Checkout the Architecture Colleges and Courses in Saudi Arabia....
Mar 31, 2025 03:10:06
Bachelor of Architecture
Master of Architecture and Urban Planning
PhD in Architecture
Undergrad: ~SAR 20,000 – 30,000/year (~USD 5,300 – 8,000)
Postgrad: ~SAR 25,000 – 35,000/year (~USD 6,600 – 9,300)
QS Arab Region Ranking: Top 10
QS World University Ranking 2024: ~201–250
Bachelor of Architecture & Building Science
Master of Architecture
Master of Urban Planning
PhD in Architecture (limited seats)
Undergrad: SAR 25,000 – 40,000/year (~USD 6,600 – 10,600)
Postgrad: SAR 30,000 – 45,000/year (~USD 8,000 – 12,000)
QS World Ranking 2024: ~201–250
Top public university in Saudi Arabia
Bachelor of Architecture (BArch)
Bachelor of Interior Design (often under same faculty)
SAR 66,000 – 75,000/year (~USD 17,600 – 20,000)
QS Arab Region: Top 50 private universities
Strong reputation in private education
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Interior Architecture
~SAR 55,000 – 65,000/year (~USD 14,500 – 17,300)
Good local reputation, especially among private institutions
Bachelor of Architecture
Master in Urban and Regional Planning
Undergrad: ~SAR 20,000 – 30,000/year
Postgrad: ~SAR 25,000 – 35,000/year
QS Arab Region: Top 50
Good in engineering and applied sciences
Many public universities like KAU and KSU offer fully funded scholarships for outstanding international students, including:
Full tuition waiver
Monthly stipend
Free accommodation
Health insurance
Program |
Duration |
Common Subjects |
Language |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) |
5 years |
Design Studios, Construction, Urban Planning, History of Architecture, Sustainability |
Arabic (public) / English (some private) |
Accredited by the Saudi Council of Engineers |
|
Bachelor of Interior Architecture / Interior Design |
4–5 years |
Interior Spaces, Furniture Design, Lighting, Human Behavior, Materials |
English / Arabic |
Available in private unis like Dar Al Uloom, Prince Sultan |
|
Bachelor of Architectural Engineering |
5 years |
Structures, Building Systems, Design, Environmental Tech |
Arabic / English |
Blend of architecture + engineering |
|
Bachelor of Urban Planning & Design |
4 years |
City Planning, GIS, Transport Systems |
Arabic (some English) |
Offered at places like King Saud University |
Program |
Duration |
Focus Areas |
Language |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Master of Architecture (M.Arch) |
2 years |
Advanced Design, Digital Tools, Sustainable Design |
English / Arabic |
Offered at KAU, KSU, etc. |
|
Master of Urban & Regional Planning |
2 years |
City Development, Infrastructure, GIS |
Arabic / English |
Good for planning/government roles |
|
Master in Interior Architecture |
2 years |
Advanced interiors, branding, user experience |
English |
Available in private institutions |
|
PhD in Architecture |
3–5 years |
Research-intensive, specialized topics |
Mostly Arabic |
Offered in select universities like KAU |
King Abdulaziz University (KAU) – Jeddah
King Saud University (KSU) – Riyadh
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University – Dammam
Prince Sultan University – Riyadh (Private, English-taught)
Dar Al Uloom University – Riyadh (Private)
Effat University – Jeddah (Women’s university, strong design programs)
Year |
Focus |
|---|---|
|
Year 1 |
Foundations of Design, Drawing, History of Architecture |
|
Year 2 |
Design Studio I & II, Construction Methods, Materials |
|
Year 3 |
Structural Systems, Building Codes, Urban Design |
|
Year 4 |
Sustainable Design, Project Management, Electives |
|
Year 5 |
Graduation Project, Internship, Research Methods |
Program: Bachelor of Architecture & Building Science
Language: Arabic (some courses in English)
Tuition (International): ~SAR 25,000/year (~USD 6,600)
Intake: September (Fall)
QS World Ranking: Top 250 globally
Program: B.Arch under the Faculty of Environmental Design
Language: Arabic
Tuition (International): ~SAR 20,000–30,000/year (~USD 5,300–8,000)
Scholarships: Full scholarships for international students (includes tuition, monthly stipend, and housing)
