Qassim University

What Qassim University does

Qassim University is a public government university in Buraydah, Al-Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia, established in 2004 under the Ministry of Education. It serves domestic undergraduates, graduate students, approximately 3,000 international students, healthcare and veterinary patients, and vocational learners through 17 colleges offering 261 academic programs across medicine, engineering, business, humanities, science, agriculture, applied sciences, and veterinary medicine. Its 7.8 million square meter main campus and 10 branch campuses across Qassim governorates are supported by wholly-owned subsidiaries including the University Medical City, University Veterinary Hospital, King Abdulaziz Convention Center, Driving School, and Institute for Studies and Consulting Services.

The university operates a unified digital ecosystem anchored by the MyQU portal and mobile application, the LMS, the Injaz transaction management system, and the Applied College e-learning platform. Technology and research capabilities include published work on AI, machine learning, federated learning (HADFL-AC framework for IoT), deep learning for medical imaging (Hybrid SFNet with 90% bone fracture detection accuracy), and wearable AI health devices. The Applied College delivers fee-paying e-learning diplomas at 200 SAR per study hour with bundled professional certifications from Pearson VUE, Cisco, Oracle, Adobe, EC-Council, IATA, DMI, CILT, and others.

The business model blends government appropriations with diversified revenue streams: e-learning diploma tuition, self-operated Medical City and Veterinary Hospital services, professional certification exam fees, and fee-based consulting through the Institute for Studies and Consulting Services. The institution has signed 56 partnership agreements (2016-2024) with Saudi ministries and private companies, holds 91 program-level accreditations from six international bodies, and operates with a 5-star QS rating alongside Times HE 601 global ranking (2025). It is not publicly traded and has no external equity ownership.

Name

Qassim University

Legal name

Qassim University (جامعة القصيم)

Website

https://qu.edu.sa

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Qassim University is a Saudi government university in Buraydah delivering 261 academic programs across 17 colleges, serving domestic and international students, and operating e-learning diplomas, medical/veterinary hospitals, and AI/medical imaging research.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-General Medical & Surgical Hospitals, Nec (8062)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM-Focused Research Universities (Engineering & Applied Sciences) (EDAHABAB)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Academic programs
• Vocational diplomas
• Professional certifications
• University research

Headquarters

HQ city

Buraydah

HQ country

Saudi Arabia

HQ region

Middle East

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: As a Saudi government university supervised by the Ministry of Education, Qassim University is primarily funded through government appropriations for public higher education under Saudi Vision 2030 alignment.
2. E-learning Diploma Tuition: The Applied College generates revenue through fee-paying e-learning diploma programs, charged at 200 SAR per study hour, with first-semester fees of 4,000 SAR per program (e.g., Cybersecurity, Programming) or 3,800 SAR total (e.g., Supply Chain Management). Additional fees apply for professional certifications and external testing centers.
3. Medical City and Veterinary Hospital Services: The University Medical City and University Veterinary Hospital generate revenue through self-operated healthcare services (program التشغيل الذاتي), providing medical care to patients with specialized staff hired under self-operated employment contracts.
4. Professional Certifications and Continuing Education: The Applied College offers 500+ globally accredited professional certifications through partnerships with Pearson VUE, Cisco, Oracle, Adobe, EC-Council, IATA, DMI, CILT, OPENEDG, and others. Revenue is generated through certification exam fees and professional course delivery.
5. Consulting and Research Services: The Institute for Studies and Consulting Services provides fee-based consulting services to external organizations and government bodies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Qassim University is a public Saudi government university delivering higher education across 17 colleges, 261 academic programs, and 10 branch campuses in the Qassim region. It also operates the Applied College for fee-paying e-learning vocational diplomas, the University Medical City and Veterinary Hospital for healthcare services, and provides professional certifications, research, and consulting services.

