King Khalid University
جامعة الملك خالد
The public university of Saudi Arabia's mountainous Asir region, with 26 colleges on 27 campuses around Abha.
- Students
- 61,708
- Tuition
- SAR 34,200
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1998
- QS World Ranking
- #514
- 2027 edition
About KKU
King Khalid University was created in 1998 by merging the southern branches of Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University and King Saud University, and it opened with its first budget in January 1999. Based in Abha, the capital of the Asir region in south-western Saudi Arabia, it has grown into one of the country's largest public universities: 61,708 students, 3,136 faculty staff, 26 colleges and 27 campuses, according to the university.
Colleges are grouped into humanities (Sharia and Fundamentals of Religion, Education, Arts and Humanities, Languages and Translation, Law, Tourism and Hospitality), sciences (Business, Engineering, Science, Computer Science, Architecture and Planning), health (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Applied Medical Sciences, Nursing) and a network of applied colleges across the region. The main University City at Al-Fara'a covers 80.6 million square metres and includes an 800-bed medical city.
KKU admits international students through Saudi Arabia's Study in Saudi Arabia platform, both on paid places and on scholarships, and says it hosts more than 2,000 students from 73 countries. It suits students who want a large, affordable public university in a cooler mountain climate, particularly in health sciences, engineering, computing and Islamic studies.
Why students choose KKU
A full range of health colleges (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Applied Medical Sciences) linked to an 800-bed university medical city.
International students are admitted through the national Study in Saudi Arabia platform, with a set quota of up to 10% of admissions in medical, engineering, technical and business fields and up to 30% in others.
Published per-credit fees for paid international places, from 950 SAR (humanities, business) to 1,950 SAR (medicine, dentistry) per credit hour.
A setting in Abha, about 2,270 metres up in the Asir mountains, whose mild climate makes it a summer destination for Saudis.
Admissions
Academic year 1448 AH (2026-27); applications for 2027-28 entry follow the same Study in Saudi Arabia process
Selectivity
KKU does not publish an acceptance rate. Admission is competitive on a weighted score (secondary grades plus GAT and Achievement tests or accepted equivalents), and international students are admitted within quotas of up to 10% of each year's admissions in medical, health, engineering, technical and business fields and up to 30% in other disciplines.
Typical entry requirements
| Saudi General Secondary Certificate | General Secondary Education Certificate plus GAT and Achievement Test, personal interview and medical fitness; IELTS 5.0 or equivalent for English-taught colleges |
|---|---|
| American high school diploma | Diploma with Tahsili and GAT or alternatives; or Grade 12 at 95%+ with SAT I 1000 (or ACT 22) and two relevant SAT II subjects at 550 (or ACT II 24) |
| British system (IGCSE / AS / A-level) | Alternative route: four relevant IGCSE subjects at BBBB, two relevant AS-levels at CC and two relevant A2-levels at CC (e.g. Biology and Chemistry for health colleges, Mathematics and Physics for science, engineering and computing) |
| International Baccalaureate | Diploma with Tahsili and GAT or alternatives; alternative route requires three relevant Higher Level subjects |
| English language | IELTS 5 IELTS 5.0 or an equivalent score is required for colleges that teach in English. |
Deadlines
KKU says international deadlines are announced on the Study in Saudi Arabia platform; no 2027-28 dates were published on the pages checked. When checked in September 2026, the platform listed only postgraduate and internship programmes for KKU, so check the platform regularly for bachelor's openings.
How to apply
International applicants apply through the Study in Saudi Arabia platform (studyinsaudi.sa), completing the application forms, uploading documents (school certificate, residency permit if resident, photo, English and test certificates) and meeting the deadlines announced on the platform. Paid-place applicants must be 25 or under and pay the first semester's full fee during the confirmation period. Saudi and resident applicants also apply through KKU's online admission portal.
What admissions looks for
- A weighted admission score above the university's announced minimum, built from school grades and GAT and Achievement test results.
- Subject preparation matched to the college: Biology and Chemistry for health colleges, Mathematics and Physics for science, engineering and computer science.
- Academic excellence: the university states applicants on paid international places must be academically outstanding.
- Consistent documents: the same name and date of birth in Arabic and English across passport, residency permit and certificates.
Tips for applying to KKU
- 1 Take the GAT and Tahsili if you can; otherwise check that your SAT, ACT, A-level or IB results meet KKU's published alternative criteria.
- 2 Make sure your name and date of birth match exactly across passport, Iqama and school certificate, which KKU checks.
- 3 Budget the first semester's fee up front: paid-place students must pay the full semester during the confirmation period, plus 15% VAT.
