Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often from prospective students and their families.
Accreditation and Recognition
Is the University of New Haven – Riyadh officially approved to operate in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. On 7 October 2025, the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia granted approval for the University of New Haven to establish the first licensed international branch campus under the Kingdom's framework for international higher education, a decision reported by Asharq Al-Awsat and Inside Higher Ed. The Saudi Press Agency, the Kingdom's official news agency, has reported on the opening of the University's first international branch in Saudi Arabia.
Our agreement with the Social Development Bank, a Saudi government agency, was signed under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development and announced by the Saudi Press Agency, the Kingdom's official news agency, with coverage in Arab News. The University of New Haven's accreditation can be verified directly with our U.S. accreditor, the New England Commission of Higher , and the campus is regulated by the Saudi Ministry of Education. See our accreditation page for full details.
Is the degree recognized and accredited in Saudi Arabia and internationally?
Yes. The University of New Haven has been accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) since 1948, and its accreditation was extended for the maximum ten years through 2030. The Riyadh campus was approved by NECHE in March 2026. NECHE accreditation applies to the institution as a whole, including the Riyadh campus.
The University's Pompea College of Business at our U.S. campus is accredited by AACSB International, placing it among the top 6% of business schools worldwide. Our launch programs all sit within the College of Business and Digital Innovation, the first of three colleges planned for the Riyadh campus. Its business programs are delivered to the same standards as at our U.S. campus, and the extension of AACSB accreditation to cover the Riyadh campus is in process.
The Riyadh campus is also regulated by the Saudi Ministry of Education. The University will seek institutional and program accreditation from the Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC/NCAAA) in due course. See the accreditation page for full details.
Programs and Courses
What programs are offered at the Riyadh campus?
The Riyadh campus launches in autumn 2026 with seven programs. Five are undergraduate: BS in AI and Business Analytics, BS in Business Management (Entrepreneurship and Innovation), BS in Marketing, BS in Sport Management, and BS in Esport and Digital Game Management. Two are graduate: MBA in Strategic Leadership and MS in AI and Strategic Analytics. All sit within the College of Business and Digital Innovation. For the 2026-27 academic year, the University is accepting first-year students only.
See the degree programs page for full details of each program.
How are classes scheduled, and do I need to be on campus all day?
You do not need to be on campus all day. You will receive a class schedule at the start of each semester and are expected to attend all scheduled classes. Undergraduate classes are held during the daytime (8:00am–6:30pm, Sunday to Thursday). Graduate classes run in the evening (7:00pm–10:00pm, Sunday to Thursday) and are available full-time, part-time or in a hybrid format that combines on-campus and online study. Assessment typically includes a mix of examinations, coursework, projects and presentations. See the academic calendar for semester dates.
Is the University coeducational?
Yes. The University of New Haven – Riyadh is coeducational, like the University's campuses in the United States and Italy. Men and women study together in the same classes and share the same campus buildings.
Admission
What are the admission requirements and documents?
For undergraduate admission you need a Saudi secondary school leaving certificate (Tawjihi) or a recognized international equivalent such as IB, or A-levels, with a minimum overall grade of 75% or equivalent (subject to program). You also need English proficiency of IELTS Academic 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5), TOEFL iBT 75, or a score of 58 or above in STEP (the Standardized Test of English Proficiency, administered by the Saudi National Center for Assessment, Qiyas), plus a personal statement of 500–700 words.
Documents required: certified copy of your secondary school transcript and leaving certificate; certified copy of your national ID or passport (data pages); official English proficiency test results (IELTS Academic, TOEFL, or STEP); one academic reference letter; and the completed online application form. Documents must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation. Full details are on the how to apply page.
What if my qualifications do not match the standard entry requirements?
The University considers a range of international and non-standard qualifications. If your academic background, English proficiency or other qualifications differ from the published requirements, you are still encouraged to apply. The admissions team will assess your application on its merits. In some cases you may receive a conditional offer with entry into the Foundation Year, an integrated first year of your undergraduate degree that helps you develop the skills you need to succeed. Contact admissions@sa.newhaven.edu to discuss your circumstances before applying.
Is the application still open for autumn 2026, and how do I track my application?
Applications for the autumn 2026 intake are open now. Offers are made on a rolling basis, and applying early strengthens your chances of securing a place. There is no fixed closing date, but programs may close once places are filled. You can track the status of your application through the application portal. If you need help completing your application or have questions, email admissions@sa.newhaven.edu or request a call with an admissions advisor.
Tuition and Fees
How much is tuition?
