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Study in Kuwait

Higher Education Structure in Kuwait

Study In Kuwait

Kuwait is a Middle Eastern country that borders Saudi Arabia. It has a powerful higher education system, with 11 Universities, including public, private, and international institutions. Kuwait is a destination of growing importance for international students, because of the wide acceptance of its degrees and strong placement opportunities. It is also a destination of growing importance in the healthcare sector. A majority of residents of Kuwait are foreign nationals, and there are several scholarships to enable international students to study in Kuwait.

Kuwait has a hot climate and a population of less than 5 million people, of whom almost 70% are expats; the majority of its people live in Kuwait City, the capital and largest urban area. As a petroleum-dependent economy, it is one of the richest countries in the world. Healthcare, science, and technology are major focus areas for the government, and the increased investment in these sectors has ensured strong job opportunities for international students in Kuwait.

The Perks of Studying in Kuwait

Kuwait is highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:

  • The country is ranked #39 in the world in the “Safest Countries in the World” ranking by the World Population Review.
  • The country is ranked #34 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP).
  • The country is ranked #83 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report.

Higher Education Framework in Kuwait

There are 11 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the university list of Kuwait. These are of three types:

1. Public University: The largest HEI in the country is Kuwait University (KU), which is home to almost 20,000 students. It has a large educational ecosystem supporting it, with the new KU City campus having several scientific innovation centers.

2. Private University branches of Foreign HEIs: There are 9 of these in the country, and include local branches of some of the most prestigious Business and Law Schools in the world, issuing the same degrees as in the home country. Prominent such institutions include Kuwait Maastricht Business School, Australian College of Kuwait, and a branch of Algonquin College.

3. Technical and Vocational College: Kuwait Technical College offers short and long term qualifications to professionals looking to enter the industrial sector of the country’s economy.

Certificate Programs

Certificate programs in Kuwaiti HEIs are of two types. Short term certificates are issued for courses that last between three and six months. For example, Kuwait University offers certificate programs in Arabic for non-native speakers. The Technical College offers long term (1-3 years) training programs in industrial and mechanical engineering aimed at locals who wish to enter the workforce soon after completing high school studies; these are professional certificates.

Undergraduate Programs

Most undergraduate Bachelor's degree programs in Kuwait usually take four years to complete. Since most of the Universities in Kuwait are local branches of foreign higher education institutions, most students use the Exchange program to complete one or more semesters in the parent University. After completion of the requisite number of credit hours, students can qualify for the Bachelor's degree and graduate; there is no fixed duration.

Postgraduate Programs

Universities in Kuwait offer a large number of Graduate Programs where the medium of instruction is English, making the country a top destination for international students. Popular specializations range from STEM programs in Computer Science and Engineering to business related degree programs like the MBA and Master of Economics and Accounting. Some courses (e.g. MBA) are offered in both part time and full time mode.

Doctoral Programs

Universities in Kuwait follow a rigorous procedure for the award of their flagship PhD degrees. For example, in Kuwait University, an academic supervisor is assigned to each student during their first semester, and a detailed study plan is prepared, both in terms of coursework (first 2-3 semesters) and research (subsequent 5-6 semesters). Towards the end of the degree, most students publish one or more journal papers explaining their research work.The PhD defense must be successfully completed in order for the award of a doctoral degree.

Popular Disciplines Available in Kuwait

The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in Kuwait are-

DentistryNursingPharmacy
Computer ScienceEducationMarketing
Business ManagementInformation TechnologySociology
Petroleum EngineeringChemical EngineeringArabic Language
Graphic DesignPublic RelationsEnglish Literature

Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in Kuwait

Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in Kuwait.

The name of the city No. of Universities 
Kuwait City11

Average Monthly Expenses in Kuwait for International Students

The tuition fee in Kuwaiti Universities varies by level of course and institution. For example, the fees for undergraduate science and technology courses are approximately 3,500 to 7,000 Kuwaiti Dinars (KD) per year, or more than INR 1,000,000 annually. MBA tuition fees are much higher; they reflect the high average cost of living in the country.

Accommodation costs can range from 100 to 500 KD, or INR 27,000 to 135,000 per month, depending on whether a student chooses University-allotted dormitories or private apartments. Students should also budget a few hundred KD per month for food, transportation, and personal costs. Therefore, monthly expenses in Kuwait for international students are similar to those in any European city.

Students Visa Requirements

Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in Kuwait.

Applicants for a long term Kuwait Student Visa must submit the following documents at the nearest Embassy or High Consulate:

  • International passport valid for at least two years from the date of application.
  • Filled up visa application form, obtained from the nearest Kuwaiti Embassy.
  • One passport size photograph.
  • Clean bill of health against infectious diseases, specifically HIV.
  • Overall Health Certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner.
  • A clean criminal record guarantee, issued by the local police or security authorities.
  • Visa fees, paid by cash at the Embassy or money order.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The application fee for a long term Kuwait student visa varies by country. For example, in the United States, the total fee is $200, with $175 being the visa application fee, and $25 the Police Clearance fee, which is required for issuance of the long term Residence Permit. Fees in other countries are similar.

The photograph submitted with the Kuwait Long Term Student Visa application must be 35 mm by 45 mm; a hard copy must be given to the Embassy Authorities. This photograph must show the face of the applicant prominently, and cannot feature any other people in the frame. The contrast and lighting should ensure that the picture is sharp and of good quality. No headgear should be worn by the student, with an exception made for religious head coverings.

If an applicant makes a minor error in the application form while applying for a long term Kuwaiti student visa, he/she will be informed by the authorities, and can correct the mistake before making a final submission. If the error is more serious, and a question is raised on the ability of the candidate to fund his/her studies in the country, the process must be repeated, after paying the full application fee again.

International candidates on a student visa in Kuwait may take up part time work within their University. They should contact their HEI’s career office for a list of approved temporary jobs. Full time internships during summer or winter vacations must be approved by the University’s placement department, and work is restricted to 40 hours per week (during vacations) for approved internships.

The State of Kuwait has a high demand for skilled workers in the healthcare sector; the Government invests heavily in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. Therefore, there are ample opportunities for international medical students to join Kuwaiti Universities with scholarships.

International students who wish to study in Kuwait should apply for the Kuwait Government Scholarships 2024. These offer funding for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. It not only entails a full tuition fee waiver, but also a monthly stipend, travel, and a book allowance.

The Bachelor of Science program (e.g. the one offered by the American University of Kuwait) is popular because of the rigorous coursework and strong placement statistics. It gives undergraduates a sound understanding of computer science for the job market.

Master’s degree programs in Kuwait are sought after because of the universal acceptance and relatively lenient eligibility criteria. While applying, students must submit details of their valid Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline, along with detailed certificates and transcripts.

The most lucrative degrees in Kuwait are the Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Medicine. MBA graduates command the highest average salaries of graduating students in Kuwait, and students should complete internships during their business degree to ensure that they can access the best jobs available.

Any student who has not completed his/her Master's degree from a University located in Kuwait must appear for an academic test to confirm deep knowledge of the subject. In addition, the candidate must submit language proficiency scores in either English or Arabic, depending on the language of instruction of the chosen program.