Product overview

Qassim University's product portfolio consists of a primary unified digital platform (MyQU) paired with a dedicated mobile application, supplemented by a Learning Management System (LMS) for e-learning delivery, the Applied College E-Learning Diploma Programs sub-brand for vocational distance learning, the Injaz Transaction Management System for administrative workflows, and several supporting service portals including Query Services, a Registration Portal, and a Visitor Portal. These products collectively cover the full student lifecycle from enrollment through academic delivery and administrative transaction management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Applied College E-Learning Diploma Programs Fee-paying distance-learning vocational diploma programs delivered by the Applied College across 11 specializations including Cybersecurity, Programming and Applications, Cloud Computing, Web Development, System Analysis and Design, Enterprise Systems and Data Management, Graphics and Multimedia, Digital Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Customer Service, Sales and Marketing, and General Accounting. Programs include professional certifications from partners such as Cisco, Oracle, AWS, Alibaba Cloud, Google, Adobe, Apple, EC-Council, CompTIA, IATA, CILT, DMI, and OPENEDG. Targeted at high school graduates, job seekers, and working professionals.
• University Medical City Healthcare Services Comprehensive healthcare services delivered by the University Medical City (qumc.edu.sa) in Buraidah, staffed by specialists hired under the university's self-operated employment program (التشغيل الذاتي) in medicine, surgery, nursing, and allied health. Open to patients in the Qassim region.
• University Veterinary Hospital Services Specialized veterinary medical services delivered by the University Veterinary Hospital under the self-operated employment program, with specialists in infectious diseases, clinical pathology, small animal medicine, surgery, and reproduction. Open to animal owners in the Qassim region.
• Institute for Studies and Consulting Services Fee-based consulting services and studies delivered by the Institute for Studies and Consulting Services to external organizations, government bodies, and private companies.
• Driving School Driving education and training services offered by the university's Driving School, providing licensed driver training to learners in the Qassim region.
• King Abdulaziz Convention Center Conference and event hosting services at the King Abdulaziz Convention Center, accommodating national and international conferences, exhibitions, and cultural events at Qassim University.
• Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Programs Accredited undergraduate, master's, and PhD degree programs delivered across 17 colleges on the main Buraidah campus and 10 branch campuses in the Qassim region. Programs span medicine, engineering, business, humanities, science, agriculture, applied sciences, education, computing, and veterinary medicine.
• Pearson VUE Authorized Testing Center Services International professional certification exam delivery at the Applied College's Pearson VUE authorized testing center, including exams for the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties and certifications across IT, cybersecurity, cloud computing, healthcare, accounting, finance, and business management. Qassim University Testing Center is free for enrolled students; external centers in Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina, and Abha charge 250 SAR per semester.
• Document Verification (Query Services) Online service enabling individuals and external entities to verify the authenticity of documents, deeds, digital transactions, and other official records issued by Qassim University.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% accuracy in multi-site bone fracture detection using Hybrid SFNet deep learning model
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2025Qassim University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with KAUST covering research, innovation, and entrepreneurship domains. The partnership was referenced in the context of jointly hosting Innovation Camp 5 (حاضنة ابتكار 5), which Qassim University organized and hosted at KAUST.
• Qassim Scientific CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity signed a MoU with the Qassim Scientific Center, under the patronage of the Emir of Qassim, to strengthen scientific collaboration and research exchange.
• Isnad (for Mining Sector)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity signed a MoU with Isnad to enhance the investment environment in the mining sector, supporting Vision 2030 economic diversification objectives.
• Saudi Government Ministries and Agencies (56 agreements)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQassim University has signed 56 partnership and cooperation agreements with various Saudi ministries, government agencies, associations, and private companies from 2016 to 2024, in support of the university's vision and Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.
• Pearson VUEcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Applied College at Qassim University operates as a Pearson VUE certified testing center offering international professional certifications across IT, cybersecurity, cloud computing, healthcare, accounting, finance, and business management, including exams for the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
• Cisco Networking AcademycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Cisco Global Academy provides integrated training pathways qualifying students for globally recognized CCNA and CyberOps Associate certifications in computer networking and cybersecurity.
• Oracle AcademycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOracle Academy partnership supports faculty and students in Computer Science and AI through curricula, software tools, and specialized training courses.
