How to get scholarship to Study in Saudi Arabia

How to apply for a Saudi Arabian government scholarship

Types of Saudi Scholarships

1. Kingdom’s Government Scholarships for International Students (e.g., King Abdulaziz University, King Saud University)

2. Ministry of Education Scholarships

3. Saudi Cultural Attaché Scholarships (available through embassies or cultural missions)

General Application Steps

1. Choose a University in Saudi Arabia

• King Abdulaziz University (KAU)

• King Saud University (KSU)

• King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM)

• Islamic University of Madinah

2. Check Eligibility Criteria

Requirements may include:

• Academic excellence

• Good command of English or Arabic (depending on the program)

• Valid passport

• Age limits (usually under 25 for undergrad, under 30–35 for grad programs)

3. Prepare Required Documents

Common documents:

• Passport copy

• Academic transcripts and certificates

• Statement of purpose or motivation letter

• Recommendation letters

• Medical report

• Language proficiency test results (e.g., TOEFL/IELTS or Arabic test)

4. Apply Through the University or Saudi Embassy

You have two common routes:

Through the University:

• Visit the admissions page of the university you're applying to.

• Look for the “Scholarship” or “International Students” section.

• Create an account and submit your documents online.

Through the Saudi Embassy in Your Country:

• Contact the Saudi Embassy or Cultural Mission in your country.

• Ask for information on available scholarships and application procedures.

• Submit documents directly to them; they may forward your application to the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia.

5. Wait for Evaluation and Results

• If selected, you’ll be contacted by the university or embassy.

• Scholarship includes full tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, and sometimes airfare.

Universities in Saudi Arabia

What are the requirements for international students to study in Saudi Arabia on scholarship

Types of Saudi Scholarships

1. Kingdom’s Government Scholarships for International Students (e.g., King Abdulaziz University, King Saud University)

2. Ministry of Education Scholarships

3. Saudi Cultural Attaché Scholarships (available through embassies or cultural missions)

General Application Steps

1. Choose a University in Saudi Arabia

• King Abdulaziz University (KAU)

• King Saud University (KSU)

• King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM)

• Islamic University of Madinah

2. Check Eligibility Criteria

Requirements may include:

• Academic excellence

• Good command of English or Arabic (depending on the program)

• Valid passport

• Age limits (usually under 25 for undergrad, under 30–35 for grad programs)

3. Prepare Required Documents

Common documents:

• Passport copy

• Academic transcripts and certificates

• Statement of purpose or motivation letter

• Recommendation letters

• Medical report

• Language proficiency test results (e.g., TOEFL/IELTS or Arabic test)

4. Apply Through the University or Saudi Embassy

You have two common routes:

Through the University:

• Visit the admissions page of the university you're applying to.

• Look for the “Scholarship” or “International Students” section.

• Create an account and submit your documents online.

Through the Saudi Embassy in Your Country:

• Contact the Saudi Embassy or Cultural Mission in your country.

• Ask for information on available scholarships and application procedures.

• Submit documents directly to them; they may forward your application to the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia.

5. Wait for Evaluation and Results

• If selected, you’ll be contacted by the university or embassy.

• Scholarship includes full tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, and sometimes airfare.

Study in Saudi Arabia

Top universities in Saudi Arabia offering scholarships to international students

1. King Abdulaziz University (KAU) – Jeddah

•  Location: Jeddah

• One of the most scholarship-friendly universities in the region.

