Checkout the Masters in Computer Science in Saudi Arabia....
Apr 03, 2025 05:35:57
Known for research-heavy programs.
Fully funded scholarships available for international students.
English is the medium of instruction.
One of the oldest and most respected universities in the region.
Offers Computer Science and Software Engineering graduate programs.
May require Arabic for some administrative processes, but courses are often in English.
Highly ranked in science and engineering.
Competitive admission but offers scholarships for international students.
Research-based with good industry connections.
Private university with modern facilities.
Offers programs in English.
Less research-focused but strong in applied tech skills.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field.
English proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS) – unless your undergrad was taught in English.
Letters of Recommendation
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
Some may ask for GRE, but it’s often optional.
Public universities (like KAUST, KFUPM) often offer full scholarships to international students:
Tuition waiver
Monthly stipend
Housing
Health insurance
Private universities may offer partial scholarships or discounts.
Safe and modern infrastructure.
Male and female campuses may be separate in some universities.
Modest dress and cultural sensitivity are expected.
Cost of living is reasonable, especially with university housing.
Focus: Research-intensive, high-tech labs, AI, machine learning, data science.
Perks: Full scholarships for all admitted students (tuition, stipend, housing, etc.).
Language: English
Focus: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity.
Perks: Scholarships available for international students.
Language: English
Focus: Computer Science, AI, Software Engineering, Information Systems.
Language: Mostly English at postgraduate level, some administration may be in Arabic.
Focus: Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science.
Perks: Offers scholarships for international graduate students.
Language: English
Focus: Computer Science and IT specializations.
Language: English
Focus: Computer Science and Information Systems.
Language: English
Focus: Practical and applied Computer Science, Software Engineering.
Language: English
Tuition-based: May offer partial scholarships or financial aid.
Focus: Computer Science with strong ties to entrepreneurship and innovation.
Language: English
Tuition-based
Focus: Computer Science, AI, and Robotics.
Language: English
Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, IT, or a closely related field.
Usually requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 (or equivalent).
Degrees must be from accredited institutions.
Required if your previous education was not in English.
Commonly accepted tests:
TOEFL iBT: 79 or higher
IELTS Academic: 6.0–6.5 overall
Some universities waive this if your undergrad was in English (you may need a letter from your university).
Some universities like KAUST or KFUPM may require or recommend the GRE, especially for competitive programs.
Others may not require it at all.
Usually two or three academic/professional recommendation letters.
Should be from professors or supervisors familiar with your academic or research work.
Explains your academic background, career goals, and why you're interested in the program.
Sometimes called a Motivation Letter.
Includes academic background, research experience, internships, and technical skills.
Valid passport copy is required for international students.
Required in some universities if you're applying for a research-track or thesis-based Master’s.
Especially important at KAUST or KFUPM.
A strong academic record.
Research experience.
Competitive GRE/TOEFL/IELTS scores.
Commitment to research or academia.
Duration: 2 years (Full-time)
Structure: Core courses + electives + research + thesis
Ideal for: Students planning to pursue a PhD or research career.
Duration: 1.5 to 2 years (Full-time)
Structure: Core and elective courses + project or comprehensive exam
Ideal for: Students looking to enter industry directly after graduation.
Some universities offer part-time study, which can extend the program to 3–4 years, mainly for working professionals (more common in private universities).
Most universities follow a semester system:
Fall Semester: Starts around September
Spring Semester: Starts around January/February
Summer Semester: Optional (shorter, limited courses)
Program: Master in Information Security or related IT programs (close to CS).
Mode: Online with some in-person exams or practical components.
Language: English
Target Audience: Working professionals or students who need flexible learning.
Program: Master's in Computing or ICT-related areas.
Mode: Blended (mostly online with occasional face-to-face sessions).
Language: English
Affordable tuition, and flexible schedules.
Note: While their Computer Science Master’s is traditionally on-campus, they offer distance education and e-learning programs, so it’s worth checking their graduate studies for potential online options.
Mode: Mainly on-campus but may offer remote learning for select courses or during special conditions (e.g., post-COVID adaptations).
Research-based programs (like KAUST or KFUPM) are not offered online due to lab and thesis requirements.
Fully online CS Master’s are still limited in Saudi Arabia compared to the U.S. or Europe.
Blended learning is more common than 100% online.
Some universities offer MOOCs or professional diplomas in AI, data science, etc., which are separate from formal Master’s degrees.
Semester Starts: August or September
Application Deadline: Typically January to March
Best time to apply: December to February of the same year
Scholarships: Most full scholarships (like at KAUST, KFUPM) are offered for Fall intake only
Semester Starts: January or February
Application Deadline: Typically September to October of the previous year
Not all universities offer a Spring intake — mostly private or select public universities.
