Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
Dammam, Saudi Arabia • Founded 1975 • QS 2027 #474 =
Updated May 2026
Overview
Founded in 1975, the Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Dammam (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants), Eastern Province.
This institution also has branch campuses in Qatif, Hafer AL-batin and Jubail. Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU) is a large-sized coeducational Saudi Arabian higher education institution.
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 49-year-old Saudi Arabian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades.
The acceptance rate range is 50-59% making this Saudi Arabian higher education organization an averagely selective institution.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. IAU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University's campus location, postal address, and the channels students typically use to reach the admissions team. Verified contact points help avoid third-party impersonators.
Academic Details
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University's scale, faculty balance, and academic recognition. Staff-with-doctorate share often signals research culture more reliably than headline research output figures.
Academic Structures
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University's internal academic organisation — faculties, schools, and constituent units — is broken down below. Each unit handles a specific subject cluster and houses its own programmes and faculty.
Unit 14 items
- Collage of Computer Sciences and Information Technology
- College of Applied Medical Sciences
- College of Applied Studies and Community Services
- College of Architecture and Planning
- College of Arts
- College of Dentistry
- College of Design
- College of Education
- College of Intermediate Health Science
- College of Management Science
- College of Medicine
- College of Nursing
- College of Sciences
- college of Engineering
Degrees
Also Executive MBA
Bachelor's 67 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Accountancy
- Administration
- Advertising and Publicity
- Applied Chemistry
- Arabic
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Artificial Intelligence
- Arts and Humanities
- Banking
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biomedical Engineering
- Business Administration
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Communication Studies
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Networks
- Computer Science
- Construction Engineering
- Data Processing
- Dentistry
- Design
- Energy Engineering
- English
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Finance
- Geography (Human)
- Health Administration
- Health Sciences
- History
- Industrial Design
- Information Sciences
- Information Technology
- Insurance
- Interior Design
- Islamic Law
- Islamic Studies
- Journalism
- Law
- Library Science
- Management
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Media Studies
- Medical Technology
- Medicine
- Molecular Biology
- Multimedia
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Physics
- Preschool Education
- Public Health
- Public Relations
- Regional Planning
- Respiratory Therapy
- Social and Community Services
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Structural Architecture
- Surveying and Mapping
- Town Planning
- Translation and Interpretation
- Transport Engineering
Master's 40 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Arabic
- Architecture
- Architecture and Planning
- Botany
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Clinical Psychology
- Computer Science
- Construction Engineering
- Curriculum
- Economic History
- Education of the Handicapped
- Educational Administration
- Educational Sciences
- Educational and Student Counselling
- Engineering Management
- English
- Environmental Engineering
- Geography (Human)
- Health Sciences
- Islamic Studies
- Laboratory Techniques
- Landscape Architecture
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Medicine
- Microbiology
- Nursing
- Occupational Health
- Physical Therapy
- Physics
- Physiology
- Public Health
- Regional Planning
- Social Sciences
- Special Education
- Surveying and Mapping
- Town Planning
- Zoology
Doctoral 12 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Arabic
- Architecture
- Chemistry
- English
- Geography (Human)
- History
- Islamic Studies
- Literature
- Physics
- Physiology
- Regional Planning
- Town Planning
Diploma & Certificate 5 programs
Diploma and certificate routes deliver focused, applied training for fast entry into skilled occupations.
- Educational and Student Counselling
- Fire Science
- Food Science
- Midwifery
- Special Education
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia.
Applied Medical Sciences (College) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Health Administration
- Laboratory Techniques
- Nutrition
- Physical Therapy
- Radiology
- Respiratory Therapy
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Clinical Researcher
- Healthcare Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Applied Studies and Community Service (College) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Social and Community Services
Architecture and Planning (College) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Architecture
- Construction Engineering
- Interior Design
- Landscape Architecture
- Regional Planning
- Town Planning
Common Career Paths
- Architect
- Urban Planner
- Interior Designer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Arts (College) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arabic
- English
- Islamic Studies
- Library Science
- Social Sciences
Business Administration (College) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Administration
- Banking
- Business Administration
- Finance
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Clinical Pharmacy (College) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Pharmacy
Common Career Paths
- Pharmacist
- Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmaceutical Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Computer Science and Information Technology (College) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
Common Career Paths
- IT Consultant
- Network Engineer
- Cybersecurity Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Dentistry (College) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Dentistry
Common Career Paths
- Dentist
- Oral Surgeon
- Dental Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Design (College) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Graphic Design
- Interior Design
Common Career Paths
- Designer
- Creative Director
- UX Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Education (College) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Education
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Engineering (College) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Construction Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Marine Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Safety Engineering
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Medicine (College) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Medicine
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Nursing (College) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Midwifery
- Nursing
Common Career Paths
- Registered Nurse
- Clinical Nurse
- Public Health Nurse
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Public Health (College) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Public Health
Common Career Paths
- Public Health Officer
- Epidemiologist
- Health Policy Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science (College) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Microbiology
- Physics
- Zoology
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science and Humanities - Jubail (College) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arabic
- English
- Islamic Studies
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Editor
- Cultural Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Sharia and Law (College) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Islamic Law
- Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
The programmes you can apply for at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University are grouped by degree level. Programme-level accreditation (separate from institutional) matters for regulated professions like law, medicine, and engineering.
90 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Saudi Arabia
Bachelor's Degree 11 programmes
Showing 10 of 11.
Master's Degree 46 programmes
Showing 10 of 46.
Doctorate 7 programmes
Higher Diploma 2 programmes
Other Programs 23 programmes
Showing 10 of 23.
How to apply to Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
Step-by-step guidance for applying to Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, covering the typical sequence from programme selection to admissions follow-up.
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1
Browse the programme catalogue
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University runs 90 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
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2
Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Before applying to Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for Saudi Arabia.
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3
Get your documents ready
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
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4
Apply through the official channel
Lodge your application through the official website (www.iau.edu.sa). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
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5
Reach out and track your application
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +966 (3) 857 7000. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
Concise answers to the most-searched questions about Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, useful as a quick orientation before exploring the rest of the profile.
When did Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University open?
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University traces its founding to 1975 (approximately 51 years ago).
Where is Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University located?
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University is located in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Is Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University public or private?
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University operates as a public institution.
What is the student enrolment at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University?
Student enrolment at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University is around 45,000.
Where does Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University stand in university rankings?
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University holds rank QS 2027 #474 =.
What qualification levels does Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University offer?
Programmes at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University cover bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
How many faculties does Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University have?
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University has 14 academic units.
Is Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University officially recognised?
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University is accredited by Ministry of Education.
What is Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University's official website?
You can find Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University online at www.iau.edu.sa.
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Where Else to Study Medicine
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