Accredited universities in Palestine

SubjectsEngineering & Technology · Natural Sciences · Business & Management · Arts & Humanities · Social Sciences · Law · Computer Science & IT · Education · Arts & Humanities

Accreditation

Palestinian Authority Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE / وزارة التربية والتعليم العالي‎) — established by 1994 Oslo Accords-derived PA structure; regulates Palestinian universities in both West Bank and Gaza Strip (despite 2007 Hamas-Fatah split, MoEHE accreditation continues for Gaza institutions). Plus Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC / هيئة الاعتماد وضمان الجودة‎) — independent quality assurance body. Palestinian HE has existed throughout the modern period despite political circumstances; Birzeit University traces to 1924, predating modern Israel. Arabic is primary instruction; English HE programmes growing. CRITICAL 2023-2025 CONTEXT: Gaza universities have been catastrophically affected by Israel-Hamas war (October 2023 onwards) — multiple Gaza universities destroyed or severely damaged; thousands of Palestinian students and faculty killed; West Bank universities have faced increased Israeli military incursions and restricted student movement through checkpoints.. Verify on the public registry · last verified 2026-05-15.

Founded 1955 (heritage to teachers' college; full university 2001; Gaza's teacher-training pipeline). Major Gaza public university with teacher-training focus. Heritage to 1955 teachers' college (Egyptian administration era). Full university 2001. Pre-2023 enrolment ~18,000+ students across Gaza City + Khan Yunis campuses. Distinguished education + arts programmes. CATASTROPHIC 2023-2025 CONTEXT: Multiple campus buildings damaged/destroyed; faculty + students killed; teacher-training pipeline disrupted for entire Gaza educational system. Online programmes attempted where infrastructure allows.

SubjectsEngineering & Technology · Natural Sciences · Business & Management · Arts & Humanities · Social Sciences · Law · Computer Science & IT · Medicine & Health Sciences · Theology & Religious Studies

Accreditation

Palestinian Authority Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE / وزارة التربية والتعليم العالي‎) — established by 1994 Oslo Accords-derived PA structure; regulates Palestinian universities in both West Bank and Gaza Strip (despite 2007 Hamas-Fatah split, MoEHE accreditation continues for Gaza institutions). Plus Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC / هيئة الاعتماد وضمان الجودة‎) — independent quality assurance body. Palestinian HE has existed throughout the modern period despite political circumstances; Birzeit University traces to 1924, predating modern Israel. Arabic is primary instruction; English HE programmes growing. CRITICAL 2023-2025 CONTEXT: Gaza universities have been catastrophically affected by Israel-Hamas war (October 2023 onwards) — multiple Gaza universities destroyed or severely damaged; thousands of Palestinian students and faculty killed; West Bank universities have faced increased Israeli military incursions and restricted student movement through checkpoints.. Verify on the public registry · last verified 2026-05-15.

Founded 1991 (separate institution from Egypt's Al-Azhar — affiliated with Fatah movement; established by Yasser Arafat-aligned figures as counterweight to IUG's Muslim Brotherhood / Hamas affiliations). Major Gaza public university — SEPARATE INSTITUTION from Cairo's famous Al-Azhar University. Founded 1991 by Yasser Arafat-aligned figures and Fatah movement as secular counterweight to Islamic University of Gaza's Muslim Brotherhood / Hamas affiliations. Pre-2023 enrolment ~12,000+ students. CATASTROPHIC 2023-2025 CONTEXT: Al-Azhar Gaza campus has been EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED in Israeli operations; multiple buildings destroyed; faculty members killed (specific figures vary). Pre-war was main Fatah-affiliated Gaza HE institution.

