in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2024.
Schools & faculties
- College of Administrative Sciences
- College of Law
- College of Arts and Science
- College of Engineering
Student life
ASU is a commuter campus in Al Ekir with morning, evening and weekend classes, so many students combine study with work. The Directorate of Student Affairs runs a new-student orientation programme, a Student Council, counselling, events and student activities, sports tournaments and a sports team, and an Alumni Club. The campus has design studios, specialised labs, a library and a 300-seat lecture theatre. International students have dedicated coordinators for Arabic and English speakers.
- A Student Council and an Alumni Club.
- Student and alumni clubs compete in sports tournaments.
- A 300-seat lecture theatre, design studios and specialised labs on the 2013 campus.
- Separate international-student coordinators for Arabic-speaking and English-speaking students.
Housing. ASU's Directorate of Student Affairs provides international students with a guide to accommodation options in Bahrain; no on-campus residence is advertised.
Location
ASU's campus is in Al Ekir, south of Manama, Bahrain's capital. Bahrain is a small island kingdom in the Gulf with a large expatriate community; ASU's international office points students to public transport timetables, malls, hospitals and tourist attractions around the country.
Nearest airport: Bahrain International Airport (BAH)
Notable alumni
- AB Ali bin Majid Al-NaimiLawyer and politician, sworn into Bahrain's Council of Representatives in 2018; master's degree (2012)
- FA Fatema Al HarbiNovelist and peace activist; studied for a master's in human resources
Frequently asked questions
How much are the fees at Applied Science University Bahrain?
For English-taught programmes, ASU's own bachelor's degrees cost about BHD 2,781 a year (BHD 92.7 per credit hour), and LSBU dual-award degrees cost BHD 6,240-7,560 in the first year before merit discounts.
What average do I need to get into ASU?
At least 60% in secondary school for most programmes and 70% for Law (60-70% is possible after an interview). Computer Science requires the scientific track.
Is ASU taught in English or Arabic?
Both. Law, Accounting, Business Administration, Political Science and Design are taught in Arabic, while Computer Science, Accounting and Finance, MIS and all LSBU dual-award degrees are taught in English.
Does ASU need IELTS?
No minimum score is needed for admission, but everyone takes an English placement test. IELTS 5 or TOEFL 450 exempts you from the lower-level English courses.
When can I start at ASU?
In September or January. For 2026/27, Second Semester registration runs 5-9 January 2027, and First Semester 2027/28 registration runs 31 August-4 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.
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