Knowledge University
Knowledge University is a private higher-education institution in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, delivering undergraduate and graduate programs across nine colleges and operating the largest IELTS Test and Registration Centre in Kurdistan.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersErbil, Iraq
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Knowledge University does
Knowledge University is a private higher-education institution established in 2009 in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, operating under the Kurdistan Region Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research. It delivers undergraduate and graduate programs across nine colleges: Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Engineering, Science, Law, Technology, Education, and Administrative and Financial Sciences, with specialized departments in fields such as Petroleum Engineering, Medical Microbiology, Artificial Intelligence Technology, and CyberSecurity Technology. The university also operates academic support infrastructure including a Central Library, E-Library, scientific laboratories (pharmacy, computer, medical, engineering), a Law Simulation Court, a Career Development Center, and a Research Center that publishes the PHASC Journal.
The institution holds ASIC International Accreditation with Premier Status at the institutional level (valid through July 2026) and for the College of Pharmacy and Department of Medical Laboratory Science (valid through January 2028). It is ranked 2nd in Kurdistan and 4th in Iraq in the THE SDG Rankings, participates in Erasmus+ exchange programs, and aligns its academic standards with the Bologna Process. Knowledge University also operates the largest IELTS Test and Registration Centre in the Kurdistan region, including the first computer-delivered IELTS UKVI offering in Iraq, which serves as both a community-facing service and a prospective-student touchpoint.
The business model is tuition-driven across its nine colleges, supplemented by transactional fee revenue from IELTS test registrations. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is administered through the Registrar's office. The go-to-market is sales-led, relying on direct campus enrollment through online application forms, the university website, news announcements, participation in academic conferences, and a YouTube presence. The customer base spans undergraduate students, graduate students pursuing MSc/PhD in specialized fields, and IELTS test takers drawn from across the Kurdistan region.
Knowledge University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Knowledge University
- Legal name
- Knowledge University
- Website
- https://knu.edu.iq
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Knowledge University is a private higher-education institution in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, delivering undergraduate and graduate programs across nine colleges and operating the largest IELTS Test and Registration Centre in Kurdistan.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Knowledge University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Technical Universities with Specialized Engineering Domains (EDAHAEAI), Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB)
Keywords
Where Knowledge University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Erbil
- HQ country
- Iraq
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
Knowledge University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Academic Fees: Revenue generated from undergraduate and graduate student tuition, course fees, and academic program charges across the university's nine colleges.
- IELTS Testing Services: Knowledge University operates the largest IELTS Test and Registration Centre in the Kurdistan region. The centre provides IELTS and IELTS UKVI examinations, generating revenue through test registration fees.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Knowledge University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Knowledge University is a private higher education institution that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across nine colleges spanning Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Engineering, Science, Law, Technology, Education, and Administrative and Financial Sciences. The university also operates the largest IELTS Test and Registration Centre in the Kurdistan region, providing English language certification alongside academic support services such as the Career Development Center, Research Center, Central Library, E-Library, and scientific laboratories.
Product overview
Knowledge University is a private educational institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs across nine colleges spanning health sciences (Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing), engineering, sciences, law, technology, education, and business administration. The university provides academic support services including the largest IELTS Test and Registration Centre in Kurdistan region, Central Library, E-Library, Career Development Center, and Research Center. The institution operates multiple scientific laboratories and publishes the PHASC Journal for research. The academic portfolio includes specialized programs in Artificial Intelligence Technology and CyberSecurity Technology within the College of Technology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- College of Dentistry Dental education program offering dentistry degree for undergraduate students, operating since the university's founding in 2009.
- College of Pharmacy Pharmaceutical sciences education program with ASIC accreditation (AS22134/0124, valid until January 2028) offering pharmacy degree for undergraduate students.
- College of Nursing Nursing education program providing undergraduate nursing degree for students.
- College of Engineering Engineering college offering multiple specializations including Computer Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Interior Design, and Petroleum Engineering for undergraduate and graduate students.
- College of Science Science education program with departments in Chemistry, Computer Science, Medical Laboratory, and Medical Microbiology. Medical Laboratory Science holds ASIC accreditation (AS80892/0124, valid until January 2028).
- College of Law Legal education program with departments in International Relations and Law Department, offering undergraduate and graduate law degrees.
- College of Technology Technology-focused college offering programs in Artificial Intelligence Technology, CyberSecurity Technology, Anesthetic Techniques, Dental Prosthetic Technology, Nutrition & Dietetics, Oil and Gas Refining Technology, Physiotherapy, and Radiology Technologies.
- College of Education Education program focused on English Language Teaching for prospective teachers and education professionals.
- Administrative and Financial Sciences Business-related college offering Accounting, Business Administration, Digital Marketing, Digital Media, and Finance and Banking programs for undergraduate students.
