Kuwait
Study at a top 50 global university with world-leading teaching and research – and a strong reputation among Kuwaiti students.
- Academic excellence in high-demand subjects such as Medicine, Pharmacy and Engineering.
- Pathways that support Kuwaiti sponsorship routes.
- A welcoming student city with a strong Muslim community.
Welcome
Admissions alerts and notices
We recognise that conflict and war in some regions may affect schooling, examinations, or access to official documentation. Please be assured that the University is actively monitoring these situations and working closely with awarding organisations to support applicants who may be impacted. Further details can be found by following the link below.
Joining a diverse and inclusive place to study
With academic roots stretching back to 1824 and claims for 26 Nobel prizes, The University of Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø is one of the world’s leading institutions. This is confirmed in numerous rankings, including the places the University 40th in the world.
Our world-class campus has benefited from a £1 billion investment in teaching and research facilities. These include the new £400 million engineering campus opened in 2022 and the completed £105 million Henry Royce Institute, which is the UK’s National Institute for Advanced Materials Research and Innovation. It also includes the £85 million refurbishment of the ‘triple-crowned’ (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) Alliance Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø Business School.
These facilities, together with our acclaimed teaching (once again top ten in Europe, Times Higher Education: Teaching Ranking), give our students opportunities to enjoy an engaging and enriching student experience across our portfolio of programmes. Our provision spans the disciplines of engineering, humanities, medicine, sciences and social sciences. Students from Kuwait regularly express interest in our foundation programmes, as well as bachelor's, master's and research degrees in a wide range of subjects.
Our long tradition of giving international students a warm welcome and helping them to make Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø their ‘home from home’, complements the diverse, dynamic and cosmopolitan community we enjoy today as the University is home to students from approximately 180 countries.
On these pages, you will find key information for students from Kuwait, including entry requirements, exhibitions and visits.
Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø
The single-site campus is at the heart of the city of Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø. Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø is one of the UK’s, and world’s, most popular student cities – a buzzing modern metropolis and a vibrant, cosmopolitan, friendly place to live and learn.
Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø has one of the most diverse populations in the UK with more than 200 languages spoken, restaurants and shops to cater to a wide range of taste and dietary requirements, as well as faith facilities to support those who follow the world’s major religions.
We understand the needs of our Muslim staff and students, as well as those of other faiths and beliefs. Our food outlets sell halal food and prayer rooms are widely available on campus. In addition, there are a number of mosques close to the University and within the city itself.
It is budget-friendly for international students as rent tends to be more reasonable than in other locations. Many amenities are within walking distance of the campus with most of the shops, theatres, cafes and restaurants just a short stroll away.
Employability
We're the most targeted university by the UK's top graduate employers () and among the leading institutions for global graduate employability (QS and Times Higher Education’s respective rankings).
World-leading research
We are recognised as a global powerhouse of research, with 93% of the University’s research activity assessed as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in the Research Excellence Framework 2021.
The impact of that research makes a real difference, some examples are:
- University of Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø scientists awarded a Guinness World Record for the ‘Finest Woven Fabric’
- Rolls Royce to work with graphene experts to pioneer next-generation of aero-engines
- Astrophysicists confirm cornerstone of Einstein's Theory of Relativity
- Graphene and 2D materials could move electronics beyond Moore's Law
World rankings
Using different methodologies, international rankings typically compare universities from across the globe for their research performance and academic reputation.
| League table | World | Europe | UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 16 | 8 | |
| 9 | |||
| 46 | 13 | 6 | |
| 56 | 8 | ||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| 9 | 6 | 4 |
Entry requirements
General requirements
If you are studying A-levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB) then you can apply for ‘direct entry’ to the first year of a bachelor’s degree. Please note that only A-levels or IB will be considered for admission to Medicine or Dentistry.
Students who have achieved an overall Shahadat-al-thanawia-al-a'ama, secondary school certificate grade of 90% or higher with a minimum of 90% in Mathematics and Physics would be considered for the University’s Science and Engineering with an integrated foundation year programme. Applications for the University’s Biosciences with a foundation year programme will be considered following completion of the Shahadat-al-thanawia-al-a'ama on a case by case basis.
Students who have achieved an overall Shahadat-al-thanawia-al-a'ama, secondary school certificate grade of 85% or higher would be considered for the foundation programmes (Engineering and Science, Humanities and Social Sciences (including Management and Law), Biosciences, Pharmacy and Psychology) run in partnership with the University by INTO Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø. Subject specific requirements may apply.
Bachelor's degree
For direct entry onto an undergraduate degree programme, we accept the following qualifications:
- Shahadat-al-thanawia-al-a'ama plus successful completion of a recognised foundation course as detailed above.
- Diploma from a technical institute (on a case-by-case basis).
- One or more years of study at a Kuwaiti university may be considered for a transfer onto year one or two of an undergraduate degree.
Please note: if you have taken exams which are from another country's national education system (such as SAT and AP exams from the USA) you should consult the relevant country page for qualification equivalency information.
Although formal undergraduate applications must come through UCAS, we are happy to consider your qualifications informally to indicate your likely chances of gaining admission.
Postgraduate taught programmes
Applicants for a master's degree will generally require a bachelor's degree from a recognised institution with our typical requirements including a minimum class of 2:1 or a minimum GPA of 3.2/4.0.
