Taif University
جامعة الطائف
A public university 1,700 m up in the Sarawat Mountains near Makkah, with medical, engineering, science and arts colleges.
- Students
- 38,212
- International
- 3%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 16.7:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- SAR 12,100
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 2003
About TU
Taif University grew out of the College of Education in Taif, founded in 1401 AH (1980-81) as part of King Abdulaziz University and later run by Umm Al-Qura University. A Royal Decree in 1424 AH (2003) made the Taif branch an independent university, and it was named Taif University in 1425 AH (2004). Its main campus is at Al-Hawiyah, on the eastern slopes of the Sarawat Mountains about 1,700 m above sea level, with branch campuses in Turabah, Al-Khurmah and Ranyah.
The university is organised into medical colleges (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Applied Medical Sciences, Nursing), colleges of Education, Arts and the Applied College, colleges of Sharia and Regulations and Business Administration, and science and engineering colleges (Science, Engineering, Computers and Information Technology, Design and Applied Art). THE's 2026 data puts enrolment at about 38,200 students, with 3% international.
Most Saudi students enter through the national Unified Admission Platform, ranked on their high school results and national Qiyas tests. Non-Saudi students have two routes: fully funded scholarship places applied for through the Study in Saudi Arabia platform, or fee-based Bachelor's places for foreigners already legally resident in Saudi Arabia. It suits students who want a Saudi public university in a cooler mountain city within reach of Makkah and Jeddah.
Why students choose TU
External scholarship students receive health care, a settlement allowance of two months' stipend on arrival, a three-month graduation allowance and an annual return ticket home.
Resident non-Saudis can take fee-based places in programmes from Medicine and Pharmacy to Engineering and Business, with interest-free instalment plans.
The main campus sits about 1,700 m above sea level in Taif, roughly 85 km from Makkah and 160 km from Jeddah.
Admission is transparent: the paid-programme guide publishes how high school results, the General Aptitude Test and the Achievement Test are weighted for each field.
Admissions
Academic year 1449 AH (autumn 2027 entry); 1448 AH (2026-27) rules shown
Selectivity
Taif does not publish an admission rate. Applicants are ranked electronically on a weighted score against the number of seats in each programme.
Typical entry requirements
| Saudi secondary school certificate or equivalent | At least 70% overall (90% for health programmes) for fee-based places; health and science programmes require the general, health and life, or computing and engineering track |
|---|---|
| Foreign secondary certificate | Accepted once equivalency is issued by the Saudi Ministry of Education; the certificate must be no more than three years old for health programmes |
Deadlines
- Fee-based Bachelor's programmes for resident non-Saudis (1448 AH) Non-bindingOpened August 2026
Taif announced on 17 August 2026 that applications were open for the 1448 AH academic year; the closing date was not published in English.
- Unified Admission Platform (Saudi students) Non-bindingSet nationally each summer
Dates are announced on the national platform, not by the university.
Taif does not publish fixed dates in its English pages; admission runs over the summer before the academic year starts. Scholarship applications for international students go through the Study in Saudi Arabia platform on its own timetable.
How to apply
Saudi students apply online through the national Unified Admission Platform (uap.sa); no paper applications are accepted. Non-Saudi residents apply for scholarship places through the Study in Saudi Arabia platform, or for fee-based Bachelor's places through Taif University's admission portal, paying a SAR 150 application fee, uploading their residence permit (iqama), secondary certificate and test scores, and ranking their programme choices. Admitted fee-based applicants must confirm and pay the first level's fees by the stated deadline.
What admissions looks for
- A strong weighted score combining high school results with the Qiyas General Aptitude and Achievement tests.
- The right secondary school track for health, science and engineering programmes.
- For health programmes, a recent certificate (no more than three years old) and a high school average of at least 90%.
- Medical fitness to complete the chosen programme.
Tips for applying to TU
- 1 Take the Qiyas General Aptitude Test and Achievement Test in time for your scores to be valid when you apply; they carry up to 70% of the ranking.
- 2 Order your programme preferences carefully: they cannot be changed after the admission decision is issued.
- 3 Non-Saudi residents should get their foreign certificate's equivalency from the Ministry of Education before applying.
