Ahlia University

What Ahlia University does

Ahlia University is a private higher education institution headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, and licensed in 2001 as the first private university in the Kingdom. It is owned by the Arab Academy for Educational Services and Research (legal entity Arab Academy for Research & Studies B.S.C. Closed), which also controls Ahlia School and Bahrain Institute of Technology. The university serves undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students across five colleges — Arts & Science, Business & Finance, Engineering, Information Technology, and Medical & Health Sciences — delivering 18+ programs and approximately 450 courses with a student body drawn from 30+ nationalities and a faculty from 20+ nationalities.

The portfolio spans bachelor's degrees (e.g., BSCCE, BSAF, BSBF, BSPT, BSIT), master's degrees (MBA, MSc FinTech, MSc Cybersecurity Engineering, MSc Sustainable Management, plus a joint Master of Engineering Management with George Washington University), and PhD programs in Digital Media & Communication Technology and Business & Financial Sciences, with additional Brunel University London-hosted PhDs in Management and IT. The academic stack is built on commodity education platforms — Moodle as the learning management system, the proprietary ADREG online admissions and registration portal, and a centralized student portal for timetabling, exams, internships, and career services. Library resources include 2.5 million e-journals, 40,000 e-books, and 8,000 printed books. Programs are accredited by HEC Bahrain, BQA (with 'Confidence' judgements), AACSB (business), ABET (Computer and Communication Engineering), plus professional body recognitions from ACCA, CIM, and CIMA.

The business model is tuition-driven with credit-hour-based pricing for undergraduates (BD 100–140 per credit hour across levels 100–400), program-based pricing for postgraduate degrees (BD 6,130–10,630 total), and scholarship discounts of 15–50% based on high school averages and special-needs categories. Revenue is augmented by co-branded international programs (GWU Engineering Management, Brunel PhDs) and international student tuition facilitated by the Directorate of International Relations. The go-to-market relies on direct-to-consumer admissions via the ADREG portal and the website, supplemented by international education fairs, partner-university channels, and active social-media presence. Recent strategic activity includes a BD 5 million commitment to a new Salman City campus opening Q4 2026 with 5,000-student capacity, indicating near-term capacity expansion on top of the existing Gosi Complex headquarters in Manama.

Name

Ahlia University

Legal name

Arab Academy for Research & Studies B.S.C. Closed

Website

https://ahlia.edu.bh

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Ahlia University is Bahrain's first private university (founded 2001), offering bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs across five colleges to domestic and international students, with revenue generated via credit-hour tuition and co-branded degrees with Brunel University London and George Washington University.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Manama

HQ country

Bahrain

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition: Credit-hour based tuition ranging from BD 300-390 per course level (100-400 levels). Total estimated program cost BD 15,730 for standard bachelor's degree (134 credit hours). Specialized programs like Physiotherapy cost BD 20,480.
2. Postgraduate Tuition: Master's programs ranging from BD 6,130 to BD 10,630 depending on program. PhD programs with annual fees of BD 4,000.
3. Application and Registration Fees: Application fee BD 20, Registration fee BD 200, HEC ID fee BD 30
4. International Collaboration Programs: Revenue from partnerships with George Washington University (Engineering Management) and Brunel University London (PhD programs)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ahlia University is a private higher education institution in Bahrain offering undergraduate bachelor's degrees, postgraduate master's degrees, and doctoral (PhD) programs across five colleges: Arts & Science, Business & Finance, Engineering, Information Technology, and Medical & Health Sciences. The university delivers international degree programs through partnerships with Brunel University London and George Washington University, supported by digital student services including Moodle LMS, an online admissions and registration system (ADREG), and a centralized student portal.