For the 2026-27 academic year, tuition is SAR 105,000 per year for both undergraduate and graduate programs. The Foundation Year is SAR 60,000. The same rate applies to all programs, including the Master of Business Administration (MBA). All amounts are exclusive of VAT. Saudi citizens on accredited degree programs are exempt from VAT; non-Saudi students pay VAT at the prevailing rate (currently 15%). See the tuition and student financing page for the authoritative fee schedule. In the event of any discrepancy between this FAQ and that page, the tuition page prevails.
Is tuition per year or for the whole program?
For undergraduates, tuition is charged per academic year, billed by semester. At the 2026-27 rate of SAR 105,000 per year, a four-year bachelor's degree costs approximately SAR 420,000 plus tuition increases in later years, and an additional SAR 60,000 (at the 2026-27 rate) if you begin with the Foundation Year. Undergraduate tuition is set annually, and each year of your degree is charged at the rate in force for that year.
For full-time graduate students joining the founding 2026-27 intake, the program price is fixed as a launch offer, protected from annual rate increases: SAR 210,000 for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Strategic Leadership taken full-time, and SAR 175,200 for the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Business and Analytics on its standard study plan (three full-time semesters, then one part-time semester of three credits at the per-credit rate). These launch prices apply to the 2026-27 intake only. Graduate students joining from 2027-28 onward pay per credit hour, at the rate in force in the semester in which they take each course: total program cost is the number of credits in the program multiplied by the rates in force as you study.
All amounts exclude VAT where applicable. Completing your program in fewer semesters may reduce your total cost, but depends on your academic advisor approving a course load above the standard study plan.
Are there any special offers for the inaugural cohort?
Yes. Full-time graduate students joining the founding 2026-27 intake pay a fixed launch price for the whole program, protected from annual rate increases: SAR 210,000 for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Strategic Leadership taken full-time, and SAR 175,200 for the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Business and Analytics on its standard study plan.
Undergraduate tuition is already discounted for all students, at more than $20,000 per year below the published rate at our U.S. campus. The University does not offer any additional individual discounts or scholarships. See the tuition and student financing page for details.
What is the enrollment deposit, and how do I pay it?
When you receive an offer of admission, you must pay a non-refundable enrollment deposit of SAR 3,750 (plus VAT where applicable) to secure your place. The deposit is credited in full against your first semester’s tuition but is not refundable under any circumstances, whether you decide not to enroll, withdraw before classes begin or withdraw after classes have started.
The deposit is paid by bank transfer to the University’s account at Al Rajhi Bank. Your offer letter includes the bank details, payment deadline and your payment reference (your application or student ID number). You must include the correct reference when making the transfer. If you cannot find the payment instructions in your offer letter or the student portal, email admissions@sa.newhaven.edu for assistance.
Are payment plans, scholarships or financial aid available?
The University does not offer its own installment or deferred payment plans; tuition must be paid in full before the first day of classes each semester. Instead, we partner with third-party providers whose financing products help students spread the cost of their studies. We are working to add further providers, and any new arrangements will be announced on the tuition and student financing page.
Students who need financial support may be eligible for education financing through the Social Development Bank (SDB), our first financing partner; NHU-Riyadh is the first international university to be included in the SDB's education financing system. Please note that financing providers, including the SDB, set their own eligibility criteria and lending limits. The amount a provider is willing to lend is determined by the provider, not by the University, and may be less than the total fees due to NHU-Riyadh. Confirm the amount you qualify for with the provider before enrolling.
Scholarship opportunities may be announced in the future and will be published on the tuition and student financing page.
Visiting the Campus
Why can't I visit the campus yet?
Our College of Business and Digital Innovation is located in Misk City, one of Riyadh's most significant new developments. Construction in the wider district is ongoing, and it is not yet safe for visitors to enter all areas. This is also why our address currently appears as a construction site on Google Maps. Bear in mind that the imagery on online mapping services is often many months out of date: Misk City today is considerably more developed than Google Maps suggests. Misk City is finalizing preparations ahead of our launch.
Our college facilities are spread across two buildings in Misk City. When classes begin in August 2026, teaching will start in our launch classrooms in the City Hub, Misk City's incubator hub, which also houses our administrative offices, while Misk City completes the area around our main building. In the City Hub, NHU-Riyadh students will study alongside students in specialist fashion and catering programs, a first taste of the cross-disciplinary integration that NHU-Riyadh and Misk City are pioneering.
Campus tours and open days are not yet available. Announcements will be posted on our news page. In the meantime, our admissions team is happy to answer questions at admissions@sa.newhaven.edu. You are also welcome to verify the University's presence in the district with Misk City directly, through the contact page on the Misk City website.
Key Dates
When do classes start?
The first cohort begins classes in August 2026. The exact start date will be published on the academic calendar. Orientation for new students takes place before the first day of classes.
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