King Saud University

King Saud University (KSU) is a public university in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is the largest university in the country and one of the most prestigious universities in the Middle East.

King Saud University (KSU) was founded in 1957 by King Saud bin Abdulaziz, the second king of Saudi Arabia. The university was originally named Riyadh University, but it was renamed King Saud University in 1982. KSU was the first university to be established in Saudi Arabia, and it played a major role in the development of the country's higher education system.

In the early years, KSU offered courses in arts, followed by science, business, and pharmacy in 1960. The university's student body was initially small, but it grew rapidly in the 1960s and 1970s. By the end of the 1970s, KSU had over 10,000 students.

KSU continued to expand and develop in the 1980s and 1990s. New colleges were established, and the university's research programs were strengthened. In 2003, KSU became an autonomous university, with its own board of trustees and budget.

KSU has played a major role in the development of Saudi Arabia's human capital. Many of the country's leaders and scientists are graduates of KSU. The university also plays an important role in the Saudi economy, through its research programs and its partnerships with industry.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2025, King Saud University is positioned as the #200 top university in the world, which makes it the #3 top university in Saudi Arabia. The university's global rank is improved by 3 points from last year.