Checkout the Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence in Saudi Arabia....
Apr 07, 2025 11:55:27
Program: Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence
Language: English (especially for international students)
Notes: One of the top universities in Saudi Arabia, KSU is known for strong research programs.
Program: Bachelor’s in Artificial Intelligence
Language: English
Scholarships: Fully-funded scholarships for international students (KAU Scholarship)
Extras: Good reputation for international student support.
Program: BS in Artificial Intelligence
Language: English
Private university, with a modern curriculum focused on applied skills.
Program: BSc in Computer Science or Software Engineering with AI tracks
Highly competitive, excellent research environment.
Women-only university
Offers AI and Data Science programs focused on female empowerment in tech.
High school diploma (science stream preferred)
English proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL – usually required unless your education was in English)
Entrance exams (some may ask for general aptitude tests or math assessments)
Letters of recommendation, personal statement (depends on the institution)
Public universities: May offer free or low-cost education, especially with scholarships.
Private universities: Tuition may range from $5,000–$10,000+ USD per year.
Scholarships:
KAU Scholarship
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Scholarship
Islamic Development Bank Scholarships (for students from OIC countries)
Monthly expenses: Around $500–$800 USD depending on city and lifestyle.
Housing: University dorms or private accommodations.
Culture: Conservative, but rapidly modernizing. International students are welcomed, especially in academic hubs.
Emerging tech hub in the Middle East
Big investments in smart cities, like NEOM
Scholarship opportunities
Strong research focus in AI and Robotics
Offers a full Bachelor's program in Artificial Intelligence
One of the top public universities in the country
Programs often taught in English for international students
Offers a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence
Public university with scholarships available for international students
English-based instruction available
Private university with a strong tech focus
Offers a Bachelor's in AI with hands-on learning opportunities
English is the medium of instruction
Offers a Bachelor’s in Artificial Intelligence
A balance between technical education and ethical considerations in AI
Public university expanding into modern tech disciplines
Offers a Bachelor's in AI as part of its computing programs
Offers AI-focused undergraduate degrees under the College of Computer Science
Public university with growing reputation in applied sciences
Among the early institutions in Saudi Arabia to offer a full AI bachelor's
Offers a specialized curriculum aligned with current AI industry trends
Offers a BSc in Artificial Intelligence under the College of Computers and IT
Public university with increasing focus on STEM and AI
Women-only university
Offers a Bachelor's in AI and related technologies
Empowering women in Saudi Arabia’s growing tech scene
Must have completed high school (secondary education) or equivalent.
Preferably from a Science stream, with subjects like:
Mathematics
Physics
Computer Science (optional but helpful)
Most universities require a minimum GPA or percentage (often equivalent to 80% or higher).
Some may require high grades specifically in Math and Science subjects.
If English is not your first language or the language of instruction in your previous school:
IELTS (usually 5.5–6.0 minimum)
or TOEFL iBT (around 60–80 minimum)
Some universities may conduct their own English placement test.
Some universities may require a general aptitude or skills test.
For example: Qudrat (Saudi national aptitude test) for local students – international students may be exempt or take a similar test.
You might also need to sit for a university-specific test or interview.
A valid passport
Sometimes a student visa is needed before final admission (university helps with this after acceptance)
Most universities require a medical report showing the student is fit to study.
A certificate of good conduct or police clearance may be requested.
Typically, students must be between 17–25 years old for undergraduate studies.
High school certificate (with transcript)
Passport copy
Personal photo (passport size)
English language test score (IELTS/TOEFL)
Recommendation letters (optional, but helpful)
Statement of purpose or motivation letter (some universities)
Medical certificate
Police clearance certificate (if requested)
Mathematics
Introduction to Programming
Basic Computer Science
English/Academic Writing (if required)
Data Structures
Algorithms
Probability & Statistics
Discrete Math
Intro to AI
Machine Learning
Deep Learning
Natural Language Processing
Robotics or Computer Vision
Ethics in AI
AI Applications in real-world domains
AI Research or Industry Internship
Graduation Project (Capstone)
Starts: September
Application period: Usually opens around April – June
Best chance for admission and scholarships
Starts: January – February
Application period: Typically October – November
Not all universities offer Spring intake for international students or specialized programs like AI
Intake |
Application Period |
Semester Starts |
|---|---|---|
|
Fall |
April – June |
September |
|
Spring |
October – November |
January/February |
Visa processing
Equivalency of certificates
Scholarship applications (these often have earlier deadlines)
Fall intake only (for most majors)
International scholarship applications usually open in January and close by March or April
Application portal usually opens between May – June
Local and international students apply during the same window
Accepts applications year-round for some programs, but priority is given to Fall applications
Offers early decision for scholarship applicants
University Type |
Tuition Range (USD/year) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Public Universities |
Free – $2,000 |
Often free for international students on scholarship |
|
Private Universities |
$5,000 – $12,000 |
Fees vary based on program and reputation |
Tuition: Free for Saudi nationals and most scholarship recipients
International students may need to pay if not on scholarship (approx. $1,500 – $2,000/year without aid)
Highly recommended to apply for government or university-funded scholarships
Full scholarships available for international students (covering tuition, living, and travel)
Without a scholarship: Estimated $2,000/year (very limited seats for paid international admissions)
Tuition: Around $8,000 – $10,000/year
Offers partial scholarships and financial aid for outstanding students
One of the top private universities in Saudi Arabia
Tuition: Approximately $2,000 – $3,000/year
Lower cost due to blended model (part online)
Available to both local and international students
Tuition: Around $1,500 – $2,500/year
Affordable option for students looking for part-time or flexible AI-related degrees
Full tuition
Monthly stipend
Free housing/dorms
Health insurance
Airfare (round trip annually for some)
Tuition: Usually free
Monthly stipend: Around SAR 800–1000
Some public universities accept international students with scholarships.