SubjectsEngineering & Technology · Natural Sciences · Business & Management · Arts & Humanities · Social Sciences · Law · Computer Science & IT · Medicine & Health Sciences · Pharmacy · Theology & Religious Studies

Accreditation

Palestinian Authority Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE / وزارة التربية والتعليم العالي‎) — established by 1994 Oslo Accords-derived PA structure; regulates Palestinian universities in both West Bank and Gaza Strip (despite 2007 Hamas-Fatah split, MoEHE accreditation continues for Gaza institutions). Plus Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC / هيئة الاعتماد وضمان الجودة‎) — independent quality assurance body. Palestinian HE has existed throughout the modern period despite political circumstances; Birzeit University traces to 1924, predating modern Israel. Arabic is primary instruction; English HE programmes growing. CRITICAL 2023-2025 CONTEXT: Gaza universities have been catastrophically affected by Israel-Hamas war (October 2023 onwards) — multiple Gaza universities destroyed or severely damaged; thousands of Palestinian students and faculty killed; West Bank universities have faced increased Israeli military incursions and restricted student movement through checkpoints.. Verify on the public registry · last verified 2026-05-15.

Founded 1984 (formed by merger of 4 pre-existing East Jerusalem colleges; ONLY Palestinian university with East Jerusalem presence). THE ONLY PALESTINIAN UNIVERSITY WITH EAST JERUSALEM PRESENCE. Founded 1984 by merger of 4 pre-existing colleges in East Jerusalem (Faculty of Sharia 1958, Arab College of Medical Sciences, Arab College of Pharmacology, College of Arts and Sciences). Multi-campus including East Jerusalem and Abu Dis. ~13,000+ students. Distinguished medical school (Al-Quds is one of two Palestinian medical schools alongside An-Najah). CRITICAL CONTEXT: Israeli SEPARATION BARRIER physically DIVIDES Al-Quds main campus from East Jerusalem — the wall runs through campus area. Students from West Bank with PA IDs face severe restrictions accessing East Jerusalem facilities. International collaborations complex due to jurisdictional layers (Israeli authority East Jerusalem + PA authority elsewhere). Faisal Husseini founding figure (Palestinian leader, died 2001).

SubjectsEngineering & Technology · Natural Sciences · Business & Management · Arts & Humanities · Social Sciences · Law · Computer Science & IT · Medicine & Health Sciences · Engineering & Technology · Agriculture & Environmental Studies

Accreditation

Palestinian Authority Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE / وزارة التربية والتعليم العالي‎) — established by 1994 Oslo Accords-derived PA structure; regulates Palestinian universities in both West Bank and Gaza Strip (despite 2007 Hamas-Fatah split, MoEHE accreditation continues for Gaza institutions). Plus Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC / هيئة الاعتماد وضمان الجودة‎) — independent quality assurance body. Palestinian HE has existed throughout the modern period despite political circumstances; Birzeit University traces to 1924, predating modern Israel. Arabic is primary instruction; English HE programmes growing. CRITICAL 2023-2025 CONTEXT: Gaza universities have been catastrophically affected by Israel-Hamas war (October 2023 onwards) — multiple Gaza universities destroyed or severely damaged; thousands of Palestinian students and faculty killed; West Bank universities have faced increased Israeli military incursions and restricted student movement through checkpoints.. Verify on the public registry · last verified 2026-05-15.

Founded 1918 (heritage to An-Najah Nabulsi School; teachers' college 1965; full university 1977 — LARGEST Palestinian university by enrolment). PALESTINE'S LARGEST UNIVERSITY by enrolment. Heritage to An-Najah Nabulsi School founded 1918 in Nablus during Ottoman-to-British-Mandate transition. Teachers' college 1965; full university 1977. ~25,000+ students. 21 faculties on three campuses in Nablus. Nablus is West Bank's commercial and cultural centre. CRITICAL CONTEXT: Multiple Israeli military closures during First Intifada (1988-1991) and Second Intifada (2000-2005). 2023-2025 context: Nablus area has seen heavy Israeli military operations; periodic university closures and student movement restrictions; some students killed in West Bank operations.

