Royal University of Fine Arts

The Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA) is a public university in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, specializing in architecture and fine arts.

The history of the Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA) can be traced back to 1917, when the French colonial government established the École des Arts Cambodgiens (Khmer Arts School) in Phnom Penh. The school was founded to preserve and promote traditional Khmer arts and culture, which had been in decline since the fall of the Angkor Empire in the 15th century.

In 1965, King Norodom Sihanouk transformed the École des Arts Cambodgiens into the Royal University of Fine Arts. The university was given the mandate to train artists, architects, and educators in the fields of fine arts and architecture.

The Royal University of Fine Arts flourished during the 1960s and early 1970s. The university's graduates went on to play a leading role in the development of Cambodia's modern arts and culture scene.

However, the Khmer Rouge regime, which came to power in 1975, closed the Royal University of Fine Arts along with all other educational institutions in Cambodia. Many of the university's faculty and students were killed or imprisoned during the Khmer Rouge regime.

The Royal University of Fine Arts was reopened in 1979 after the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime. The university has since grown to become one of the leading institutions of higher education in Cambodia. RUFA plays an important role in preserving and promoting the country's rich cultural heritage.

Royal University of Fine Arts is ranked as the #7 top university in Cambodia during 2025.