Founded in 2005, Royal University for Women is a private higher-education institution located in the small city of West Riffa (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Southern Governorate. Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education of Bahrain, Royal University for Women (RUW) is a women only Bahraini higher education institution. Royal University for Women (RUW) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. RUW also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.