SubjectsEngineering & Technology · Natural Sciences · Business & Management · Arts & Humanities · Social Sciences · Law · Computer Science & IT · Medicine & Health Sciences

Accreditation

Palestinian Authority Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE / وزارة التربية والتعليم العالي‎) — established by 1994 Oslo Accords-derived PA structure; regulates Palestinian universities in both West Bank and Gaza Strip (despite 2007 Hamas-Fatah split, MoEHE accreditation continues for Gaza institutions). Plus Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC / هيئة الاعتماد وضمان الجودة‎) — independent quality assurance body. Palestinian HE has existed throughout the modern period despite political circumstances; Birzeit University traces to 1924, predating modern Israel. Arabic is primary instruction; English HE programmes growing. CRITICAL 2023-2025 CONTEXT: Gaza universities have been catastrophically affected by Israel-Hamas war (October 2023 onwards) — multiple Gaza universities destroyed or severely damaged; thousands of Palestinian students and faculty killed; West Bank universities have faced increased Israeli military incursions and restricted student movement through checkpoints.. Verify on the public registry · last verified 2026-05-15.

Founded 1996 (FIRST private Palestinian university; partnership with California State University Stanislaus initially; American-style English-medium). FIRST private Palestinian university. Founded 1996 with initial American-affiliated partnership (California State University Stanislaus). American-style ENGLISH-MEDIUM instruction. ~12,000+ students. Multi-campus: Jenin main + Ramallah. Strong medical school + business programmes. International student community.

SubjectsEngineering & Technology · Natural Sciences · Business & Management · Arts & Humanities · Social Sciences · Law · Computer Science & IT · Theology & Religious Studies · Education · Languages & Linguistics

Accreditation

Palestinian Authority Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE / وزارة التربية والتعليم العالي‎) — established by 1994 Oslo Accords-derived PA structure; regulates Palestinian universities in both West Bank and Gaza Strip (despite 2007 Hamas-Fatah split, MoEHE accreditation continues for Gaza institutions). Plus Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC / هيئة الاعتماد وضمان الجودة‎) — independent quality assurance body. Palestinian HE has existed throughout the modern period despite political circumstances; Birzeit University traces to 1924, predating modern Israel. Arabic is primary instruction; English HE programmes growing. CRITICAL 2023-2025 CONTEXT: Gaza universities have been catastrophically affected by Israel-Hamas war (October 2023 onwards) — multiple Gaza universities destroyed or severely damaged; thousands of Palestinian students and faculty killed; West Bank universities have faced increased Israeli military incursions and restricted student movement through checkpoints.. Verify on the public registry · last verified 2026-05-15.

Founded 1973 (founded as De La Salle Brothers Catholic university on Vatican-PLO request; FIRST Catholic university in occupied territories; FIRST Palestinian university to admit women). FIRST CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY in Palestinian territories. Founded 1 October 1973 by De La Salle Christian Brothers at request of Vatican-PLO consultations. FIRST Palestinian university to ADMIT WOMEN. Located in Bethlehem — birthplace of Jesus, major Christian pilgrimage site. ~3,500+ students (~75% Muslim, ~25% Christian — reflecting Bethlehem's mixed demographics). 8 faculties. CRITICAL CONTEXT: Heavily affected by Second Intifada (campus closed for periods 2000-2005); Israeli separation barrier surrounds Bethlehem severely restricting movement; 2023-2025 context: Christmas 2023 Christmas celebrations cancelled in Bethlehem in solidarity with Gaza.

