Transfer to King Abdulaziz University

First: Transfer from Another University to King Abdulaziz University

A student may be accepted for transfer to King Abdulaziz University from another recognized university, based on the recommendation of the department and college councils and the approval of the Deanship of Graduate Studies, in accordance with the following conditions:

1. The transfer student must meet the admission requirements of the program, as well as any additional conditions deemed necessary by the department.

2. The student must not have been dismissed from the previous university for any reason.

3. A number of credit hours previously completed by the student may be counted, provided the following conditions are met:

   • a) No more than six academic semesters have passed since the student completed the equivalent courses.

   • b) The courses must be relevant in content to the requirements of the program to which the student is transferring.

   • c) The credited hours must not exceed 30% of the total credit hours of the new program.

   • d) The student must have achieved a minimum grade of “Very Good” in the credited courses.

   • e) Transferred credits will not count towards the student's cumulative GPA.

   • f) Credit transfer must be approved by the department council offering the course, and also by the college council and the Deanship of Graduate Studies.

4. The applicant must have successfully completed at least one semester with a cumulative GPA of not less than 3.75 out of 5, and must have passed at least 6 academic credit hours of degree-related coursework.

Application Procedure:

The transfer request must be submitted electronically via email at least one month before the start of the intended semester, and must include the following documents:

• A copy of the most recent academic qualification.

• Official academic transcript.

• Two academic recommendation letters.

• Proof of English language proficiency.

• Proof of General Aptitude Test for University Graduates.

• Proof of current enrollment at the student's present university.

• Proof of successful completion of at least one semester.

⚠️ Note: Transfer is only allowed into general academic programs. Transfer into specialized or executive programs at the university is not permitted.

Transfer Requests Should Be Sent to:

Second: Transfer from King Abdulaziz University to Another University

According to the Unified Regulations for Graduate Studies in Saudi Universities, a student may transfer from King Abdulaziz University to another university. Each university may establish its own implementing rules in addition to Article (30) of the regulations.

In such cases, King Abdulaziz University does not play an active role in the transfer process. The university’s responsibility is limited to providing official documents as required by the receiving university.

Transfer from One Program to Another within the University:

A student may be transferred from one specialization to another within the university based on the recommendation of the department council and the college council of the intended program, and with the approval of the Deanship of Graduate Studies, subject to the following conditions:

1. The student must meet the admission requirements of the intended specialization, as well as any additional conditions determined by the department.

2. Previously completed credit hours may be counted if the relevant department deems them equivalent to the new program. These hours will be included in the cumulative GPA.

3. The student must not have had their enrollment canceled for any reason mentioned in Article (26) of the Unified Regulations for Graduate Studies.

4. The duration the student spent in the previous program will be counted within the maximum time limit allowed to obtain the degree.

🔁 A student may transfer only once between programs during the time allowed for obtaining the degree.

Transfer Procedure:

1. The transfer request must be submitted before the beginning of the academic semester, in accordance with the academic calendar approved by the Deanship of Graduate Studies. The procedure is as follows:

   • a) Transfer within the same department (e.g., from one program to another within the same department) is submitted to the Department Chair.

   • b) Transfer from one department to another within the same college is submitted to the Dean of the College.

   • c) Transfer from one college to another is submitted to the Deanship of Graduate Studies.

2. In addition to the conditions specified in Article (31) of the regulations, the following must also be met:

   • a) The applicant must have completed at least one semester successfully with a GPA of no less than 3.75 out of 5.

   • b) The applicant must have completed at least 6 credit hours of coursework (within their registered program).

   • c) If the student is employed, approval from their employer is required.

Transfer Between Thesis Track and Research Project Track in the Master's Program

A student may transfer from the Master’s program with coursework and thesis to the Master’s program with coursework and research project, or vice versa, only once, and after completing 50% of the required credit hours of the program, subject to the following conditions:

• a) Approval from the Department Chair, the College Dean, and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

• b) No more than six academic semesters must have passed from the start of the program.

• c) The transfer request must be submitted before the beginning of the semester, in accordance with the approved academic calendar.

The transfer request should be submitted to the Department Chair.