King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) is the first Arab university to be ranked amongst the top 100 in the world. A research university in Dhahran, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, KFUPM aims to prepare the next generation to create new sectors and address global challenges aligned with the UN SDGs.
Founded near the earliest local oil fields, initially as the College of Petroleum & Minerals (1963) in response to the booming energy industry of Saudi Arabia, the university centers around science, technology, engineering, and business subjects. In 2025, the university was ranked 2nd globally for its number of U.S. utility patents, by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI),. Also, according to the NAI, KFUPM has consecutively held the record of the highest STEM patent-per-capita rate in the world since 2023. In 2026, the university placed first in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region, based on Times Higher Education rankings, and in 2027, it reached 63rd globally according to QS Ranking. KFUPM's engineering subjects also rank among the top 80 globally, according to the QS subject rankings.
History KFUPM is a reputable university in Saudi Arabia, as well as the Middle East and Africa. It was initially established as the College of Petroleum and Minerals on September 23, 1963, by a Saudi royal decree, with the goal to provide high-level education in the academic fields of petroleum and minerals, two of the most valuable natural resources in Saudi Arabia at that time.
During its very first admissions round, 67 young men were registered. The original campus was designed by CRS Design Associates, architects and engineers of Houston, Texas. The college was elevated to university status in 1975 when it expanded its academic offerings in science, engineering, technology, and business. In 1984, the Program of Industrial and Systems Engineering was first introduced. The university was renamed after King Fahd in 1986. Since that time, enrollment has grown to over 10,000 students by the 2021 academic year and has graduated more than 39,000 students since its inception.
In 2019, the university put in place a transformation plan whose primary goal was to support the transformation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from a natural resource monetizing economy primarily focused on oil and gas resources, into a diversified knowledge economy.
Part of this transformation plan presents an important milestone in the history of the university with the inclusion of female students in the engineering and technical academic programs. In 2019, male and female students were equally accepted into new graduate programs for the first time in the history of the university, and in 2021 admissions started for female students at the undergraduate level, on a merit basis. It now has one of the highest enrollment rates for female engineering students in the world, placed between 40 and 50% yearly. In 2026, KFUPM graduated its first batch of female undergraduate students.
Academics Academic programs KFUPM degree offerings include Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Master of Engineering, Master of Business Administration, and Doctor of Philosophy.
The university's academic programs are focused on engineering, sciences, technology, and business, being accredited by international bodies such as ABET, AACSB, as well as the national accrediting body NCAAA.
Since 2020, the university has introduced new aspects to its academic programs through undergraduate concentrations (CX) and professional master's degrees (known as project-based MS). As of June 2026, KFUPM had reached 43 undergraduate concentrations (CX) throughout its disciplines, along with 36 one-year master's degrees, and 20+ interdisciplinary research centers.
Innovative learning
The initial 35 undergraduate degrees offered were recently revised to include the study of emerging fields, including modern programming languages, data science, big data analysis, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, quantum computing and more. Currently, every major starts with Artificial Intelligence (AI) courses and then branches into more specific topics.
Additionally, KFUPM has launched an effort to migrate some of its courses into additional instructional methods, such as inquiry-based learning (IBL), where research on the topics is encouraged to enhance the class time with discussions, debates, as well as questions and answers. It also offers hybrid attendance options (HIVE) for several of its project-based master's degrees.
KFUPM's 43 undergraduate concentrations (CX) allow students to add a specialization in an area beyond their major. A few examples of these concentrations are Hydrogen Mobility, Renewable Energy and Energy Storage, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Business Analytics, Robotics and Autonomous Systems.
KFUPM offers 36 one-year professional master's degrees (project-based MS) in several fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Supply Chain Management, Quantum Computing, Smart and Sustainable Cities.
Admissions Source:
KFUPM is a merit-based admissions academic institution. With an acceptance rate of 4% (2023), it is considered to be one of the most coveted universities in Saudi Arabia, recruiting roughly the top 1% of the national talent based on admission criteria that include performance on the nationwide aptitude tests to ensure the acceptance of the most promising students.
KFUPM continues to attract the most outstanding high school graduates by accepting winners in international scientific Olympiad competitions. The progression of students in the first year has also been accelerated by developing programs to bypass the preparatory year (SkipPrep).
Rankings
KFUPM was named the top university in the Arab Region as per the QS University Rankings for 2027, and repeatedly since 2015. In 2026, it was ranked the first university in the Middle East and North Africa.
Since the KFUPM transformation phase started in 2019, the university's rankings have seen a steady rise. According to the QS World University Rankings, KFUPM is 63rd university in the world for 2027.
