Kuwait can be an appealing destination for international students who want to experience Arab culture and study in Western Asia. The country has a high-income, oil-based economy and holds one of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, which helps support professional opportunities in energy, engineering, business, and related fields.
Several Kuwaiti universities maintain partnerships or academic relationships with international institutions. These connections can give international students opportunities to study in English, learn Arabic, and explore selected exchange, validation, dual-certificate, or study-abroad pathways. In this article, we will be looking at the best English-taught universities in Kuwait.
Top Universities for English-taught Programs in Kuwait
1. American University of the Middle East
The American University of the Middle East (AUM) is a private university in Kuwait that was established in 2005. It has two main colleges, the College of Engineering and Technology and the College of Business Administration, along with a Liberal Arts Department and English preparatory offerings. AUM has become one of Kuwait’s most visible private universities in global rankings.
AUM describes its campus as an “Oasis of Learning,” with a campus covering 261,190 square meters, including green open spaces and modern buildings. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs and reports international institutional and program accreditations, including QAA International Quality Review, AACSB accreditation for its College of Business Administration, and ABET accreditation for listed engineering programs.
At AUM, the College of Engineering and Technology offers multiple undergraduate engineering and technology programs. Its ABET-accredited engineering programs include architectural engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, and mechanical engineering.
Undergraduate business students can choose accounting or business administration, with concentrations in finance, human resource management, management information systems, and marketing. AUM’s College of Business Administration also offers an MBA.
2. American University of Kuwait
The American University of Kuwait (AUK) is an independent, private, coeducational liberal arts institution modeled on the American higher education system. English is the language of instruction across its programs.
AUK’s international partner institution is Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. The partnership began in 2003 and was renewed in March 2023 to extend through 2028. Dartmouth provides academic and administrative consulting, and the collaboration supports AUK’s liberal arts mission.
AUK currently offers 16 undergraduate degree programs across the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the College of Business and Economics. Current fields include design, communication and media, English, international relations, social and behavioral science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, systems engineering, computer science, information systems, accounting, marketing, finance, management, economics, and human resource management.
3. Gulf University for Science and Technology
The Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) is known as Kuwait’s first private university. The Kuwaiti Academic Group, which included Kuwait University faculty members, developed the idea for the institution, and GUST formed a strategic partnership with the University of Missouri-St. Louis. In 2002, an Amiri decree completed its legal establishment and allowed the university to begin its first academic year in 2002–2003. The language of instruction at GUST is English.
GUST currently has the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business Administration, and the College of Engineering and Architecture. Current undergraduate options include computer science, English literature, English education, English linguistics/translation, mass communication, computer engineering, electrical engineering, engineering management, accounting, business administration, finance, marketing, and management information systems. GUST also offers a Master of Business Administration program.
4. Kuwait University
Kuwait University (KU) is Kuwait’s first public research institution of higher education, established in October 1966 by Amiri Decree Law No. 29 of 1966. It provides undergraduate and postgraduate education and has grown into the country’s flagship public university.
KU includes colleges across health sciences, engineering and petroleum, science, arts, education, business, law, social sciences, and other fields. While many KU programs are taught in Arabic, the official College of Allied Health Sciences handbook states that the Faculties of Science, Engineering and Petroleum, Medicine, Allied Health Sciences, Pharmacy, and Dentistry use English as the language of instruction; other faculties teach in Arabic.
For students who want English-taught options at a public university, KU is most relevant in scientific, engineering, petroleum, medical, pharmacy, dentistry, and allied health fields. Students should confirm the language of instruction with the specific college or program before applying.
If learning in English in a foreign country is one of the most important decisions you have to make as an international student, then look closely at the Kuwaiti universities mentioned above. Each institution offers English-taught study options in different academic fields, so compare program availability, language requirements, tuition, and admissions rules before applying.
We hope this article on the best English-taught universities in Kuwait was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Study in Kuwait and Available Programs for International Students.