• Offers: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD scholarships

• Open to all nationalities

• Fully funded: tuition, monthly stipend (~$250–$800), housing, airfare, health insurance

Popular Fields: Science, Engineering, IT, Business, Arabic Language, Islamic Studies

2. King Saud University (KSU) – Riyadh

•  Location: Riyadh

• Top-tier research university, especially strong in sciences and humanities

• Offers: Undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships

• Also offers scholarships to students from Muslim countries for Islamic Studies and Arabic

Tip: Apply through their International Cooperation and Twinning Department

3. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) – Dhahran

•  Location: Dhahran (Eastern Province)

• ‍ Best for STEM students — engineering, computer science, energy, AI

• Scholarships for Master’s and PhD programs only

• Fully funded, monthly stipend, accommodation, medical insurance, and research funding

Note: Highly competitive, requires GRE and TOEFL/IELTS

4. Islamic University of Madinah

•  Location: Madinah

• Focuses on Islamic Studies, Arabic Language, and Sharia

• Scholarships for male undergraduate students (some postgrad programs also available)

• Open to Muslim students worldwide

Includes: Free education, monthly allowance, free ticket (upon arrival and graduation), accommodation

5. Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) – Riyadh

•  Location: Riyadh

• Offers scholarships in Islamic Studies, Law, Arabic Language, Social Sciences

• Undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships for international Muslim students

6. Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) – Riyadh

•  Location: Riyadh

• ‍ The largest women's university in the world

• Offers scholarships to female international students

• Fields: Medicine, Education, Science, Computer Science, Islamic Studies

7. Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud University

• Strong in religious studies, law, Arabic, education

• Offers scholarships mostly for Muslim students

• Open to many nationalities, particularly from developing countries

Art & Humanities in Saudi Arabia

Fully funded scholarships in Saudi Arabia for international students

1. King Abdulaziz University (KAU) Scholarship – Jeddah

Degree Levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD

Benefits:

• Full tuition coverage

• Monthly stipend (approx. $250–$800 depending on level)

• Free housing

• Round-trip airfare

• Health insurance

2. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) Graduate Scholarship – Dhahran

Degree Levels: Master’s & PhD (STEM-focused)

Benefits:

• Full tuition

• Monthly living stipend

• Free on-campus housing

• Airfare ticket

• Medical care

3. Islamic University of Madinah Scholarship – Madinah

Degree Levels: Primarily Bachelor’s (especially in Islamic Studies, Arabic, Quran, Sharia)

Benefits:

• Full tuition

• Monthly stipend

• Free housing

• Meals and health care

• Annual airfare ticket

4. King Saud University (KSU) Scholarship – Riyadh

Degree Levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD

Benefits:

• Full tuition

• Monthly allowance

• Accommodation

• Airfare and medical care

5. Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University – Riyadh

Degree Levels: Bachelor’s, some postgrad

Focus: Arabic Language, Islamic Studies, Law

Benefits:

• Tuition-free education

• Monthly stipend

• Housing and medical care

• Airfare

Is it cheap to Study in Saudi Arabia

Can I study in Saudi Arabia for free as an international student

Yes, you can study in Saudi Arabia for free as an international student — but it's usually through fully funded scholarships offered by Saudi universities or the Saudi government. These scholarships often cover tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, and sometimes even airfare.

Types of Scholarships:

1. Kingdom-wide Government Scholarships:

   • Offered by the Ministry of Education for international students.

   • Covers full tuition, health insurance, housing, and monthly allowance.

2. University-specific Scholarships:

   • Many Saudi universities (like King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University, or Islamic University of Madinah) offer scholarships for non-Saudi students.

   • Some focus on Islamic studies, but others cover sciences, engineering, and humanities.

Who Can Apply?

• Must be from outside Saudi Arabia (some scholarships are for Muslim students only, especially in Islamic universities).

• Age limits vary by program.

• You usually need a good academic record.

• Some programs require proof of Arabic proficiency (especially for Islamic studies), but many science and engineering programs are in English.

What’s Usually Covered?

• Full tuition

• Free accommodation

• Monthly stipend (~800 to 1,000 SAR depending on the university)

• Return ticket (sometimes)

• Health care

Popular Universities Offering Free Study via Scholarships:

• King Abdulaziz University (KAU) – offers fully funded scholarships for Master’s and PhD.

• King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) – known for science and engineering.

• Islamic University of Madinah – for Islamic and Arabic studies, open to Muslim men only.

• King Saud University (KSU) – wide range of programs.

B.Sc in Saudi Arabia