Art Colleges and Courses in Saudi Arabia

Best Art Universities in Saudi Arabia

 1. King Abdulaziz University (KAU) – Jeddah

Faculty: Faculty of Arts & Humanities
Programs:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts

• Bachelor in Graphic Design

• Islamic Arts

• Art History

• Interior Design

Intake: Fall (September), Spring (February)
Tuition Fees:

• Local: Free (for Saudi citizens)

• International: SAR 9,000 – SAR 15,000/year

Ranking:

• National: #1 (according to QS Arab Region Ranking 2024)

• Global: QS World University Ranking ~ #140

 2. Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) – Riyadh(Women Only)

College: College of Art and Design
Programs:

• Visual Arts

• Graphic Design and Digital Media

• Fashion & Textile Design

• Interior Design

Intake: Fall (September)
Tuition Fees:

• Free for Saudi nationals

• International: SAR 10,000 – SAR 14,000/year

Ranking:

• National: Top 5 (among women’s universities)

• Regional: Recognized for women's education excellence

 3. Dar Al-Hekma University – Jeddah (Private)

Programs:

• Bachelor of Interior Design

• Bachelor of Visual Communication

• Architecture (with Art Foundation)

• Digital Arts

Intake: Fall, Spring
Tuition Fees:

• SAR 70,000 – SAR 90,000/year

Ranking:

• Private university ranking: Top 10 in KSA

• Known for quality in design and digital arts education

 4. Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University – Dammam

College: College of Design
Programs:

• Interior Architecture

• Graphic Design & Multimedia

• Industrial Design

Intake: Fall
Tuition Fees:

• Free for Saudi citizens

• International: SAR 8,000 – SAR 12,000/year

Ranking:

• National: Top 10

 5. Effat University – Jeddah (Private, Women Only)

Programs:

• Visual and Digital Production (Film, Animation, Design)

• Architecture and Design

• Game Design and Development

Intake: Fall, Spring
Tuition Fees:

• SAR 75,000 – SAR 85,000/year

Ranking:

• Top-tier private women’s university

• Known for creative and digital arts programs

Notes:

• Tuition fees may vary slightly by department and level (undergraduate vs graduate).

• Saudi nationals often study free at public universities.

• Most programs are taught in Arabic, but private institutions like Effat and Dar Al-Hekma offer many English-taught courses.

• International students may have limited seats and different admission requirements.
   

Universities in Saudi Arabia

Art Courses in Saudi Arabia

 1. Fine Arts

• Drawing & Painting

• Sculpture

• Printmaking

• Mixed Media

• Islamic Art

Offered at:

• King Saud University (KSU)

• King Abdulaziz University (KAU)

• Princess Nourah University (PNU - Women)

• Taibah University (Madinah)

 2. Graphic Design & Digital Arts

• Visual Communication

• Motion Graphics

• Digital Illustration

• Branding & Typography

• UI/UX Design

Offered at:

• Dar Al-Hekma University

• Effat University

• Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University

• Prince Sultan University (PSU)

 3. Interior Design & Architecture

• Interior Architecture

• Spatial Design

• Sustainable Design

• Lighting & Furniture Design

Offered at:

• Dar Al-Hekma University

• Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University

• PNU

• Effat University

 4. Fashion & Textile Design

• Fashion Illustration

• Pattern Making

• Fashion Marketing

• Textile Technology

• Saudi Heritage Costume Design

Offered at:

• Princess Nourah University (PNU)

• Dar Al-Hekma University

• Effat University

 5. Digital Media & Visual Production

• Film & Animation

• Photography

• Game Design

• Video Editing & Post-production

• Storyboarding & Scriptwriting

Offered at:

• Effat University (BA in Visual & Digital Production)

• Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University

• Dar Al-Hekma University

 6. Islamic Arts & Calligraphy

• Arabic Calligraphy

• Ornamentation

• Manuscript Illumination

• Islamic Architecture Art

Offered at:

• King Saud University

• Islamic University of Madinah

• Umm Al-Qura University (Makkah)

• Taibah University

 Course Levels Available

Degree Level	Duration	Available At
Diploma	1–2 years	Vocational centers, some unis
Bachelor’s Degree	4 years	Most universities
Master’s Degree	2 years	Limited (KAU, KSU)
Short Courses/Workshops	Weeks to months	Art institutes & private centers

Other Institutions Offering Art Courses

• Saudi Arabia Society for Culture and Arts – Offers workshops in music, drawing, theater, calligraphy.

• Misk Art Institute (Riyadh) – A platform for contemporary art, exhibitions, and residencies.