Intake: Fall only
Deadline: Usually January 15 (for Fall admission)
Early applications encouraged for full funding consideration
Intakes: Fall and Spring (but Fall is primary)
Fall Deadline: Usually Feb–March
Spring Deadline: Around September
Intake: Fall (main), Spring (varies)
Deadlines: Vary by department; generally Feb–March for Fall
Intakes: Fall and Spring
Deadlines: Flexible, but usually 1–2 months before semester start
Intakes: Fall and Spring
Deadlines: Vary; around May–June (Fall), October–November (Spring)
Tuition: FREE for all admitted students
Funding: Full scholarship includes:
100% tuition waiver
Monthly stipend (approx. SAR 6,000–10,000)
Free housing
Health insurance
Ideal for international students looking for a fully-funded research experience.
Tuition: FREE for scholarship students
Funding: Full scholarships available for high-achieving students:
Tuition covered
Monthly stipend
On-campus housing
Health care
Tuition: Low (or free for scholarship recipients)
Without a scholarship, estimated tuition:
Around SAR 20,000–30,000 per year
That’s roughly USD 5,300–8,000/year
Scholarships widely available for international students
Tuition: Approx. SAR 70,000–90,000 for the full program
(~USD 18,500–24,000 total for 2 years)
Payment usually per semester
May offer partial scholarships or discounts
Tuition: Around SAR 90,000–100,000 for the full Master’s
(~USD 24,000–27,000 total)
Competitive, modern programs with industry links
Tuition: Approx. SAR 70,000–80,000 for the program
(~USD 18,000–21,000)
Offers some scholarships for outstanding international students
University Type |
Tuition (per year) |
Total for 2 Years |
|---|---|---|
|
Public (with scholarship) |
Free |
Free + stipend |
|
Public (no scholarship) |
SAR 20,000–30,000/year |
SAR 40,000–60,000 total |
|
Private University |
SAR 35,000–50,000/year |
SAR 70,000–100,000 total |
Note:
KAUST & KFUPM: Fully funded for admitted students (zero tuition + monthly stipend).
Private universities like PSU, Alfaisal charge full tuition but may offer partial scholarships.
Expense Type |
Estimated Cost (SAR) |
Cost in USD (~) |
|---|---|---|
|
Accommodation |
1,000 – 2,500 |
$270 – $670 |
|
Food & Groceries |
600 – 1,000 |
$160 – $270 |
|
Transportation |
200 – 500 |
$55 – $130 |
|
Internet/Utilities |
200 – 400 |
$55 – $105 |
|
Personal/Other |
300 – 600 |
$80 – $160 |
(~USD 7,300 – 16,000/year)
Item |
Estimated Cost (SAR) |
|---|---|
|
Student Visa & Medical Check |
SAR 1,000 – 2,000 |
|
Health Insurance (if not covered) |
SAR 1,500 – 2,500 |
|
Books & Supplies |
SAR 1,000 – 2,000 |
|
Flight Tickets (round trip) |
SAR 2,000 – 4,000 |
Tuition: Free
Living Costs Covered: Yes (via stipend)
Out-of-pocket cost: Very minimal (maybe visa, flight)
Tuition: SAR 40,000–60,000
Living: SAR 55,000–120,000
Total: SAR 95,000–180,000 (~USD 25,000–48,000)
Tuition: SAR 70,000–100,000
Living: SAR 55,000–120,000
Total: SAR 125,000–220,000 (~USD 33,000–59,000)
Apply early for scholarships (KAUST, KFUPM, KAU).
Choose on-campus housing if available.
Some private universities offer merit discounts or partial financial aid.
King Saud University (KSU) – Riyadh
King Abdulaziz University (KAU) – Jeddah
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) – Dhahran
Prince Sultan University (PSU) – Riyadh
Alfaisal University – Riyadh
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU) – Dammam
King Khalid University (KKU) – Abha
Bachelor’s Degree: A Bachelor’s in Computer Science, IT, Software Engineering, or a related field with a minimum GPA (usually 2.75 – 3.0 out of 4.0 or equivalent).
English Proficiency: If your previous degree was not in English, you may need:
IELTS (Minimum 6.0 – 6.5)
TOEFL iBT (Minimum 70 – 80)
GRE/GATE (Optional for Some Universities):
KFUPM and KAU sometimes require GRE scores.
Statement of Purpose (SOP): A well-written essay explaining why you want to pursue a Master’s degree and your career goals.
Letters of Recommendation: Usually two or three recommendation letters from professors or employers.
Work Experience (Optional): Some universities prefer applicants with relevant job experience, but it’s not mandatory.
Entrance Exam/Interview (For Some Universities): Some universities may require an entrance test or an interview as part of the selection process.
Applications are usually submitted online through the university's official website.