Intake: September
Program: Bachelor of Architecture
Language: English
Tuition: ~SAR 66,000/year (~USD 17,600)
Intake: Fall (September), Spring (January)
Notes: Modern curriculum, good design facilities, and international faculty
Program: Bachelor of Architecture
Language: English
Tuition: ~SAR 55,000–65,000/year (~USD 14,500–17,300)
Intake: Fall and Spring
Focus: Sustainability, Urbanism, Contemporary Design
Program: Bachelor of Architecture
Language: English
Tuition: ~SAR 70,000/year (~USD 18,600)
Special Focus: Women in architecture, heritage preservation
Intake: Fall and Spring
Year |
Focus Areas |
|---|---|
|
Year 1 |
Architectural Drawing, Design Basics, Math, History |
|
Year 2 |
Design Studio, Building Technology, Environmental Systems |
|
Year 3 |
Structural Systems, Materials, CAD/BIM, Urban Studies |
|
Year 4 |
Project Management, Sustainable Design, Studio |
|
Year 5 |
Final Year Design Project, Internship, Research Seminar |
High school diploma or equivalent (science/math stream preferred)
Portfolio (sometimes required for private universities)
English proficiency (for English programs): IELTS 5.5–6.0 or equivalent
Valid passport, visa requirements for international students
Statement of Purpose or Interview (some private unis)
Massive urban development (NEOM, The Line, Vision 2030)
Strong demand for architects, planners, and designers
Government-backed scholarships for foreign students
Exposure to Islamic architecture + modern design
Affordable cost compared to Western countries
Program: Master of Architecture
Language: Arabic (may include some English materials)
Duration: 2 years + thesis
Tuition (International): ~SAR 25,000–35,000/year (~USD 6,600–9,300)
Scholarships: Fully funded scholarships available for international students
Intake: September (Fall)
Ranking: QS World Top 250
Program: Master of Architecture
Language: Mostly Arabic, with some courses in English
Tuition: SAR 30,000–40,000/year (~USD 8,000–10,600)
Intake: Fall
Special Focus: Urbanization, Sustainability, Islamic Architecture
Ranking: QS World Top 250
Program: Master in Urban & Regional Planning (Architecture-aligned)
Language: Arabic
Tuition: ~SAR 25,000–35,000/year
Focus: Planning, Urban Development, Smart Cities
Program: Currently offers Bachelor of Architecture, postgraduate options are in development or through partner universities
Language: English
Tuition: N/A for M.Arch, but undergrad is ~SAR 66,000/year (~USD 17,600)
Intake: Fall, Spring
Note: Great option if they open Master’s programs in architecture soon
Program: Master of Urban Design (Architecture-related)
Language: English
Duration: 2 years
Tuition: ~SAR 70,000/year (~USD 18,600)
Focus: Urban resilience, city design, sustainable urban systems
Intake: Fall and Spring
Semester |
Courses |
|---|---|
|
Year 1 |
Advanced Design Studio, Architectural Theory, Sustainable Architecture, Research Methods |
|
Year 2 |
Urban Design, Digital Tools (BIM/Parametric Design), Thesis Prep |
|
Final Semester |
Master's Thesis or Final Project |
Requirement |
Notes |
|---|---|
|
Bachelor’s Degree |
In Architecture or closely related field |
|
GPA |
Typically 2.75/4.0 or higher (or equivalent) |
|
Language Proficiency |
TOEFL/IELTS for English programs; Arabic proficiency for Arabic programs |
|
Portfolio |
Often required (especially for design-based programs) |
|
Recommendation Letters |
Usually 2–3 from professors or professionals |
|
Statement of Purpose |
Explaining motivation and goals |
|
Resume/CV |
With academic and project background |
Program: PhD in Architecture (under Faculty of Environmental Design)
Language: Primarily Arabic, but many professors supervise in English
Duration: 3–4 years (full-time)
Structure: Coursework (1 year) + Research + Dissertation
Focus Areas: Sustainable architecture, Islamic architecture, urban regeneration, architectural education
Scholarships: Fully funded PhD scholarships available for international students (tuition + monthly stipend + accommodation)
Program: PhD in Architecture and Building Science
Language: Arabic (some supervision possible in English)
