Verified guide Last updated: 8 September 2026 5 minutes read

“King Faisal University: QS 648, THE 601-800, and 68 graduate programs 2026–2027”

King Faisal University – KFU

Last updated: August 15, 2026
Data scope: Official information and results available as of August 15, 2026.
Institution: King Faisal University – Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

King Faisal University official website

It is King Faisal University – King Faisal University (KFU) Public university a Saudi university located in Al-Ahsa Governorate in the Eastern Province. It was founded in 1975 CE/1395 AH, and began its academic journey with a number of colleges, before expanding into teaching, scientific research, and professional, health, and scientific disciplines. In its institutional profile, the university states that its founding dates back to 1395 AH.

King Faisal University is distinguished by an academic structure clearly tied to the local and regional needs of Al-Ahsa and the Eastern Province, with a particular presence in agricultural and food sciences, veterinary medicine, medicine, clinical pharmacy, computer science, engineering, science, business administration, education, and the humanities. The university's official list shows that the College of Agricultural and Food Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine were among the university's founding colleges, while the health, technical, and other colleges developed later.

On the research side, the university has an academic base tied to fields of strategic importance to Al-Ahsa and the Kingdom, most notably agriculture, food, water, palm trees and dates, veterinary medicine, health sciences, basic sciences, technology, and sustainability. The university's official documents indicate the presence of specialized research centers and units, while Nature Index and SCImago data show a research presence for the university across a number of fields.

As for rankings, the current picture is multidimensional. In QS World University Rankings 2027 The university reached =567 globally, compared with =648 in QS 2026. And in THE World University Rankings 2026 it falls within the band of 601–800 worldwide, while also appearing in several THE subject rankings.

The university's performance stands out particularly in THE Impact Rankings 2026; it achieved 35th place globally in that assessment, which is a different indicator from the overall world ranking and measures universities' contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It also achieved strong positions in several Sustainable Development Goals, such as Goal 2 on ending hunger and Goal 5 on gender equality.


King Faisal University in numbers

Note: Historical figures published on the university's pages must not be conflated with statistics for the 2026–2027 academic year. Some of the figures below represent the most recent published institutional snapshot found on the official page, and are not necessarily 2026 statistics.

IndexLatest documented data available
NameKing Faisal University
English nameKing Faisal University
AbbreviationKFU
CountrySaudi Arabia
CityAl-Ahsa
Year founded1975 CE / 1395 AH
University typePublic
Number of Faculties15 in the cited official profile page
Undergraduate studentsMore than 40,000 in the published profile page
Postgraduate studentsAround 3,500
Faculty membersAround 2,200
Undergraduate programs47
Graduate Programs68
Administrative and research centers and units26
Distance learningPresent according to the profile page
International studentsThe official sources I verified contain no recent unified statistic for 2026 that can be relied upon
PatentsI found no recent overall figure that can be documented
Number of research papersI found no recent institution-wide figure that can be documented

These figures are taken from an official university profile page, but they do not in all cases carry a separate statistical year, and therefore they should not be presented as 2026–2027 statistics.


History of King Faisal University

King Faisal University was founded in 1395 AH/1975 CE, and its founding was tied to the expansion of higher education in the Kingdom and to meeting the needs of the Eastern Province. Agricultural and food sciences and veterinary medicine are among the university's important academic roots.

At a later stage, the university expanded into medical fields; the College of Medicine was founded in 1421 AH, followed by the College of Clinical Pharmacy in 1423 AH, and the College of Computer Science and Information Technology evolved to cover computer science and information systems.

The university also saw expansion in graduate studies; its documents show that graduate programs began in the College of Agricultural and Food Sciences in 1404 AH, then expanded to include multiple specializations in science, business, medicine, veterinary medicine, computing, and others.


Where is King Faisal University located?

The university is located in Al-Ahsa in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Al-Ahsa gives the university a geographic and economic environment different from that of many Saudi universities; it is a region historically associated with agriculture, palm trees, and dates, in addition to its proximity to the major economic system of the Eastern Province.

This environment is reflected in some of the academic and research fields in which the university excels, particularly:

  • Agriculture.
  • Food.
  • Water.
  • Palm trees and dates.
  • Veterinary Medicine.
  • Environmental sciences.
  • Food security.
  • Health.
  • Business and technology.

Why do students choose King Faisal University?

The appeal of King Faisal University can be analyzed through several factors, not through the global ranking alone:

1. Broad academic diversity

The university comprises medical, health, science, engineering, technical, agricultural, humanities, and administrative colleges.

