UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCE, GAZA, PALESTINE

What UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCE, GAZA, PALESTINE does

University College of Applied Sciences (UCAS) is a private, non-profit higher education institution in Gaza, Palestine, established in 1998 under the supervision of the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Originally operating as the College of Professional and Applied Sciences, it was restructured in 2007 into a university college authorized to grant bachelor's, associate diploma, and professional diploma credentials. It is the largest applied college in Palestine, serving over 20,000 current students across 60+ accredited specializations and producing 32,000+ graduates since inception, with 490 academic staff and 253 administrative staff.

UCAS delivers education through seven faculties: Engineering and Intelligent Systems, Information Technology, Nursing and Health Sciences, Finance and Business Administration, Education, Humanities and Media, and Professional Diploma and Continuing Education. Its core technology stack is a Moodle-based e-learning platform, a student services portal, electronic library system, simulation labs (nursing, accounting, mock legal court), and 71 physical laboratories housing 1,775 computers. Specialized units include the UCAS Technology Incubator, YUCAS Media Center, Renewable Energy Research Center, Community Service Center, and Volunteer Work Center.

UCAS generates revenue through per-credit-hour tuition across bachelor's, associate diploma, and professional diploma programs; a one-time 20-dinar application fee; continuing education and professional training; and external grants and scholarships (more than 5,900 students per semester receive financial support). Distribution is direct through four Gaza Strip branches (two in Gaza City, one in Nusseirat, one in Khan Younis) and an online student portal. It reports a 47% graduate employment rate and holds ISO 9001-2008 certification alongside membership in seven international academic federations.

Name

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCE, GAZA, PALESTINE

Legal name

الكلية الجامعية للعلوم التطبيقية

Website

https://ucas.edu.ps

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The University College of Applied Sciences (UCAS) is the largest private applied higher education institution in Palestine, serving over 20,000 students across Gaza with 60+ accredited programs in engineering, IT, nursing, business, and media.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAEAB

Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Technical & Polytechnic Universities

SECONDARYEDAHADAD

Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Community & Junior Colleges

SECONDARYEDAAAEAA

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Continuing Education (Noncredit) & Lifelong Learning Programs

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Applied science degrees
• Vocational diploma programs
• Technical college education
• Professional training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Gaza City

HQ country

Palestinian Territories

HQ region

Middle East

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Per-credit/hour tuition model where students pay based on the number of credit hours enrolled. Bachelor's programs and diploma programs have different fee structures per credit hour.
2. Application Fees: One-time application fee of 20 dinars charged during the admission process
3. Financial Aid and Scholarships: More than 5,900 students receive financial support through scholarship programs including full scholarships and fellowships for qualified applicants
4. Continuing Education and Professional Training: Short-term training programs and professional development courses through the Community Service Center, including continuing education center, speech disorders clinic, and animation unit

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

UCAS delivers applied higher education programs to individual students in Gaza, offering bachelor's degrees (9 specializations), two-year associate diplomas (36 programs), one-year diplomas (19 programs), and one-year professional/vocational diplomas (19 programs) across seven faculties covering engineering, IT, nursing and health sciences, business, education, humanities and media, and professional diplomas. The college supplements degree programs with e-learning services, simulation labs, a renewable energy research center, a media training center, and a technology incubator supporting student entrepreneurship.

Product overview

The University College of Applied Science (UCAS) is the largest applied science college in Palestine, serving approximately 20,000+ students across Gaza. The institution operates as a multi-faculty educational platform offering three tiers of academic credentials: Bachelor's degrees (9 specializations), Associate Diplomas (36 two-year and 19 one-year programs), and Professional Diplomas (19 vocational programs requiring only ninth-grade completion). The college is organized into seven faculties—Engineering and Intelligent Systems, Information Technology, Nursing and Health Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Humanities and Media, and Professional Diploma—serving over 60 specializations. UCAS provides technology-enabled educational services including a Moodle-based e-learning platform, student portal, Google email services, and operates a Technology Incubator for entrepreneurship. The institution integrates AI into its curricula through dedicated Data Science and AI programs, multimedia production with AI tools, and offers AI-focused workshops through its Media Center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UCAS Technology Incubator (حاضنة يوكاس): Technology business incubator supporting entrepreneurship, startup development, and innovation among UCAS students and alumni.
• UCAS Media Center (مركز يوكاس الإعلامي)
• Renewable Energy Research Center (مركز أبحاث الطاقة المتجددة)