• The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts – Focuses on Saudi heritage arts.
   

Study in Saudi Arabia

Bachelors of Art in Saudi Arabia

1. BA in Fine Arts

• Core Subjects: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Art History, Aesthetics

• Language: Mostly Arabic (some courses in English in private universities)

• Duration: 4 years

 Offered at:

• King Saud University (Riyadh)

• King Abdulaziz University (Jeddah)

• Princess Nourah University (Riyadh, Women)

• Taibah University (Madinah)

2. BA in Graphic Design / Visual Communication

• Core Subjects: Typography, Branding, Motion Graphics, UI/UX, Digital Illustration

• Tools: Adobe Suite, Figma, Sketch

• Language: Arabic or English

• Duration: 4 years

 Offered at:

• Dar Al-Hekma University (Jeddah)

• Effat University (Jeddah, Women)

• Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (Dammam)

• Prince Sultan University (Riyadh)

3. BA in Interior Design / Interior Architecture

• Core Subjects: Spatial Design, Furniture Design, Lighting, CAD Software, Sustainability

• Software: AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp

• Duration: 4 years

 Offered at:

• Dar Al-Hekma University

• Princess Nourah University

• Effat University

• Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University

4. BA in Islamic Art & Calligraphy

• Core Subjects: Arabic Calligraphy, Islamic Patterns, Ornamentation, Manuscript Illumination

• Special Focus: Traditional Saudi Art & Heritage

• Duration: 4 years

 Offered at:

• King Saud University

• Islamic University of Madinah

• Umm Al-Qura University (Makkah)

5. BA in Digital Media / Visual & Digital Production

• Core Subjects: Film, Animation, Photography, Storyboarding, Editing

• Tools: Adobe Premiere, After Effects, Maya, Blender

• Language: English

• Duration: 4 years

 Offered at:

• Effat University

• Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University

• Dar Al-Hekma University

 Tuition Fees Overview (Annual):

University	Saudi Nationals	International Students
Public Universities (e.g., KAU, KSU)	Mostly Free	SAR 8,000–15,000
Private (Effat, Dar Al-Hekma)	SAR 70,000–90,000	SAR 70,000–90,000

 Intake Periods:

• Fall Semester: September (Main intake)

• Spring Semester: February (Limited programs)

 General Admission Requirements:

• High School Certificate (Science/Arts Track)

• General Aptitude Test (Qudrat – for Saudis)

• English Proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS – for English-taught programs)

• Portfolio (for design/art programs, especially in private universities)

• Interview (for some creative courses)
   

Art & Humanities in Saudi Arabia

Masters of Art in Saudi Arabia

1. MA in Fine Arts

• Focus: Advanced Painting, Contemporary Art, Art Criticism, Curatorial Studies

• Research-Based / Studio-Based

• Language: Arabic (mostly), some English options in private universities

• Duration: 2 years

 Offered at:

• King Saud University (Riyadh)

• King Abdulaziz University (Jeddah)

• Taibah University (Madinah)

2. MA in Islamic Arts / Arabic Calligraphy

• Focus: Islamic Ornamentation, Arabic Calligraphy Styles, Restoration, Cultural Heritage

• Specialization in Traditional Saudi Art

• Language: Arabic

• Duration: 2 years

 Offered at:

• Islamic University of Madinah

• King Saud University

• Umm Al-Qura University (Makkah)

3. MA in Interior Design / Interior Architecture

• Focus: Advanced Design Theories, Sustainable Design, Smart Spaces, Design Research

• Tools: AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, 3Ds Max

• Language: English or Arabic

• Duration: 2 years

 Offered at:

• Dar Al-Hekma University (Jeddah, Private – Women)

• Princess Nourah University (Riyadh – Women)

• Effat University (Jeddah – Women)

4. MA in Visual Communication / Graphic Design

• Focus: Visual Identity Systems, Motion Graphics, Design Thinking, UX/UI Research

• Project-Based

• Language: English (Private) / Arabic (Public)

• Duration: 2 years

 Offered at:

• Effat University (Jeddah)

• Dar Al-Hekma University

• Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (Dammam)

5. MA in Digital Media / Visual & Digital Production

• Focus: Digital Storytelling, Film Production, 3D Animation, Game Art

• Language: English

• Duration: 2 years

 Offered at:

• Effat University (Jeddah)

• Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (Eastern Province)

 Tuition Fees (Estimated):

University	Saudis	International Students
Public Universities	Free–SAR 5,000/year	SAR 10,000–15,000/year
Private Universities	SAR 60,000–80,000/year	Same

 Intake Periods:

• Main Intake: Fall (September)

• Some offer Spring (February) intake

 Admission Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field (Art, Design, Architecture, etc.)

