Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University
جامعة الأمير سطام بن عبدالعزيز
A fast-growing public university in Al-Kharj, south of Riyadh, with 14 colleges spread across six governorates.
- Students
- 30,922
- Founded
- 2009
- QS World Ranking
- #677
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Suburban
About PSAU
Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU) was created by royal decree in 2009, when King Saud University's branch in Al-Kharj became an independent university, first called Al-Kharj University. It was renamed Salman bin Abdulaziz University in 2011 and took its current name in March 2015. It is a public university under the Ministry of Education, serving the southern governorates of Riyadh Province from Al-Kharj to Wadi Al-Dawasir.
The main campus is in Al-Kharj, with colleges in Al-Dilam, Hotat Bani Tamim, Al-Aflaj, Al-Sulayyil and Wadi Al-Dawasir, which is 567 km away. PSAU has about 30,900 students, nearly 2,000 faculty, 14 colleges and 85 academic programmes. The Al-Kharj campus hosts Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Applied Medical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Engineering and Sciences, Sciences and Humanities, Business Administration, Education and the Applied College.
Saudi applicants are ranked on a weighted score of high school grades and national aptitude and achievement tests. International students enter through the Ministry of Education's Study in Saudi scholarship route; PSAU reports more than 1,450 international scholarship students. It suits students who want a public Saudi degree in health, engineering or business outside the capital.
Why students choose PSAU
Transparent admission for Saudi applicants: 30% high school average, 30% General Aptitude Test and 40% Achievement Test.
A full range of health colleges on one campus in Al-Kharj: Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing and Applied Medical Sciences, with the MBBS nationally accredited in 2025.
Growing international profile: more than 1,450 international scholarship students and ranked 401-500 in the THE World University Rankings 2026.
Research output recognised by five USPTO patents, including one for hydrogen production from methane, and 17 researchers on the Stanford-Elsevier top 2% list (2025).
Admissions
2027-28 academic year (entry autumn 2027)
Selectivity
PSAU does not publish an acceptance rate. Saudi applicants compete on a weighted score (30% high school average, 30% General Aptitude Test, 40% Achievement Test). International students are admitted through the Ministry of Education's Study in Saudi scholarship platform.
Typical entry requirements
| Saudi secondary school certificate (or equivalent recognised by the Ministry of Education) | Obtained within the last five years, with valid General Aptitude Test and Achievement Test scores; the weighted score decides admission to each major |
|---|---|
| International applicants | Apply for a scholarship place through the Ministry of Education's Study in Saudi platform, which PSAU lists as its scholarship route |
Deadlines
PSAU does not publish its own application deadlines. Saudi admission dates for 2027-28 will be announced on the Unified Admission Platform, and international scholarship windows on Study in Saudi.
How to apply
Saudi applicants (including children of Saudi mothers) apply through the national Unified Admission Platform (uap.sa) with their high school results and Qiyas General Aptitude and Achievement Test scores. International students apply for a scholarship through the Ministry of Education's Study in Saudi platform (studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa), choosing PSAU and a programme.
What admissions looks for
- Strong Achievement Test results, which carry 40% of the admission score.
- A strong General Aptitude Test score and high school average (30% each).
- A high school certificate from the last five years, recognised by the Ministry of Education if issued abroad.
- No previous bachelor's degree and no current enrolment at another university.
Tips for applying to PSAU
- 1 Prepare for the Qiyas Achievement Test: it is the largest single part of PSAU's weighted score.
- 2 Check the campus before you rank a major: some colleges are in Al-Kharj, others as far as Wadi Al-Dawasir, 567 km away.
- 3 International applicants should create a Study in Saudi account early and have their school certificate recognised before applying.
- 4 Graduates can apply only within five years of finishing high school, so don't leave it too late.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in SAR
PSAU does not publish tuition fees for regular undergraduate study. International students join through the Ministry of Education's Study in Saudi scholarship platform, which PSAU links under Scholarships; PSAU reports more than 1,450 international scholarship students.
- More than 1,450 (PSAU achievements page)
- International scholarship students
- 5 student housing units (Facts and Numbers)
- Student housing
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS)
Earned national accreditation in 2025; taught at the College of Medicine in Al-Kharj.
Bachelor of Law
Nationally accredited in 2025; PSAU lists first place in an international commercial arbitration competition among its recent achievements.
BSc in Civil Engineering
The Civil Engineering Department holds American Society of Civil Engineers membership (2026).
Computer Engineering and Sciences
Its Computer Science, Information Systems and Software Engineering bachelor's degrees gained international accreditation in 2025, and a Master of Cybersecurity was nationally accredited the same year.
BSc in Mechatronics Engineering
One of the College of Engineering's newer bachelor's degrees, alongside Electrical, Mechanical, Civil and Industrial Engineering.
Research
- Five patents granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office, including one for producing hydrogen from methane gas.
- 17 PSAU researchers were on the Stanford-Elsevier 2025 list of the top 2% of scientists.
- Ranked among the world's top 40 universities for three UN Sustainable Development Goals in 2026, and a founding partner in the UN Green Skills and Learning Initiative.
Schools & faculties
- College of Medicine
- College of Dentistry
- College of Pharmacy
- College of Nursing
- College of Applied Medical Sciences
- College of Engineering
- College of Computer Engineering and Sciences
- College of Business Administration
- College of Education
- College of Sciences and Humanities
- Applied College
Student life
The Al-Kharj campus combines colleges, student and faculty housing, sports facilities and the Prince Saud Al-Kabeer Mosque, which hosts daily and Friday prayers, lectures and Quran study sessions; there are more than 30 prayer halls across the colleges. Sport has a high profile: the university football team won the Saudi Universities League, and PSAU is in the top 10 of the Saudi University Sports Federation performance index. Students have also won the Gulf Robotics Challenge.
- The university football team were crowned Saudi Universities League champions.
- First place in the Gulf Robotics Challenge.
- Two sports facilities and five student housing units on PSAU's campuses.
- A six-month cooperative training placement in every programme, plus international training such as a 2023 summer programme at Imperial College London.
Housing. PSAU lists five student housing units among its facilities.
Location
Al-Kharj is a governorate south of Riyadh, the capital, with historic sites such as Mishrif Palace and the town of Al-Yamamah. PSAU's other colleges are in smaller towns further south, from Al-Dilam (10 km from Al-Kharj) to Wadi Al-Dawasir, so the campus you study at shapes daily life.
Nearest airport: King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh (RUH)
Frequently asked questions
How do international students apply to Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University?
Through the Ministry of Education's Study in Saudi scholarship platform, which PSAU lists as its scholarship route. PSAU reports more than 1,450 international scholarship students.
How is admission decided at PSAU for Saudi students?
By a weighted score: 30% high school average, 30% General Aptitude Test and 40% Achievement Test. Your high school certificate must be less than five years old.
Where is PSAU?
The main campus is in Al-Kharj, south of Riyadh. Other colleges are in Al-Dilam, Hotat Bani Tamim, Al-Aflaj, Al-Sulayyil and Wadi Al-Dawasir.
What is PSAU's world ranking?
Joint 677th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, 401-500 in the THE World University Rankings 2026, joint 511th in US News Best Global Universities 2026-2027 and 701-800 in ARWU 2026.
How many students does PSAU have?
About 30,900 students, with 1,969 faculty members, across 14 colleges and 85 programmes.
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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Universities ranked close to PSAU in the QS World University Rankings 2027.