Fill out the application form and upload required documents.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Application Deadlines:
Most Saudi universities have two intakes:
Fall Intake: September (Apply between February – May)
Spring Intake: January (Apply between August – October)
After submission, the university will review applications and may conduct interviews or tests.
Admission results are usually announced within 4 – 8 weeks after the deadline.
If accepted, international students need to apply for a student visa through the Saudi Arabian embassy.
The university may provide assistance in visa processing.
Saudi Government Scholarships (e.g., Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Scholarship Program)
University-Specific Scholarships (e.g., KFUPM, KAU, and KSU offer full scholarships for top students)
Funded Research Assistantships (for those involved in research projects)
Coverage:
Full tuition fee waiver
Monthly stipend
Free furnished housing
Medical care
Airfare tickets (for international students)
Research support
Eligibility:
Strong academic record (GPA 3.0+/4.0 preferred)
English proficiency (IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL 70+)
Bachelor’s in a relevant field
Application Period:
Fall Intake: February – May
Spring Intake: August – October
Coverage:
Full tuition fee waiver
Monthly stipend
Accommodation and health insurance
Flight tickets (for international students)
Eligibility:
Must have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field
Strong academic record
Good English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL recommended)
Application Period:
Applications open twice a year (Spring and Fall intake)
Coverage:
Full or partial tuition fee waiver
Monthly stipend
Free medical care
Subsidized accommodation
Eligibility:
Bachelor’s in a relevant field
English language proficiency
Research experience (preferred but not mandatory)
Application Period:
Fall and Spring intakes available
Coverage:
Full tuition coverage
Monthly stipend
Medical insurance
Accommodation
Eligibility:
Open to both local and international students
Bachelor’s degree with good academic performance
English proficiency (if applicable)
Application Period:
Generally opens in April – June for Fall intake
Coverage:
Full tuition fee
Monthly stipend
Health insurance
Airfare ticket
Eligibility:
Open to non-Saudi students
Must apply to a Saudi university first, then be nominated for this scholarship
Strong academic record and English proficiency
Application Process:
First, apply for admission at a Saudi university
If selected, the university will nominate you for this government scholarship
Coverage:
100% Tuition Fee Waiver
Monthly stipend (~$20,000 – $30,000 per year)
Free housing and medical insurance
Relocation support
Eligibility:
Strong academic background in Computer Science or related fields
IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 79+
Research experience is a plus
Application Period:
Accepts applications year-round
Job Titles:
AI Engineer
Machine Learning Engineer
Data Scientist
Computer Vision Engineer
Top Employers:
Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA)
Neom (Smart City Project)
Aramco AI & Big Data Division
STC (Saudi Telecom Company) AI Labs
Job Titles:
Cybersecurity Analyst
Ethical Hacker / Penetration Tester
Security Engineer
Network Security Specialist
Top Employers:
National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA)
STC Solutions
Aramco Cybersecurity Division
Ministry of Interior (MOI) Cybersecurity Dept.
Job Titles:
Software Engineer
Backend/Frontend Developer
Full Stack Developer
DevOps Engineer
Top Employers:
Saudi Aramco (IT & Software Division)
SABIC (IT & Digital Transformation)
Elm Company (Government e-services)
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) – Saudi
SAP, Oracle, Microsoft (Saudi offices)
Job Titles:
Cloud Engineer
Cloud Security Specialist
AWS/Azure Architect
IT Infrastructure Manager
Top Employers:
Amazon Web Services (AWS) – Riyadh Office
Google Cloud (Saudi Region)
Microsoft Azure – Saudi Arabia
Saudi Telecom (STC Cloud Services)
Job Titles:
Data Scientist
Data Engineer
Business Intelligence Analyst
Database Administrator
Top Employers:
Ministry of Health (MOH) – Data Analytics Dept.
Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA)
McKinsey & Company (Saudi Data Labs)
Aramco & SABIC (Big Data Projects)
Job Titles:
Game Developer
AR/VR Software Engineer
Unity/Unreal Developer
Top Employers:
Neom Gaming Hub
Ubisoft Middle East (Saudi Branch)
Manga Productions (Saudi-based game & animation studio)
Entry-Level (0-2 Years)
10,000 – 18,000 SAR/month ($2,700 – $4,800)
Mid-Level (3-7 Years)
18,000 – 30,000 SAR/month ($4,800 – $8,000)
Senior-Level (8+ Years)
30,000+ SAR/month ($8,000 – $12,000+)
Salaries vary based on expertise, employer, and location (Riyadh and Jeddah offer the highest salaries).
Get a job offer and apply for an employment visa.
Apply for a Talent Visa if you're in AI, cybersecurity, or software development.
Get a Golden Residency Visa (for highly skilled professionals).
Top Startup Incubators & Accelerators:
Misk Innovation
Saudi Venture Capital (SVC)
KAUST Entrepreneurship Center
Neom Tech & Digital Startup Hub
