Pursuing higher education abroad is a dream for many, but the cost can often be a significant barrier. While some countries are known for their high tuition fees and living expenses, others, like Kuwait, offer a more affordable path for international students. Known for its vibrant culture, economic prosperity, and modern infrastructure, Kuwait is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for those seeking quality education without the exorbitant price tag. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the most budget-friendly universities in Kuwait, helping prospective students make informed decisions about their academic future.
The key to finding an affordable university in Kuwait lies in understanding the difference between its public and private institutions. Public universities, like the renowned Kuwait University, are heavily subsidized by the government, making them a much more cost-effective option for both domestic and international students. In contrast, private universities tend to have higher fees, but they also often offer a wider range of programs, flexible admissions, and various scholarship opportunities that can help offset the cost.
In this article, we will be looking at various affordable universities in Kuwait and go over the tuition fees for international students.
Affordable Schools in Kuwait for International Students
1. Arab Open University (AOU) – Kuwait Branch
Arab Open University (AOU) is a regional network built on the UK Open University model, offering flexible and blended learning tailored to working students. The Kuwait branch delivers programmes in Business, English Language & Literature, Information Technology & Computing, and Education, pairing online coursework with on-campus tutorials and assessments. Students appreciate the campus’s evening/weekend scheduling, recognition of prior learning, and the option to progress toward British-validated awards through articulated pathways. AOU’s emphasis on accessibility and affordability has made it a consistent budget choice for international students based in Kuwait.
AOU Kuwait charges per unit/credit. Typical undergraduate rates cluster around KWD 17–23 per credit, depending on faculty and course type (English and general requirements on the lower end, Business/IT slightly higher). If you take around 30 credit hours per year, then with KWD 20 per credit, the tuition fee would be around USD 2,000 per year, making the Arab Open University (AOU) – Kuwait Branch the cheapest university in Kuwait for international students.
2. Kuwait University
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: KWD 100/credit hour (Undergraduate and Graduate)
Kuwait University is the only public university in Kuwait and is highly regarded as a top academic institution in the country. It was founded in 1966 with the goal of serving the needs of the Kuwaiti people and the wider Arab world. The university has a broad range of colleges and programs, including medicine, engineering, law, and arts, and it has a strong focus on research and community service. Due to its status as a public university, it receives significant government funding, making it a very affordable option for both Kuwaiti citizens and international students.
For international students, Kuwait University stands out as one of the most affordable universities in Kuwait. The university’s tuition fees are remarkably low, with a cost per credit hour for foreign students set at 100 Kuwaiti Dinars. If we assume 30 credit hours for undergraduate students and 18 credit hours for Master’s students, the tuition fee is around $10,000 USD per year for undergraduate students and $6,000 USD per year for Master’s students.
This makes the total cost of attendance significantly lower than at most private universities in Kuwait and other institutions in the Middle East. Additionally, the university offers various scholarships for international students, which can further reduce or even eliminate the cost of tuition, making it an excellent choice for those seeking an affordable, high-quality education.
3. Kuwait College of Science and Technology
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: KWD 175 per credit (undergraduate)
Kuwait College of Science and Technology (KCST) is a relatively new private college that was founded as recently as 2015. Owned by the Company of Science and Technology for Higher Education (COSTHE), the college is located in the Doha area of Al Asimah Governorate, roughly 15 miles west of the Kuwaiti capital. It comprises four academic departments that together have about 60 academic staff, more than half of whom hold a Ph.D. degree.
At the moment, KCST offers only three bachelor’s programs: Computer Science (BSc CS), Computer Engineering (BEng CE), and Electronic and Communications Engineering (BEng ECE). The BEng CE and BEng ECE programs each consist of nine semesters and run for a period of four and a half years. The BSc CS program, on the other hand, is four years in length, consisting of eight semesters. Although master’s programs are currently not offered here, the college expects to launch them soon.
For tuition, it is a flat KWD 175 per credit, so with 30 credit hours, it would be around USD 17,000 per year.
4. Gulf University for Science and Technology
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: KWD 210–260/credit hour (Undergraduate) | KWD 240/credit hour (Master’s)
Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) began its journey in 2002 as Kuwait’s first private university. Its campus is situated on Masjid Al Aqsa Street in the Mubarak Al-Abdullah area. GUST has about 170 academic staff, many of whom come from outside Kuwait. Its total enrollment stands at around 4,000, including 400-plus international students. It is one of the top 60 universities in the Arab region, according to the international university rankings firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Limited.
Among the bachelor’s programs, five are offered through the College of Arts & Sciences and six through the College of Business Administration. The latter college also offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. The university has been in a strategic partnership with the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) since its birth. A bunch of its students are awarded summer scholarships at UMSL and George Washington University every year.
Assuming 30 credit hours per year for undergraduate and 18 credit hours per year for Master’s, the tuition fee is approximately USD 20,000 per year and USD 14,000 per year for Bachelor’s and Master’s, respectively. Although this might seem expensive, the university offers various scholarships for international students to lower the cost, which can make the university affordable for international students.
Most international students’ priority in universities abroad is based on their tuition fees. Most look for affordable universities, and Kuwait is just one of the tuition-friendly countries around. Here, as an international student, you will not only get scholarship opportunities but also the above-mentioned affordable universities.
We hope that this article on cheap universities in Kuwait was helpful. If you are interested in studying abroad, check out the Study in Kuwait and Available Programs for International Students for more informative articles.