2. The distinctiveness of the agricultural and food field

The university has a long institutional history in agricultural and food sciences, a field that is strategic for Saudi food security.

3. Medicine and health sciences

The university's ecosystem includes medicine, clinical pharmacy, and other health fields.

4. Veterinary medicine

The College of Veterinary Medicine is considered one of the university's most prominent historical components, and the university describes it as a college unique in the Gulf region in this field.

5. Technology and computer science

There are programs in computer science and information systems, in addition to the university's expansion into innovation and digital transformation.

6. Scientific research

The university's presence appears in SCImago and Nature Index, with particular importance for the agricultural, biological, and health sciences.

7. Sustainability

The university's performance in THE Impact 2026 is among its most prominent current strengths.


King Faisal University colleges

The university's official structure shows multiple colleges, most notably:

  • College of Agricultural and Food Sciences.
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
  • Faculty of Medicine.
  • College of Clinical Pharmacy.
  • College of Computer Science and Information Technology.
  • Faculty of Engineering.
  • College of Science.
  • Faculty of Business Administration.
  • Faculty of Education.
  • Faculty of Arts.
  • Faculty of Law.
  • Faculty of Dentistry.
  • Faculty of Community.
  • Community College in Buqayq.
  • Other health and academic colleges/components also appear in the university's documents across its various organizational developments.

The official colleges map confirms that there are separate pages for the colleges and their specializations, so the university's current guide should be treated as the final reference when preparing the table of programs published for admission in a given year.


King Faisal University specializations

Medical and Health Majors

The university's medical and health ecosystem includes fields such as:

  • Medicine.
  • Dentistry.
  • Clinical pharmacy.
  • Allied medical specializations.
  • Health sciences.

Nor should it be assumed that every health specialization is available at the bachelor's level or for every admission category; the program, level, and admission requirements vary according to the university's announcement.

Agriculture and food

are among the most important historical fields at the university:

  • Agricultural sciences.
  • Food sciences.
  • Nutrition sciences.
  • Plant production.
  • Animal production.
  • Land and water.
  • Plant protection.
  • Agricultural Engineering.
  • Agricultural economics.

The university documents the existence of historical and recent graduate programs in a number of these fields.

Veterinary medicine

Veterinary medicine is one of the fields most closely tied to King Faisal University's academic identity.

Computer science and information technology

The published fields at the university include:

  • Computer science.
  • Information systems.
  • Other technical fields according to the current academic program.

Among the programs the university documents at the graduate level is the Master's in Information Systems.

engineering

The engineering ecosystem covers multiple engineering fields, but I do not recommend listing sub-specializations such as chemical, mechanical, or electrical engineering on the 2026–2027 page until they have been matched against the university's current admission guide.

Science

It covers basic science fields, with academic and graduate programs in various scientific specializations.

Business Administration

The business administration ecosystem includes academic programs and graduate studies, among them master's programs documented at the university.

Education, arts, and law

The university offers programs in:

  • Education.
  • Curricula and teaching methods.
  • Educational technologies.
  • Arabic Language.
  • English Language.
  • Media.
  • Social sciences.
  • Geography and geographic information systems.
  • Law.

The university also documents, for example, the Master's in Educational Technologies.


King Faisal University's best specializations: how do we measure “best”?

It is wrong to use the word best without specifying the criterion.

The university's specializations can be divided into four categories:

CriterionFields worth considering
Highest-rankedFields that appear in QS/THE/Shanghai
Strongest in researchAgriculture, biological and health sciences, and others, per the research indicators
Most closely tied to the university's identityAgriculture, food, veterinary medicine
Most suitable for career-path analysisHealth, technology, engineering, business, food security

And in THE 2026 the university appears at:

  • Education Studies: 251–300
  • Engineering: 301–400
  • Computer Science: 401–500
  • Life Sciences: 401–500
  • Physical Sciences: 401–500
  • Business and Economics: 501–600
  • Medical and Health: 501–600.

These results make education, engineering, computer science, and life sciences among the fields deserving special attention when analyzing the university's subject-level performance.


Admission to King Faisal University 2026–2027

Are there official admission rates for 2026–2027?

Rates published for previous years should not be used as 2026–2027 admission rates.

The university provides an official system for admission, application, and weighted-score calculation, and published admission guides are available on the university's website. However, the admission guide that could be verified through search dates back to an earlier academic year, so it cannot be carried over to 2026–2027 without a new announcement.

