Arabic Language Courses and Universities in Saudi Arabia

Public Universities of Saudi Arabia Offering Arabic Language Courses to Indian Students

Public Universities in Saudi Arabia Offering Arabic Language Programs for Indian Students

University	Course Name	Intake	Duration	Eligibility	Fees	Scholarship
Islamic University of Madinah	Arabic Language Institute (Diploma in Arabic)	Twice a year (Jan & Aug)	2 years	Non-Arabic speaking Muslim males, High school certificate	Free	Fully funded (includes monthly stipend, free accommodation, meals)
King Saud University (Riyadh)	Arabic Language Program for Non-native Speakers	Once a year	1–2 years	High school pass, non-Arabic speaker	Approx. SAR 8,000–10,000 / year	Scholarships available
Umm Al-Qura University (Makkah)	Arabic Language Institute for Non-Native Speakers	August	2 years	High school pass, preferably Muslim	Free	Fully funded (covers tuition, accommodation, stipend)
Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University (Riyadh)	Arabic Language Institute	August	2 years	High school pass, non-Arabic speaker	Free	Fully funded
King Abdulaziz University (Jeddah)	Arabic Language Program	Once a year (September)	1–2 years	Non-Arabic speaker, High school graduate	SAR 6,000–10,000 / year	Scholarships available for international students
Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University (for females)	Arabic Language Institute for Non-Native Speakers	August	1–2 years	Female students, high school pass, non-Arabic speaker	Free	Fully funded (for selected students)

 

Universities in Saudi Arabia

Private Universities of Saudi Arabia Offering Arabic Language Courses to Indian Students

Private Universities in Saudi Arabia Offering Arabic Language Courses for Indian Students

University	Course Name	Intake	Duration	Eligibility	Fees (SAR)	Scholarship Availability
Al Yamamah University (Riyadh)	Arabic Language for Non-Native Speakers	Fall & Spring	6 months – 1 year	High school graduate, Non-Arabic speaker	~SAR 12,000 – 18,000 / year	Limited scholarships for internationals
Prince Sultan University (Riyadh)	Arabic Language Program	Fall only	1 year	High school pass, English proficiency (for visa/documentation)	~SAR 15,000 / year	No
Effat University (Jeddah – Female only)	Arabic Language for Beginners	September	1 year	Female, high school pass, non-Arabic speaker	~SAR 10,000 – 14,000 / year	Partial scholarships available
Dar Al-Hekma University (Jeddah – Female only)	Arabic as a Foreign Language	Fall	1 academic year	Female, high school pass	~SAR 14,000 / year	Yes (need-based)
Riyadh Elm University (Riyadh)	Arabic Language Certificate Program	Twice a year	6–12 months	High school or equivalent	~SAR 10,000 – 12,000	No
University of Business and Technology (UBT, Jeddah)	Arabic for Non-Native Speakers	Fall & Spring	6 months – 1 year	High school pass, non-Arabic speaker	~SAR 13,000 – 15,000	Not common, may vary by year

 

Study in Saudi Arabia

Benefits of Learning Arabic in Saudi Arabia

 1. Total Language Immersion

Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of the Arabic language and Islamic culture. By living and studying there, you're immersed in an environment where Arabic is spoken daily in real-life contexts—from markets and mosques to media and universities. This speeds up your learning dramatically compared to classroom-only study.

 2. Cultural and Religious Significance

For Muslim students, studying Arabic in Saudi Arabia offers the unique spiritual benefit of being close to Islam’s two holiest cities—Makkah and Madinah. Understanding Arabic deepens your connection to the Qur'an, Hadith, and Islamic heritage in an authentic environment.

 3. High-Quality Arabic Programs

Saudi universities—especially public ones like the Islamic University of Madinah or Umm Al-Qura—have long-standing, specialized Arabic language institutes for non-native speakers. These programs are well-structured, with experienced teachers and tailored curricula.

