American University of the Middle East
جامعة الشرق الأوسط الأمريكية
A private, English-taught university in Kuwait built around ABET-accredited engineering and an AACSB-accredited business school.
- Students
- 10,000
- International
- 15%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 11.1:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- KWD 5,760
- From · 2026-27 (current published fees)
- Founded
- 2005
About AUM
The American University of the Middle East (AUM) is a private university in Egaila, Kuwait, established in 2005. It is organised around a College of Engineering and Technology and a College of Business Administration, together with a Liberal Arts Department and an English Preparatory Program. Its current fee schedule covers business, engineering and information technology degrees. AUM says it has around 10,000 enrolled students on a 261,190 square metre campus.
Accreditation is the university's calling card. AUM holds institutional accreditation from Kuwait's Private Universities Council and has completed the UK QAA's International Quality Review. Its College of Business Administration is accredited by AACSB, and seven engineering degrees (architectural, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, industrial and mechanical) are accredited by ABET's Engineering Accreditation Commission.
Teaching follows an American-style credit-hour system in English, and admission depends on AUM's own English and Math skill assessment tests alongside your high school average. Faculty and staff come from more than 60 countries. AUM suits students in Kuwait who want an accredited engineering or business degree taught in English, with capstone projects and hands-on labs built into the programmes.
Why students choose AUM
Seven Bachelor of Science engineering programmes, from architectural to mechanical engineering, are accredited by ABET's Engineering Accreditation Commission.
The College of Business Administration and all its programmes are accredited by AACSB International.
AUM reports first place in Kuwait in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and the THE World University Rankings 2026.
Engineering students use an Engineering Research and Innovation Center with robotics and AI, nanotechnology and capstone centres.
Admissions
Fall and Spring semester intakes (2026-27 and 2027-28 academic years)
Selectivity
AUM does not publish an acceptance rate. An admission committee decides on each application using the high school GPA and the results of AUM's English and Math skill assessment tests; entry depends on meeting the minimum GPA for the college.
Typical entry requirements
| Kuwaiti or other high school certificate (Engineering and Technology) | Science section, GPA 2.50 (70%) or above, plus AUM English (110+) and Math (40%+) placement tests |
|---|---|
| High school certificate (Business Administration) | Science or arts section, GPA 2.0 (60%) or above |
| Direct entry to degree courses (no English Preparatory Program) | AUM English test 180+, TOEFL iBT 60+ or Academic IELTS 6.0+; engineering also needs 80%+ on the AUM Math test. Otherwise admission is conditional |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 60 TOEFL iBT 60 or Academic IELTS 6.0 (or 180 on AUM's own English test) gives direct entry to degree courses; students below this start in the English Preparatory Program (EPP). Official scores must reach AUM by the end of the add/drop period. |
Deadlines
AUM does not publish fixed application deadlines on its admissions pages: it admits students for specific semesters in admission periods it announces. An acceptance is valid only for the semester you applied for and cannot be deferred. Contact an admission advisor for the Spring 2027 and Fall 2027 application windows.
How to apply
Apply online through AUM's admission portal, uploading a copy of your passport, high school certificate and Kuwait Civil ID, and pay a non-refundable 30 KWD application and placement test fee. You then sit AUM's English and Math skill assessment tests, and an admission committee reviews your application, test scores and high school GPA. Admitted students pay a 300 KWD enrolment deposit to reserve a seat.
What admissions looks for
- A high school GPA at or above the minimum for your college, from a certificate issued within the last three years.
- A pass on AUM's English Language Skill Assessment Test (110 points) and Math Skill Assessment Test (40%).
- For direct entry to degree courses, English at 180 on the AUM test, TOEFL iBT 60 or IELTS 6.0, and for engineering 80% on the Math test.
- A clean record: applicants dismissed from AUM or another institution are not accepted.
Tips for applying to AUM
- 1 Take TOEFL or IELTS before you start: a score of 60 or 6.0 lets you skip the English Preparatory Program, which costs 2,250 KWD per semester per level.
