FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions

Do I have to come to campus to fill out an admssion application in-person?

We understand that you may want to apply from home. You can download the application form here. Complete the form, sign it and email a copy to admissions@aiu.edu.kw. Along with your application form, we encounrage you to send us copies of your required docuements.  

Our Admissions Office will then contact you regarding the next steps.

What is the admission process?

The AIU admission process requires six steps:

1. Apply for Admission. The first step is to fill out an application to AIU. Applications are available here or at our Admissions Center located at our AIU campus in Saad Al-Abdullah. The application must be submitted at the Admissions Center.  The deadline for applying for the Spring 2023 semester is January 15, 2023.  If an applicant does not provide SAT or ACT scores, he or she may be required to take a placement test as part of the admission process.

2. Attend a New Student Orientation. New Student Orientation is required for all new students attending AIU. Once a student's acceptance is confirmed, he or she will receive information about orientation dates and details. This is when you will also meet with an advisor and register for your classes. For more information about New Student Orientation please visit the orientation website.

3. Pay Tuition and Fees. All outstanding tuition balances and fees need to be paid by the first week of class. Please contact Admissions for further details on tuition rates.

4. Receive Your Student Identification Card and Parking Permit. Students may obtain a student ID card and parking permit during New Student Orientation and should have both before the first day of class. For more information regarding AIU student ID cards and parking permits, please visit the AIU Information and Admissions Center.

5. Buy Your Books and Supplies. Academic textbooks and other academic materials required for your classes are available at the AIU bookstore. The AIU Bookstore also offers a range of school supplies so you can be equipped for your first day of class. 

6. Start Your AIU Journey! Be sure to check your course information for correct classrooms and times. 

What degrees are offered?

AIU offers the following degrees:

The School of Architecture and Design offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the following majors:

  • Graphic Design 
  • Interior Design

The School of Business offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in the following majors:

  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Global Supply Chain Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Entrepreneurship

The School of Engineering and Computing offers a Bachelor of Science in the following majors:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

The School of Education offers a Bachelor of Arts in the following majors:

  • Elementary Education - English 
  • Secondary Education - English 
  • Elementary Education - Math
  • Secondary Education - Math

The School of Arts and Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science in the following major:

  • Biotechnology

Who can apply?

Any student who has graduated from a nationally accredited high school or with an American GED may apply to American International University (AIU). 

 

Can I apply to AIU before I graduate High School?

Applicants may apply to AIU anytime during their last year of high school before completing final examinations or tests. Official admissions results will be finalized upon the receipt of the official high school transcript and all required admissions documents.

Visit our Admissions page to start an admission application, or visit our Admissions Office on campus.

May I apply as a transfer student?

Yes, currently AIU is accepting transfer students in all our degree programs except for Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering & Industrial Engineering. For more information regarding our transfer application requirements, visit our Admissions page or speak to one of our Admissions Specialists to learn more about our transfer requirements.  

My English proficiency level is not high. Can I still apply?

AIU welcomes students from all levels of English proficiency. We understand English may not be your native language and may not be the primary language of instruction at your secondary school. At AIU we have developed a program with highly trained and dedicated faculty members help prepare students for university-level academics through our English Foundations Program. Our English program offers courses focused on developing students' English skills (reading, writing, grammar, phonetics & communication) through the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program modules. We encourage you to apply with us to get started on your authentic American education with us.

Where are most students from?

The majority of AIU applicants will be Kuwaiti nationals, but students educated in other countries and now living in Kuwait are also welcome to apply. 

How do I know if AIU is the right University for me?

Students who wish to receive an authentic American education based on American higher education standards and experiences are encouraged to apply to AIU. Prospective students are welcome to book a campus tour, research our website to learn more about our degree programs or speak with an Admissions Specialist to find out more about our university. If you are looking for the American experience, then AIU is for you!

 You can also find all the private universities/colleges in Kuwait by visiting the PUC website.

What are the requirements for IGCSE graduates?

If you have taken courses under the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) curriculum, AIU requires six (6) IGCSE scores, with a minimum grade of a “D” to be considered for admission to our University. If you are seeking admission to our Engineering programs, AIU requires that four (4) of your six (6) IGCSE scores include Biology, Math, Chemistry, and Physics.