- 4 Budget for the full first-level fees at confirmation: your offer lapses if you do not confirm and pay in time, and 25% is kept if you withdraw before term starts.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in SAR
International students on external scholarships receive tuition-free study plus health care for themselves and their families, a settlement allowance of two months' stipend on arrival, a three-month graduation allowance, subsidised meals, university housing and an annual return ticket. Fee-based students pay the first level's fees when they confirm admission, through the university's official payment channels, and the guide offers interest-free easy payment plans; the SAR 150 application fee is non-refundable, and 25% of fees is kept if a student withdraws before the semester starts.
- SAR 150
- Application fee (fee-based programmes)
- Two months' stipend
- Scholarship students: arrival allowance
- One return ticket home each year
- Scholarship students: travel
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters of at least 15 weeks, plus an optional summer term of up to 8 weeks
Medicine and Surgery
Taif's highest-fee programme (SAR 1,950 per credit hour for resident non-Saudis), requiring at least 90% in high school.
Pharmacy
Part of the medical colleges group; SAR 950 per credit hour on the fee-based track.
Computer Science
Offered by the College of Computers and Information Technology to both male and female students.
Electrical, Mechanical and Civil Engineering
College of Engineering programmes, admitted with 40% weight on the Qiyas Achievement Test.
Graphic Design
Taught by the College of Design and Applied Art.
Research
- Research centres include the Centre of Health Sciences Research, the Research Center for Fundamental Sciences, Engineering and Altitude Research, and the Taif History Center.
- Taif appears in 12 subjects of ShanghaiRanking's GRAS 2026, from Veterinary Sciences (101-150) and Mathematics (151-200) to engineering subjects such as Electrical and Electronic, Chemical, Materials and Energy Science and Engineering.
Schools & faculties
- College of Medicine
- College of Dentistry
- College of Pharmacy
- College of Applied Medical Sciences
- College of Nursing
- College of Education
- College of Arts
- The Applied College
- College of Sharia and Regulations
- College of Business Administration
- College of Science
- College of Engineering
Student life
The main campus at Al-Hawiyah occupies the former King Saud Palace grounds, and its construction included 130 lecture halls and 90 laboratories. Student services are run by the Deanship of Student Affairs, which also supports international scholarship students through a Scholarship Club, subsidised meals and cultural and recreational programmes. The university has an Alumni Affairs and Career Development Center, and teaching is split between the Taif main campus and branch colleges in Turabah, Al-Khurmah and Ranyah.
- Main campus about 1,700 m above sea level in the Sarawat Mountains.
- Scholarship Club and support services for international students.
- Branch university colleges in Turabah, Al-Khurmah and Ranyah.
- Alumni Affairs and Career Development Center.
Housing. The university's Department of Housing provides accommodation for external scholarship students, supervised by a housing committee that includes the Deanship of Student Affairs and the Scholarship Administration.
Location
Taif lies in Makkah Province in western Saudi Arabia, about 85 km from Makkah, 160 km from Jeddah and 800 km from Riyadh. The university describes it as a crossroads city with a long history, known for orchards, roses and historic buildings such as Shubra Palace, and a summer destination because of its altitude and cooler air.
Nearest airport: Taif International Airport (TIF); King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah (JED)
Notable alumni
- AA Ahmad al-HilaliSaudi writer and novelist (Sidra al-Muntaha); master's degree from Taif University
Frequently asked questions
Can international students study at Taif University?
Yes, in two ways: fully funded scholarship places applied for through the Study in Saudi Arabia platform, or fee-based Bachelor's places, which are open only to non-Saudis legally resident in Saudi Arabia.
How much does Taif University cost for non-Saudi residents?
Fees are charged per credit hour, from SAR 400 (e.g. Business, Arts, Sharia) to SAR 1,950 (Medicine), excluding VAT. The first semester costs SAR 6,400 for Business and SAR 31,200 for Medicine; over a full study plan that averages roughly SAR 12,100 a year for Business and SAR 68,900 a year for Medicine.
What tests do I need for Taif University?
Valid Qiyas General Aptitude Test and Achievement Test scores. Together they count for 60-70% of the admission score depending on the field, with high school results making up the rest.
What high school average does Taif University require?
For fee-based places, at least 70%, and at least 90% for health programmes such as Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy.
What do scholarship students get at Taif University?
Free tuition, health care, a settlement allowance of two months' stipend on arrival, subsidised meals, university housing, a yearly return ticket home and a three-month graduation allowance.
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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