• National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Cybersecurity e-learning diploma program is aligned with Cyber Education standards set by Saudi Arabia's National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), providing specialized training for Data Security Manager roles.
• EC-CouncilminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Applied College offers Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) professional certification through EC-Council as part of the cybersecurity program curriculum.
• Digital Marketing Institute (DMI)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with DMI provides specialized programs in digital marketing and its modern tools (SEO, digital advertising), granting internationally accredited Certified Digital Marketing Associate (CDMA) and Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) certificates.
• CILT International (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with CILT provides internationally recognized professional certifications in Logistics and Transport Management, including Introductory Certificate, International Certificate, and International Diploma for Supply Chain Management students.
• IATA (International Air Transport Association)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIATA partnership provides specialized aviation programs for ground services, aviation safety and security, and operational processes, offering career opportunities in the aviation industry.
• OPENEDGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOPENEDG partnership provides professional training programs and globally accredited certifications in programming languages such as Python, C++, and JavaScript, plus data analysis and digital transformation tracks.
• AdobeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdobe certification programs (Visual Design using Photoshop, Visual Design using Illustrator, Digital Video using Premiere Pro) offered as part of Graphics and Multimedia diploma program.
• GoogleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGoogle certifications offered including Foundations of UX Design, Associate Android Developer, and Fundamentals of Digital Marketing as part of relevant diploma programs.
• Apple (Developer Program)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApple's App Development with Swift Associate certification offered as part of the Programming and Applications e-learning diploma for iOS application development.
• Alibaba CloudminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlibaba Cloud certifications offered within the Cloud Computing e-learning diploma, covering CDN acceleration, load balancing, dynamic website construction, MySQL, and DevOps.
• CompTIAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCompTIA certifications including Cybersecurity Essentials and CompTIA+ Security offered within the cybersecurity diploma program.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• King Saud University: Saudi Arabia's flagship public research university in Riyadh with comprehensive colleges, medical city, and strong Vision 2030 alignment. Closest direct peer as both are government universities under the Ministry of Education competing for top students, faculty, and research grants.
• King Abdulaziz University: Major Saudi public university in Jeddah with a comparable comprehensive structure including medical, engineering, and applied colleges. Direct peer given equivalent scale, government status, and medical-city operations.
• Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University: Saudi public university in the Eastern Province with similar college structure and government oversight. Peer institution given analogous governance, regional positioning, and applied-diploma program offerings.
• King Khalid University: Saudi public university in Abha serving the southern region with a similar multi-college structure and government funding model. Closely comparable peer given regional scale, multiple branch campuses, and Ministry of Education oversight.
• King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals: Saudi STEM-focused public research university with strong engineering and computer-science subject rankings. Comparable peer given focus on technical disciplines and STEM research output, though positioned as a more elite technical institution.
• Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University: Saudi public university with multiple branch campuses and applied/vocational program focus. Comparable peer for the distributed multi-campus model and Applied-College-style vocational diploma offerings.
• Umm Al-Qura University: Major Saudi public university in Makkah with comparable college structure, large student base, and government ownership. Direct peer for student scale and Ministry of Education positioning.
• Taibah University: Saudi public university in Madinah with similar multi-campus structure and government funding. Closely comparable peer for regional university positioning and applied-sciences program emphasis.

Broad incumbents

• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST): Elite Saudi graduate-level research university with global top-100 rankings. Active research partner (Innovation Camp 5) and broader incumbent peer competing for top-tier STEM faculty, international student talent, and premium research grants.

Regional players

• UAE University: UAE's flagship federal public university with comprehensive college structure. Regional peer in the GCC higher-education market competing for international students and faculty in the Arabian Gulf.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/QassimUniv1
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@QassimUniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/qassim-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/qu_uni

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Qassim University