Checkout the Graphic Design Courses and Colleges in Saudi Arabia....
Apr 01, 2025 11:33:32
College: College of Art & Design
Program: Bachelor of Graphic Design and Digital Media
For: Female students only
Key Info:
Language: Arabic (some courses may offer English support)
Duration: 4 years
Tuition Fees: ~$3,000 – $4,000/year (for international students)
Intake: September (Fall semester)
Ranking: Among top 10 in Saudi Arabia for female education
International Students: Yes, but limited to female applicants
Program: Bachelor of Graphic Design
Accreditation: NCAAA (Saudi), NASAD (USA-accredited program)
Key Info:
Language: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition Fees: ~$13,000 – $15,000/year
Intake: Fall (September), Spring (January)
Ranking: One of the top private universities for design in Saudi Arabia
International Students: Yes (more open than public universities)
Program: Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design
College: College of Architecture and Design
Key Info:
Language: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition Fees: ~$14,000 – $16,000/year
Intake: Fall (September), Spring (January)
Ranking: Recognized for strong design and creative programs
International Students: Yes
Program: Bachelor of Graphic Design and Multimedia
College: College of Design
Key Info:
Language: Arabic (with some English support)
Duration: 4 years
Tuition Fees: ~$2,500 – $3,500/year
Intake: Fall (September)
Ranking: Top 15 in KSA; public university
International Students: Limited quotas available; mostly Arab nationals
Program: Bachelor in Graphic Design
College: College of Art and Design
Key Info:
Language: Arabic
Duration: 4 years
Tuition Fees: ~$2,000 – $3,000/year
Intake: Fall only (September)
Ranking: Mid-tier public university
International Students: Accepts via scholarship or special application
High school diploma (with transcript)
English proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL) – required for English-taught programs
Portfolio (for Graphic Design programs)
Passport and residency documents
Entrance exam or interview (depends on university)
College: College of Design and Architecture
Language of Instruction: English
Why it’s great for Indian students:
NASAD-accredited (recognized in the US)
English-taught curriculum
Welcomes Indian students actively
Duration: 4 years
Fees: ~$13,000 to $15,000 USD/year
Intake:
Fall (September)
Spring (January)
Eligibility:
High school completion with minimum GPA (converted to Saudi standard)
IELTS 5.5+ or TOEFL iBT 60+
Design portfolio
Personal interview may be required
College: College of Architecture & Design
Language: English
Why it’s great:
Diverse international student body
Partnerships with U.S. institutions
Offers exchange programs
Duration: 4 years
Fees: ~$14,000 – $16,000 USD/year
Intake: Fall (September), Spring (January)
Requirements:
Indian high school certificate (with attestation)
IELTS/TOEFL
Design portfolio
Visa & student residency sponsorship
Language: English
Duration: 4 years
Fees: ~$12,000 USD/year
Intake: Fall only (September)
Why it works for Indian students:
International curriculum
Located in Riyadh with diverse expat community
Accredited programs
While not a full B.A. in Graphic Design, Alfaisal offers creative design and media production as minors with business or engineering programs.
Good for Indian students who want to mix design with tech or management.
Language: Mostly Arabic (some support in English)
Fees: Very affordable (~$2,000/year)
Eligibility for Indians:
Limited international seats
Need to apply through Saudi government scholarship program
Not the best fit unless you know Arabic or get a government scholarship.
