KFUPM : Rankings, Fees & Courses Details | TopUniversities
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Location

KFUPM Main Campus, Dhahran Saudi Arabia

Ranking

# 67QS World University Rankings

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180Undergrad & Postgrad Programmes

International

30 % International students

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About KFUPM

King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) is a top-ranked institution in the Arab region, known for its academic quality and research impact. Founded in 1963, KFUPM offers 100+ STEMB degrees across emerging fields, such as AI, quantum computing, bioengineering, energy, and cybersecurity. Students benefit from a globally focused, English-based curriculum. With 1,000+ researchers and 20+ research centers, the university aims to solve real-world challenges aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Important Milestones

KFUPM’s progress throughout the 2020’s exemplifies its momentum in broadening student opportunities, advancing academic knowledge, and supporting societal development. Below are a few of the key milestones that reflect this work.  

  • 2021 marked the first time in nearly six decades that KFUPM welcomed female students. Today, they make up 50% of our engineering admissions, an outcome that portrays the wider social and institutional changes of our nation.  
  • New initiatives have made it easier for students to take part in research early in their academic journey. Both graduates and undergraduates are now completing practical, often industry-relevant prototypes, with many publishing their research in respected academic journals.  
  • Launched in 2024, our Global Citizen Program, offers students international learning opportunities and work experience. In its first year, 216 students visited 11 countries, and 160 completed internships abroad.  
  • Our admissions framework now includes pathways for SAT scores, Olympiad winners, and Early Admission Program applicants, widening access for motivated students from diverse backgrounds.
  • Within only a few years from the strategy’s launch, KFUPM added 41 master’s degrees, 8 undergraduate departments, and 42 specialized undergraduate concentrations, each designed to meet emerging trends in science, engineering, technology, and business.  
  • Our current patent strategy resulted in a leap from holding only 5 US patents in 2005 to becoming the 5th highest patent-producing university globally in 2024.  

About KFUPM

King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) is a top-ranked institution in the Arab region, known for its academic quality and research impact. Founded in 1963, KFUPM offers 100+ STEMB degrees across emerging fields, such as AI, quantum computing, bioengineering, energy, and cybersecurity. Students benefit from a globally focused, English-based curriculum. With 1,000+ researchers and 20+ research centers, the university aims to solve real-world challenges aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Important Milestones

KFUPM’s progress throughout the 2020’s exemplifies its momentum in broadening student opportunities, advancing academic knowledge, and supporting societal development. Below are a few of the key milestones that reflect this work.  

  • 2021 marked the first time in nearly six decades that KFUPM welcomed female students. Today, they make up 50% of our engineering admissions, an outcome that portrays the wider social and institutional changes of our nation.  
  • New initiatives have made it easier for students to take part in research early in their academic journey. Both graduates and undergraduates are now completing practical, often industry-relevant prototypes, with many publishing their research in respected academic journals.  
  • Launched in 2024, our Global Citizen Program, offers students international learning opportunities and work experience. In its first year, 216 students visited 11 countries, and 160 completed internships abroad.  
  • Our admissions framework now includes pathways for SAT scores, Olympiad winners, and Early Admission Program applicants, widening access for motivated students from diverse backgrounds.
  • Within only a few years from the strategy’s launch, KFUPM added 41 master’s degrees, 8 undergraduate departments, and 42 specialized undergraduate concentrations, each designed to meet emerging trends in science, engineering, technology, and business.  
  • Our current patent strategy resulted in a leap from holding only 5 US patents in 2005 to becoming the 5th highest patent-producing university globally in 2024.  

Available programmes

University information

KFUPM welcomes talented students from around the globe. We currently have over 80 nationalities represented in our student body.

 

International Undergraduate Students Admissions

SAT Track

·        Your academic requirements:

·        Graduate from an international high school (current or previous year)

·        Your studies should have a natural sciences focus/track

·        SAT score:   1350 or above

 

Application Steps:

·        Submit your SAT scores through College Board directly to KFUPM

·        Once we verify your SAT score, we'll invite you to take our KFUPM math assessment

·        Complete your application through our Admission Website

·        After acceptance, we'll handle your visa issuing process as soon as you're admitted

Note: Make sure to select "King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals" when sending your SAT scores through College Board

 

 

ISEF Winners Track

Spaces are offered to the top four winners each year.

·        Your academic requirements:

·        Graduate from high school (current or previous year)

·        A natural sciences focus/track in your studies

·        ISEF award winner

 

What we offer:

·        Guaranteed admission for all four ISEF winners

·        Full scholarship

·        Freedom to choose any major you want

·        After acceptance of the offer, we'll take care of your visa issuing process right away

 

 

International Graduate Students Admission

Academic Requirements

Master of Science (M.Sc.) – Thesis-Based / Project-Based

·        A four-year bachelor’s (B.A., B.S., B.Sc. or B.E.) degree in business, engineering, or science fields from a recognized (accredited) institution/university.

·        A minimum GPA of 3.00 on a scale of 4.00 or equivalent in the B.S. degree.

·        English test scores: TOEFL - A minimum score of 520 (PBT), 190 (CBT) or 70 (IBT); IELTS - A minimum score of 6.0; Duolingo - A minimum score of 105

 

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

·        A master’s (M.S., M.Sc.) degree in engineering or science from an institution whose graduate programs are equivalent to those of KFUPM, with a major in the proposed field or evidence of suitable background for entering the proposed field.

·        A minimum GPA of 3.00 on a scale of 4.00 or equivalent in both the B.S. and M.S.