Therefore:

Index2026–2027
Final admission requirementsThe official announcement for the year must be relied upon
Weighted scoreI do not rely on an old figure as a 2026–2027 requirement
Composite scoreI do not rely on an unpublished figure for the year
Latest actual admission ratesNo recent verifiable official table was found
Application deadlinesThe official admission calendar must be relied upon
Application platformThe university's official admission portal
Admission confirmationAccording to the university's instructions in the admission announcement

King Faisal University's official admission and services portal

An important rule for students

The weighted score is not necessarily the “last accepted score.”

There is a difference between:

  • The minimum eligibility threshold.
  • The weighted score.
  • The composite score.
  • The competitive score.
  • The last student actually admitted.

This distinction matters greatly when comparing admission chances.


Admission rates at King Faisal University

As of August 15, 2026, I did not find in the official sources I could verify a complete, up-to-date table establishing the last actual admission rate for each specialization for 2026–2027.

The correct table to publish is therefore:

College/SpecializationBandAptitude testAchievement testWeighted/Composite score2026–2027
Various programsPer the university's announcement——The official admission announcement must be checkedNot published in a unified, verifiable form

The university also has an official service for calculating the weighted score, which underscores the importance of consulting the official admission tools rather than relying on unofficial aggregator sites.


King Faisal University fees 2026–2027

The sources I verified contain no unified list that can be generalized to all university students titled “King Faisal University fees 2026–2027”.

A distinction must be made between:

  • The regular government study track.
  • Continuing education programs.
  • Paid programs.
  • Graduate studies.
  • Professional programs.
  • Additional services.
  • Housing.

It is incorrect to say that all of the university's programs are free or that all students pay the same fees.

As for graduate programs, the graduate studies portal shows services linked to fee payment for some programs/services, confirming the need to identify the program before determining the cost.


King Faisal University scholarships 2026–2027

The university has a scholarship system, and there are also scholarships for non-Saudis.

The university's document explains that scholarships for non-Saudis are divided into:

  1. Internal scholarships for students residing in the Kingdom.
  2. External scholarships for students from outside the Kingdom.

The document also states that scholarships may be partial, free, or paid in accordance with the governing rules.

For graduate studies, the university's portal shows a dedicated link fora scholarship for non-Saudis.

Note

The following should not be listed:

  • A specific monetary value.
  • A monthly stipend.
  • Free housing.
  • Travel tickets.
  • Insurance.
  • A financial allowance.

unless the benefit is confirmed in the specific scholarship announcement.


Graduate studies at King Faisal University

Graduate studies are an important component of the university and include programs such as:

  • Master's degrees.
  • Doctorate.
  • Postgraduate diplomas where available.
  • Research and professional programs depending on the college.

The Graduate Studies administration explains that its mission centers on preparing outstanding human competencies and producing research outputs, and it provides an electronic portal for graduate student services.

Graduate programs appear in:

  • Agricultural and food sciences.
  • Education.
  • Veterinary Medicine.
  • Business Administration.
  • Science.
  • Medicine.
  • Computer science and information technology.
  • Clinical pharmacy.
  • Law.

according to the tables published by the Graduate Studies administration.


Examples of graduate programs

Among the programs that could be officially documented:

the Master's in Information Systems

In addition to the requirements of the Unified Graduate Studies Regulations, the program requires a suitable academic background in information systems/information technology or a related field, per the published conditions.

Master's in Educational Technologies

The College of Education documents a Master's in Educational Technologies program, with a description of the program's objectives, learning outcomes, and study plan.

Agricultural sciences programs

Historically, these include programs in land and water, agricultural economics, crops and rangeland, food sciences, animal production, plant protection, and agricultural engineering, among others, with continuous development of the programs.


Studying at King Faisal University for international students

The university offers pathways for non-Saudi students, including internal and external scholarships.

At the graduate level, there are dedicated admission services for international/non-Saudi students within the graduate studies portal.

The non-Saudi scholarships document explains that the basic admission requirements apply in accordance with the scholarship rules, along with additional conditions, including age limits mentioned in the document for some graduate programs.

The international student must verify:

  • The available program.
  • Qualification requirements.
  • Certificate equivalency.
  • Language.
  • Documents.
  • The scholarship.
  • Fees.
  • Visa.
  • Housing.
  • Insurance.
  • Deadlines.

Nor should it be assumed that all programs are available to international students under the same conditions.


Language of Study

It is incorrect to say that all King Faisal University programs are taught in English or are all in Arabic.