 4. Free Education & Scholarships

Many public universities offer fully funded scholarships, including tuition, accommodation, monthly stipends, and even airfare. This makes studying Arabic in Saudi Arabia not only high in quality but also financially accessible.

 5. International Networking Opportunities

You’ll be studying with students from all over the world—Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. It’s a great opportunity to build an international network of friends, scholars, and professionals, especially within Islamic and Arabic-speaking communities.

 6. Career Opportunities

Knowing Arabic opens doors in many fields: translation, education, international relations, diplomacy, Islamic finance, media, and even tech. Studying in Saudi Arabia gives you regional exposure and a cultural edge that employers value.

 7. Travel & Exploration

Beyond academics, Saudi Arabia is becoming more open to tourism and cultural exchange. From the Red Sea coast to the ancient Nabatean ruins of Al-Ula, you can explore the rich heritage of the Arabian Peninsula while practicing your Arabic.

 8. Deep Learning with Native Speakers

You’re not just learning vocabulary—you’re learning idioms, expressions, pronunciation, and cultural nuances directly from native speakers, which sharpens your fluency and comprehension far more effectively than learning abroad.
 

Art & Humanities in Saudi Arabia

Course Duration of Arabic Language Course in Saudi Arabia

 Standard Course Durations for Arabic Language Programs in Saudi Arabia

1. Short-Term Intensive Courses

   • Duration: 1 to 3 months

   • Offered by: Language centers or summer programs

   • Focus: Conversational Arabic, basic grammar, vocabulary

   • Suitable for: Tourists, beginners, or those with limited time

2. One-Year Certificate Programs

   • Duration: 9–12 months

   • Offered by: Public & private universities

   • Focus: Basic to intermediate Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)

   • Includes: Reading, writing, listening, speaking

   • Certificate awarded: Yes

3. Two-Year Diploma Programs

   • Duration: 2 academic years (4 semesters)

   • Offered by: Public universities like Islamic University of Madinah, Umm Al-Qura, etc.

   • Focus: Full fluency in Arabic, preparation for further studies in Arabic/Islamic studies

   • Scholarship availability: High

4. Bachelor’s Degree in Arabic Language

   • Duration: 4 years

   • Focus: Advanced Arabic, literature, grammar, linguistics

   • For: Students planning careers in teaching, research, translation
      

BA in Saudi Arabia

Intake of Arabic Language Course in Saudi Arabia

 Intake Schedule for Arabic Language Courses in Saudi Arabia

 Public Universities (e.g., Islamic University of Madinah, Umm Al-Qura, King Saud University)

• Main Intakes:

  • Fall Intake (September/October) – Most common

  • Spring Intake (January/February) – Some universities offer this as a second round

• Application Period:

  • Typically opens 6 to 9 months before the start date

  • For example: Applications for Fall 2025 may open in January to April 2025

• Mode:

  • Online applications through the university or the Saudi Ministry of Education portals

 Private Universities (e.g., Al Yamamah, Effat University, UBT)

• Intake Options:

  • Fall (September)

  • Spring (February)

  • Some offer Summer (June/July) intensive short-term courses

• Flexibility:

  • Private institutions may offer more flexible and rolling admissions, especially for short-term or certificate-based programs
     

Study in Saudi Arabia Fees and Cost of Accomodation

Eligibility to get into the Arabic Language Course in Saudi Arabia

 General Eligibility Criteria for Arabic Language Courses in Saudi Arabia

1. Educational Qualification

• Must have completed high school (10+2) or equivalent.

• Some universities may require minimum academic performance, especially for scholarships.

2. Age Limit

• Typically between 17 and 25 years old.

• Some institutions are flexible, especially private universities or paid programs.

3. Language Background

• Must be a non-native Arabic speaker.

• No prior knowledge of Arabic is required for beginner programs.

4. Nationality

• Open to international students, including Indians.

• Certain public universities (like Islamic University of Madinah) may require applicants to be Muslim.

5. Health & Conduct

• Must be medically fit.

• Good conduct certificate or character reference may be required.

