The University Leads QS World Rankings as Kingdom of Bahrain’s Top University and Among the Top 20 Universities in the Arabian Gulf Region
The University has achieved an unprecedented milestone in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, securing 613th place globally and ranking first in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The University has additionally been ranked among the top 20 universities in the Arabian Gulf region and is recognised as one of the top 10 GCC universities for academic reputation. Further, ASU is now listed among the top 20 small universities worldwide, reaffirming its position as one of the region’s leading higher educational institutions.
Commenting on this achievement, Professor Waheeb Al Khaja, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, expressed his appreciation to the wise leadership for their continuous support of the higher education sector. He also acknowledged the efforts of the Ministry of Education and the Higher Education Council in enabling universities to pursue excellence, noting that this accomplishment stems from a comprehensive national vision that recognises investment in education as the cornerstone of building the future.
For his part, Professor Hatem Masri, the President of the University, applauded and described this new ranking as a strategic turning point for the University. He highlighted “that the 2026 QS results demonstrate the University’s growing ability to compete on an international scale and reinforce its position as an attractive destination for international students”. He further emphasised that “the University remains committed to developing its academic partnerships and international programmes to foster a diverse educational environment that meets the aspirations of students from around the world”.
Meanwhile, the Vice President for Administration, Finance and Community Engagement, Dr Mohamed Yousif, expressed his thankfulness to the University’s academic and administrative staff for their exceptional dedication and ongoing efforts towards achieving excellence.
Applied Science University continues to invest in enhancing its campus environment and infrastructure, with a strong focus on academic quality, research development, and international partnerships. These efforts have significantly contributed to the University’s remarkable progress in the global rankings.
To this end, these results reflect the University’s commitment to fulfilling its vision of becoming a pioneering higher educational institution with both regional and global impact, providing high-quality applied education that meets the evolving needs of the job market and further establishing the Kingdom’s image as a leading educational hub in the region.
