Kuwait's College of Applied Sciences to start admitting non-Kuwaiti students: Key details you need to know

TL;DR:

• Kuwait’s College of Applied Sciences (CAS) will now accept non-Kuwaiti students starting from Semester 2 of the 2025/2026 academic year under a defined fee structure.
  
  
• Eligibility requires applicants to have completed all schooling in Kuwait and obtained a local high school certificate, with academic and residency conditions strictly applied.
  
  
• Tuition fees vary by college and are charged per unit; financial aid is not available for non-Kuwaitis, but high-achieving students (GPA 3.80+) receive a 50% tuition discount after two semesters.
  

Kuwait’s College of Applied Sciences (CAS), a constituent of the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training ( PAAET ), has officially opened admissions to non-Kuwaiti students beginning in the second semester of the 2025/2026 academic year as per Arab Times. This marks a significant policy shift from the longstanding citizens-only admission approach.

About CAS?
The College of Applied Sciences (CAS) is a key academic institution under Kuwait’s Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET). CAS specializes in providing applied science and professional programs aimed at meeting Kuwait's workforce demands, blending theoretical education with hands-on, industry-relevant skills. PAAET steers technical and vocational education nationwide, and CAS represents one of its leading colleges, covering a range of scientific and technical disciplines.

Who is eligible under the new policy?
To qualify, non-Kuwaiti students must:

• Have completed all their schooling within Kuwait and obtained a Kuwaiti high school certificate.
  
• Meet the same minimum high school grade percentage required of Kuwaiti students applying for the same program.
  
• Be legal residents (possessing a Civil ID or card for stateless individuals).
  
• Submit accurate and up-to-date information; one application per person is allowed.
  

Key Conditions:

• Students cannot switch specializations once admitted.
  
• Admission is strictly on academic merit and compliance; incorrect info voids the application.
  
• Social allowances and state-funded student benefits (as defined under Law No. 1 of 1990) are not available to non-Kuwaiti students.
  

Application Fees:

• Students applying with recent high school certificates pay a non-refundable registration fee of 20 KD.
  
• Applicants with certificates older than three years are only eligible if they scored 90% or higher in high school and must pay a registration fee of 100 KD.
  

Tuition and academic incentives:
Tuition fees are calculated on a cost-per-unit basis depending on the program. While specific tuition totals were shared for some programs in CAS (like Basic Education and Business Studies), overall fee information for institutes under PAAET (such as Health Sciences, Technological Studies, and Nursing) is still being detailed.
Notably, students who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.80 after completing two semesters will receive a 50% discount on their tuition for the following semester, creating a strong academic incentive.

Additional academic streams:
In addition to college programs, non-Kuwaiti students who completed high school can also apply to vocational programs at institutions like the Higher Institute of Communications and Navigation, the Higher Institute of Administrative Services, and the Higher Institute of Energy.
For students without a high school diploma, technical institutes such as the Construction Training Institute and the Shuwaikh Industrial Institute offer training and career-focused programs.

The inclusion of non-Kuwaiti students at CAS represents a major shift in Kuwait's higher education access policy. It balances inclusivity with clear academic and financial criteria, offering bright, long-term residents educational pathways without compromising standards. While non-Kuwaitis are excluded from state stipends, academically strong students will benefit from tuition discounts, encouraging performance-based progression in a competitive academic environment.

FAQ

• 1. Who can apply as a non-Kuwaiti student at CAS?
  Non-Kuwaiti residents who completed all schooling in Kuwait and hold a local high school certificate are eligible.
  
• 2. When does the new admission policy start?
  From the second semester of the 2025/2026 academic year.
  
• 3. What are the registration fees for non-Kuwaiti applicants?
  KD 20 for recent graduates; KD 100 for older certificates (with 90%+ grades).
  
• 4. Do non-Kuwaiti students receive government financial support?
  No, they are not eligible for social allowances or scholarships offered to Kuwaiti students.
  
• 5. Can non-Kuwaiti students change majors or transfer after joining?
  No, specialization changes and transfers are not allowed once admission is granted.