The language of instruction varies depending on:

  • The faculty.
  • The program.
  • The level.
  • The nature of the specialization.

Medical, scientific, and technical specializations may rely on English to varying degrees, while programs in arts, law, and education are taught in Arabic or according to program requirements.

Therefore, one must rely on The study plan and regulations for each program.


Student Life

The university provides a system of academic, administrative, and electronic services, and its institutional structure includes:

  • The colleges.
  • Laboratories.
  • Research centers.
  • Electronic services.
  • University housing.
  • Health services.
  • Student activities.
  • Libraries.
  • Academic advising.
  • Career services.

The official organizational chart shows departments such as the University Housing Administration, Security and Safety, Services and Facilities, Transportation, and the research centers.


Scientific research at King Faisal University

8

Scientific research is one of the most important pillars of King Faisal University's identity.

Among the most prominent fields tied to the university's history and environment:

  • Agriculture.
  • Palm trees and dates.
  • Food.
  • Water.
  • Food security.
  • Veterinary Medicine.
  • Health sciences.
  • Medicine.
  • Basic sciences.
  • Environment.
  • Sustainability.
  • Technology.

The university's documents mention centers such as:

  • Date Palm Research Center.
  • Water Studies Center.
  • Training and Research Station.
  • Camel Research Center.
  • Avian Research Center.
  • and other research and consulting centers and units.

The university's presence in Nature Index

According to King Faisal University's page on Nature Index, the profile covers the period March 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026.

and the university's rank according to Share in:

  • World: 3524
  • Saudi Arabia: 24
  • Academic sector worldwide: 2374
  • Academic sector in Saudi Arabia: 19

In health sciences, its rank appears worldwide according to the mentioned indicator at 5558 and locally in Saudi Arabia at 20.

King Faisal University also appears on the Nature Index Research Leaders 2026 for the West Asia region, at rank 158 in the referenced table.

Important: Nature Index is not a general university ranking like QS; it measures selected research outputs across a set of scientific journals.


SCImago Institutions Rankings 2026

King Faisal University appears in SCImago Institutions Rankings 2026.

The university's page indicates:

  • 2254 globally in the 2026 edition.
  • Overall band/percentile: 21st percentile.
  • Research percentile: 21st.
  • Innovation percentile: 41st.
  • Societal percentile: 16th.
  • Best quartile in Saudi Arabia: Q1.

In SCImago's 2026 overall ranking of Saudi higher-education institutions, the university placed 567 globally among ranked Saudi institutions, and fifth among Saudi institutions in the referenced table.

In the field of Agricultural and Biological Sciences The university ranks 1518 globally in the published Saudi table.


King Faisal University ranking 2026

QS World University Rankings 2026

King Faisal University achieved:

=648 globally

according to the university's QS page.

The historical QS series shows:

YearQS World
2024851–900
2025761–770
2026=648
2027=567

analytical reading

The move from 761–770 in 2025 to =648 in 2026 then to =567 in 2027 This represents an improvement in the university's position within QS, but it should not automatically be interpreted as an equivalent improvement in every performance element, since the QS methodology changes and the university's rank is affected by other institutions' performance.


QS World University Rankings 2027

QS has already released the 2027 edition.

King Faisal University placed:

=567 globally

which is the latest global figure from QS as of this page's update date.

This means that King Faisal University's 2027 ranking is not “not yet released”; it has in fact been released.


THE World University Rankings 2026

King Faisal University came in at:

601–800 worldwide

in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.

It also appeared in the THE 2026 subject rankings as follows:

FieldTHE 2026
Education Studies251–300
Engineering301–400
Computer Science401–500
Life Sciences401–500
Physical Sciences401–500
Business & Economics501–600
Medical & Health501–600

THE Arab University Rankings 2026

in THE Arab University Rankings 2026 King Faisal University came in at:

Ranked 36th in the Arab region

with an overall score of 43.0 per the published table — a ranking different from the THE World University Rankings.


THE Impact Rankings 2026

This is one of the university's strongest current international performance points.

King Faisal University: 35 globally

in THE Impact Rankings 2026.

The Saudi Press Agency confirms that the university placed 35 globally in the 2026 edition, which covered more than 1,600 higher-education institutions, and that the score measures universities' contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Key results by Sustainable Development Goal

According to the THE page:

GoalKFU rank
SDG 1 – No Poverty13
SDG 2 – Zero Hunger27
SDG 3 – Good Health=27
SDG 4 – Quality Education201–300
SDG 5 – Gender Equality42
SDG 6 – Clean Water101–200
SDG 7 – Clean Energy101–200
SDG 8 – Decent Work73
SDG 9 – Industry & Innovation101–200
SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities=57
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities87

What does this mean?