Postgraduate research
A master’s degree from a good university will allow access to an MPhil course for those wishing to proceed to PhD, or in some cases directly onto a PhD programme.
Postgraduate research degrees are individually supervised, and we strongly recommend that prospective applicants make initial enquiries with the potential supervisor or School before submitting a formal application.
A research proposal is required along with your formal application.
English language requirements
All applicants to the University (from the UK and overseas) are required to show evidence of English language proficiency.
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English language in order to be granted a UK visa (Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the ‘B2 level’.
Additionally, our individual Schools may ask for specific English language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes. In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level. Further information about our English language policy, including a list of some of the English language qualifications we accept, can be found .
Some Schools ask that the appropriate score has been met before you apply for a course, while others give conditional offers subject to applicants achieving our general entry requirement level of English language proficiency before starting the course.
Under certain circumstances, the University may consider IGCSE/O-level English, or International Baccalaureate Language (English) or Language and Literature (English) at high grades as a recognised English language qualification.
Other entry requirements
Please note that this is generic information only. Faculties and Schools have different entry requirements and some qualifications may not be acceptable for certain courses, so it is important to check with the School directly before you apply.
Some courses have additional entry requirements such as previous work experience, submission of written work with the application or previous study of a particular subject.
Study abroad
If you are currently enrolled as a degree-seeking student at any accredited university or college of higher education outside of the UK, you can apply to spend a semester or full year here at The University of Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø.
We offer year/semester abroad programmes as well as participating in a number of exchange partnerships with key European and worldwide universities. Most students joining us for study abroad do so in their third year (of a four-year degree) although we do also accept applications from second- and final-year students.
Find out more about our Study Abroad programmes.
Finance
Find out more information on scholarships and funding opportunities for studying as an international student.
Careers and alumni
Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø graduates have an excellent reputation among employers. We are the most targeted university by major UK graduate employers (). The Times and Sunday Times recently recognised Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø as ‘the university of the year for graduate employment’. Many of our academic Schools offer career-related course units and lectures delivered by employers who will explain exactly what they are looking for in recruits.
In addition, we maintain links with more than 7,000 UK and global employers. This enables us to ensure teaching and course content are relevant to the needs of industry and commerce so our graduates leave not just with academic knowledge but also with the transferable skills needed to be successful on their chosen career path.
At Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø we are mindful of the concerns of prospective students from Russia regarding opportunities to improve career prospects by gaining work experience post-graduation in the UK. Our Careers Service has including the new which will offer Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø graduates the possibility of staying in the UK for two further years to work, or look for work, at any skill level. Many of our undergraduate programmes feature the opportunity for industrial/professional experience and the offers fantastic support to budding entrepreneurs.
Career resources for Kuwaiti students
Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø has an outstanding careers service, offering a broad range of innovative support to students from the first day of their study here, including:
- help to find part-time jobs and internships;
- access to fairs, workshops and presentations attracting more than 600 exhibitors and 20,000 visitors a year;
- essential advice from trained careers consultants and industry professionals and support tailored to the specific needs of our international students including our International Students Careers Week and country-specific events;
- our International programme allows students to connect with alumni across the globe for career advice, feedback and networking.
Find out more on our .
Profiles
Ahmad Alali
BDS Bachelor of Dental Surgery - student profile: Ahmad Alali
Global Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø
Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø welcomes students from all over the world, creating a vibrant, inclusive community you can quickly feel part of.
With a rich cultural mix, global food scene and friendly atmosphere, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to connect with others, celebrate your own culture and experience new ones.
Through our strong international partnerships with universities, organisations and global networks, you’ll also benefit from opportunities such as study abroad, collaborative research and global career connections.
Together, this makes Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø an exciting and supportive place to call home during your studies.
Meet us
Representatives from The University of Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø visit Kuwait to talk about study at our institution. Details of planned events are posted here.
Virtual Open Days
If there are no current opportunities to meet us, you can still discover what it’s like to study at Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø.
By joining one of our virtual open days, you can explore the campus, accommodation and the city, join live sessions and Q&As with staff and current students - and get a real feel for student life and support available to you from application to graduation. It’s your chance to connect and ask questions.
- Undergraduate virtual open days
- Postgraduate taught information sessions
- Postgraduate research virtual open days
Campus tours
Thinking of visiting campus? Learn more about our international student campus tours.
Contacts
The International Team is here to help.
Please complete the form below to contact us with any questions you may have.
We also welcome enquiries from schools and invitations to any planned events.
British Council
The British Council provides comprehensive, free and impartial advice on all aspects of study in Britain.
For further information please see the .
British Council Kuwait office
2 Al Arabi Street / Block 2
Mansouriya, Kuwait
PO Box 345
13004 Safat
Kuwait
Working with an educational adviser or agent
If you are planning to seek the support of an educational adviser or ‘agent’, we would strongly recommend that you first refer to British Councils' .
The University of Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø’s contracted educational advisers are trusted, trained representatives of the institution. If you are dissatisfied with your experience, please email international@manchester.ac.uk.
Contact a student
If you would like to speak to a current student from your home country to hear about student life at Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø, please contact the International Office via email international@manchester.ac.uk – please include your name and subject of interest.