# 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

Navigation menu

- [Home](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/)
- [About Us](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us)
- - [Our Story](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/our-story)
  - - [Mission and Vision](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/our-story/mission-and-vision)
    - [Facts You May Not Know About KFUPM](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/our-story/facts-you-may-not-know-about-kfupm)
    - [Facts and Figures](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/our-story/facts-and-rankings)
    - [History](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/our-story/history)
    - [Our Accomplishments](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/our-story/our-accomplishments)
    - [KFUPM Leadership](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/our-story/leadership)
  - [Discover](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/discover)
  - - [KFUPM Attributes](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/discover/kfupm-attributes)
    - [7 Habits of KFUPM Students](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/discover/7-habits-kfupm-students)
    - [AI+X](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/discover/ai-x)
    - [Sustainability](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/discover/sustainability)
    - [Visit KFUPM](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/discover/visit-kfupm)
    - [News](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/discover/news)
  - [Campus Life](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/campus-life)
  - - [Student Housing and Dining](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/campus-life/student-housing-dining)
    - [Health and Safety](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/campus-life/health-and-safety)
    - [Get Involved](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/campus-life/get-involved)
  - [Connect](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/connect)
  - - [Alumni](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/connect/alumni)
    - [Careers](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/connect/careers)
    - [Contact Us](https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/about-us/connect/contact-us)

# 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](https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/kfupm). 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.

\

## 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. \
  \