Duration: 3–5 years
Structure: Includes qualifying exam, research proposal defense, and final thesis defense
Specializations: Smart cities, vernacular architecture, building technology, urban morphology
Scholarships: Offered for high-performing international students through the Ministry of Education
Program: Doctorate in Architecture (or Urban & Regional Planning – architecture-related)
Language: Arabic
Duration: 3–4 years
Focus: Urbanism, planning, sustainability, coastal development
Scholarships: Yes, limited quota for non-Saudis
Phase |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Year 1 |
Research methods, advanced theory, proposal development |
|
Year 2 |
Fieldwork, data collection, publication of papers |
|
Year 3+ |
Thesis writing, journal submission, viva (oral defense) |
Requirement |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Master’s Degree |
In Architecture or closely related field (Urban Planning, Design, etc.) |
|
GPA |
Minimum of 3.0/4.0 or equivalent |
|
Language Proficiency |
TOEFL or IELTS (for English tracks), or Arabic proficiency for Arabic programs |
|
Research Proposal |
Detailed outline of intended research area |
|
Portfolio |
Required in design-oriented research |
|
Letters of Recommendation |
Usually 2 or 3 from academic/professional referees |
|
CV / Resume |
With academic achievements, research experience |
|
Interview |
May be conducted via video or in person |
University |
Tuition |
Scholarships |
|---|---|---|
|
KAU |
SAR 30,000/year |
Fully funded scholarships for international students |
|
KSU |
SAR 35,000/year |
Merit-based and government scholarships |
|
Imam Abdulrahman |
SAR 25,000–30,000/year |
Partial scholarships available |
Strong focus on Islamic architecture, sustainability, and urban innovation
Opportunities to contribute to Vision 2030 projects (NEOM, The Line, Diriyah)
Access to fully funded scholarships for international students
Growing academic research culture and collaborations with global institutions
State-of-the-art infrastructure and architectural heritage context
Requirement |
Details |
|---|---|
|
High School Certificate |
Science or math stream preferred (with strong grades in Math & Physics) |
|
Minimum GPA / Grade |
Typically 80–85% or above (or equivalent to 3.0/4.0 GPA) |
|
Standardized Tests |
For Saudi students: Qudrat + Tahsili (general aptitude + subject test) |
|
International Students |
Recognized equivalent of high school diploma + transcripts + translation |
|
Language Proficiency |
- Arabic-taught programs: Must demonstrate Arabic proficiency |
|
- English-taught programs (e.g. private universities): IELTS 5.5–6.0 or TOEFL iBT 60+ |
|
|
Portfolio |
Sometimes required for private universities (to assess design aptitude) |
|
Passport/Visa |
For international students: Valid passport, student visa eligibility |
Requirement |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Bachelor’s Degree |
In Architecture, Architectural Engineering, or related design field |
|
Minimum GPA |
Usually 2.75–3.0 out of 4.0 (or equivalent) |
|
Language Proficiency |
- For English-medium programs: IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL iBT 70–80+ |
|
- Arabic programs may require Arabic fluency |
|
|
Portfolio |
Often required to showcase design/research skills |
|
Statement of Purpose (SOP) |
Describing goals, interest in architecture, research interests |
|
Recommendation Letters |
2–3 academic/professional references |
|
Interview |
May be conducted in person or online for shortlisted candidates |
|
Equivalency Certificate |
International degrees may require attestation/equivalency by the Saudi Ministry of Education |
Requirement |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Master’s Degree |
In Architecture or related field (Urban Design, Planning, etc.) |
|
Minimum GPA |
Generally 3.0/4.0 or higher |
|
Research Proposal |
Clear and original research topic aligned with university expertise |
|
Portfolio |
Required if research is design-based |
|
English / Arabic Proficiency |
Depending on language of instruction (IELTS 6.5+ if English) |
