The American University of Kuwait was established by Amiri Decree 139 in 2003 and was accredited in 2006 and re-accredited in 2008, by the Council for Private Universities, Ministry of Higher Education - State of Kuwait.

The American University of Kuwait (AUK) is an independent, private, equal opportunity, and co-educational liberal arts institution of higher education. The educational, cultural, and administrative structure, methods and standards of AUK are based on the American model of higher learning. Instruction is conducted in English.