Visa Process:
Accepted students get sponsorship from the university
Must apply for a student visa (Iqama)
Documents Required:
Indian high school certificate (attested by Saudi Embassy & MEA)
Passport
Portfolio (for design programs)
English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
Scholarships:
Private universities sometimes offer merit-based scholarships (especially Effat and Dar Al-Hekma)
Saudi Government Scholarships available through KASP (King Abdullah Scholarship Program), but highly competitive
Type: 2-year diploma
Language: English
Accreditation: Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC)
Why choose CBT:
Strong industry connections in Jeddah
Hands-on training in Adobe Creative Suite, UX/UI design, animation
Tuition Fees: SAR 25,000–30,000 per year ($6,700–$8,000 USD)
Intake: Fall (September), Spring (January)
Eligibility:
High school certificate (10+2)
Basic English proficiency
Portfolio may be requested
Accepts international students
Offers career placement assistance
Type: 1-year fast-track diploma
Language: English
Global Accreditation: Part of the SAE Global Network (Australia-based)
Why SAE:
International standard in creative media
Project-based learning
Adobe certified instructors
Tuition Fees: SAR 30,000–35,000 total ($8,000–$9,300 USD)
Intake: Rolling (multiple intakes per year)
Great for building a portfolio
Popular with expats and creatives
Accepts Indian and other international students
Type: 2–3 years
Language: Arabic (some English modules may be offered)
Locations: Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and other regions
Why TVTC:
Government-funded technical education
Very low tuition for residents; affordable for internationals
Industry-oriented training
Fees: SAR 8,000–12,000/year ($2,000–$3,200 USD)
Intake: Fall (September)
Mostly Arabic-taught
Good option for those fluent in Arabic
Type: 6–12 months
Language: English
Focus: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Branding, Packaging
Why AlKhaleej:
Flexible part-time options
Evening/weekend classes
Industry-focused
Fees: SAR 15,000–18,000 ($4,000–$4,800 USD)
Intake: Monthly or quarterly batches
Accepts Indian and expat students
Certificate awarded upon completion
High school diploma (10+2)
Passport copy
English proficiency (for English-taught programs)
Portfolio (for advanced diplomas or design-focused schools)
Visa/residency or sponsorship if not already in KSA
Institute |
Duration |
Language |
Fees (USD) |
Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SAE Institute |
1 year |
English |
$8,000–$9,000 |
Fast-track, creative career |
|
CBT Jeddah |
2 years |
English |
$6,700–$8,000/year |
Practical + creative training |
|
AlKhaleej |
6–12 months |
English |
$4,000–$4,800 |
Short-term, flexible learning |
|
TVTC |
2–3 years |
Arabic |
$2,000–$3,000/year |
Budget-friendly, Arabic speakers |
College: College of Design and Architecture
Language: English
Program Length: 4 years
Accreditation: NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art and Design – U.S. based)
Key Highlights:
Project-based learning and design studios
Courses in branding, typography, digital illustration, motion graphics
Internships with Saudi design firms
Tuition Fees: SAR 50,000–56,000/year ($13,000–$15,000 USD)
Intake:
Fall (September)
Spring (January)
For: Female students only
International Students: Yes (accepts Indian and other nationals)
College: College of Architecture and Design
Language: English
Duration: 4 years
Accreditation: Local + international partnerships
Specializations: Branding, digital media, print design, motion graphics
Internship Included: Yes
Tuition Fees: SAR 52,000–60,000/year ($14,000–$16,000 USD)
Intake: Fall (Sep), Spring (Jan)
For: Female students only
International Students: Yes (Indian-friendly admissions)
Language: English
Duration: 4 years
Specializations: Visual communication, UI/UX, digital branding
Accreditation: NCAAA + International partnerships
Tuition Fees: SAR 45,000–50,000/year ($12,000–$13,300 USD)
Intake: Fall (September)
International Students: Yes
Co-ed: (Open to both male and female students)
Language: Arabic (Some courses may have English support)
Duration: 4 years
College: College of Design
Tuition Fees: SAR 10,000–12,000/year ($2,600–$3,200 USD)
Intake: Fall (September)
International Students: Limited quota (may require Saudi government scholarship)
Best for: Arabic-speaking applicants
For Women Only
Language: Arabic (some courses in English)
Duration: 4 years
College: College of Art and Design
Tuition: SAR 8,000–10,000/year ($2,100–$2,700 USD)
Intake: Fall (September)
International Students: Accepts female students only, limited to those with residency or government scholarships
Language: Arabic
College: College of Art and Design
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: SAR 8,000–12,000/year ($2,000–$3,200 USD)
International Students: With limitations
Best for: Students already residing in Saudi Arabia or applying via scholarship
University |
Language |
Gender |
Fees (USD/year) |
Intake |
Accepts Int’l Students? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dar Al-Hekma |
English |
Female |
$13K–$15K |
Sep, Jan |
Yes |
|
Effat University |
English |
Female |
$14K–$16K |
Sep, Jan |
Yes |
|
Prince Sultan Univ. |
English |
