Study in Saudi Arabia for Free

How to Study in Saudi Arabia for Free

1. Look for Fully Funded Scholarships at Saudi Universities

• Tuition fees

• Monthly stipend (around 850 to 1000 SAR)

• Free accommodation

• Health insurance

• Airfare (round trip)

Top Universities Offering Scholarships:

• King Saud University (KSU)

• King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM)

• King Abdulaziz University (KAU)

• Islamic University of Madinah

• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

2. Choose Your Program Wisely

• Engineering

• Islamic Studies

• Arabic Language

• Computer Science

• Business Administration

• Sciences

3. Prepare the Required Documents

• Academic transcripts

• Passport copy

• Letters of recommendation

• Statement of purpose or motivation letter

• Language proficiency (usually English – IELTS/TOEFL, but not always required)

4. No Application Fees

Most Saudi universities do not charge application fees for scholarships, which makes the application process risk-free.

5. Apply Directly to the University

You can apply through the university’s online portal, usually by creating an account, filling out your personal and academic details, and uploading documents.

6. Look for Government Scholarships

The Saudi Arabian Government Scholarship (KSA Scholarship) also supports students from selected countries. These are often offered through the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia, in coordination with Saudi embassies.

7. Learn Some Arabic (Optional but Helpful)

While many graduate programs are taught in English, knowing basic Arabic helps in daily life and may strengthen your application—especially for Islamic universities.

8. Stay Informed via Social Media & Forums

Join scholarship groups on Facebook, Telegram, or Reddit focused on studying in the Middle East or Saudi Arabia. These often have updates, tips, and shared experiences.
 

Universities in Saudi Arabia

Study in Saudi Arabia for Free for Indian Students

 1. Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships

• 100% tuition fees

• Monthly stipend (850–1000 SAR)

• Free housing or dormitory

• Health insurance

• Airfare (round trip ticket every year or upon admission/graduation)

• Sometimes even meals and transportation

 Top Universities That Offer Scholarships to Indian Students

University	Level	Known For
King Abdulaziz University (KAU)	Bachelors, Masters, PhD	Research, Science, Engineering
King Saud University (KSU)	All levels	Engineering, Medicine, Sciences
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM)	Masters, PhD	Engineering, Petroleum, IT
Islamic University of Madinah	Undergraduate	Islamic Studies, Arabic
King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)	Masters, PhD	Science, Engineering, Research

 2. Eligibility for Indian Students

• Good academic record (60% and above is often enough for undergrad)

• For postgrad: Bachelor's degree with decent grades

• Age limits (usually 17–25 for undergraduate, under 30 for postgrad)

• Language proficiency (English – TOEFL or IELTS; Arabic not always needed)

• Passport with validity

• Medical fitness

 3. Required Documents

• Educational certificates (10th, 12th, degree, etc.)

• Passport

• Passport-size photos

• Birth certificate

• Recommendation letters (for postgrad)

• Statement of Purpose / Motivation letter

• Medical certificate

• Police clearance (sometimes)

 4. How to Apply

• Applications are usually submitted online directly through university portals

• Some scholarships are also managed through the Saudi embassy in India

• You can apply to multiple universities at once

 5. Bonus: Arabic/Islamic Studies Route

If you're interested in Islamic Studies or Arabic Language, the Islamic University of Madinah is a great option. It offers a completely free undergraduate program and a full scholarship (plus extras like monthly allowance and free travel).