|
Publications |
Not mandatory, but prior research publications are a plus |
|
Interview |
Often required (with faculty or admissions committee) |
|
Academic References |
2–3 letters from professors or professionals in architecture field |
Intake |
Term |
Application Period |
|---|---|---|
|
Fall Intake |
September / October |
March to July (most common) |
|
Spring Intake |
January / February |
September to November (available at select universities, mostly private) |
|
Summer Intake |
Rare |
Only for short courses or specific programs |
University |
Intake |
Application Period |
|---|---|---|
|
King Saud University (KSU) |
Fall only |
March – May |
|
King Abdulaziz University (KAU) |
Fall only |
April – July |
|
Prince Sultan University (PSU) (Private) |
Fall & Spring |
May – August (Fall), October – December (Spring) |
|
Dar Al Uloom University (Private) |
Fall & Spring |
May – August (Fall), Oct – Dec (Spring) |
|
Effat University (Women’s) |
Fall & Spring |
March – August (Fall), October – December (Spring) |
University |
Intake |
Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
|
KAU – Jeddah |
Fall only |
April – July |
|
KSU – Riyadh |
Fall only |
March – May |
|
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal Univ. |
Fall |
April – June |
|
Effat University (Private) |
Fall & Spring |
June (Fall), November (Spring) |
|
Prince Sultan University (Private) |
(Program being developed) |
— |
University |
Intake |
Application Period |
|---|---|---|
|
KAU – Jeddah |
Fall only |
February – June (for international applicants) |
|
KSU – Riyadh |
Fall only |
March – May |
|
Imam Abdulrahman University |
Fall |
April – June |
Scholarship Deadlines (especially at KAU & KSU): Usually close by May–June for Fall intake.
Visa Processing: Allow 6–8 weeks after admission offer for visa paperwork.
Document Translation: All non-Arabic documents (transcripts, diplomas) must be officially translated and attested.
University |
Type |
Language |
Tuition Fees (Annual) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
King Abdulaziz University (KAU) – Jeddah |
Public |
Arabic |
SAR 20,000–30,000 (~USD 5,300–8,000) |
Free for scholarship students |
|
King Saud University (KSU) – Riyadh |
Public |
Arabic |
SAR 25,000–35,000 (~USD 6,600–9,300) |
Competitive admission |
|
Prince Sultan University (PSU) – Riyadh |
Private |
English |
SAR 66,000–75,000 (~USD 17,600–20,000) |
Installment plans available |
|
Dar Al Uloom University – Riyadh |
Private |
English |
SAR 55,000–65,000 (~USD 14,600–17,300) |
Offers Interior Architecture too |
|
Effat University – Jeddah (Women’s) |
Private |
English |
SAR 65,000–75,000 (~USD 17,300–20,000) |
Scholarships for high achievers |
University |
Type |
Language |
Tuition Fees (Annual) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
KAU – Jeddah |
Public |
Arabic (some English support) |
SAR 25,000–35,000 (~USD 6,600–9,300) |
Fully funded scholarships available |
|
KSU – Riyadh |
Public |
Arabic |
SAR 30,000–40,000 (~USD 8,000–10,600) |
Merit-based admission |
|
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal Univ. – Dammam |
Public |
Arabic |
SAR 25,000–30,000 (~USD 6,600–8,000) |
Affordable and quality program |
|
Effat University – Jeddah |
Private |
English |
SAR 70,000–80,000 (~USD 18,600–21,300) |
Urban Design focus |
University |
Type |
Tuition Fees (Annual) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
KAU – Jeddah |
Public |
SAR 30,000–35,000 (~USD 8,000–9,300) |
Often fully funded for international students |
|
KSU – Riyadh |
Public |
SAR 35,000–40,000 (~USD 9,300–10,600) |
Research-focused; funding available |
|
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal Univ. |
Public |
SAR 25,000–30,000 (~USD 6,600–8,000) |
Arabic medium |
Public Universities (KAU, KSU, etc.)
Offer fully funded scholarships for outstanding international students
Tuition waiver
Monthly stipend (SAR 1,900–2,500)
Free housing
Health insurance
Round-trip airfare
Apply early (Feb–June for Fall intake)
May offer:
Merit-based discounts
Sibling or alumni scholarships
Financial aid (limited)