Co-ed |
$12K–$13K |
Sep |
Yes |
|
Imam Abdulrahman |
Arabic |
Female |
$2.6K–$3.2K |
Sep |
Limited |
|
Princess Nourah Univ. |
Arabic |
Female |
$2.1K+ |
Sep |
Yes (with conditions) |
|
Univ. of Jeddah |
Arabic |
Co-ed |
$2K+ |
Sep |
Conditional |
College: College of Design and Architecture
Language: English
Duration: 2 years (Full-time)
Accreditation: NASAD (USA)
Focus Areas:
Visual storytelling
Data visualization
Design thinking & UX
Interactive design systems
Why it's great:
Closest to an MFA in Graphic Design
Project-based, research-heavy curriculum
Strong industry ties and creative faculty
Tuition Fees: SAR 85,000 total ($22,500 USD)
Intake: Fall (September)
Eligibility:
Bachelor's in Design or related field
Portfolio
English proficiency (IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 79)
Interview (if shortlisted)
Open to international students
Female students only
Note: While not a dedicated Graphic Design program, it includes visual communication, design strategy, and creative research modules
Language: English
Duration: 2 years
Tuition Fees: SAR 90,000–100,000 total ($24,000–$26,500 USD)
Intake: Fall (September)
Eligibility:
Bachelor's degree in design, architecture, or related fields
IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 79
Portfolio may be required
Female students only
Accepts international applicants
More design-planning hybrid than pure graphic design
Language: Mostly Arabic
Duration: 2 years
College: College of Arts & Humanities
Why it’s relevant:
You can specialize in Graphic Design, Branding, or Multimedia in your thesis
Some courses in English depending on supervisor
Tuition: SAR 10,000–15,000/year (~$2,700–$4,000 USD)
Eligibility:
Arabic language proficiency
Portfolio
Bachelor's in related field
More suited for Arabic-speaking applicants
Saudi Government Scholarship applicants eligible
Some public universities are planning new MA programs in Creative Industries, Design, and Media as part of Vision 2030, but they may not be launched or fully open to international students yet.
M.A. in Multimedia Design
M.A. in Communication Design
M.A. in User Experience and Interaction Design
M.A. in Design Management (Dar Al-Hekma is planning this)
University |
Program |
Language |
Duration |
Tuition (USD) |
Open to Intl Students? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dar Al-Hekma |
MDes in Information Design |
English |
2 yrs |
$22,500 |
Female only |
|
Effat University |
MA (Design modules) |
English |
2 yrs |
$24K+ |
Female only |
|
KAU |
MA Visual Arts (Graphic Track) |
Arabic |
2 yrs |
$3,000 |
Arabic speakers |
|
Prince Sultan University |
(Coming soon) |
English |
TBD |
TBD |
Co-ed |
Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Multimedia, or similar
Portfolio (digital or PDF format showing design work)
IELTS (6.0+) / TOEFL (79+) for English-taught programs
Academic transcripts (attested if international)
Passport & student visa if non-resident
High school certificate (10th or 12th grade depending on program)
Basic English language skills (some may require IELTS 5.0 or TOEFL PBT 450)
Age: Typically 17–30 years
Portfolio: Not always required, but helps with admission
Valid Passport and/or Iqama (for expats already in KSA)
Many diploma programs are practice-focused, ideal for beginners
English-taught diplomas are offered at institutes like SAE or CBT
Arabic-taught diplomas offered by TVTC or public colleges (require Arabic proficiency)
High school certificate (12th grade) with equivalency to Saudi standards
GPA: Minimum 70% or equivalent (varies by university)
English proficiency:
IELTS 5.5+ or TOEFL iBT 60+ (for English-medium programs)
Arabic proficiency (for Arabic-taught programs)
Portfolio: Often required (especially for creative-focused programs)
Entrance exam or interview: May be required by some private universities
Valid Passport & visa (student Iqama sponsorship will be provided after admission)
Attested high school transcripts (attested by Ministry of Education + Saudi Embassy)
Passport copy
Passport-size photos
Portfolio (PDF or printed samples of your design/artwork)
Dar Al-Hekma University (English, female only)
Effat University (English, female only)
Prince Sultan University (English, co-ed)
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (Arabic, female)
University of Jeddah (Arabic, co-ed)
Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Multimedia, Architecture, or related field
GPA: Typically 2.75/4.0 or 70% and above
English proficiency:
IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL iBT 79+ (for English-taught programs)
Design Portfolio (PDF or online format showcasing previous work)
Statement of Purpose (SOP) or motivation letter
Interview: May be required
Recommendation Letters (2 academic or professional references)
Bachelor’s degree certificate (attested)
Transcript (English or Arabic)
Portfolio
CV/Resume
Passport copy
Proof of English proficiency
Visa documents (handled by the university)
Dar Al-Hekma – MDes in Information Design
Effat University – Master's in Urban Planning with Design Modules
King Abdulaziz University – MA in Fine Arts (with Graphic Design focus)
Visa Sponsorship:
Universities offer student visa sponsorship (Iqama) after acceptance. You’ll need a valid passport and medical clearance.