Without a scholarship, costs can vary; some programs may cost SAR 20,000–40,000 per year (approx. USD 5,000–10,000).
Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU)
Alfaisal University
Effat University
University of Business and Technology (UBT)
Tuition: SAR 40,000–80,000 per year (approx. USD 10,500–21,000)
Duration: Usually 4 years
Housing: SAR 10,000–25,000
Food and transport: SAR 5,000–10,000
Books and materials: SAR 2,000–5,000
King Saud University (KSU) – Riyadh
King Abdulaziz University (KAU) – Jeddah
Prince Sultan University (PSU)
Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU)
Alfaisal University
Effat University – Offers BSc in AI for women
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University – BSc in AI & Data Science
Program name could be:
BSc in Artificial Intelligence
BSc in Computer Science with AI specialization
BSc in Data Science & AI
General eligibility criteria:
High school diploma (Science stream preferred)
Minimum GPA (usually 85% or above)
English proficiency:
IELTS (usually 5.5–6.0) or TOEFL (60+)
Qudrat and Tahsili exams (for Saudi students)
SAT or ACT scores (sometimes required for international applicants)
For private universities, they may have:
Personal interview
Math/logic placement tests
Apply via the Unified Admission Portal (for Riyadh or other regions)
Choose multiple universities/programs in your preferences
Submission typically happens June–July for fall intake
Apply directly on the university’s website
Some have rolling admissions or multiple intakes (Fall/Spring)
High school certificate + transcripts
Passport / National ID
English test results (IELTS/TOEFL)
Personal photo
Statement of purpose (sometimes)
Recommendation letters (rare, but a bonus)
Some universities offer scholarships (especially public ones)
You’ll need a student visa, issued after you’re accepted
Apply through the Saudi Ministry of Education’s portal for scholarships or direct with the university
If accepted, you'll receive an admission letter
Pay any tuition deposits (if applicable)
Complete medical checkups, visa, housing, and orientation
Offered to international students from selected countries.
Covers:
Full tuition
Free accommodation
Monthly stipend
Health insurance
Airfare tickets (sometimes round trip)
Eligibility:
High academic performance
Must be between 17–25 years old
Meet language and program-specific requirements
Good conduct and clean record
How to Apply:
Through the Saudi Ministry of Education or directly through the university
Applications typically open once a year
Offers fully funded scholarships to international students
Includes tuition, housing, monthly stipend, and other benefits
Preference given to high GPA students, especially in STEM fields like AI
Fully funded undergraduate scholarships
Benefits include stipend, accommodation, free healthcare, and travel tickets
Includes programs in Computer Science and AI-related fields
Offers merit-based and need-based scholarships
Covers partial to full tuition depending on academic performance
Offers internal scholarships for top-performing students
Covers full or partial tuition
Focuses on empowering women in STEM, including AI
Available to outstanding Saudi high school graduates
Covers full tuition, stipend, and guaranteed employment after graduation
Must pass rigorous selection, often including math, English, and logic assessments
Offered to Saudi nationals pursuing tech-related degrees
Includes financial aid and internship opportunities
Merit Scholarships: For students with high GPA or strong academic records
Sibling Discounts or Family Scholarships
Early admission discounts
Design and develop AI models and systems
Work with Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, etc.
Use big data to find trends and insights
High demand in government, finance, and oil industries
Focus on image/video analysis, facial recognition, autonomous systems
In demand in security, smart city projects, and health tech
Work on Arabic NLP tools, chatbots, voice assistants
Growing demand in fintech, government, and customer service automation
Join research labs or centers (like KAUST, KACST, or SDAIA)
Contribute to academic or industrial AI innovation
AI + Robotics is huge in Saudi Arabia’s smart city initiatives (like NEOM)
Robotics in healthcare, construction, logistics
Build smart apps, recommendation systems, intelligent automation tools
Finance (e.g., STC Pay, SNB) – fraud detection, AI trading
Healthcare – medical imaging, diagnostics, health data analytics
Mobility / Smart Cities – NEOM, Red Sea Project
Oil & Gas (e.g., Aramco, SABIC) – predictive maintenance, AI optimization
E-commerce & Tech (e.g., Noon, STC, Mobily) – recommendation engines, chatbots
Government & Public Sector – digital transformation via SDAIA, GASTAT, etc.
Vision 2030
National Strategy for Data & AI (NSDAI)
Establishment of SDAIA (Saudi Data and AI Authority)
Building of NEOM, a futuristic AI-powered smart city
Role |
Entry-Level Salary (SAR/month) |
|---|---|
|
AI Engineer |
10,000–18,000 |
|
Data Scientist |
12,000–20,000 |
|
NLP / Computer Vision Eng. |
12,000–22,000 |
|
AI Research Assistant |
8,000–15,000 |
|
Robotics Engineer |
10,000–18,000 |
