University of Jordan
The University of Jordan is a public university located in Amman, Jordan. Founded in 1962, and it is the largest and oldest institution of higher education in Jordan. It is located in the capital Amman in the Jubaiha District of Amman. The university comprises 25 faculties and offers 91 bachelor's programs and 161 postgraduate programs. According to its published strategy, it aims to strengthen its international profile and productivity across academic fields.
Enrollment grew from about 35,000 students in the early 2000s to roughly 45,000 by the mid-2010s, surpassing 50,000 in 2019. The university reports more than 200,000 graduates. Its student body includes about 12% international students. The faculty numbers roughly 1,600 members, about one-third of whom hold the rank of full professor. Most of them earned their academic qualifications at institutions in the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Arab world, in addition to who are University of Jordan alumni. The University District is considered to be one of the most developed parts of Amman, with a rich history of education, culture, and a high population density. Also, its street is a main street and one of the most vibrant streets in the city.
In terms of international recognition, the University of Jordan has secured the top spot locally and ranked 324th globally in the QS World University Rankings for 2026. This accomplishment further solidifies its position as a leading institution within the academic landscape.
Campuses
Amman
In 1962, the University of Jordan selected Jubaiha area as the construction site for its campus. Situated north of the capital, Amman, the conservatory offered ample space, picturesque views adorned with ancient cypress and pine trees, and a central location, close to significant landmarks in Jordan.Spanning an area of 1,200 dunums, equivalent to 0.463 square miles, The university's main campus in Jubaiha borders University Street, a major road connecting eastern and western Amman. The corridor includes cafés, restaurants, hotels, and student housing, and it is a common destination for students and visitors.
The campus features twelve gates, including one on the southern side, two on the eastern side, two on the northern side, and seven on the western side, notably the University Street side, which includes the main entrance. Also, the university designates four lots for student parking: near the School of Arts, the Admissions and Registration Unit by University Street, the School of Education at the northern gate, and the Scientific Parking area on the eastern side of the scientific faculties.
Aqaba
Aqaba Campus is the southern branch of the University of Jordan. It is located in Aqaba, Jordan, and it was established in 2009 as part of a national strategy to expand higher education and spur development in the Aqaba region. His Majesty King Abdullah II laid its foundation stone in April 2009. The campus occupies a distinguished location on the northern outskirts of Aqaba. The campus has developed a range of facilities and infrastructure to support student life. It features modern academic buildings. Recreational and sports facilities are also part of the campus, such as a multi-purpose gymnasium for indoor sports and other leisure amenities available to students. In 2024, the university began construction of a dedicated women's dormitory within the campus.History
Establishment
Before the University of Jordan was founded, Jordanians repeatedly called for establishing a national university. In the 1950s, many students pursued higher education abroad. In 1962, a British Army delegation met with the commanders of the Jordanian Army to negotiate terms for aid from the British government intended to help with the establishment of the University of Jordan. Before issuing the royal decree, King Hussein bin Talal discussed the project with Prime Minister Wasfi al-Tal, and they agreed to proceed. The king tasked al-Tal with leading the university's establishment. The royal decree stated:On the Opening ceremony of the university, King Hussein bin Talal, accompanied by his convoy, Prince Hassan bin Talal, and Jordanian Prime Minister Wasfi al-Tal, arrived at the university. They were warmly welcomed by the university's president, Nasir al-Din al-Asad, the head of the Board of Trustees, Samir Al-Rifai, and other members of the Board of Trustees.
During a ceremony held on 17 April 1965, King Hussein was presented with the university's first degree, an honorary doctorate. In a speech at the university auditorium, King Hussein said that establishing the university had long been a national aspiration and expressed his pride at its realization:
Early history
On 25 December 1965, the University of Jordan commenced its first day of teaching. At its inception, the university operated from three buildings with a budget of 50,000 dinars and eight faculty members, along with a small number of international professors. Early faculty included Nasir al-Din al-Asad, Abdul-Karim Gharaybeh, Fakher Aqel, Shawqi Daif, and Hashim Yaghi. The sole college was the Faculty of Arts, and enrollment was 167 students, including 17 female students.In its early years, the administration expanded infrastructure and added new faculties. In 1965, the School of Science and the School of Economics and Commerce were established alongside the School of Arts.