SubjectsEngineering & Technology · Natural Sciences · Business & Management · Arts & Humanities · Social Sciences · Law · Computer Science & IT · Languages & Linguistics · Medicine & Health Sciences · Communication & Media Studies

Accreditation

Palestinian Authority Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE / وزارة التربية والتعليم العالي‎) — established by 1994 Oslo Accords-derived PA structure; regulates Palestinian universities in both West Bank and Gaza Strip (despite 2007 Hamas-Fatah split, MoEHE accreditation continues for Gaza institutions). Plus Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC / هيئة الاعتماد وضمان الجودة‎) — independent quality assurance body. Palestinian HE has existed throughout the modern period despite political circumstances; Birzeit University traces to 1924, predating modern Israel. Arabic is primary instruction; English HE programmes growing. CRITICAL 2023-2025 CONTEXT: Gaza universities have been catastrophically affected by Israel-Hamas war (October 2023 onwards) — multiple Gaza universities destroyed or severely damaged; thousands of Palestinian students and faculty killed; West Bank universities have faced increased Israeli military incursions and restricted student movement through checkpoints.. Verify on the public registry · last verified 2026-05-15.

Founded 1924 (heritage to Birzeit School founded by Nabiha Nasir; high school 1942; college 1953; full university 1972 — PALESTINE'S OLDEST university by heritage; PRE-DATES State of Israel by 24 years). PALESTINE'S OLDEST UNIVERSITY by predecessor heritage — Birzeit School founded 1924 by NABIHA NASIR (Palestinian Christian woman educator). Expanded to high school 1942, college 1953, full UNIVERSITY 1972. Heritage PRE-DATES State of Israel by 24 years. Located in Birzeit village near Ramallah, West Bank. ~15,000+ students on 800-dunam campus. 11 faculties. Premier Palestinian research university. CRITICAL CONTEXT: Long history of campus closures by Israeli military authorities — closed 1988-1992 (4+ years) during First Intifada; repeatedly closed during Second Intifada (2000-2005); restricted student movement through Israeli checkpoints affects daily attendance. Notable alumni include numerous Palestinian leaders. 2023-2025 context: classes disrupted by increased Israeli military operations in West Bank.

SubjectsEngineering & Technology · Natural Sciences · Business & Management · Arts & Humanities · Social Sciences · Law · Computer Science & IT · Theology & Religious Studies · Languages & Linguistics

Accreditation

Palestinian Authority Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE / وزارة التربية والتعليم العالي‎) — established by 1994 Oslo Accords-derived PA structure; regulates Palestinian universities in both West Bank and Gaza Strip (despite 2007 Hamas-Fatah split, MoEHE accreditation continues for Gaza institutions). Plus Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC / هيئة الاعتماد وضمان الجودة‎) — independent quality assurance body. Palestinian HE has existed throughout the modern period despite political circumstances; Birzeit University traces to 1924, predating modern Israel. Arabic is primary instruction; English HE programmes growing. CRITICAL 2023-2025 CONTEXT: Gaza universities have been catastrophically affected by Israel-Hamas war (October 2023 onwards) — multiple Gaza universities destroyed or severely damaged; thousands of Palestinian students and faculty killed; West Bank universities have faced increased Israeli military incursions and restricted student movement through checkpoints.. Verify on the public registry · last verified 2026-05-15.

Founded 1971 (heritage to 1971 Islamic Studies College Hebron; full university 1980). Major Palestinian university in Hebron, southern West Bank. Heritage to 1971 Islamic Studies College. Full university 1980. ~9,000+ students. Distinguished Sharia + Islamic Studies + Arabic language. CRITICAL CONTEXT: Hebron is Palestine's largest city + holds Ibrahimi Mosque / Cave of the Patriarchs (sacred to Islam + Judaism + Christianity as tomb of Prophet Ibrahim/Abraham). Hebron has been DIVIDED INTO H1 + H2 ZONES since 1997 Hebron Protocol — Hebron University is in H1 (PA-administered); H2 contains Israeli settlements within the city with heavy military presence. Multiple Israeli military closures of university; ongoing settler-Palestinian tensions affect student daily life. 1994 Cave of the Patriarchs massacre (29 Palestinian Muslims killed by Israeli settler Baruch Goldstein) is part of regional memory.