This result reflects clear strength in impact, sustainability, and community development, but it does not mean the university holds 35th place in the overall global academic ranking.


ShanghaiRanking

King Faisal University appears on the official ShanghaiRanking page.

And in Academic Ranking of World Universities 2025 (ARWU) It came in at:

801–900 globally

according to the university's ShanghaiRanking page.

As for ARWU 2026, I found no published result for the university in the verifiable official source as of the page's update date.

Therefore:

ARWU 2026: no official release that can be documented was found as of August 15, 2026.


CWUR 2026

in CWUR 2026 King Faisal University came in at:

1639 globally

and CWUR places it among the top 7.7% globally in the 2026 table.


Webometrics 2026

Here an important issue requires attention: several sites use the name Webometrics, and they are not all the same entity.

The data published by Webometrics.org place King Faisal University in the January 2026 edition at:

1328 globally

26th in the Arab region

8th in Saudi Arabia

with:

  • Impact Rank: 4719
  • Openness Rank: 1024
  • Excellence Rank: 741

However, the same source explicitly states that it is independent and not affiliated with the former webometrics.info site or with CSIC.

Another entity bearing the name Webometrics Ranking also displays a result of 1217 globally for January 2026 and says its source is webometrics.info.

Editorial recommendation

Do not place the two figures in a single table as if they were one result. The best practice on the Nukhba platform:

Webometrics: the entity/edition must be precisely identified before adopting the result.


UI GreenMetric

in UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2025 King Faisal University came in at:

100 globally

with an overall score of:

8262.5

according to the official UI GreenMetric ranking table.

In the ranking by category Education & Research The university ranks 212, while it appears in the Water category at rank 249 , and in the Waste at 379.

I found no 2026 result for UI GreenMetric in the official source that I could rely on as of August 15, 2026, so I am not replacing it with an estimate.


King Faisal University rankings table

RankingYearScore
QS World2026=648
QS World2027=567
QS Arab2026The official QS page for the specified edition must be relied upon
QS Sustainability2026I found no verifiable official result in the sources accessed
THE World2026601–800
THE Arab202636th in the Arab region
THE Impact202635 globally
THE by Subject – Education2026251–300
THE by Subject – Engineering2026301–400
THE by Subject – Computer Science2026401–500
THE by Subject – Life Sciences2026401–500
THE by Subject – Physical Sciences2026401–500
THE by Subject – Business2026501–600
THE by Subject – Medical & Health2026501–600
U.S. News2025–26578 globally
Shanghai ARWU2025801–900
Shanghai ARWU2026Not released / no verifiable official result found
CWUR20261639
WebometricsJan. 20261328 per Webometrics.org
SCImago20262254 globally
Nature Index2026appears in research indicators rather than as a traditional overall ranking
UI GreenMetric2025100 globally

Result sources: QS, THE, ShanghaiRanking, CWUR, SCImago, Nature Index, and UI GreenMetric.

U.S. News note

The available result I was able to match to the edition of 2025–2026 database is:

578 globally

However, the U.S. News page itself is blocked from direct access in the current research environment, so on the version published on the platform it is best to include the original source link and verify manually before final publication. An independent archival/data version points to the same figure.


King Faisal University ranking 2027

QS World 2027

Officially released: =567 globally.

THE World 2027

As of the update date:

I found no published official result that can be documented for King Faisal University in the THE World University Rankings 2027.

THE Impact 2027

The official 2027 edition had not been released as of the page's update date.

Shanghai 2027

The official 2027 edition had not been released as of the page's update date.

CWUR 2027

The official 2027 edition had not been released as of the page's update date.

U.S. News 2027

The official 2027 edition had not been released as of the page's update date.

QS Subject 2027

The official edition released by QS for each subject must be relied upon; 2026 results should not be used as 2027 results.


What do the global rankings say about King Faisal University?

The picture can be summarized in four points:

1. Improvement in QS

The university moved from the 761–770 in 2025 to =648 in 2026 then =567 in 2027.

2. Strong presence in THE

The overall THE ranking places it at 601–800 worldwide, while it appears much stronger in some subjects, especially education, engineering, computer science, and life sciences.

3. An exceptional strength in impact

Rank 35th globally in THE Impact 2026 is among the university's strongest current international indicators.