• No criminal record.

6. Passport & Legal Requirements

• Must have a valid passport.

• Will need to meet the requirements for a Saudi student visa.

7. Additional Documents (Varies by University)

• Copy of high school certificates (translated into Arabic or English)

• Passport-sized photos

• Copy of passport

• Birth certificate

• Letters of recommendation (sometimes)

• Statement of purpose or motivation letter (for some programs)

• For scholarship applicants: parental consent and financial status forms (as required)

Arabic Language Course Fees in Saudi Arabia

 Typical Institutions Offering Arabic Courses:

1. King Saud University (Riyadh)

2. King Abdulaziz University (Jeddah)

3. Arabic Language Institute for Non-Native Speakers (various universities)

4. Private Language Centers (e.g., Berlitz, Wall Street English, local language academies)

5. Online platforms (Saudi-based or international with options for in-person sessions in KSA)

 Estimated Fees:

Type of Course	Duration	Estimated Cost (SAR)
University Program (e.g. semester)	3–6 months	3,000 – 7,000 SAR
Intensive Short Course	4–8 weeks	1,500 – 5,000 SAR
Private Language Institutes	Monthly	1,000 – 3,000 SAR
Private Tutor (1-on-1)	Hourly	100 – 250 SAR/hour
Online Course (with live classes)	Monthly	500 – 1,500 SAR

Other Language Courses in Saudi Arabia

 Popular Language Courses in Saudi Arabia

Language	Common Learners	Offered At
English	Students, professionals	Universities, private centers (e.g. Berlitz, Wall Street English, British Council)
French	Diplomats, students, expats	Alliance Française, private tutors
German	Students planning to study in Germany, medical professionals	Goethe-Institut, private centers
Spanish	Hobbyists, travelers	Private institutes, tutors
Chinese (Mandarin)	Business professionals, students	Confucius Institute, private language schools
Turkish	Language enthusiasts, heritage learners	Turkish Cultural Centers, tutors
Urdu / Hindi / Tagalog / Malayalam	Large South Asian and Filipino communities	Community centers, mosques, local tutors
Korean	K-pop fans, cultural interest	Korean Cultural Center (Riyadh), online platforms

 Types of Institutions Offering Language Courses

• Universities & Cultural Institutes
  (e.g., King Saud University, Alliance Française, Goethe-Institut)

• Private Language Centers
  (e.g., Berlitz, Wall Street English, Direct English)

• Embassy or Cultural Center Programs
  (e.g., Korean Cultural Center, Confucius Institute)

• Community-Based Learning / Private Tutors
  Especially for regional and Asian languages

 Typical Fee Range (Per Month)

Course Type	Fee (SAR/month)
Group Classes	1,000 – 2,500 SAR
Private 1-on-1 Lessons	150 – 300 SAR/hour
Online Courses	300 – 1,500 SAR

One Year Long Arabic Language Course in Saudi Arabia

1. Islamic University of Madinah (Madinah)

• Program: Arabic Language Institute

• Duration: 2-year program (but can exit after 1 year)

• Focus: Classical Arabic, grammar, reading, writing, and speaking.

• Eligibility: Males only, non-native Arabic speakers. Fully funded scholarships often available, including accommodation and monthly stipend.

2. Umm Al-Qura University (Makkah)

• Program: Arabic Language Institute for Non-Native Speakers

• Duration: 1 or 2 years

• Focus: Arabic for Islamic studies, communication, and comprehension.

• Eligibility: Open to international students; scholarships available.

3. King Saud University (Riyadh)

• Program: Arabic Institute for Non-Native Speakers

• Duration: 1–2 years

• Focus: Modern Standard Arabic, grammar, speaking, writing.

• Scholarship: Yes, typically includes tuition, housing, and a stipend.

4. Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University (Riyadh)

• Program: Arabic Language Institute

• Duration: 1–2 years

• Focus: Arabic for non-native speakers with preparation for Islamic studies.

• Scholarships: Full scholarships for international students available.