SubjectsEngineering & Technology · Natural Sciences · Business & Management · Arts & Humanities · Social Sciences · Law · Computer Science & IT · Theology & Religious Studies · Medicine & Health Sciences · Engineering & Technology

Accreditation

Palestinian Authority Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE / وزارة التربية والتعليم العالي‎) — established by 1994 Oslo Accords-derived PA structure; regulates Palestinian universities in both West Bank and Gaza Strip (despite 2007 Hamas-Fatah split, MoEHE accreditation continues for Gaza institutions). Plus Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC / هيئة الاعتماد وضمان الجودة‎) — independent quality assurance body. Palestinian HE has existed throughout the modern period despite political circumstances; Birzeit University traces to 1924, predating modern Israel. Arabic is primary instruction; English HE programmes growing. CRITICAL 2023-2025 CONTEXT: Gaza universities have been catastrophically affected by Israel-Hamas war (October 2023 onwards) — multiple Gaza universities destroyed or severely damaged; thousands of Palestinian students and faculty killed; West Bank universities have faced increased Israeli military incursions and restricted student movement through checkpoints.. Verify on the public registry · last verified 2026-05-15.

Founded 1978 (heritage to Religious Institute founded 1954; chartered as Islamic University of Gaza 1978 — Gaza's LARGEST university). GAZA'S LARGEST AND OLDEST modern university. Heritage to Religious Institute founded 1954 (Egyptian administration era). Chartered as Islamic University of Gaza 1978. Pre-2023 enrolment ~20,000+ students. 11 faculties. CATASTROPHIC 2023-2025 CONTEXT: IUG main campus has been EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED and reportedly DESTROYED in Israeli airstrikes during 2023-2025 Israel-Hamas war (Israel asserted Hamas-affiliated facilities at IUG; UN Special Rapporteurs and international bodies have documented destruction of Palestinian higher education infrastructure). Per UN OCHA and Scholars at Risk reports, IUG buildings destroyed or severely damaged including main administrative buildings, faculties, library (containing irreplaceable Palestinian archives). Estimated faculty, staff, students killed (specific casualty figures contested between sources). Online education continued where possible. Reconstruction prospects depend on conflict resolution and infrastructure rebuilding.

SubjectsEngineering & Technology · Computer Science & IT · Natural Sciences · Mathematics & Statistics

Accreditation

Palestinian Authority Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE / وزارة التربية والتعليم العالي‎) — established by 1994 Oslo Accords-derived PA structure; regulates Palestinian universities in both West Bank and Gaza Strip (despite 2007 Hamas-Fatah split, MoEHE accreditation continues for Gaza institutions). Plus Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC / هيئة الاعتماد وضمان الجودة‎) — independent quality assurance body. Palestinian HE has existed throughout the modern period despite political circumstances; Birzeit University traces to 1924, predating modern Israel. Arabic is primary instruction; English HE programmes growing. CRITICAL 2023-2025 CONTEXT: Gaza universities have been catastrophically affected by Israel-Hamas war (October 2023 onwards) — multiple Gaza universities destroyed or severely damaged; thousands of Palestinian students and faculty killed; West Bank universities have faced increased Israeli military incursions and restricted student movement through checkpoints.. Verify on the public registry · last verified 2026-05-15.

Founded 1978 (founded as Palestine Polytechnic Institute; full university 1999). Major Palestinian technical university. Founded 1978 as Palestine Polytechnic Institute; full university 1999. ~5,500+ students. Distinguished engineering + applied sciences. Hebron southern West Bank context same as Hebron University.

SubjectsAgriculture & Environmental Studies · Engineering & Technology · Natural Sciences · Business & Management

Accreditation

Palestinian Authority Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE / وزارة التربية والتعليم العالي‎) — established by 1994 Oslo Accords-derived PA structure; regulates Palestinian universities in both West Bank and Gaza Strip (despite 2007 Hamas-Fatah split, MoEHE accreditation continues for Gaza institutions). Plus Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC / هيئة الاعتماد وضمان الجودة‎) — independent quality assurance body. Palestinian HE has existed throughout the modern period despite political circumstances; Birzeit University traces to 1924, predating modern Israel. Arabic is primary instruction; English HE programmes growing. CRITICAL 2023-2025 CONTEXT: Gaza universities have been catastrophically affected by Israel-Hamas war (October 2023 onwards) — multiple Gaza universities destroyed or severely damaged; thousands of Palestinian students and faculty killed; West Bank universities have faced increased Israeli military incursions and restricted student movement through checkpoints.. Verify on the public registry · last verified 2026-05-15.