4. A measurable research base

The university appears in SCImago, Nature Index, and ShanghaiRanking, confirming that its evaluation does not rest solely on reputation or digital presence.


Why do QS, THE, Shanghai, and SCImago differ?

The differences between them should not be viewed as a contradiction.

RankingWhat it primarily measures
QSReputation, research, employability, international networks, and other indicators
THETeaching, research, citations, income/industry, and international outlook
THE ImpactSustainable Development Goals and community impact
Shanghai ARWUResearch indicators and objective academic excellence
SCImagoResearch, innovation, and societal impact
Nature IndexResearch output in a defined set of scientific journals
CWURTeaching quality, employability, faculty, and research
UI GreenMetricSustainability, infrastructure, energy, water, waste, and more
WebometricsPresence, visibility, openness, and digital excellence depending on the edition

A university may therefore be stronger in Societal impact than in its overall ranking, or stronger in a specific research subject than in its overall institutional ranking.


King Faisal University's progression in the rankings

YearQSTHEQS ArabTHE ImpactShanghaiCWUR
2021801–1000—————
2022801–1000—————
2023801–1000—————
2024851–900—————
2025761–770———801–900*—
2026=648601–800—35—1639
2027=567—————

* The Shanghai result available on the university's page refers to ARWU 2025.


Strongest research fields

Based on the indicators that can currently be documented, particular importance attaches to:

Agriculture and biological sciences

SCImago lists the university among the ranked Saudi institutions in this field.

Health sciences

The university appears in the Nature Index health-sciences indicators and also appears in THE Medical & Health 2026 within 501–600.

Life Sciences

THE places the university at 401–500 in Life Sciences.

engineering

301–400 in THE 2026.

Computer Science

401–500 in THE 2026.

Teaching

251–300 in THE 2026, which is the best subject band visible in the THE data cited here.


King Faisal University and the job market

The university's relationship to the job market should be analyzed in light of the nature of Al-Ahsa's and the Eastern Province's economy.

The university has clear potential advantages in:

  • The health sector.
  • Agriculture.
  • Food security.
  • Food industries.
  • Veterinary Medicine.
  • Water.
  • Environment.
  • Engineering.
  • Technology.
  • Computer science.
  • business.
  • Education.

Moreover, having programs in computer science and information systems , together with programs in agricultural and food sciences and veterinary medicine, gives the university a different mix from universities that focus mainly on engineering or medical specializations alone.

However, The sources I verified contain no recent unified statistic that can be relied upon for the employment rate of KFU graduates in 2026; therefore, no employment figure should be published without an official source.


Innovation and entrepreneurship

The university's institutional structure includes components tied to research, consulting, and technology, and recent news shows the university's direction toward innovation.

In June 2026, the Saudi Press Agency reported that the university had received the Blackboard Catalyst Award 2026 in the Ethical AI Leadership category, a recognition tied to the institutional and ethical use of artificial intelligence.

The university also obtained in 2025 a membership/recognition linked toInnovation Districts from the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation, according to the published news about the university.


Sustainability at King Faisal University

Sustainability is among the strongest pillars that can be linked to the university's current international performance.

In THE Impact Rankings 2026 The university placed:

35 globally

a performance far stronger than its overall THE ranking.

The university also appears in UI GreenMetric 2025 it ranked 100 globally.

These results intersect with the university's traditional fields:

  • Food security.
  • Water.
  • Agriculture.
  • Environment.
  • Health.
  • Education.
  • Innovation.
  • Society.

Accreditation and Quality

The university's institutional profile states that it has obtained institutional academic accreditation from the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, and it also notes that a number of colleges and programs have obtained international recognitions and accreditations.

However, accreditation is not a single attribute of the entire university; it may be:

  • Institutional accreditation.
  • Programmatic accreditation.
  • International accreditation for a specific program.

Each program's status must therefore be verified through the Education and Training Evaluation Commission or the program's page before using the term “accredited”.


Parent's Guide

Before choosing King Faisal University, it is important to evaluate:

  1. The specialization, not just the university's name.
  2. The actual admission requirements for the intended year.
  3. The program's accreditation.
  4. The nature and language of study.
  5. Training opportunities.
  6. The fees if the program is paid.
  7. Housing and services.
  8. The campus environment.
  9. The department's research strength.
  10. Job-market indicators.
  11. Graduate study opportunities.
  12. The appropriate ranking for the specialization.

The most important advice

A parent should not make the decision based solely on QS or THE alone; a medical student, for example, needs a different evaluation from a computer science or agriculture student.


