Top universities in the Arab region

The recently released QS World University Rankings: Arab Region 2024 features almost 200 higher education institutions in the Arab region. 

First published in 2014, the Arab Region rankings are developed using a methodology that consists of 10 indicators, including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/student ratio and international research network. 

View the full results of the QS World University Rankings: Arab Region 2024 here.  

10. Sultan Qaboos University (Oman)

Going down by two places to being the tenth best university in the Arab region this year, is Sultan Qaboos University. Situated in a valley beneath the Oman mountains, it is one of seven universities in Oman in this year’s ranking and is ranked joint 454th in the QS World University Rankings 2024.  

The university scores well across a range of indicators. It ranks seventh in the Arab region for its international research network, an indication of the school’s research collaborations with other institutions around the world. 

9. University of Jordan (Jordan)

In ninth place in the Arab region rankings this year is the University of Jordan which ranks 498th in the QS World University Rankings 2024. It’s one of the best universities in Jordan, ranking ahead of 22 other universities from the country. The university follows a teaching style well enhanced by their strong research culture and scores well across all ranking indicators, particularly its web impact, academic and employer reputation indicators, where it’s ranked within the top 10. 

Graduates from the University of Jordan are seen as extremely employable by employers which is reflected in its performance in the employer reputation indicator. 

8. American University of Sharjah (UAE)

Experiencing a slight dip in rank by one place this year, American University of Sharjah is ranked as the eighth best university in the Arab region and is placed joint 364th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2024. 

The school has over 4,850 students of over 93 nationalities and earns perfect scores in the international faculty ratio and the proportion of international students: a reflection of the international diversity of the school’s learning environment. All courses at AUS are taught in English. 

7. Khalifa University (UAE)

Khalifa University has improved this year and moved up two places to rank seventh in the Arab region this year. The university was established in 2007 and expanded in 2017 by merging with the Petroleum Institute and Masdar Institute.  

The university attains perfect scores for its papers per faculty and proportion of international faculty ratio indicating the university's impressive research and teaching diversity and collaboration.  

6. United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) (UAE)

Moving down one place this year, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) is now ranked sixth in the Arab region. It ranks 290th in the world, dropping by six places. 

However, the university ranks fourth in the region for international research network. UAEU also performs extremely well in both the academic and employer reputation indicators ranking seventh and 10th respectively in the region. These achievements underscore UAEU’s commitment to academic excellence and its role in shaping highly employable graduates. Founded in 1976, UAEU offers more than 50 undergraduate programmes that have been developed in partnership with employers.

5. King Abdul Aziz University (KAU) (Saudi Arabia)

Despite dropping to fifth place after a three-year reign as the top university in the Arab region, King Abdul Aziz University in Saudi Arabia has maintained its standing in the QS World University Rankings at joint 143rd. King Abdul Aziz University was founded in 1967 and since then has seen tremendous progress in student enrolment and diversity of academic programmes in social and natural sciences.  

The university earns perfect scores for academic (first) and employer reputation (first), and citations per paper (second) reflecting the university’s positive reputation among employers and academics and their success in published work and international collaboration. 

4.  American University of Beirut (AUB) (Lebanon)

After ranking second for four consecutive years, American University of Beirut (AUB) has dropped to fourth position in the Arab region in 2023. Nonetheless, AUB holds third position in the region for employer reputation which demonstrate the university's high regard among graduate employers.  

Of the 13 best universities in Lebanon included in this year’s ranking, AUB is the only one to rank within the top 10. AUB is located in a 64-acre urban campus in the centre of Beirut.  Its students benefit from being close to the city making it easy to find jobs and internships, while enjoying the serenity of the university’s leafy surroundings.

3. Qatar University (Qatar)

In 2024, only two universities in Qatar are in the Arab region rankings, with Qatar University securing third place in the Arab region. 

Qatar University ranks third in the region for its international research network, displaying the school’s strong international outlook and sixth for employer reputation. The university boasts a vibrant research culture, placing research and international collaboration as the core of its teaching. 

2. King Saud University (KSU) (Saudi Arabia)

Moving up by four places to rank second this year is King Saud University (KSU) who is also ranked joint 203rd globally. Named after the founder of Saudi Arabia, KSU was established in 1957 and was Saudi Arabia’s first university. 

KSU has scored extremely well in all indicators while achieving a perfect score for their international research network, and a near perfect score for web impact indicating their collaborations in an international scale and their strong online presence. KSU ranks third in the region for its outstanding academic reputation. The school also offers free tuition and generous scholarships for both Saudi and international students.  

1. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (Saudi Arabia)

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals surged to the top of the regional rankings, surpassing three universities, following a decline in its rank from the previous year. The university earns its highest rank in the papers per faculty indicator, also being placed second in the region, reflecting the high academic output of the university. 

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals has developed advanced training in science, engineering, and management to promote leadership and service in the petroleum and mineral industries.