• GPA typically 2.75/4.00 or higher

• English Proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS for English programs)

• Portfolio (for design/art-based programs)

• Interview (often required by private universities)

• Research Proposal (for thesis-based programs)

 Top Art & Design Schools for Master's Programs

University	Notable For
King Saud University	Islamic Arts, Fine Arts
Effat University	Visual & Digital Production, Film
Dar Al-Hekma University	Interior Design, Graphic Design
Princess Nourah University	Fashion & Interior Design (Women only)
King Abdulaziz University	General Arts and Humanities

Want to Study in English?

• Effat University

• Dar Al-Hekma University

• Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University
   

MA in Saudi Arabia

PhD in Art in Saudi Arabia

1. King Saud University (KSU) – Riyadh

• Program: PhD in Islamic Arts / Art History

• Department: College of Arts / Department of Islamic Archaeology

• Specialization: Islamic ornamentation, architecture, manuscripts, calligraphy

• Language: Arabic

• Tuition: Free for Saudis; SAR 10,000–15,000/year for international students

2. King Abdulaziz University (KAU) – Jeddah

• Program: PhD in Visual Arts / Humanities (Art Track)

• Specialization: Art Criticism, Islamic Art, Art Education

• Language: Arabic

• Duration: 3–5 years

• Tuition: Free for Saudis; SAR 10,000+/year for international students

3. Umm Al-Qura University – Makkah

• Program: PhD in Islamic Art / Arabic Calligraphy

• Focus: Traditional Islamic design, manuscripts, Qur’anic arts

• Language: Arabic

• Special Note: Strong emphasis on historical and religious context

4. Taibah University – Madinah

• Program: PhD in Fine Arts / Islamic Decorative Arts

• Language: Arabic

• Focus: Integration of heritage arts with modern techniques

 Key Specializations

• Islamic Art & Architecture

• Calligraphy and Manuscript Studies

• Art History

• Art Education

• Contemporary Arab Visual Arts

• Museum Studies (in relation to art)

 Admission Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Art or related field (Fine Arts, Islamic Studies, Architecture, etc.)

• GPA: Usually minimum 3.0/4.0 or equivalent

• Research Proposal in your area of interest

• Arabic Proficiency (most programs are Arabic-taught)

• English Proficiency (for English-taught components or international applicants – IELTS/TOEFL)

• CV, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation

• Portfolio (if applicable – e.g., for Fine Arts or Visual Design)

 Intake & Duration

• Intake: Usually once a year (September/Fall)

• Duration: 3–5 years

• Study Mode: Full-time (some universities may allow part-time)

 Tuition & Scholarships

University	Saudi Nationals	International Students
Public Universities	Free	SAR 10,000–20,000/year
Scholarships	Available	Available via government or university grants

 

English taught Universities and Courses in Saudi Arabia

Eligibility Criteria for Art Course Program in Saudi Arabia

 1. Bachelor’s Degree in Art (BA, BFA, BID, etc.)

General Requirements:

• High School Certificate (Science or Arts stream)

• Minimum GPA: Usually 80% or above (may vary)

• General Aptitude Test (Qudrat) – for Saudi applicants

• Portfolio Submission: Required for design, fine arts, visual arts

• Interview or Entrance Exam: May be required (especially in private universities)

• Language:

  • Arabic: Most public universities

  • English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL): For private universities like Effat, Dar Al-Hekma, PSU

Recommended Schools:

• Effat University, Dar Al-Hekma, PNU, KAU

Documents:

• High school transcript

• ID or Iqama

• Passport (for international students)

• Portfolio (for art & design programs)

• Personal statement (sometimes)

 2. Master’s Degree in Art (MA, MFA, MID, etc.)

General Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Art, Design, Architecture, or related fields

• Minimum GPA: 2.75–3.0 out of 4.0

• Portfolio: Required for studio/practical art degrees (e.g., visual arts, interior design)

• Research Proposal: Required for academic or theory-based tracks

• Language:

  • Arabic for most public universities

  • English proficiency (IELTS ~6.0) for private universities

Documents:

• Bachelor’s degree & transcripts

• CV/Resume

• Portfolio (for creative courses)

• Personal Statement / Statement of Purpose

• English proficiency certificate

• Recommendation Letters (2–3)

Recommended Schools:

• Effat University, Dar Al-Hekma, King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University