The student's guide to King Faisal University

Before Applying

  • Identify the major.
  • Read the program requirements.
  • Calculate your score using the official method.
  • Review the timeline.
  • Prepare the documents.
  • Apply through the official portal.

After Admission

  • Confirm admission on time.
  • Keep your application number.
  • Review the class schedule.
  • Complete the registration procedures.
  • Get familiar with the e-services.
  • Review housing and advising services.

For international students

Start first with the international admission/scholarships, and do not assume that the Saudi student requirements apply in full to international students.


Comparing King Faisal University with Saudi universities

Instead of saying KFU is “better” or “weaker,” the specific indicator must be used.

in QS 2027 KFU stands at =567 globally, while comparison with universities such as King Saud, King Abdulaziz, King Fahd, and KAUST still requires placing each university in the same indicator, because Saudi universities differ greatly in their specializations and research goals.

As for THE Impact 2026, KFU's reaching 35th place globally makes it very strong in the area of impact and sustainability, an area that cannot be inferred from QS World alone.

Subject-level competition

KFU can be considered to have a relatively distinctive identity in:

  • Agriculture.
  • Food.
  • Veterinary Medicine.
  • Food security.
  • Health sciences.
  • Sustainability.

while other universities have different subject advantages in:

  • Energy.
  • Petroleum.
  • Engineering.
  • Artificial intelligence.
  • Basic research.
  • Medicine.
  • Economics.

The comparison must therefore be by specialization and indicator.


Arab-Region Comparison

At the Arab level, THE Arab University Rankings 2026 showed King Faisal University at rank 36.

And in Webometrics January 2026, the university appears at rank 26th in the Arab region per Webometrics.org, noting the difference in the Webometrics entity and edition.

This confirms once again that the “Arab rank” is not a single fixed number; it varies by entity and methodology.


Quick Information Table

ItemInformation
Arabic nameKing Faisal University
English nameKing Faisal University
AbbreviationKFU
CountryKingdom of Saudi Arabia
CityAl-Ahsa
RegionEastern Province
Year founded1975 / 1395 AH
University typePublic
Official websiteKFU.edu.sa
QS 2026=648
QS 2027=567
THE 2026601–800
THE 2027No published official result found
THE Arab 202636th in the Arab region
THE Impact 202635 globally
Shanghai ARWU 2025801–900
CWUR 20261639
SCImago 20262254 globally
UI GreenMetric 2025100 globally
Faculties15 in the latest available official institutional profile
Undergraduate programs47 in the published institutional profile
Graduate Programs68 in the published institutional profile

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is King Faisal University?

A Saudi public university founded in 1975 in Al-Ahsa.

2. Where is King Faisal University located?

It is located in Al-Ahsa Governorate in the Eastern Province.

3. When was King Faisal University founded?

It was founded in 1395 AH, corresponding to 1975 CE.

4. Is King Faisal University public?

Yes.

5. What is King Faisal University's abbreviation?

KFU.

6. What is King Faisal University's global ranking?

It depends on the ranking; in QS 2027 it is =567, and in THE 2026 it falls within the 601–800.

7. What is King Faisal University's rank in QS 2026?

=648 globally.

8. What is King Faisal University's rank in QS 2027?

=567 globally.

9. What is its rank in THE 2026?

601–800 globally.

10. Has THE 2027 been released?

I found no published official result for the university in THE World 2027 as of August 15, 2026.

11. What are King Faisal University's best specializations?

That depends on the criterion; THE results show relative strength in education, engineering, computer science, and life sciences.

12. Is King Faisal University strong in medicine?

It has a College of Medicine and appears in THE Medical & Health 2026 within 501–600.

13. Is King Faisal University strong in agriculture?

Agriculture is among the university's important historical fields and appears in SCImago research indicators.

14. Is there veterinary medicine?

Yes, there is a College of Veterinary Medicine.

15. Is there computer science?

Yes, there is a College of Computer Science and Information Technology.

16. Is there artificial intelligence?

There are AI-related directions and initiatives, but a “bachelor's in artificial intelligence” should not be listed unless the program is published in the current admission guide.

17. Is there cybersecurity?

The current list of admission programs must be checked; I do not rely here on unofficial lists.

18. What are King Faisal University's colleges?

It comprises medical, health, agricultural, veterinary, engineering, science, technical, administrative, humanities, and other colleges.

19. What are the admission requirements?

They vary by program and category, and the official admission guide for 2026–2027 must be relied upon.