Testing

Do I have to provide test scores with my application?

No, it is not a requirement to submit scores of standardized/proficiency tests, such as IELTS or SAT with your admission application. If you choose to not submit prior scores, you will be required to sit our placement tests for proficiency in English and Math as part of the admission process.

Which standardized/proficiency tests do you accept?

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
  • American College Testing (ACT)

For more information about our minimum score requirements, please speak with one of our Admissions Specialist for details.

Do you accept the IELTS Indicator test?

  • Yes, we are temporarily accepting scores of the IELTS Indicator test as proof of your English proficiency. The minimum overall score to enter a degree level English course is 6.

Do you accept the home version of the TEOFL iBT?

Yes, we are temporarily accepting scores of the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition Test as proof of your English proficiency. The minimum total score to enter a degree level English course is 60.

What are the university placement tests you offer?

Our American-based curriculum requires a certain level of English and Math for academic purposes. To ensure that our students get the most out of their degree and are able to progress through our courses, we ask for proof of English and Math proficiency. At AIU we offer the English Placement Test (EPT) and the AIU Math Placement Test (MPT) which measures an applicant's proficiency in both subjects.

The English Placement Test (EPT) is a computer-based, multiple-choice test. Our test is developed by experts from the University of Michigan and Cambridge Assessment English.

The AIU Math Placement Test (MPT), administered in English, is a multiple-choice test. The assessment structure and content has been developed by our math faculty to provide the best possible evaluation of an applicant’s mathematical skills for academic purposes.

If you are an applicant who does not meet our minimum requirements in English and/or math, you will be offered admission to our development courses in our University Foundations Program, where our qualified American instructors will prepare you for university-level courses.

For more information about our minimum score requirements or the University Foundations Program, please speak to one of our Admissions Specialist for details.

I have submitted scores from prior standardized/proficiency test. Can I attempt the AIU placement tests?

Yes, you can always choose to take our English and/or Math placement tests. We will always consider the higher score, and subsequent placement, when making a decision on your application.

Can I re-attempt the AIU placement tests? 

Yes, all applicants are allowed a maximum of two attempts at our university placement tests. Please be aware that the applicant will have to pay additional testing fees if they wish to re-attempt. We will always consider the highest score, and subsequent placement, when making a decision on your placement based on the proficiency results.

Can I take the AIU placement tests remotely at home?

No. All placement tests are conducted on campus at the Testing Center to ensure secure and reliable testing.

Campus

What campus activities and services do you offer to students?

When you come to AIU, you are not just getting a degree, you are participating in the full American education experience. One of the main goals of Student Engagement is to help students make connections with their peers and faculty to maximize their university experience through student involvement. From starting a student club to participating in fitness activities, students have space on campus to meet new people, promote interest, and gain leadership skills, all while being supported academically.

Students have access to many amenities on campus to support their educational, career, and leadership abilities. As an AIU student you will gain access to:

AIU Student Amenities 

  • Multiple student lounges and study spaces throughout campus
  • Various state-of-the-art computer labs equipped with the latest technology
  • A Fitness Center with male and female areas equipped with state-of-the-art gym equipment, access to the outdoor football field, basketball, volleyball court, and much more
  • A campus game room with table tennis, billiards, and much more
  • Access to the Office of Student Engagement to start a student club or the many campus events/activities held on campus
  • Tutoring Center for academic support outside of the classroom
  • The Student Career Center for career support and development
  • A modern designed Undergraduate Library and Learning Commons with access to books, research tools, computers, and study lounges
  • The Campus Bookstore and AIU Campus Store to purchase class materials and AIU spirit gear
  • The Student Center Food court with a variety of dining options for students and guests to grab a bite to eat or coffee 

Visit our Campus Life page to learn more about student life at AIU.

Do you offer campus tours to visitors?

Yes! We offer campus tours by walk-in and by appointments. Booking a tour allows you to visualize the campus through the eyes of a student and get a feel of the spaces and facilities we offer on campus.

We offer tours, in both English and Arabic, for individuals, families, and school groups. Tours normally last one to two hours, depending on the size of the group, and are normally conducted between the hours of 9 am and 2 pm.

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