Jordanian media in late 1962 referred to the University of Jordan as "the Mother University". It was the first university established in the country. Early activities included the Samir Al-Rifai Theater hosting the first Jordanian theater production and a Department of Sociology initiative credited as the first Jordanian community project. The university also introduced a credit hour system, cited as the first in the Arab world. In its early years, it was organized as a state university that operated independently of the government, with scientific, financial, and administrative autonomy.
In its early years, instruction was in Arabic for the humanities and in English for scientific and technical fields. The humanities faculties included scholars such as Nasir al-Din al-Asad, Shawqi Daif, Hashem Yaghi, Nihad al-Mousa, Ibrahim al-Samarrai, and Abdulkareem Khalefah. The university initially followed an annual academic system, in 1968 it adopted a more flexible structure that broadened students' course choices.
1970–1990: Expansion and economic challenges
Despite political and security disruptions in Jordan in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the University of Jordan expanded. Between 1970 and 1990 it added new faculties and established research centers. During this period, Jordan's economy grew with financial assistance from the United States and several Arab states. The university added ten faculties, including Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Engineering, Nursing, Agriculture, Law, and Physical Education. Also, it created eight research centers, and established its teaching hospital.Other developments included establishing the Deanship of Student Affairs and the Deanship of Scientific Research. The university mosque was inaugurated on 10 June 1980 in a ceremony attended by King Hussein and Prince Hassan. On 6 April 1982, a royal decree established the Islamic Cultural Center.
Financial support for the university fluctuated during this period. It was increased from 225,000 Jordanian dinars in 1970 to 950,000 dinars by 1990.
1990–2000: Democratization and student movements
Following the lifting of martial law in Jordan, a period of political liberalization coincided with continued expansion at the university. In the 1990s, student activism intensified, including calls to establish a national student union, beginning at the University of Jordan.During this period, the administration adopted a single-vote system for electing student representatives to the University Council. A preparatory committee was elected in 1990, and in 1992 a Student Council was established, distinct from a full student union. University policies remained aligned with national political direction, which led to periodic tensions between student groups and administrators.
In 1998, the University Board of Trustees was reinstated, and the university regained academic, administrative, and financial autonomy. The Higher Education Council's authority for accreditation and quality assurance was transferred to the Accreditation Council.
2000–Present: Expansion and research development
During this period, the university established its Aqaba branch, introduced parallel and international admission programs, adopted blended learning, and student activism on campus increased.In 2000, government funding to the university fell to 400,000 Jordanian dinars. In the following years, the enrollment and faculty numbers increased. The university introduced new admission categories in 2000. It also admitted large cohorts under scholarship schemes based on social and political criteria. They included grants for students from under-served regions, tribal communities, and the children of military and security personnel.
In 2008, during the presidency of Khaled Al-Karaki, the university established its Aqaba branch, and began operating in 2009. From 2000 to 2011, the university reported 78 patents, 752 books, and 8,764 research papers by its faculty.
A significant institutional milestone was achieved in 2008 under the presidency of Khaled Al-Karaki when the university established its Aqaba branch, which began operations in 2009. Between 2000 and 2011, the university registered 78 patents, published 752 books, and produced 8,764 research papers authored by its faculty members.
In the early 2010s, the administration adopted a plan to position the University of Jordan as an internationally oriented, research-focused institution. The plan allocated 5% of the annual budget to scientific research, and graduate offerings expanded to 111 master's programs, 38 doctoral programs, and 16 higher-specialization programs in medicine.
Student activism also intensified during the 2010s, with several influential student organizations shaping campus political discourse. Prominent electoral lists included Nashama, Ahl Al-Himma, Al-Awda, Al-Karama, and Al-Tajdeed, among others.
In 2012, during the university's Golden Jubilee, King Abdullah II inaugurated the celebration at Al-Hassan Bin Talal Auditorium, where former university presidents were honored and several new facilities were opened. In his address, the university president reported that since its founding the University of Jordan had graduated 159,383 students.