Product overview

Ahlia University is a private higher education institution in Bahrain offering a portfolio of academic programmes through five colleges: College of Arts & Science, College of Business & Finance, College of Engineering, College of Information Technology, and College of Medical & Health Sciences. The university delivers undergraduate bachelor's degrees (BSMCPR, BSAF, BSCCE, BSMNE, BSID, BSMS, BSIT, BSMIS, BSMM, BSBF, BSEF, BAETR, BSPT, BSND), postgraduate master's degrees (MBA, MITCS, MSFT, MSFA, MSMCPR, MITLS, MSSM, MSCE, MSID), and doctoral programmes (PDMCT, PBFS, and hosted PhDs from Brunel University London). A joint Master's in Engineering Management with The George Washington University is also offered. The university provides digital student services including a Moodle learning management system, ADREG admissions and registration portal, an online application system, and a student portal. An international exchange programme operates with partner institutions including Brunel University London, EPITECH, IÉSEG, and EPITA. The university is accredited by HEC, BQA, AACSB, ABET, and professional bodies ACCA, CIM, and CIMA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• College of Arts & Science Academic college offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Mass Communication & Public Relations, English and Translation, and Interior Design, targeting students seeking liberal arts and communication-focused degrees.
• College of Business & Finance AACSB-accredited college offering bachelor's degrees in Accounting & Finance, Banking & Finance, Economics & Finance, Management & Marketing, and Management Information Systems, plus an MBA programme, for students seeking business and finance qualifications.
• College of Engineering ABET-accredited engineering college delivering programmes in Computer and Communication Engineering and Mobile and Network Engineering, plus a joint Master's in Engineering Management with George Washington University, for students pursuing engineering qualifications.
• College of Information Technology College offering programmes in Information Technology, Multimedia Systems, Cybersecurity Engineering, Financial Technology (FinTech), and Intelligent Transportation and Logistics Systems, with faculty participating in international competitions such as the Huawei ICT Competition.
• College of Medical & Health Sciences College offering professional health programmes including Physiotherapy (BSc, BD 20,480 total) and Nutrition and Dietetics, with clinical partnerships and community health engagement initiatives.
• MBA Programme Master's degree in Business Administration delivered through the College of Business & Finance; 36 credit hours covering 8 courses plus dissertation; total fee BD 6,130; targeted at professionals seeking management credentials.
• MSc Financial Technology (FinTech) Master of Science in Financial Technology (FinTech) programme; total fee BD 8,260; targeted at postgraduate students pursuing specialization in financial technology.
• George Washington University MSc in Engineering Management Joint Master of Science in Engineering Management delivered in collaboration with The George Washington University; students receive dual credentials from both institutions; total fee BD 10,630; targeted at engineers seeking management and leadership qualifications.
• PhD in Digital Media and Communication Technology (PDMCT) Doctoral research programme in Digital Media and Communication Technology delivered through the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Research; targeted at doctoral candidates pursuing academic research careers.
• PhD in Business and Financial Sciences (PBFS) Doctoral research programme in Business and Financial Sciences; targeted at doctoral candidates pursuing advanced research in business and finance disciplines.
• Brunel University London Hosted PhD Programmes PhD programmes in Management and Information Technology & Computing hosted from Brunel University London through a partnership of 15+ years; students earn PhD from Brunel University London through Ahlia University; targeted at research-focused doctoral candidates.
• International Exchange & Study Abroad Programme Student mobility programme enabling study at partner institutions including Brunel University London, EPITECH Paris, IÉSEG School of Management, EPITA, and University of Bradford, with exchange and visiting student pathways for Ahlia students and inbound international students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1st university in Bahrain by THE Impact Ranking 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Brunel University LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for PhD programs without residence - students can earn PhD from Brunel University London through Ahlia University. Partnership established for over 15 years. Ahlia students can study at Brunel for exchange semesters.
• EPITECH PariscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership for IT education allowing students to learn IT through project-based methodology and hands-on experience. Exchange opportunities available for Ahlia students.
• IÉSEG School of ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Grande École member of Conférence des Grandes Écoles, hosting 4,800 students with over 2,000 international students. Exchange program partnership with mutual student exchange.
• EPITAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench engineering school partnership offering international programs including bachelor, master of engineering, summer schools and French language courses.
• University of BradfordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK university partnership for study abroad and exchange programs. Student testimonials indicate participation in Master's summer school programs.
• George Washington UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint program offering Master of Science in Engineering Management degree. Students receive dual credentials from both institutions.
• Bahrain Economic Development BoardmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partnership supporting Ahlia's expansion and positioning Bahrain as regional higher education center. Led by CEO Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif.
• Arab Academy for Educational Services and ResearchcoreOthersParent organization owning Ahlia University, Ahlia School and Bahrain Institute of Technology. Conducts Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assembly meetings to oversee operations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• American University of Kuwait: AUK is a private, American-model liberal-arts university in Kuwait offering business, engineering and arts programs. It competes with Ahlia for English-medium, liberal-arts-oriented GCC students and has a comparable tuition and accreditation profile.
• Gulf University for Science and Technology: GUST is a leading private university in Kuwait offering AACSB-accredited business and IT programs. It is comparable to Ahlia as a regional, English-language private university competing for GCC talent and sharing a similar positioning around international accreditation.
• Prince Sultan University: Prince Sultan University is a private Saudi university in Riyadh offering business, engineering and computing programs. It is comparable to Ahlia as a private GCC university competing in business and technology disciplines, with similar tuition-tier positioning.

Broad incumbents

• American University of Sharjah: AUS is a major private, American-style university in the UAE offering a broad portfolio of business, engineering and arts programs. It is comparable to Ahlia as a multi-disciplinary private institution in the GCC and a benchmark competitor for high-achieving regional students.

Direct peers

• Arabian Gulf University: Arabian Gulf University is a regional GCC-sponsored university based in Bahrain offering multi-disciplinary undergraduate and graduate programs. It competes with Ahlia in business, engineering and IT programs, and is also accredited by Bahrain's HEC.
• University of Bahrain: The University of Bahrain is the country's main public university, offering bachelor's, master's and PhD programs across business, engineering, IT, science and arts. It competes head-to-head with Ahlia for Bahraini students across virtually every college Ahlia operates.
• Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain): RCSI Bahrain is a private, internationally affiliated university in Bahrain delivering undergraduate and postgraduate health-sciences and medicine programs. It directly competes with Ahlia's College of Medical & Health Sciences and shares the same niche of internationally credentialed private higher education in the Kingdom.
• Royal University for Women: Royal University for Women is a private Bahraini university focused on business, IT, design and health programs. It competes directly with Ahlia for female Bahraini students seeking private-sector higher education credentials.
• AMA International University Bahrain: AMA International University is a private university in Bahrain offering business, IT and engineering programs. It competes with Ahlia for the same private-university student segment and overlaps significantly in program portfolio and pricing tier.
• British University of Bahrain: BUB is a private, UK-affiliated university in Bahrain offering business, engineering and computing programs in English. It competes directly with Ahlia in the same Bahraini private-university market segment with comparable tuition pricing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ahliauni
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCk1WwekAp4BBFDBvDnYr4ng
• Facebookfacebook.com/ahlia.uni
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ahlia-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/ahliauniversitybh

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Ahlia University