Saudi Arabia, UAE lead THE Arab University Rankings 2027 as Qatar university enters at second position

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continued to lead the Times Higher Education (THE) Arab University Rankings 2027, with institutions from the two countries occupying several positions in the top 10. Qatar's Hamad Bin Khalifa University emerged as a notable new entrant, securing second place in its first appearance in the rankings.

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia retained the top position for the fourth consecutive year. The postgraduate-only institution was followed by Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar, while Saudi Arabia's King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) moved down one place to third.

King Saud University, also in Saudi Arabia, ranked fourth, followed by Qatar University in fifth place. The UAE's Khalifa University secured sixth position, while United Arab Emirates University ranked seventh.

Saudi Arabia's King Khalid University was eighth, Bahrain's Ahlia University entered the top 10 at ninth, and the British University in Dubai completed the list at tenth.

Saudi Arabia and UAE expand their presence

Saudi Arabia had 36 universities in the 2027 edition, two more than in the previous year. The country has also increased its representation in the upper positions of the rankings while reducing the number of institutions placed below the top 100.

The UAE had 16 ranked institutions, three more than the previous year. All 16 were placed within the top 100, with several represented in the top 20.

THE noted that both countries have expanded their higher education sectors in recent years. Saudi Arabia's efforts are linked to its Vision 2030 strategy, which includes ambitions to develop a knowledge-based economy. The UAE has also increased its higher education capacity, with a record 218,000 students enrolled across its institutions.

Regional rankings success and global standing

Despite their strong regional performance, universities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE continue to face challenges in translating their positions into higher places in the global THE World University Rankings.

Saudi Arabia has increased its representation in the global rankings, particularly in the 501–1,000 band. Eighteen Saudi universities featured in this range in the 2027 global rankings, compared with five in the 2022 edition. However, KFUPM remains the country's only institution in the global top 200, at joint 176th.

THE data scientist Catherine Tushabe identified teaching and research environment as the main areas where Saudi universities lag behind institutions in the global top 200. She pointed to gaps in teaching reputation and the proportion of doctoral students and staff.

The UAE faces similar challenges. Khalifa University and United Arab Emirates University share the 235th position in the global rankings. Tushabe said teaching reputation was a particularly pronounced gap for UAE institutions compared with the global top 200 average.

The report also highlighted the importance of stronger academic and research environments, international networks and collaboration with industry in improving universities' global competitiveness.

Other countries record gains

Beyond Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Bahrain recorded progress in the regional rankings. Ahlia University entered the top 10 at ninth place, and every Bahraini university that participated in both the 2026 and 2027 editions improved its ranking position and score.

Bahraini institutions recorded a year-on-year increase of 3.2 points, compared with gains of 1.6 points for Saudi Arabia and 1.8 points for the UAE. Research strength contributed the largest share of Bahrain's improvement.

Egypt had four new entrants in the 2027 rankings. Although several of its institutions fell in position, their scores remained relatively stable compared with the previous edition, according to THE.