Accreditation All programs of the engineering colleges were evaluated for "Substantial-Equivalency" recognition by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). They were found substantially equivalent to similar accredited programs in the United States. All Business & Management related programs offered by KFUPM Business School (including its flagship Master of Business Administration) are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). KFUPM has been a member of AACSB since 1975 and it is among the first few schools outside the US to get this prestigious recognition. KFUPM is also accredited by the national accrediting body NCAAA.
Organization Colleges KFUPM undergraduate and graduate programs are divided into seven colleges. As part of the university's recent transformational initiatives, all colleges recently underwent a complete restructuring to encourage collaboration among disciplines, and encourage cross-discipline research. College of Engineering and Physics College of Computing and Mathematics College of Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences College of Chemicals and Materials College of Design and Built Environment KFUPM Business School College of General Studies
In addition, Dammam Community College is under the auspices of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals as a fully approved academic entity by the Minister of Higher Education.
AMAAD Business Park AMAAD is a mega real estate investment project of KFUPM Endowment spread across an area of 214,000 sqm in Dhahran.
Research Research Innovation KFUPM's research ecosystem is led by its Research and Innovation Office, which oversees 20+ research centers (shown below) and is continuously expanding. Spanning multiple emerging fields, the centers are divided into interdisciplinary, applied and joined research centers, as well as two consortia, bringing together faculty members, researchers, and students. The Research and Innovation Office has produced hundreds of research reports for industrial and government sponsors. KFUPM offers different scholarships for international students. These scholarships cover all tuition, fees, living costs, monthly expenses, medical coverage, free textbooks, subsidized meals in the university's dining facilities, funds for projects, and many other privileges.
Research Center Director Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA-KFUPM) Dr. Maad Al Owaifeer Advanced Materials Dr. Mohannad Mayyas Membranes & Water Security Dr. Essam Aljundi Intelligent Manufacturing & Robotics Dr. Abul Fazal Muhammad Arif Smart Mobility & Logistics Dr. Sami Elferik Integrative Petroleum Research Dr. Theis Solling Intelligent Secure Systems Dr. Muhamad Felemban Sustainable Energy Systems Dr. Atif AlZahrani Refining & Advanced Chemicals Dr. Wael Ahmed Fouad Hydrogen Technologies & Carbon Management Dr. Sulaiman Alturaifi Construction & Building Materials Dr. Mohammed Al-Osta Communication Systems & Sensing Dr. Daniel Benevides da Costa Finance & Digital Economy Dr. Yogesh Kumar Dwivedi Environment & Marine Studies Dr. Luai M. Alhems Development of Non-profit Organizations Dr. Basem M. Almadani Metrology, Standards, & Testing Dr. Obaidallah Munteshari Industrial Nuclear Energy Dr. Afaque Shams Petroleum Conversion Center Dr. Wael Ahmed Fouad Aviation & Space Exploration Dr. Ayman Abdallah Biosystems & Machines Dr. Yaqub Mahnashi Energy Research (KACARE-KFUPM) Dr. Fahad Al-Sulaiman Energy Efficiency (KACST-KFUPM) Dr. Fahad A. Al-Sulaiman Hydrogen Future (consortium) Dr. Zain Hassan Yamani Sustainable Future (consortium) Dr. Mohannad Mayyas
Entrepreneurship Innovation & Technology Transfer (ITT) Center
Students (local and international), faculty and researchers are encouraged and supported with launching their startup. Through its "0-0-0" policy (0 fees, equity, royalty), KFUPM ensures that intellectual property remains with the inventors. At the ITT Center, students and researchers receive support for copyright, trademark registration, licensing, and patent filing.
Dream Realization Lab (DRL) The DRL is designed to bring product ideas to life through access to prototyping tools, fabrication facilities, and technical support. Inventors can work alongside specialists, participate in skill-building workshops, and refine their business concept in preparation for real-world testing.
KFUPM students regularly go on to present their ideas at global competitions such as the Startup World Cup and the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions. Internally, the annual KFUPM Student Projects Expo offers them the chance to connect with industry representatives and showcase progress, thus providing a potential bridge to either an external business incubator/accelerator or patent registration.
Dhahran Techno Valley
The Dhahran Techno Valley Holding Company (DTVC) is a subsidiary company fully owned by KFUPM. It was created to promote a knowledge-based economy in Dhahran and the Eastern Province. It is a hub for entrepreneurship and a launchpad for innovators from within and outside KFUPM. The ecosystem includes KFUPM and national companies like Saudi Aramco, SABIC, Saudi Electricity Company, technology partners, small to medium size companies, and multiple startups.
The mission of the Dhahran Techno Valley Holding Company is to foster an environment for innovation and collaboration by attracting and supporting industry players focused on creating innovative technologies and adding value to its stakeholders.
DTVC also plays an important part in revitalizing the role of entrepreneurship in the research system by rejuvenating and encouraging a spirit of developing new business opportunities for faculty, students, and stakeholders from outside the university.
University bodies President