·        English test scores: TOEFL - A minimum score of 550 (PBT), 213 (CBT) or 80 (IBT); IELTS - A minimum score of 6.5; Duolingo - A minimum score of 120

 

Direct Entry Track

·        A four-year bachelor’s (B.A., B.S., B.Sc. or B.E.) degree in business, engineering, or science fields from a recognized (accredited) institution/university.

·        A minimum GPA of 3.00 on a scale of 4.00 or equivalent in the B.S. degree.

 

Application Steps

·        Complete and submit your application directly through our Admissions website.

·        Interviews may be required for some highly competitive programs. If so, we'll contact you to schedule one.

·        Receive your admission decision via email, as well as an update on your applicant portal. This step can take 2 to 3 months.

·        Visa processing will begin for accepted international students as soon as you've been officially admitted.

Bachelor

4.5+
45+
1350+
80+

Master

3+
450+
6+
70+

Within the campus, the student housing district accommodates around 8,700 students in residential buildings designed for comfort and practicality, with separate facilities for male and female students. Each housing unit is equipped with essential furniture and amenities that make daily routines easier. Various services, from dining to healthcare, are also available within walking distance or via shuttle bus.

Undergraduate students can apply for housing through the university’s online system using the link sent via SMS before arrival. Graduate students may also apply for on-campus housing through the General Administration of Student Housing, subject to availability. Each applicant can select a roommate by entering their university ID and personal details.

A few buildings include both single and double-occupancy rooms with private bathrooms. Room locations are assigned through an electronic lottery system. Students wishing to change rooms or roommates can do so during the open transfer period at the beginning of each semester. A total fee of 600 SAR per semester is deducted in four monthly installments of 150 SAR. For scholarship students, housing costs are fully covered.

Meal options are available at discounted prices, ensuring every student has access to nutritious food daily. The Student Mall and KFUPM Square provide a mix of convenient and varied dining choices, including a market for grocery needs. Coffee shops and vending machines are also placed across the campus for quick snacks and refreshments in between classes.

Our labs, our classrooms, our auditoriums and meeting spaces are well-equipped with the latest teaching technologies. For faculty and researchers, we provide unique access to the world's largest cluster of energy R&D centers based on campus. 

5,891
4011%
1880%
1,753
358%
1394%
976
24%
76%

Student life

KFUPM is often in the news for its research and achievements, reflecting our commitment to offering some of the most useful degrees in today’s job market. The programs here, taught exclusively in English, prepare graduates to contribute to emerging industries that impact regional and global economies.

The campus in and of itself is distinctive. Built as an enclosed space, it separates residential and academic areas while keeping them closely connected. On one side, classrooms, labs, and lecture halls emphasize the university’s role in advancing higher education. On the other side, residential quarters offer a calm environment with a few carefully planned recreational spots to bring the community together. As you walk through, you begin to notice the architecture is designed to mirror the surrounding landscape, creating a setting that encourages the community to pause, contemplate, and engage.

Tuition fees

All admitted international students and undergraduate students receive a scholarship to attend KFUPM. Scholarship benefits may include free on-campus housing, complimentary course textbooks, free medical services, and a monthly stipend. 

Scholarships

Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.

To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:

Employability

In 2021, KFUPM achieved the highest employment rate in Saudi Arabia, within 1 year after graduation (at 78%). That number rose to 95% in 2025. It also hosts an annual career fair,  featuring a range of workshops and lectures led by academics and industry professionals.

KFUPM offers a variety of student exchange programs that allow participants to experience education across borders. These opportunities include inbound options for international students and outbound study abroad programs for KFUPM students looking to enroll short-term overseas. 

Incoming Students

Academic Semester Exchange

Through the Incoming Student Exchange Program (ISEP), eligible students can spend one academic semester at KFUPM. We partner with universities in several countries to offer their students an opportunity to earn academic credits toward their degrees while participating in collaborative learning and research.


Summer Study Programs

KFUPM also welcomes international and local students, both undergraduate and pre-college, to join the Summer Research Programs hosted by KFUPM on our campus. This intensive eight-week experience allows participants to work with faculty mentors on research projects, gain technical skills, and present their findings at the program’s conclusion.


Outgoing Students

Study and Training Abroad

KFUPM students also have multiple possibilities to study abroad as a foreign exchange student in over 20 destination countries, complete a research-focused fellowship, or participate in an internship with international partners. Programs vary from short-term exchanges to longer academic placements, ensuring credits earned can count toward graduation.

While away, students broaden their perspectives, delve into the culture of the host country, and expand their global competence. These experiences both strengthen their professional preparation and open pathways to further studies and careers.

Rankings & Ratings

KFUPM is one of the top Public universities in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. It is ranked #67 in QS World University Rankings 2026.

QS World University Rankings

  • 2015
    #225
  • 2016
    #199
  • 2017
    #189
  • 2018
    #=173
  • 2019
    #189
  • 2020
    #200
  • 2021
    #186
  • 2022
    #=163
  • 2023
    #160
  • 2024
    #=180
  • 2025
    #101
  • 2026
    #67

QS World University Rankings

  • 2015
    #225
  • 2016
    #199
  • 2017
    #189
  • 2018
    #=173
  • 2019
    #189
  • 2020
    #200
  • 2021
    #186
  • 2022
    #=163
  • 2023
    #160
  • 2024
    #=180
  • 2025
    #101
  • 2026
    #67

Campus locations

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KFUPM advanced 6 no 1753 M 779