American University of Bahrain

What American University of Bahrain does

The American University of Bahrain (AUBH) is a private, for-profit higher education institution operating from a purpose-built campus in Riffa, Kingdom of Bahrain. Founded as Bahrain's first American-model university, AUBH delivers U.S.-accredited undergraduate and postgraduate education to Bahraini nationals, GCC students, working professionals, and an international cohort spanning more than 50 nationalities. The institution is organized across four colleges (Business and Management, Engineering and Computing, Media and Design, and Arts and Sciences) and serves as a designated WHO Healthy University.

AUBH offers 13 undergraduate programs, an MBA, a Master of Science in Engineering Management, a Doctor of Business Administration, and a Pathway Academy bridging program. Academic delivery rests on a campus technology infrastructure that includes the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Excellence (CTLE), a CISCO Networking Academy, the D-Lab, and the Investcorp Innovation Lab. The university has integrated specialized curricula such as the ICANN 12-module Universal Acceptance Curriculum into computing degrees and collaborates with DOO, an alumni-founded AI company, to deploy AI-driven customer support across its digital channels. Faculty conduct AI/ML research across NLP, predictive analytics, optimization, generative AI, and knowledge retrieval, with output indexed in Scopus and IEEE conference proceedings.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition, charged at a unified all-inclusive rate of BHD 220 per credit hour effective Spring 2026, replacing a prior structure that bundled separate technology, activities, and lab fees. Undergraduate programs are delivered full-time on campus; postgraduates are scheduled on weekends and evenings to accommodate working professionals. Non-tuition revenue includes corporate scholarships (notably the recurring Beyon four-year scholarship) and infrastructure sponsorship (the Investcorp five-year Innovation Lab partnership). The institution distributes directly through its admissions portal (aubh.edu.bh), on-campus enrollment, and bilateral pathways such as the dual-degree arrangement with American University's Kogod School of Business, augmented by high-visibility events, government partnerships with Tamkeen and the Higher Education Council, and corporate channels including Mumtalakat-linked firms such as McLaren.

Name

American University of Bahrain

Legal name

American University of Bahrain

Website

https://aubh.edu.bh

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

American University of Bahrain is a private, American-model higher education institution in Riffa, Bahrain, offering 13 undergraduate programs, an MBA, an MSc in Engineering Management, a DBA, and a Pathway Academy to Bahraini, GCC, working-professional, and international students across four colleges.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / University Degree Programs

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• American-model university
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Postgraduate business education
• Industry-linked learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamad Town

HQ country

Bahrain

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: AUBH charges tuition per credit hour for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Effective Spring 2026, the rate is BHD 220 per credit hour under a simplified all-inclusive structure replacing the previous BHD 200 plus additional fees model. Additional Learning Resources Fee applies for Engineering and Media & Design students after 45 credit hours. Programs include 13 undergraduate degrees, 2 master's programs, and a DBA.
2. Corporate Scholarships and Sponsorship: AUBH receives scholarship funding from corporate partners including Beyon (four-year scholarship program, fifth year ongoing), and sponsorship from Investcorp for the Innovation Lab over a five-year partnership. These represent non-recurring financial contributions supporting student access and institutional infrastructure.
3. Technology Services (Alumni AI Collaboration): AUBH collaborates with alumni-founded AI company DOO to deploy AI-driven customer support across digital platforms. This is a reciprocal arrangement where AUBH provides a real-world deployment environment for DOO's technology in exchange for enhanced digital operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

American University of Bahrain is a private, American-model higher education institution offering 13 undergraduate degree programs, two master's programs (MBA, M.Sc. Engineering Management), a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), diploma bridging programs, and Pathway Academy foundational courses, delivered on a purpose-built Riffa campus under WSCUC accreditation. Programs integrate classroom instruction with research centers (CTLE, CISCO Networking Academy, D-Lab, Investcorp Innovation Lab), applied learning, and global industry partnerships (McLaren, CERN, Cisco, ICANN, Investcorp, Savvy Games Group, American University Kogod). Revenue is generated primarily through per-credit-hour tuition (BHD 220 per credit hour effective Spring 2026), supplemented by corporate scholarships and sponsorships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Investcorp Innovation Lab: Innovation hub on campus featuring modern workspaces, mentorship programs, and training facilities for entrepreneurs and students.
• The Pathway Academy