- 4 If you study medicine or a health subject, plan for internship-year fees of 4,000 SAR a month for international students.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in SAR
International students can apply for scholarships or paid places through the Study in Saudi Arabia platform; the platform says scholarship applications go through the chosen institution, with final approval by the Ministry of Education. KKU states that no exemption or reduction is granted on paid-programme fees, and refunds are 90% before the end of week two and 50% up to week eight of the first semester.
- 17,100 SAR plus VAT
- First-semester fee, humanities or business (18 credits)
- 35,100 SAR plus VAT
- First-semester fee, medicine or dentistry (18 credits)
- 4,000 SAR per month
- Medical internship year (international students)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Medicine and Surgery (MBBS)
Taught in the College of Medicine alongside KKU's 800-bed medical city; international fee 1,550 SAR per credit in the first joint year and 1,950 SAR after.
Oral and Dental Surgery
Bachelor's in the College of Dentistry, one of KKU's health colleges open to international students.
Computer Science and Information Systems
Bachelor's degrees in the College of Computer Science, listed among programmes available to international students.
Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Chemical)
Bachelor of Science programmes promoted to international applicants, at 1,350 SAR per credit hour.
Sharia and Fundamentals of Religion
Bachelor's degrees in Shariah and in Fundamentals of Religion, both listed for international applicants, at 950 SAR per credit hour.
Research
- KKU runs research centres in areas including advanced materials, bee products, health and medicine, artificial intelligence, and Asir history.
- It hosts several Saudi scientific associations, including the Saudi Society for Medical Education and the Saudi Physics Society.
- A unit for teaching Arabic to non-native speakers was established in 1438 AH (2016-17).
Schools & faculties
- College of Sharia and Fundamentals of Religion
- College of Education
- College of Arts and Humanities
- College of Languages and Translation
- College of Law
- College of Business
- College of Engineering
- College of Science
- College of Computer Science
- College of Medicine
- College of Dentistry
- College of Pharmacy
Student life
Student life is organised by the Deanship of Student Affairs, which runs cultural, social and sports activities, seminars and domestic and international trips. The University City at Al-Fara'a has its own sports city with an indoor hall and stadium, restaurants and cafes, a central mosque and student housing towers, while separate campuses serve women students. Health care is provided through the university's medical city and campus clinics. International students come from 73 countries, and the Asir climate is noticeably cooler than most of Saudi Arabia.
- Student housing at the University City: 10 residential towers of 110 furnished rooms each.
- Sports City at Al-Fara'a with an indoor hall and stadium.
- Over 2,000 international students from 73 countries.
- Arabic-language unit for non-native speakers.
Housing. The University City's student housing has 10 residential towers, each with 110 furnished rooms plus shared kitchens, lounges and study spaces.
Location
Abha is the capital of the Asir region in south-western Saudi Arabia, a mountainous area of about 80,000 square kilometres and more than 1.6 million people. The main campus sits outside the city at Al-Fara'a, while the Al-Quraiger women's campus is in central Abha, 13.6 km from the airport. Expect mild weather, mountain scenery and a smaller-city pace than Riyadh or Jeddah.
Nearest airport: Abha International Airport (AHB)
Notable alumni
- AT Abdullah ThabitPoet, novelist and journalist; studied Arabic literature at KKU
- SB Saeed bin Naser AlghamdiAcademic and author on Islamic creed; PhD from KKU (1999)
Frequently asked questions
How do international students apply to King Khalid University?
Through the Study in Saudi Arabia platform, by submitting the application forms and documents before the deadlines announced there. You need a secondary certificate equivalent to the Saudi one plus GAT and Achievement Test scores or accepted alternatives.
How much are KKU's fees for international students?
Paid bachelor's places cost 950 to 1,950 SAR per credit hour plus 15% VAT, which is about 34,200 to 70,200 SAR a year at 36 credits. Science, engineering and computing cost 1,350 SAR per credit.
Does King Khalid University accept SAT or A-levels instead of the GAT?
Yes, as alternatives: for example SAT I 1000 or ACT 22 with a 95% Grade 12 average and two relevant subject tests, or relevant IGCSE, AS and A2 subjects for the British system.
What English score does KKU require?
IELTS 5.0 or an equivalent score for colleges that teach in English.
Is there an age limit for international applicants?
Yes. KKU's rules for paid international bachelor's places say applicants must not be older than 25.
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.
- King Khalid University: Home (statistics)
- King Khalid University: About
- KKU International Students: Admission requirements and fees (archived January 2026)
- KKU International Students: Tuition fees for international students (archived April 2026)
- KKU International Students: About (campuses, archived April 2026)
- KKU International Students: Life on campus (archived April 2026)
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