Facts You May Not Know About KFUPM

Source: https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/our-story/facts-you-may-not-know-about-kfupm Parent: https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/study/international-students/apply-as-an-international-student

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Facts You May Not Know About KFUPM

KFUPM is a university in constant and fast tranformation, over the last 5 years the university QS Univeristy Rank has increased 133 positions, from 200 in 2020, now reaching 67 in 2025. This transformation is a result of many new and different developments constantly introduced over the past 5 years, and many more continue to be introduced. At KFUPM we don't just dream big, we dream big and accomplish.

KFUPM: A Snapshot

Futuristic Programs

KFUPM offers academic programs that reflect emerging global needs, such as our bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering or our master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering.

Ambitious Students

KFUPM students consistently outperform their peers nationwide, earning significantly more awards than those at other Saudi universities.

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Expansive Research

The university has established 23 interdisciplinary research centers and two consortia in fields such as space, renewable energy, and hydrogen.

Promising Career Outcomes

With 93% of KFUPM graduates employed, the university holds the highest job placement rate in Saudi Arabia.

International Reputation

KFUPM has become an appealing academic destination for exchange students from top international universities, such as Georgia Tech and Berkeley.

Entrepreneurial Support

Advocating for entrepreneurship, KFUPM takes zero royalties or equity from supporting students and faculty commercialize their ideas and launch their startups.

More to Know

KFUPM’s track record of strong academic performance and meaningful achievements goes even further. Here are additional highlights that reflect our continued progress:

• Any student can join a PhD program at KFUPM directly after graduating with their bachelor’s degree.
• Through the AI+X platform, every student at KFUPM first learns Artificial Intelligence then builds their major on it.
• Students can receive joint admission to graduate as an engineer and a doctor through the KFUPM bioengineering program - Premed Track.
• Our students adopt the 7 habits of KFUPM students; high aspiration, self-reliance, global exposure, multidisciplinary thinking, research, entrepreneurship, and positivity.
• KFUPM students organized the world’s largest fully student-led international research conference (GSR Conference) and the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia.
• 97 new academic programs were launched at KFUPM, in futristic fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Renewable Energy.
• Our students come from over 75 countries, from China and Indonesia in the East all the way to the U.S and Chile in the West.
• The percentage of graduate students at KFUPM has grown over the last few years, from 14% to 39% of the total student body.
• KFUPM students won 1st place in the International Drone Competition in the USA, outperforming 70 top teams such as Berkeley, Cornell, and others.
• Courses at KFUPM use the "flipped classroom" strategy, where students try their hand at teaching, ensuring 100% student comprehension.
• KFUPM has the highest percentage of female students enrolled in engineering programs, worldwide.
• High school students who conducted their research at KFUPM won most Scientific Olympiad awards.
• At KFUPM you can take undergraduate courses while still in high school, through the Precollege Program.
• The university ranks 5th globally in the number of US granted patents.
• KFUPM master’s degrees enable students to shift specializations (i.e. from a Mechanical Eng. to a Nuclear Eng.).
• At KFUPM, departments are encouraged to hire faculty members from diverse areas of expertise to enhance our programs and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Research at KFUPM contributed to the development of a Unicorn startup.
• KFUPM is ranked #1 in the Middle East & Africa according to Times Higher Education Ranking.
• Through the BS-X program at KFUPM, you can design your own undergraduate major—tailored to your goals and unlike any program offered elsewhere in the world.
• The university's research citations have increased fourfold in recent years.
• At KFUPM, every student engages in scientific research even at the undergraduate level.
• Every undergraduate applicant must write an essay on how they will make the world a better place.
• KFUPM’s alumni hold top positions, such as ministers of energy, labor, investment and communication, as well as CEOs of major companies.
• At KFUPM, students' graduation projects are interdisciplinary and involve participants from different majors. \ \