Equivalency Certificate:
Required for non-Saudi certificates (can be obtained after admission via Saudi Ministry of Education or via the university).
Language Prep:
If your English isn’t strong, some universities offer foundation or preparatory year programs before joining the main course.
Bachelor of Graphic Design
Master of Design in Information Design
Fall (September)
Spring (January)
Fall intake: Apply by May 31st (international priority), final by July 15th
Spring intake: Apply by October 30th
BSc in Graphic Design
Design-focused modules in graduate studies
Fall (September)
Spring (January)
Fall intake: Apply by June 30th (recommended by May for visa)
Spring intake: Apply by October 15th
Bachelor of Graphic Design
Fall only (September)
Fall: Applications open in February, close by June 30th
Diploma in Graphic Design
Multiple: January, April, July, October
4–6 weeks before each intake
Applications accepted year-round on a rolling basis
Diploma in Graphic Design and Multimedia
Fall (September)
Spring (January)
Fall: Apply by June
Spring: Apply by November
High school or bachelor’s degree certificate (attested)
Portfolio (PDF or digital)
IELTS/TOEFL (for English-taught programs)
Passport copy
Passport-size photos
Personal statement
Visa documents (student Iqama process starts after acceptance)
Institute |
Program |
Language |
Duration |
Approx. Fees (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SAE Institute (Jeddah/Riyadh) |
Diploma in Graphic Design & Visual Comm. |
English |
1 year |
$8,000 – $9,300 total |
|
CBT (College of Business & Technology)– Jeddah |
Diploma in Graphic Design |
English |
2 years |
$6,700 – $8,000/year |
|
AlKhaleej Training |
Professional Diploma in Graphic Design |
English |
6–12 months |
$4,000 – $4,800 total |
|
TVTC (Govt. Institute) |
Technical Diploma in Graphic Design |
Arabic |
2–3 years |
$2,000 – $3,200/year |
University |
Language |
Gender |
Duration |
Approx. Tuition Fees (USD/year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dar Al-Hekma University – Jeddah |
English |
Female only |
4 years |
$13,000 – $15,000 |
|
Effat University – Jeddah |
English |
Female only |
4 years |
$14,000 – $16,000 |
|
Prince Sultan University – Riyadh |
English |
Co-ed |
4 years |
$12,000 – $13,300 |
|
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal Univ. – Dammam |
Arabic |
Female |
4 years |
$2,600 – $3,200 |
|
University of Jeddah |
Arabic |
Co-ed |
4 years |
$2,000 – $3,200 |
University |
Program |
Language |
Duration |
Approx. Fees (USD Total) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dar Al-Hekma University |
Master of Design in Information Design |
English |
2 years |
$22,000 – $23,000 |
|
Effat University |
Urban Planning (with design modules) |
English |
2 years |
$24,000 – $26,500 |
|
King Abdulaziz University (KAU) |
MA in Visual/Fine Arts (with design specialization) |
Arabic |
2 years |
$3,000 – $4,000 |
Item |
Estimated Cost per Year (USD) |
|---|---|
|
Housing (shared/student housing) |
$2,000 – $5,000 |
|
Books & Supplies |
$300 – $500 |
|
Living Expenses (food, transport) |
$2,000 – $3,000 |
|
Visa & Insurance |
~$500 – $800 |