- 2 If you score between 90 and 110 on the English placement test, or 20% to 40% in Math, you can retake it once and the higher score counts.
- 3 Engineering applicants should aim for 80% on the Math test to go straight into university-level courses.
- 4 Applications are tied to one semester and cannot be deferred, so apply for the intake you will actually start.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 (current published fees) · figures in KWD
AUM's admission terms refer to students enrolled on Kuwaiti government grants, who remain responsible for any fees and costs the grant does not cover. AUM does not publish details of its own scholarships on its admissions pages.
- 30 KWD (one time, non-refundable)
- Application and admission test fee
- 300 KWD, adjustable against tuition
- Enrolment deposit (seat reservation)
- 2,250 KWD per semester per level
- English Preparatory Program
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (Fall and Spring, plus summer); full-time students take at least 12 credit hours a semester
BSc Civil Engineering
ABET-accredited; 136 credits at 260 KWD per credit hour.
BSc Mechanical Engineering
ABET-accredited; 132 credits, with a dedicated Engineering Capstone Center.
BSc Computer Engineering
ABET-accredited; students can join the Robotics Club and use the Robotics and AI Center.
Accounting
AACSB-accredited business degree of 121 credits at 240 KWD per credit hour.
Business Administration (Finance, HRM, Marketing, MIS)
AACSB-accredited, with a Business Innovation Center and consulting centre.
Research
- The Engineering Research and Innovation Center includes a Robotics and AI Center, a Nanotechnology Center and an Engineering Capstone Center.
- A Business Innovation Center houses a Business Consulting Center and a Business Capstone Center.
- AUM reports ranking first in Kuwait in QS subject rankings 2025 for Engineering and Technology (278th globally) and Social Sciences and Management (193rd).
Schools & faculties
- College of Engineering and Technology
- College of Business Administration
- Liberal Arts Department
- English Preparatory Program
Student life
AUM's campus in Egaila covers 261,190 square metres, with college buildings, a library, a sports centre and green open spaces. Student life runs through the Business and Engineering societies and clubs such as Robotics, Art and Design, Music and Photography. The sports centre has indoor and outdoor facilities and fields men's and women's teams in sports including football, basketball, volleyball, squash, table tennis, tennis and swimming. The Tawteen Career Center supports students preparing for work.
- Robotics Club, where engineering students apply course work in competitions.
- Men's and women's university teams, including football, basketball, volleyball and squash.
- Business Society and Engineering Society, plus Art and Design, Music and Photography clubs.
- Tawteen Career Center for careers support.
Location
AUM's campus is in Egaila, Kuwait, and teaching is full time on campus. Because the application asks for a Kuwait Civil ID and a high school certificate certified by the Kuwait Ministry of Education, the university mainly serves students already living in Kuwait. AUM does not describe university housing on its website.
Nearest airport: Kuwait International Airport (KWI)
Notable alumni
- FA Fatemah AlzelzelaElectrical engineer and environmental advocate, founder of the recycling initiative Eco Star; studied electrical engineering at AUM
- BA Bader Al-FadhelKuwait international footballer (Al-Arabi); bachelor's in mechanical engineering at AUM
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum GPA for AUM?
2.50 (70%) from the science section for Engineering and Technology, and 2.0 (60%) from the science or arts section for Business Administration.
Does AUM have an entrance exam?
Yes. All applicants take AUM's English Language Skill Assessment Test (minimum 110) and Math Skill Assessment Test (minimum 40%), and can retake each once if they come close.
How much are AUM's fees?
Tuition is charged per credit hour: 240 KWD for business and IT programmes and 260 KWD for engineering. A typical year works out at roughly 5,760 to 8,840 KWD, plus 110 KWD per semester in fees.
What IELTS or TOEFL score does AUM need?
IELTS Academic 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 60 gives direct entry to degree courses; otherwise you start in the English Preparatory Program.
Is AUM accredited?
Yes. It is accredited by Kuwait's Private Universities Council and has completed the UK QAA International Quality Review; business is AACSB-accredited and seven engineering degrees are ABET-accredited.
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 AUM in the QS World University Rankings 2027.