Saudi Arabia is an attractive country to study engineering for a great number of reasons, and the country has become more and more popular among not only local but also international students thanks to its world-class engineering faculties. Then, what are the reasons behind this huge demand?
Firstly, Saudi Arabia invests considerably in higher education and research, meaning the universities have top-notch facilities and highly qualified faculty staff to train and encourage skillful engineers in various disciplines. Secondly, Saudi Arabia is competing at the highest level for its technological innovations and futuristic projects, making the country a unique location to pursue engineering programs with lots of opportunities. Although more valid reasons to study engineering in Saudi Arabia can be discussed, in this article, we will provide you with the best universities to apply for an engineering program. Read more to find out the best seven universities in Saudi Arabia for studying engineering.
Top Schools Offering Engineering Programs in Saudi Arabia
1. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
Founded in 1963 in Dhahran by King Saud bin Abdulaziz, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) is a globally recognized public research university in Saudi Arabia. KFUPM is the first university to consider when discussing the best engineering programs in Saudi Arabia since it has globally proven its contributions to science and technology with cutting-edge research and leadership in energy fields.
Besides petroleum and geosciences, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals has a wide range of competitive engineering programs for both local and foreign students. Some of the best engineering programs at KFUPM include mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, civil and environment engineering, aerospace engineering, and many more.
2. King Abdulaziz University
King Abdulaziz University is a respected public research university in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Founded in 1967 as a private university and then converted to a public university in 1974, King Abdulaziz University is one of the most diverse universities in the country. The language of instruction at King Abdulaziz University is either English or Arabic.
King Abdulaziz University has a notable engineering faculty with highly experienced faculty staff and innovative research opportunities. Besides fundamental engineering programs like mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or civil and environment engineering, King Abdulaziz University’s Faculty of Engineering offers many unique disciplines, such as nuclear engineering, aeronautical engineering, mining engineering, and biomedical engineering.
3. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a global public research university offering graduate programs in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. Despite its recent establishment in 2009, KAUST has proven to be one of the most prestigious universities in Saudi Arabia and a respected international graduate school on a global scale.
KAUST is a university of science and technology; hence, there are many well-established engineering programs available for local and international students. Earth and science engineering, chemical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and bioengineering are only a few of the original engineering programs offered at KAUST. Lastly, KAUST provides all international graduate students with a fully funded fellowship with monthly allowances and on-campus housing, which can be a very determining factor for some students to choose the university.
4. King Khalid University
King Khalid University is a public state university with a foundation year of 1998. Located in Abha, King Khalid University is one of the most crowded universities in Saudi Arabia with over more than 60,000 students.
King Khalid University has an engineering college with six undergraduate programs, including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and civil engineering, as well as one Master of Computer Engineering.
5. Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, also known as the University of Dammam, is a leading public university in medicine and engineering. The university has a vivid and diverse campus, hosting over 45,000 students.
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University offers a variety of engineering programs at bachelor’s and master’s levels at its College of Engineering, including construction engineering, energy engineering, environmental engineering, and more. When browsing the available programs at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, it’s important to note that particular engineering programs can have male-only or mixed programs.
6. Alfaisal University
Founded in 2002, Alfaisal University is a private university located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Alfaisal University has a respected recognition on the global scale with its numerous research and science opportunities in all of its programs. The university has a 67% Saudi national and 33% international student ratio, with more than 40 nationalities studying on its campus.
Alfaisal University’s College of Engineering offers several engineering programs, mostly at the bachelor’s level, including mechanical engineering, software engineering, architectural engineering, and more. Yearly tuition fees at Alfaisal are fixed at SAR 94,000 ($25,000) for undergraduate programs, and for graduate admissions, the total tuition amount is SAR 200,000 ($53,000).
7. Prince Sultan University
Prince Sultan University is a private university in Riyadh with a small student body yet great opportunities. Founded in 1998, Prince Sultan University is known to be the first private university in Saudi Arabia.
Prince Sultan University’s College of Engineering has five bachelor’s programs and one Master’s in Engineering Management. Some of its bachelor programs include electrical engineering, construction engineering, communications and networks engineering, and more.
FAQs: Engineering Studies in Saudi Arabia
What Engineering Discipline is Considered to be the Best to Pursue in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia owns some of the most unique lands and societies in the world; therefore, the two specific engineering disciplines that are considered more in demand are petroleum engineering and civil engineering.
Processing a great source of petroleum for the last few decades, Saudi Arabia has put utmost importance into petroleum and natural gas engineering. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals is a widely known university in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, which specializes in petroleum and other energy technologies and creates advantageous career opportunities for its students.
Saudi Arabia is also recognized for its civil engineering and architectural innovations; in fact, it is one of the rare countries to portray breathtaking infrastructure developments in the last quarter of the 21st century. Currently, numerous talented civil engineers are encouraged to take part in ongoing and upcoming manufacturing, construction, aerospace, and automotive projects, so pursuing a civil engineering degree in Saudi Arabia can be a wise choice for one’s career.
This article provided you with the merits of studying engineering in Saudi Arabia, with its best engineering schools and programs. If you think you can make the best use of studying at one of these universities and programs, apply today to obtain your engineering degree in Saudi Arabia.
We hope that this article on the top engineering schools in Saudi Arabia was helpful. You can find more educational resources for studying abroad by visiting our Study in Saudi Arabia Page, you can also check this list of available Open Courses for International Students.