20. What are the admission rates?

The sources I verified contain no comprehensive recent official table establishing the last actual admission rate for each specialization for 2026–2027.

21. What is the weighted score?

It is a formula the university uses in its selection procedures, and the university's official tool can be used to calculate it.

22. What is the composite score?

It differs from the weighted score according to the selection components specified in the admission guide.

23. When does registration begin?

The official admission announcement for 2026–2027 must be relied upon.

24. How does one apply?

Through the official admission portals designated by the university.

25. How much are the tuition fees?

There is no single fee that applies to all programs; the program and type of study must be specified.

26. Is studying free?

That cannot be generalized to all tracks and programs.

27. Are there scholarships?

Yes, there are scholarships, including scholarships for non-Saudis.

28. Are there scholarships for international students?

Yes, there are internal and external scholarships for non-Saudis, per the regulations.

29. Does the university accept international students?

Yes, there are pathways, scholarships, and services for non-Saudi students, subject to each program's conditions.

30. Are there master's programs?

Yes.

31. Are there doctoral programs?

Yes, the university offers graduate programs at multiple levels, including doctorates.

32. What is the language of instruction?

It varies by program and college.

33. Is the university recognized?

It is a Saudi public university, and the university states that it holds institutional accreditation from the Education and Training Evaluation Commission.

34. What are its strongest research areas?

Among the most prominent fields associated with the university: agriculture, food sciences, biological sciences, veterinary medicine, health sciences, and sustainability.

35. What is the university's rank in Saudi Arabia?

There is no single Saudi ranking; the result differs across QS, THE, SCImago, and Webometrics.

36. Is the university a good fit for the job market?

It can be a good fit, especially for students who choose majors linked to the health, technology, agriculture, engineering, and business sectors.

37. Is the university suitable for international students?

It can be a suitable option, especially when the required scholarship or program is available, but admission requirements and the major should be verified.

38. What is the university's most notable ranking achievement in 2026?

Ranked 35 globally in THE Impact Rankings 2026.

39. What is the university's best result in THE by Subject?

Of the results mentioned, Education Studies 251–300 is the best subject band shown in THE 2026.

40. Has the university appeared in ShanghaiRanking?

Yes; it appears in ARWU 2025 within 801–900.



Official and Trusted Sources

King Faisal University

King Faisal University official website

Official colleges page

University introduction page

Graduate programs administration

Graduate program schedules

Guide to graduate programs and majors

Scholarships for non-Saudis

Scholarship document for non-Saudis

Admission portal and weighted-percentage calculator

Rankings

QS – King Faisal University

Times Higher Education – King Faisal University

ShanghaiRanking – King Faisal University

CWUR 2026

SCImago – King Faisal University

Nature Index – King Faisal University

UI GreenMetric – Overall Rankings 2025

Webometrics Saudi Arabia January 2026

Government sources

Saudi Press Agency – THE Impact 2026 result


Analytical summary

King Faisal University in 2026–2027 is not a university whose strength can be reduced to a single global ranking.

The more accurate picture is:

  • QS 2027: =567 globally.
  • QS 2026: =648 globally.
  • THE 2026: 601–800 globally.
  • THE Arab 2026: 36th in the Arab region.
  • THE Impact 2026: 35 globally, and is among its most prominent current international strengths.
  • THE Education: 251–300.
  • THE Engineering: 301–400.
  • THE Computer Science: 401–500.
  • THE Life Sciences: 401–500.
  • Shanghai ARWU 2025: 801–900.
  • CWUR 2026: 1639 globally.
  • SCImago 2026: 2254 globally.
  • Nature Index: A measurable research presence, with a Saudi rank of 24 in the 2025–2026 period by Share.
  • UI GreenMetric 2025: 100 globally.

Thus, King Faisal University's clearest competitive identity lies in combining agricultural, food, veterinary, and health specialties; science and technology; applied research; and sustainability and societal impact. This makes it a different case from Saudi universities whose identity is more centered on energy, engineering, basic research, or medicine alone.

As for admission, acceptance rates, and fees for 2026–2027, the gaps should not be filled with figures circulating on unofficial websites, since I did not find in the verifiable official materials a single, up-to-date table confirming all these figures for every college and major.

Last updated: August 15, 2026.
Admission requirements, acceptance rates, fees, programs, scholarships, registration dates, and ranking results change periodically; therefore, you should refer to King Faisal University's official website, the official authorities, and the ranking-issuing bodies before making a final decision.

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