King Faisal University
جامعة الملك فيصل
The Al-Ahsa oasis's public university, founded in 1975 around agriculture and veterinary science and now spanning 15 colleges.
- Students
- 22,366
- International
- 6%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 10.4:1
- ratio
- Founded
- 1975
About KFU
King Faisal University was founded by royal decree in 1975 and named after King Faisal bin Abdulaziz. It began with four colleges: Agricultural and Food Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Al-Ahsa, and Architecture and Medicine in Dammam. The Dammam colleges later became part of what is now Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, and KFU is today centred on its main campus in Al-Ahsa.
The university now has 15 colleges, including Medicine, Dentistry, Clinical Pharmacy, Applied Medical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology, Science, Agricultural and Food Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Business Administration, Law, Education, Arts, Sharia and Islamic Studies, and an Applied College for shorter vocational programmes. According to the national Study in Saudi platform, English is the main language of instruction for its medical, engineering and technology programmes.
Its agricultural and veterinary roots remain a strength, alongside research centres such as the Avian Research Center and Central Laboratories. KFU suits Saudi and Gulf students who want a large public university in the Eastern Province. International students apply through the Ministry of Education's Study in Saudi platform, which currently lists KFU's master's and PhD programmes (partial scholarships for international students, paid places for residents); KFU does not publish an English route or fees for international bachelor's study.
Why students choose KFU
The Colleges of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Veterinary Medicine date from the university's founding in 1975.
Medicine, engineering and technology programmes are taught mainly in English, according to the Study in Saudi platform.
The national Study in Saudi platform lists 126 KFU programme options, all at master's or PhD level, including partial-scholarship places for international students.
Master's programmes in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and applied energy economics are open to Saudi residents as paid places.
Admissions
Academic year 1448 AH (2026-27); 2027-28 dates not yet published
Selectivity
KFU does not publish an acceptance rate. Saudi applicants are admitted through the unified admission system, and international applicants through the Study in Saudi platform, where the university reviews each application before Ministry of Education approval.
Saudi applicants apply through the unified admission services on KFU's admission portal, which also runs the preparatory-year admission for 1448 AH and paid vocational diploma programmes. International applicants apply through the Ministry of Education's Study in Saudi platform (studyinsaudi.sa): applications go to KFU for review and then to the Ministry for final approval. A long-term study visa requires admission, a passport valid for at least six months, proof of funds or a financial guarantee, and a minimum age of 16.
Deadlines
New-student admission windows are announced each year on KFU's admission portal and on the Study in Saudi platform; dates for 2027-28 entry were not published at the time of research. For current students, KFU's 1448 AH calendar set registration confirmation for the first semester at 16-27 August 2026 and final exams at 27 December 2026-7 January 2027.
How to apply
Saudi applicants apply through the unified admission services on KFU's admission portal, which also runs the preparatory-year admission for 1448 AH and paid vocational diploma programmes. International applicants apply through the Ministry of Education's Study in Saudi platform (studyinsaudi.sa): applications go to KFU for review and then to the Ministry for final approval. A long-term study visa requires admission, a passport valid for at least six months, proof of funds or a financial guarantee, and a minimum age of 16.
What admissions looks for
- Completion of secondary school, with admission decided through the unified admission system for Saudi applicants.
- For international applicants, approval first by KFU and then by the Ministry of Education through Study in Saudi.
- For the international student visa, proof of admission, a valid passport and proof of funds or a sponsor.
Tips for applying to KFU
- 1 International applicants should create a complete Study in Saudi profile early: most application data cannot be edited after submission.
- 2 A student cannot hold two scholarships for the same degree level, so choose your programme carefully.
- 3 If you plan to study medicine, engineering or technology, prepare to study in English.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in SAR
International students can apply for full or partial scholarships through the Study in Saudi platform, where KFU lists partial-scholarship places for international master's students. KFU's admission portal has a payment service for Study in Saudi students on paid places. Undergraduate tuition for international students is not published on KFU's English site.
- SAR 54,000 per year for most programmes (SAR 55,000-63,000 for a few), per Study in Saudi listings
- Paid master's places for Saudi residents
- SAR 45,000-75,000 per year, per Study in Saudi listings
- Paid PhD places for Saudi residents
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (first semester 1448 AH: registration confirmation 16-27 August 2026, final exams 27 December 2026-7 January 2027)
Veterinary Medicine
One of KFU's two founding colleges in Al-Ahsa, established in 1975.
Agricultural and Food Sciences
A founding college, with master's programmes in agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, animal production, crops and rangelands, and fisheries.
Medicine
Taught mainly in English, according to the Study in Saudi platform.
Computer Science and Information Technology
Offers postgraduate study in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Research
- The Avian Research Center and the Central Laboratories support research across the university.
- Postgraduate research spans agriculture, fisheries, animal health and preventive medicine, and applied energy economics.
Schools & faculties
- College of Medicine
- College of Dentistry
- College of Clinical Pharmacy
- College of Applied Medical Sciences
- College of Engineering
- College of Computer Science and Information Technology
- College of Science
- College of Agricultural and Food Sciences
- College of Veterinary Medicine
- College of Business Administration
- College of Law
- College of Education
Student life
KFU's main campus is in Al-Ahsa, in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. The university runs a Deanship of Student Affairs, and teaching for women is organised in separate sections, as is usual at Saudi public universities. International students admitted through Study in Saudi receive a long-term study visa, and scholarship packages are set by the Ministry of Education and the university.
- A Deanship of Student Affairs that oversees student services and activities.
- Separate sections for female students.
- A mobile app and e-services for registration and student records.
Location
Al-Ahsa is an oasis region in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, known for its date palms and for the historic city of Hofuf, where the university is based. The Gulf coast cities of Dammam and Khobar lie to the north. Summers are very hot, and life centres on the city and its surrounding farms.
Nearest airport: Al-Ahsa International Airport (HOF)
Frequently asked questions
How can international students apply to King Faisal University?
Through the Ministry of Education's Study in Saudi platform, which currently lists KFU's master's and PhD programmes. KFU reviews the application first, and the Ministry then gives final approval.
Is King Faisal University taught in English?
According to the Study in Saudi platform, English is the primary language for KFU's medical, engineering and technology programmes; many other programmes are taught in Arabic.
Where is King Faisal University?
The main campus is in Al-Ahsa (Hofuf) in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province.
Does King Faisal University offer scholarships to international students?
Yes. Scholarships, including partial scholarships for some master's programmes, are offered through the Study in Saudi platform.
What is King Faisal University's ranking?
KFU is joint 567th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, in the 601-800 band of the THE World University Rankings 2026 and in the 701-800 band in ARWU 2026.
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 KFU in the QS World University Rankings 2027.