 3. PhD in Art (PhD in Islamic Art, Art History, etc.)

General Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in Art, Art History, Islamic Art, Design, Architecture, or related field

• Minimum GPA: 3.0 out of 4.0 (or equivalent)

• Research Proposal in the intended area of study

• Portfolio (if applicable to the program)

• Language:

  • Most programs in Arabic

  • Some may accept English research with TOEFL/IELTS

Documents:

• Master’s degree certificate & transcripts

• Research Proposal

• Academic CV

• Letters of Recommendation (3)

• ID/Passport

• Proof of Language Proficiency

Recommended Schools:

• King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University, Umm Al-Qura University, Taibah University

 International Students: Additional Notes

• Must hold a valid passport and meet visa requirements

• May apply through international scholarship programs (e.g., KAU Scholarships)

• Must attest academic documents through the Saudi embassy

• Arabic proficiency required for most public universities (unless program is in English)

 Intake Periods

• Fall Intake: September (Primary intake)

• Spring Intake: February (Limited programs)

• Application deadlines typically close 3–6 months before semester starts

 
Intakes & Application Deadlines for Art Course in Saudi Arabia

 1. Major Intake Seasons

Semester	Intake Month	Application Opens	Application Deadline
Fall Semester	September	February–May	May–June (sometimes July)
Spring Semester	February	September–October	October–November

 University-wise Application Timeline (2025 Entry)

University	Intake	Applications Open	Deadline (Est.)
King Abdulaziz University (KAU)	Fall	Feb 2025	June 2025
King Saud University (KSU)	Fall	March 2025	June 2025
Princess Nourah University (PNU)	Fall	March 2025	May/June 2025
Effat University (Private)	Fall & Spring	Feb 2025 / Sep 2025	May 2025 / Nov 2025
Dar Al-Hekma University	Fall & Spring	Feb 2025 / Oct 2025	June / Nov 2025
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal Univ.	Fall	March 2025	May 2025

 For International Students

Key Deadlines:

• Start preparing documents by December–February

• Apply for KAU, KSU, or Islamic University Scholarships by March–May

• For private universities, applications are often open until July for Fall and November for Spring

 General Application Process Timeline

Step	Timeline
Prepare documents + portfolio	Jan–Mar (for Fall)
Apply online	Feb–June
Interviews / entrance tests	April–July
Offer letters issued	June–August
Visa processing (if needed)	July–Sept
Semester begins	September or February

Fees for Art Courses in Saudi Arabia

 1. Bachelor’s Degree (BA / BFA / BID)

University	Type	Saudi Students	International Students
King Saud University (KSU)	Public	Free	SAR 8,000–12,000 / year
King Abdulaziz University (KAU)	Public	Free	SAR 9,000–15,000 / year
Princess Nourah University (PNU)	Public (Women)	Free	SAR 8,000–10,000 / year
Dar Al-Hekma University	Private (Women)	SAR 70,000–85,000/year	Same for internationals
Effat University	Private (Women)	SAR 75,000–90,000/year	Same
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal Univ.	Public	Free	SAR 10,000–12,000 / year

 2. Master’s Degree (MA / MFA / MID)

University	Saudi Students	International Students
King Saud University (KSU)	Free – SAR 5,000/year	SAR 10,000–15,000/year
King Abdulaziz University (KAU)	Free – SAR 5,000/year	SAR 10,000–16,000/year
Effat University	SAR 70,000–80,000/year	Same
Dar Al-Hekma University	SAR 65,000–75,000/year	Same

 3. PhD in Art / Islamic Art / Art History

University	Saudi Students	International Students
King Saud University (KSU)	Free	SAR 10,000–15,000/year
King Abdulaziz University (KAU)	Free	SAR 12,000–18,000/year
Umm Al-Qura University	Free	SAR 10,000–15,000/year
Private Universities (Limited PhD)	N/A – Rare	N/A – Mostly research collaborations

 Additional Costs to Consider

Item	Estimated Annual Cost
Application Fee	SAR 200–500
Books & Materials	SAR 2,000–5,000
Art Supplies (for studio courses)	SAR 2,000–6,000
Accommodation (Dorm or Flat)	SAR 10,000–25,000
Health Insurance (for internationals)	SAR 1,000–2,000

 Scholarships Available

• Public Universities: Offer full/partial scholarships for local and international students (especially for Master’s & PhD)

• Private Universities: Offer merit-based discounts (Effat, Dar Al-Hekma offer up to 25% off)

• KAU & KSU: Full international scholarships (tuition, housing, stipend)