The best universities in the Arab world have been named in a prestigious academic ranking, with a Saudi institution taking the top spot.
QS Quacquarelli Symonds released the 11th edition of the QS World University Rankings: Arab Region.
The 2025 edition spans 20 countries, analysing 246 universities. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals took first place, while Qatar University climbs to second, overtaking King Saud University, which places third.
Best Arab universities 2025
First published in 2014, the QS Arab Region University Rankings highlight the top universities in the Arab world.
The rankings methodology is designed to address the unique challenges and priorities of institutions in the region, drawing on 10 key indicators. These include:
- Academic reputation (30 per cent)
- Employer reputation (20 per cent)
- Faculty/student ratio (15 per cent)
- International research network (10 per cent)
- Web impact (5 per cent)
- Proportion of staff with a PhD (5 per cent)
- Citations per paper (5 per cent)
- Papers per faculty (5 per cent)
- Proportion of international faculty (2.5 per cent)
- Proportion of international students (2.5 per cent).
Egypt was the most represented country, with 36 featured universities, followed by Saudi Arabia (34) and Iraq (32). However, the GCC dominated the higher positions, with 16 of the top 20 Arab universities located in the bloc.
Ben Sowter, QS Senior Vice President, said: “The Arab region’s academic standing is rising, fuelled by international partnerships and impactful research. Though no universities entered or dropped from the top 10, the broader landscape is dynamic.
“A record number of featured Arabic universities highlights the growing competition for academic excellence in the region.”
Both ranked Qatari universities performed well, with Qatar University rising to second overall. Hamad Bin Khalifa University leads in three metrics, more than any other institution.
Saudi Arabia shines, with two universities in the top three. It excels in research, collaboration and international reputation.
The UAE dominates in internationalisation, with eight universities in the top 10 for International Faculty and six for International Students.
Top 50 Arab Universities
- King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Saudi Arabia
- Qatar University, Qatar
- King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
- Khalifa University of Science and Technology, UAE
- United Arab Emirates University, UAE
- American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanon
- King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Saudi Arabia
- Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
- University of Jordan, Jordan
- American University of Sharjah, UAE
- King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia
- Abu Dhabi University, UAE
- The American University in Cairo, Egypt
- Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU),Saudi Arabia
- Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd university, Saudi Arabia
- Jordan University of Science & Technology, Jordan
- Ajman University, UAE
- Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar
- Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia
- Zayed University, UAE
- Cairo University, Egypt
- University of Sharjah, UAE
- American University of the Middle East, Kuwait
- Canadian University Dubai, UAE
- Applied Science University – Bahrain, Bahrain
- Lebanese University, Lebanon
- Al Ain University, UAE
- Ain Shams University in Cairo (ASU, Cairo), Egypt
- Beirut Arab University, Lebanon
- Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Saudi Arabia
- Lebanese American University, Lebanon
- Alexandria University, Egypt
- Ahlia University, Bahrain
- King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
- Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University – IMSIU, Saudi Arabia
- Gulf University for Science and Technology, Kuwait
- Qassim University, Saudi Arabia
- Mansoura University, Egypt
- University of Baghdad, Iraq
- Jouf University, Saudi Arabia
- Islamic University of Lebanon, Lebanon
- Yarmouk University, Jordan
- Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Jordan
- Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
- American University in Dubai, UAE
- Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Jordan
- Al-Azhar University, Egypt
- Applied Science Private University – Jordan, Jordan
- Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ), Lebanon
- Future University in Egypt, Egypt
Khalifa University of Science and Technology was the top ranked university in the UAE, and fourth overall after jumping three places this year.
With a score of 100 in Papers per Faculty and International Faculty Ratio, Khalifa University also scored 94.4 in Citations per Paper in the QS Arab University Rankings 2025.
The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) is ranked fifth, marking a one-position jump from last year’s ranking and further solidifying its position as a leading institution in the region.
Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Ahmed Alraeesi said: “This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students, as well as our commitment to providing a world-class education that meets global standards.
“At UAEU, we continue to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and research excellence, which is critical to driving the development of a knowledge-based economy in the UAE and beyond.”
Abu Dhabi University (ADU) advanced 11 places in the Quacquarelli Symonds ranking and now places 12th regionally.
ADU’s remarkable achievements across several metrics were noted, ranking the university sixth in the International Faculty Ratio and 14th in the International Student Ratio, reflecting its global outlook and commitment to fostering a diverse academic environment.
ADU also climbed four positions in the research papers per faculty metric, securing 13th in the Arab region while improving its ranking in Employer Reputation, rising four places to 14th place.
Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of ADU, said: “We are committed to enhancing the UAE’s educational landscape by integrating innovation and research within our academic curriculum.
“We are honoured to be ranked among the top 20 Arab universities, which serves as a testament to the dedication of our faculty and staff in elevating ADU’s offerings and programmes.
“At ADU, we provide our students with state-of-the-art facilities and innovative tools, empowering them to advance their knowledge and thrive in their future careers.
“This is in line with the UAE’s 2030 Education Strategy, which aims to establish the highest scientific and professional education standards to serve the nation’s future generations.”
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