- IELTS Test and Registration Centre Largest IELTS test and registration centre in Kurdistan region, Iraq. Offers IELTS and IELTS UKVI exams with computer-based testing available for the first time in Iraq. Results returned in 3-5 working days. Serves individuals seeking English certification for study abroad, immigration, or professional purposes.
- Career Development Center Center providing career guidance, job application support, and career tracking services for students and alumni to support post-graduation employment outcomes.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2nd in Kurdistan, 4th in Iraq in THE SDG Rankings
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Knowledge University
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Knowledge University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Knowledge University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Erbil General Directorate of HealthcoreAsst. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Aziz Saeed, Director of Scientific and Research Affairs, met with Mr. Ibrahim Abdullah Rasul, Director of Contracts at the Erbil General Directorate of Health, to sign a formal agreement for collaboration in health-related academic and research initiatives.
- Qalam UniversityminorListed as a collaborative partner under the Collaborations section of Knowledge University's website. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available sources.
- Nukhba UniversityminorListed as a collaborative partner under the Collaborations section of Knowledge University's website. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available sources.
- Kitab UniversityminorListed as a collaborative partner under the Collaborations section of Knowledge University's website. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available sources.
- HIFEAT OrganizationminorListed as a collaborative partner under the Collaborations section of Knowledge University's website. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available sources.
- Various Iraqi Universities and Academic InstitutionscoreKnowledge University successfully hosted two scientific conferences in partnership with multiple Iraqi universities and academic institutions, demonstrating active collaboration in academic research and knowledge sharing across Iraq.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Knowledge University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Tishk International University: Private international university based in Erbil offering multi-college undergraduate and graduate programs across engineering, business, health, and IT — the closest private-sector competitor to Knowledge University in the same city and same target student segments.
- Lebanese French University (LFU): Private university based in Erbil offering multi-disciplinary programs across health, engineering, business, and law. Operates in the same Erbil market as Knowledge University with a comparable academic structure.
- University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH): Leading private, not-for-profit university in Erbil offering English-language undergraduate and graduate programs. Competes directly with Knowledge University for the same pool of Kurdistan-region students seeking internationally accredited degrees.
- Al-Noor University: Iraqi private university with multi-college offerings that compete for the same fee-paying Iraqi student market as Knowledge University, particularly in health sciences and engineering-adjacent fields.
- American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS): American-style private university in Sulaimani delivering English-medium undergraduate programs. Targets the same internationally aspirational Kurdistan student segment as Knowledge University and competes on international accreditation and English-language delivery.
- University of Human Development (UHD): Private university in Sulaimani operating multiple colleges in health sciences, engineering, science, and business. Targets the same broader Kurdistan student market as Knowledge University and offers a comparable multi-college academic portfolio.
- Komar University of Science and Technology: Private university in Sulaimani focused on science, engineering, and technology disciplines. Competes for STEM-oriented Kurdistan students and overlaps directly with Knowledge University's engineering and technology programs.
Broad incumbents
- American University of Iraq, Baghdad (AUIB): Larger American-style private university operating in Baghdad with a broader multi-college portfolio. Competes with Knowledge University for internationally minded Iraqi students and serves as a benchmark for what scaled private higher education looks like in Iraq.
Regional players
- Koya University: Public university located in Koya, Kurdistan Region, offering engineering, science, health, and humanities programs. Serves an overlapping Kurdistan student base and represents the public-sector alternative that Knowledge University competes against.
- Sapin University: Erbil-based private university offering undergraduate programs. Operates as a local private-sector alternative within Erbil and competes for the same domestic applicant pool as Knowledge University.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Knowledge University social profiles
Digital presenceKnowledge University compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Knowledge University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Knowledge University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Knowledge University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Knowledge University M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Knowledge University
What does Knowledge University do?
Knowledge University is a private higher education institution that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across nine colleges spanning Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Engineering, Science, Law, Technology, Education, and Administrative and Financial Sciences. The university also operates the largest IELTS Test and Registration Centre in the Kurdistan region, providing English language certification alongside academic support services such as the Career Development Center, Research Center, Central Library, E-Library, and scientific laboratories.
Is Knowledge University a public or private company?
Knowledge University is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Knowledge University founded?
Knowledge University was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Knowledge University based?
Knowledge University is headquartered in Erbil, Iraq, in the Middle East region.
How does Knowledge University make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Academic Fees are the primary driver. The others are IELTS Testing Services.
Who are Knowledge University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Tishk International University, Lebanese French University (LFU), University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH), Al-Noor University, American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS), University of Human Development (UHD) and Komar University of Science and Technology. American University of Iraq, Baghdad (AUIB) is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are Koya University and Sapin University.
Does Knowledge University have an API?
No public API is recorded for Knowledge University.
What industry is Knowledge University in?
Knowledge University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHABAA, Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary), with a secondary code of EDAHAEAI, Technical Universities with Specialized Engineering Domains. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.