Products and services

• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Program Doctoral-level professional degree program spanning 3-5 years, designed for experienced professionals focusing on applied research addressing real-world business challenges, leadership development, and strategic expertise.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program Graduate business degree program providing advanced management education with dual degree pathways to American University's Kogod School of Business. Scheduled outside regular working hours and on weekends to accommodate employed students.
• Master of Science in Engineering Management (M.Sc.) Program Graduate-level engineering management program combining technical engineering expertise with business and management principles.
• Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering Undergraduate software engineering degree focusing on software development, design, and engineering principles within the College of Engineering and Computing.
• Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Undergraduate industrial engineering program within the College of Engineering and Computing, focused on systems optimisation and engineering management.
• Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Undergraduate program combining data science principles with artificial intelligence techniques for analytical and predictive applications.
• Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Design Undergraduate multimedia design program within the College of Media and Design, covering digital media, visual design, and interactive content creation.
• Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology Undergraduate accounting technology program within the College of Business and Management, combining accounting principles with technology applications.
• The Pathway Academy Foundation and pathway programs offered by AUBH to prepare students for undergraduate studies, including bridging options for diploma holders.
• Investcorp Innovation Lab Innovation hub on campus featuring modern workspaces, mentorship programs, and training facilities designed to help students, researchers, and entrepreneurs turn ideas into market-ready ventures.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of 2023 graduates reached their desired destinations within 6 months of graduation
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• American University in Washington DC (Kogod School of Business)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2026AUBH signed a Memorandum of Agreement with American University's Kogod School of Business enabling eligible AUBH MBA students to transfer up to 9 credit hours toward the Master of Science in Sustainability Management (MSSM) or up to 12 credit hours toward the Master of Science in Business Analytics and AI (MSBAAI). Accepted students receive a merit-based scholarship of USD 14,000 and an application fee waiver, leading to a dual degree.
• ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers)coreTechnology or Integration · 24 February 2026AUBH signed a cooperation agreement with ICANN to integrate the 12-module Universal Acceptance (UA) Curriculum into its computing degree programs at no charge. The curriculum covers Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs), Email Address Internationalization (EAI), and software internationalization. AUBH is one of three global institutions (alongside Universidad Modelo, Mexico and Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Technology, India) pioneering this program. Dr. Fatema Akbar presented at the Africa Regional Strategy Universal Acceptance Day event on AUBH's UA initiatives.
• Savvy Games GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026Savvy Games Group, a leading games and esports company headquartered in Riyadh, signed an MoU with AUBH under the Savvy Academy talent development initiative. The partnership provides Media and Design students with training, internships, studio visits, and industry engagement opportunities with Savvy's professional teams in Riyadh, bridging academic learning with real-world game production workflows.
• CiscocoreTechnology or Integration · 4 August 2025AUBH signed a strategic MoU with Cisco to expand the Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad) program in Bahrain. The partnership integrates Cisco's globally accredited networking curriculum into AUBH programs, provides unrestricted student access to NetAcad resources and digital learning tools, supports faculty professional development, and establishes a framework for joint research in networking, AI, and cybersecurity.
• Mumtalakat (Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024AUBH established a strategic partnership with McLaren Group through Mumtalakat's portfolio to provide one-year internships for AUBH graduates with Engineering, Computing, and Business degrees at McLaren HQ in the UK, with potential for permanent employment. The program is supported by Tamkeen's 'Global Ready Talent' Program. Four AUBH graduates (Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, BBA Finance) were selected for the first cohort.
• Economic Development Board (EDB), Kingdom of BahrainminorOthersAUBH students undertake internships at the Economic Development Board (EDB), one of Bahrain's key government bodies driving economic strategy and investment promotion. EDB is listed among prominent organizations where AUBH students have completed internship programs.
• WHO (World Health Organization)minorOthersAUBH is designated as a WHO Certified Healthy University, recognizing the institution's compliance with international health and wellbeing standards across its campus environment.
• WSCUC (WASC Senior College and University Commission)flagshipOthersAUBH holds accreditation from WSCUC, the senior American regional higher education accreditor, providing U.S.-standard quality assurance for its degrees and enabling recognition of AUBH credentials in the United States and internationally.
• BQA (Education and Training Quality Authority), Kingdom of BahrainflagshipOthersAUBH received the Certificate of Compliance with the General Framework Standards from BQA, following a comprehensive institutional review in coordination with the Higher Education Council. This certification validates AUBH's academic and administrative quality against national benchmarks.
• Almoayyed Motors, Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB)minorOthersAlmoayyed Motors and Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) sponsored AUBH's International Day event, which welcomed over 2,000 visitors and representatives from more than 20 countries. Raffle sponsors included etc Café and Reviive Café, with media partners Gulf Insider and LocalBH.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NYU Abu Dhabi: Branch campus of New York University in the UAE offering a liberal-arts core and 25+ majors. Directly comparable to AUBH as a U.S.-accredited Gulf institution recruiting international students and leveraging a global U.S. parent brand.
• Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain: International branch campus of an Irish university located in Bahrain offering medicine and health sciences programs. Directly comparable to AUBH as an international (non-domestic) university operating in Bahrain with global accreditation.
• American University of Beirut: One of the oldest American-style universities in the Middle East, offering undergraduate and graduate programs with U.S. accreditation. Comparable to AUBH in operating an American-model curriculum in the Arab region with regional and international student mix.
• Georgetown University in Qatar: Branch campus of Georgetown University in Education City, Doha, focused on international affairs and foreign service. Comparable to AUBH as a U.S. institution operating transnationally in the Gulf with strong regional employer pipelines.
• American University in Cairo: Independent American-style university in Cairo with U.S. regional accreditation and a broad portfolio of undergraduate and graduate programs. Directly comparable to AUBH in delivering liberal-arts and professional American education across the MENA region.
• American University in Dubai: For-profit American-style university in Dubai offering undergraduate and graduate programs in business, engineering, design, and media. Directly comparable to AUBH in business model, American curriculum, and Gulf-region focus.
• Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar: Branch campus of Carnegie Mellon offering undergraduate programs in business, computer science, and biological sciences in Education City, Doha. Comparable to AUBH as a U.S.-accredited institution operating in the Gulf with industry-aligned programs.
• American University of Sharjah: American-model university in the UAE offering undergraduate and graduate programs across engineering, business, design, and sciences. Closely comparable to AUBH as an independent American-style institution serving Gulf and international students with U.S. accreditation.
• Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai: Branch campus of RIT in Dubai offering programs in engineering, computing, and business. Comparable to AUBH as a U.S.-accredited Gulf institution with strong technology and engineering focus and American-model curriculum.

Regional players

• University of Bahrain: Public national university of Bahrain offering undergraduate and graduate programs across a broad range of disciplines. Directly comparable to AUBH as the primary domestic competitor for Bahraini students and faculty in the local higher-education market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AUBH_Bahrain
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCL-Ws2DOh_nutLjcyfI_c7g
• Facebookfacebook.com/aubh.bahrain
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/american-university-of-bahrain
• Instagraminstagram.com/aubh_bahrain

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about American University of Bahrain