Founded 1930 (heritage to Kadoorie Agricultural School founded by Sir Ellis Kadoorie 1930 during British Mandate; full university 2007 — among OLDEST Palestinian HE heritage). Major Palestinian technical university with EXTRAORDINARY HERITAGE. Heritage to KADOORIE AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL — founded 1930 during British Mandate by SIR ELLIS KADOORIE (Iraqi-Jewish-British philanthropist; the Kadoorie family also founded agricultural school in Galilee that later became Kadoorie School). 1930 founding makes PTUK heritage AMONG THE OLDEST Palestinian HE institutions. Reorganised multiple times; granted full university status 2007. ~9,000+ students. Distinguished agriculture + applied sciences. Located in Tulkarm, northern West Bank.

SubjectsEngineering & Technology · Computer Science & IT · Business & Management · Education

Accreditation

Palestinian Authority Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE / وزارة التربية والتعليم العالي‎) — established by 1994 Oslo Accords-derived PA structure; regulates Palestinian universities in both West Bank and Gaza Strip (despite 2007 Hamas-Fatah split, MoEHE accreditation continues for Gaza institutions). Plus Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC / هيئة الاعتماد وضمان الجودة‎) — independent quality assurance body. Palestinian HE has existed throughout the modern period despite political circumstances; Birzeit University traces to 1924, predating modern Israel. Arabic is primary instruction; English HE programmes growing. CRITICAL 2023-2025 CONTEXT: Gaza universities have been catastrophically affected by Israel-Hamas war (October 2023 onwards) — multiple Gaza universities destroyed or severely damaged; thousands of Palestinian students and faculty killed; West Bank universities have faced increased Israeli military incursions and restricted student movement through checkpoints.. Verify on the public registry · last verified 2026-05-15.

Founded 1998 (Gaza applied-sciences and vocational HE institution). Major Gaza applied-sciences and vocational higher education institution. Founded 1998. Pre-2023 enrolment ~7,000+ students. Practical/vocational programmes in applied sciences, computing, business. 2023-2025 CONTEXT: Damaged in Israeli operations; reconstruction pending.

SubjectsEngineering & Technology · Natural Sciences · Business & Management · Arts & Humanities · Social Sciences · Law · Computer Science & IT

Accreditation

Palestinian Authority Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE / وزارة التربية والتعليم العالي‎) — established by 1994 Oslo Accords-derived PA structure; regulates Palestinian universities in both West Bank and Gaza Strip (despite 2007 Hamas-Fatah split, MoEHE accreditation continues for Gaza institutions). Plus Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC / هيئة الاعتماد وضمان الجودة‎) — independent quality assurance body. Palestinian HE has existed throughout the modern period despite political circumstances; Birzeit University traces to 1924, predating modern Israel. Arabic is primary instruction; English HE programmes growing. CRITICAL 2023-2025 CONTEXT: Gaza universities have been catastrophically affected by Israel-Hamas war (October 2023 onwards) — multiple Gaza universities destroyed or severely damaged; thousands of Palestinian students and faculty killed; West Bank universities have faced increased Israeli military incursions and restricted student movement through checkpoints.. Verify on the public registry · last verified 2026-05-15.

Founded 2003 (private Gaza university). Private Gaza university. Founded 2003. Pre-2023 enrolment ~4,000+ students. 2023-2025 CONTEXT: Same catastrophic damage context as other Gaza institutions; specific damage extent variable per reporting.