King Abdulaziz University (KAU) is a public university located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. KAU was established in 1967 by royal decree with the merger of Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University and King Faisal University. The university is organized into 17 colleges and employs over 5,000 faculty members.
KAU offers programs leading to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in a wide range of disciplines. Undergraduate programs typically last four years while graduate programs take two to four years depending on the student’s field of study. KAU has produced over 200,000 alumni who have gone on to pursue careers in government, academia, business, and other fields.
The university has been ranked as one of the top 100 universities in the Arab World and among the top 500 universities globally by Times Higher Education. KAU also ranks highly in regional rankings such as QS Arab Region University Rankings where it is currently ranked at number 23.
KAU has made significant contributions to scientific research in Saudi Arabia and the region more broadly. The university operates numerous research institutes including the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), which is one of the largest research organizations in Saudi Arabia. In addition to its academic achievements, KAU also plays an important role in community service and economic development through its various outreach programs.