Study and find schools in Jordan

Studying in Jordan

Jordan is a small Arab country in the Middle East with public and private universities, community colleges and international schools. Arabic is the national language, but English is widely used in higher education: according to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, it is the language of instruction in scientific, medical and allied medical faculties and in many other disciplines.

For international students, Jordan is a place to study Arabic and Middle Eastern subjects, or to take an English-taught degree in fields such as engineering, medicine or business in an Arabic-speaking country. The ministry describes the cost of living for students as much lower than in Western countries and close to that of other countries in the region.

The education system in Jordan

Higher education in Jordan began with a teachers' college, Dar Al-Mu'lemeen, in 1958; teacher institutes later developed into community colleges in the 1970s. University education started with the founding of the University of Jordan in 1962, and the first private university, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, opened in 1989. Today the sector includes:

• Public universities
• Private universities
• Community colleges, offering shorter, practical programmes
• Universities run in partnership with foreign institutions, such as the German-Jordanian University, and foreign universities operating in Jordan

Most disciplines use a credit-hour system rather than a system of fixed years, so students progress by completing courses. Bachelor's degrees are followed by master's and doctoral programmes. Under the Law of Higher Education and the Jordanian Universities Law of 2009, universities have more independence in administrative and financial matters. Some programmes, such as engineering, medical sciences and business administration, are also accredited by international agencies.

At school level, international and private schools offer foreign curricula. The Abdul Hamid Sharaf School in Amman, a private, coeducational K-12 day school founded in 1980, teaches the basic subjects in English and offers an American high school diploma and the British IGCSE and A-levels; completing these programmes allows the diploma to be equated with the Jordanian Tawjihi, the secondary certificate needed to enter Jordanian colleges and universities.

Admission and recognition

Admission to public universities for Jordanian students is coordinated centrally by the ministry's Unified Admission Coordination Unit, while international students usually apply directly to the university. Requirements vary: Jordan University of Science and Technology, for example, has no specific entrance exam for undergraduate programmes but holds a placement test in English and computer skills at the start of each semester. Students should check the language of their programme, since even English-taught universities teach some courses in Arabic.

Recognition of qualifications is handled by the ministry's Recognition and Certificates Equivalency Directorate, which also offers an online equivalence request for international students. Students who plan to use a Jordanian degree at home should check in advance how it will be recognised in their own country.

Student visa and residence

Most nationalities need a visa before entering Jordan, with exceptions such as the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, European countries, the USA and Egypt, according to the international student office of Jordan University of Science and Technology (checked October 2026). The university arranges the entry visa: the student sends a copy of the passport and the acceptance letter to the international student office. After arrival:

• Almost all foreign students need a residency permit; the exceptions are citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Egypt and Syria
• Students have one to three months from entry to regularise their residency status
• The application needs proof of student status for the current semester, a copy of the passport and the last entry stamp
• The Ministry of Interior takes three to four weeks to respond

Procedures are handled through each university's office for Arab and international students, so students should follow their own university's instructions.

Costs

Each university sets its own tuition fees, which differ between public and private universities and between programmes; the ministry describes fees at Jordanian universities as competitive internationally. Housing is often at the student's own expense, and campus housing is limited at some universities; Jordan University of Science and Technology, for example, has on-campus housing for female students only. Students should ask for the full fee schedule for international students before applying.

Where to study

Most universities and international schools are in and around Amman, the capital. SpainExchange lists:

• Amman: the Abdul Hamid Sharaf School, a private K-12 school with American and British programmes for international, local and bicultural students
• Ma'an: Al Hussein Bin Talal University, a public university in Ma'an

Other universities named on this page, such as Jordan University of Science and Technology, teach mainly in English, with some courses in Arabic.

Culture and practical life

Jordan is an Arabic-speaking country, and living there is a good opportunity to learn Arabic alongside an English-taught degree. International student offices help with residency, housing and practical questions, and students should keep their residency permit valid throughout their studies.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English in Jordan?

Yes. English is the language of instruction in scientific, medical and allied medical faculties and in many other disciplines, although some courses are taught in Arabic.

Do I need a visa to study in Jordan?

Most nationalities need a visa before entry, which the university helps to arrange with your acceptance letter. After arrival, almost all foreign students also need a residency permit.

How long do I have to get a residency permit?

Students have one to three months from entry to regularise their residency. The Ministry of Interior usually responds within three to four weeks.

Is a foreign high school diploma accepted in Jordan?

Foreign diplomas are assessed for equivalence with the Jordanian Tawjihi by the Ministry of Higher Education's Recognition and Certificates Equivalency Directorate. Check the requirements with your university before you apply.