Products and services

• Bachelor's Degree Programs Four-year bachelor's degree programs in specializations including Technology Management, Applied Accounting, Geographic Information Systems, Media and Communication Technology, Basic First Education, Multimedia, Nursing, Cybersecurity Engineering, Construction Engineering and Project Management, Mobile Application Design and Programming, Interior Design, Digital Marketing, and Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. Targeted at high school graduates seeking applied higher education.
• Associate Diploma Programs Thirty-six two-year diploma programs and nineteen one-year diploma programs covering engineering, technology, health sciences, business, and humanities disciplines. Targeted at high school graduates and diploma holders seeking applied technical credentials.
• Professional Diploma Programs Nineteen one-year professional diploma programs requiring only ninth-grade completion, offering vocational training without high school diploma requirement. Targeted at community members seeking marketable vocational skills and workforce entry.
• Renewable Energy Research Center Services Theoretical and applied research in renewable energy including solar and wind, consulting services for design and installation of solar systems, quality certification for solar components, and testing of electrical components against international standards. Targeted at researchers, energy sector stakeholders, and the Gaza community.
• UCAS Technology Incubator Services Technology business incubator (UCAS TI) supporting student startups, entrepreneurship, and innovation among Gaza youth, including training programs, mentorship, and startup development support. Targeted at UCAS students, alumni, and Gaza youth entrepreneurs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 47% of graduates obtain employment in various Palestinian institutions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• Fares Al-Shahed 3 OperationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2026Supported high school final exams at the Middle Area branch by providing facilities and coordination. Appreciated for contributing to successful examination completion.
• GlocalShift (Netherlands)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 July 2026Strategic partnership for education, vocational training, entrepreneurship, innovation, and youth empowerment. The partnership includes the Gaza Stars program targeting 300 youth with entrepreneurship training and startup recovery support. GlocalShift is a Dutch foundation working to expand cooperation in education, professional training, and economic recovery in Gaza.
• Sunbul Youth CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2026MOU for a 5-month specialized training program on digital empowerment through AI tools and freelancing. The program benefits 40 youth with advanced AI application skills, career guidance, and connections to digital work platforms.
• Islamic University of GazacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 July 2026Joint certificate ceremony for graduates of medical, nursing, and health sciences programs. Joint effort to enable graduates to complete graduation procedures and enter the workforce.
• Malaysian Ministry of Higher EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Cooperation agreement providing UCAS students and faculty access to Malaysian training platforms and free certified courses in technical and professional fields. The partnership includes Sylayang Community College and the Department of Digital Education.
• Al-Mutamid CompanyminorOthersOne of the employers that has hired graduates from the college in various specializations.
• Zoom Mobile GalleryminorOthersMobile gallery and electronics retailer that has employed graduates from the college.
• Patient Friends HospitalminorOthersHospital partnership for clinical training and graduate employment in healthcare programs.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Birzeit University: Leading Palestinian research university with engineering, IT, and health programs. Comparable academic positioning, but operates in the West Bank and is more research-oriented than applied.
• An-Najah National University: Large Palestinian university in Nablus with engineering, IT, medicine, and applied faculties. Comparable in scale and program breadth, but serves the West Bank rather than Gaza.
• Bethlehem University: West Bank Catholic university offering bachelor's programs in nursing, business, and arts. Comparable in size and applied/liberal arts mix, but serves a different geography.
• University of Palestine (UP) / Al-Quds Open University branches: Open and private Palestinian universities offering applied and distance-learning programs that overlap with UCAS's e-learning enabled curriculum in the same national market.

Direct peers

• Al-Azhar University – Gaza: Gaza-based multi-faculty university offering undergraduate and graduate programs. Direct competitor for high school graduates in the same catchment area.
• Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT): Jordanian applied sciences and IT-focused university with engineering, IT, and business programs. Closest regional analog in terms of applied/polytechnic mission and tech-centric curriculum.
• Palestine Polytechnic University (PPU): Hebron-based polytechnic university offering applied bachelor's degrees, diplomas, and technical programs. Closest direct peer given overlapping applied/polytechnic focus and Palestinian higher-education market.
• Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie (PTUK): Palestinian university with applied engineering, IT, and agricultural programs across multiple campuses. Direct peer in applied higher education within the Palestinian market.
• Islamic University of Gaza (IUG): Gaza-based public university covering engineering, IT, health sciences, and humanities. Comparable in geography, student scale, and program portfolio, including co-hosted graduation ceremonies with UCAS.

Broad incumbents

• Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST): Major public university in northern Jordan with strong engineering, health sciences, and IT faculties. Comparable in scale and applied orientation, but with broader research mission and public funding base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ucasGaza
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/ElearningUCAS
• Facebookfacebook.com/ucasGaza
• Instagraminstagram.com/UCASGaza

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries7 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 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCE, GAZA, PALESTINE