Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU)، Programs, Rankings, Admissions
Private university in Al Khobar (Eastern Province), English-medium, US-style education via a founding partnership with Texas International Education…
Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU) is the primary private option for the Eastern Province. Founded in Al Khobar in 2006 (PMU، About) in academic partnership with the Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC), which shaped the initial US-model curriculum.
Today PMU is an outcome-based education (OBE) university, English-medium, feeding directly into the Eastern industrial cluster (Aramco, SABIC, oil-service firms) thanks to its location.
Quick Profile
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Al Khobar, Eastern Province |
| Founded | 2006 (royal decree), 2006–2007 (instruction began) |
| Character | Private, non-profit |
| Founding partnership | Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC) |
| Language | English exclusively |
| Coeducational? | No، segregated campuses, unified curriculum |
| Degrees offered | Bachelor's + Master's |
| Colleges | 6: Business, Engineering, Computer Engineering & Sciences, Law, Architecture & Design, Sciences & Humanities |
| Accreditations | ABET (Engineering and Computing programs), national accreditation from the Education Evaluation Commission |
| Admissions site | pmu.edu.sa/admissions |
Global and Regional Rankings
| Ranking | Position | Year |
|---|---|---|
| QS Arab Region Rankings | 61–70 | 2025 |
| QS World University Rankings | 1001–1200 | 2026 |
| THE Arab University Rankings | Top 70 Arab | 2025 |
Source: QS World University Rankings، PMU
Distinction: PMU is the first private university in the Eastern Province to fully adopt the OBE (Outcome-Based Education) model, and it feeds directly into the industrial and oil sector fabric of Dhahran/Dammam/Al Khobar.
Colleges and Programs
1. College of Business Administration
- BS Business، tracks in Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, Banking
- MBA، executive and general tracks
- MS Finance
2. College of Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Accreditation: ABET
3. College of Computer Engineering & Sciences (CCSE)
- Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Information Technology Engineering
- Accreditation: ABET
4. College of Law
- LLB، established to fill the private-law-education gap in the Eastern Province
- Focus on commercial law and labor law
5. College of Architecture & Design
- Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch)
- Interior Design
- Graphic Design
6. College of Sciences & Humanities
- Mathematics, Physics (service courses for Engineering)
- English Language, Translation
Career Outcomes، Where Alumni Work
PMU graduates are embedded in the Eastern industrial fabric:
| Field | Typical employers |
|---|---|
| Engineering | Aramco (Eastern operations), SABIC, Ma'aden, Gulf contractors, oilfield services (Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker Hughes) |
| Computer Engineering | Aramco (IT division), STC, tech companies in Al Khobar and Dammam, banks (Eastern branches) |
| Business | Saudi banks (Eastern branches), insurers, major family businesses in Al Khobar (Zamil, Olayan) |
| Law | Law firms in Al Khobar and Dammam, legal departments in oil-sector companies, Ministry of Justice |
| Architecture & Design | Engineering consultancies, real-estate developers in the Eastern Province |
Notable point: PMU is roughly 20 km from Aramco, offering direct internship and research-collaboration channels. Many Engineering graduates are hired into Aramco immediately after graduation.
What Makes PMU Different
- Strategic Eastern Province location، close to Aramco, SABIC, and major energy firms. No relocation needed to work in the Kingdom's industrial heartland.
- US-style OBE model، project-based and team-based assessment, not just final exams. Prepares graduates for modern workplace expectations.
- Early ABET accreditation، held by most Engineering and Computing programs.
- Medium size، around 5,000 students, providing a personal academic environment rather than mass classrooms.
- Industry partnerships، advisory boards for colleges include executives from Aramco and SABIC.
Before You Apply، Honest Read
PMU suits you if:
- Your family or career ambition is in the Eastern Province
- You want to work at Aramco, SABIC, or Eastern industrial firms
- You prefer a US-style teaching model (projects, teamwork, continuous assessment)
- Your English is solid, or you're prepared to complete the foundation year
- Private-university tuition is not a hardship
It may not suit you if:
- You want a Riyadh or Jeddah setting (KFUPM is your Eastern option if you want tuition-free)
- You want a medical or pharmacy program (not offered at PMU)
- You prefer a coeducational campus (PMU is segregated)
Strong Alternatives in the Eastern Province
- KFUPM (King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals)، public, Dhahran, top-ranked engineering in the Arab world, tuition-free for Saudis
- Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU)، public, Dammam, the Eastern Province's largest public university
- Alfaisal University، private, Riyadh, strongest in Medicine and internationally accredited
- Prince Sultan University (PSU)، private, Riyadh, strongest in Business and Law
Official Sources
- Official site، pmu.edu.sa
- Admissions page، PMU
- QS World University Rankings، PMU
- Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC)
Read also: Prince Sultan University · Alfaisal University · Alyamamah University · King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals · Saudi Universities، Graduate Programs and Distance Learning Guide
See also: Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) · Qiyas, Tahsili, and Cognitive Ability Test
الأسئلة الشائعة
In Al Khobar, Eastern Province, on a large modern campus close to the major corporate centers in Dhahran (Aramco, SABIC).
Established by royal decree in 2006 with instruction beginning in the 2006–2007 academic year. Founded in academic partnership with the Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC) to design the initial curriculum.
Yes، English is the medium of instruction across all colleges. An intensive English foundation year is available for students who need it.
Segregated، separate male and female campuses on the same site, with identical curriculum, unified faculty standards, and shared academic requirements.
Computer Engineering and Computer Science, Business (particularly Finance and Digital Marketing tracks), Civil Engineering, and Law.
PMU follows Outcome-Based Education (OBE) in a US-style format: project-based work, presentations, teamwork, and continuous assessment rather than reliance on a single final exam.
Yes، several Engineering and Computing programs hold ABET accreditation, Law programs are nationally accredited by the Education Evaluation Commission. Business is on the AACSB pathway.
Part of the series: Private Universities
Article 3 of 5Guides to private universities: tuition, programmes, accreditation, and admission requirements.
- 1.Prince Sultan University (PSU)، Programs, Rankings, and AdmissionsPillar guide
- 2.Alfaisal University، Programs, Rankings, and Admissions
- 3.Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU)، Programs, Rankings, Admissions
- 4.Alyamamah University، Programs, Rankings, and Admissions
- 5.Effat University، Programs, Rankings, and Admissions
Related Articles
Saudi Universities: Graduate Studies & Distance Learning 2026
A complete map of Saudi universities offering master's and PhD programs, plus institutions providing bachelor's and diplomas through distance learning,…
Alfaisal University، Programs, Rankings, and Admissions
Private research university in Riyadh, English-medium, coeducational, sponsored by the King Faisal Foundation. Medical school affiliated with Cleveland…
KFUPM (King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals)، Programs, Rankings, Careers
First Arab university in the QS top 100 (#63 in 2027). KFUPM programs, subject rankings, and where its graduates work in Saudi Arabia.
Travel Guide to Abu Dhabi from Saudi Arabia 2026: Best Time and Top Sights
When to visit Abu Dhabi, its best landmarks and events, and visa requirements for Saudi travellers — a practical guide with real weather tables and flight/hotel links.
Saudi Real Estate Finance Calculator 2026: Capacity and Housing Support
Interactive calculator for your maximum mortgage capacity based on income and the official SAMA debt-burden ratio, with a specific-property check and a guide to Sakani/REDF housing support.
Saudi Kafala Transfer Guide 2026, Conditions and Solutions
Practical guide to transferring a worker's sponsorship: statutory conditions, the Labor Reform Initiative, refusal reasons, and step-by-step process via Qiwa and Musaned.