Copies of the following:

• Passport
• Civil ID
• Highschool Transcript / Diploma
  • Has to be approved (mu3adel) by Kuwait MOE if you graduated from a private school
• 4 x pictures
• Filled out application form
• Application Fee: KD 23

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Gulf University Specifics

Testing Fees: KD 75 (depending on what tests you take)

They charge KD 210 / per course
Every Course is 3 credits

During Kuwaits Educare exhibition at Mishref Grounds, I had the chance to check out both Ahlia University (A) and Gulf University of Bahrain (GUB). Personally, contrary to what everyone else says I think both are equally fine choices if you want to continue your eduction on the weekend.

Ahlia have rented an entire floor in a shopping mall named “Gosi Complex” located in the Diplomatic Area in Bahrain, Gulf University is located in “Adiliya”.

Long Story Short Review:

Ahlia University
http://ahliauniversity.edu.bh/

Pros:

• Located in a mall (this will redefine the ter: “Mall Rat”)
• Its very easy and cheap to fine a room in a hotel right across the street (USD 124 for 2 nights)
• Since the university is located in a mall, you can expect a decent clean environment
• Well established faculty with good credentials
• Well designed courses

Cons:

• The Diplomatic Area is practically a red light district
• Up to 5 different clubs can be found in any hotel (Good luck getting some sleep)
• You should budget for 5 gallons of Detol, youll need it to sanitize your room
• Masters Degree :: No online application
• Limited Program/Majors/Master
• The registration team were not well co-ordinated, and in some cases mis informed.

Gulf University of Bahrain
http://www.gulfuniversity.net/

Pros

• Very Affordable
• Located in a respectable residential area (no clubs, no …)
• Registration Staff were extremely helpful and friendly
• Application process is simple
• A wide variety of degrees available
• You can attend once a week (Sat or Thursday) - Once a month for 3 days (Thursday -> Sat.) Or combine both. In addition to that you can change your timing at any time with the Deans approval.

Cons

• Challenging to find an apartment within the vicinity
• You can certainly rule out the possibility of living right across the street
• Most of the rooms were labeled only in Arabic
• Campus rules and regulations were posted in Arabic
• Testing fees are a bit high (KD 75)

I’ve heard a lot of negative talk about the Gulf University of Bahrain, especially in comparison to Ahlia. I must say though, its all talk, no substance. Of course it might be too early to give a valid opinion since I havent started yet. But my 1st impression was certainly a good one.

On to Bahrain, I must say that my only regret of visiting Bahrain, was that I could not find a “I love Bahrain” bumper sticker. The country is awesome, but what makes it so great is not what most of you had in mind. I love Bahrain for its people. I have never seen an Arab country with such friendly, helpful locals.

I hung out at the local malls for a while, and noticed that Bahrain was truly a “cultural melting pot” people of all sorts of races, backgrounds, education everywhere. But I what I noticed more than anything else, was that most everyone walked around in full confidence and peace. The general atmosphere was very soothing and calm. With the minor exceptions of some expats that were not so well behaved (we all know who those are).

I believe Bahrain has a lot to be proud of. And I hope that their nation keeps on developing as it has in the past.