 6. Scholarships via Saudi Government

• University portals

• Saudi Cultural Attaché Office in India

• Saudi Embassy (for some programs)

Final Tips for Indian Students

• Start early – many Saudi unis open applications between December and April

• Prepare documents in advance (including translations if needed)

• Stay updated via Saudi embassy social media or Indian scholarship forums

• Don’t hesitate to apply even if your grades are average — many Indian students get accepted with mid-range marks
   

Study in Saudi Arabia

List of Tuition Fees Free Universities of Saudi Arabia

 Tuition Fees Free Universities in Saudi Arabia (with Scholarships)

University Name	Levels	Scholarship Includes
King Abdulaziz University (KAU)	Bachelor's, Master's, PhD	Full tuition, monthly stipend, housing, airfare, medical
King Saud University (KSU)	Bachelor's, Master's, PhD	Free education, monthly stipend, dorms, books
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM)	Master's, PhD	No tuition, stipend, housing, medical
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)	Master's, PhD	Tuition-free, $20,000+ annual stipend, housing, insurance
Islamic University of Madinah	Bachelor's (mainly)	Tuition-free, monthly allowance, free ticket, housing
Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University	Bachelor's, Master’s	Free education, living allowance, housing
Umm Al-Qura University	Bachelor's, Master’s, PhD	Tuition-free under scholarship, accommodation, stipend
Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University(for women)	Bachelor's, Master's	Free tuition (for selected international scholarship students)
Taibah University	Bachelor's	Offers scholarships with free tuition and living expenses
Qassim University	Bachelor’s, Master’s	Offers full scholarships to international students

What’s Usually Covered by These Scholarships:

• Tuition Fees – 100% covered

• Monthly Stipend – Ranges from 850 SAR to 3,000+ SAR

• Accommodation – On-campus housing provided

• Medical Insurance

• Airfare – Round-trip ticket at start/end of studies (in many cases)

• Books & Meals – Sometimes included

Business, Management & Economics in Saudi Arabia

Concept of Free Education in Saudi Arabia

 Free Education in Saudi Arabia – The Concept Explained

 1. Free Education for Citizens

• Saudi nationals receive completely free education at all public schools and universities.

• This includes primary, secondary, and higher education (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD).

• The government also provides monthly stipends, free textbooks, and access to health services for students.

 Goal: Invest in local human capital and reduce dependency on foreign labor.

 2. Free Education for International Students (via Scholarships)

• 100% tuition fees

• Monthly allowance (stipend)

• Free dormitory/housing

• Medical insurance

• Flight tickets (usually round-trip)

• In some cases, meals and transport

 Goal: Strengthen diplomatic ties, spread Islamic knowledge, promote cultural exchange, and attract global talent.

 3. Religious and Cultural Motivation

• As the birthplace of Islam, Saudi Arabia also offers free religious education, especially to students from Muslim countries.

• Universities like the Islamic University of Madinah or Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University provide scholarships for Islamic Studies, Arabic Language, and Sharia Law.

 Goal: Promote authentic Islamic knowledge and offer educational opportunities to Muslim youth globally.

 4. Science, Technology, and Research Focus

They focus on:

• Engineering

• Computer Science

• Environmental Science

• Artificial Intelligence

• Renewable Energy

 Goal: Become a global leader in innovation and knowledge-based economy (as part of Saudi Vision 2030).

 5. Government’s Role

• All public universities are government-funded.

• Scholarships are often administered through:

  • The Ministry of Education

  • Individual university scholarship offices

  • Saudi embassies abroad

 Note: Saudi Arabia allocates a large part of its national budget to education annually.
 

BBA in Saudi Arabia

 
How to do a Free MBA in Saudi Arabia

 Top Universities for a Free MBA in Saudi Arabia

University	Program	Scholarship Coverage
King Abdulaziz University (KAU)	MBA	Full tuition, monthly stipend (~1900 SAR), housing, airfare
King Saud University (KSU)	MBA	Tuition-free under scholarship, stipend, housing
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM)	MBA	Full scholarship, monthly stipend (~2000+ SAR), accommodation
King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)	No regular MBA, but offers management-related degrees	Fully funded graduate studies
Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University	MBA (with Islamic finance options)	Free tuition and allowance under scholarship

 2. Eligibility Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (in any field, preferably business-related)

• Good GPA (typically 3.0/4.0 or equivalent – around 60–70%)

• English proficiency – TOEFL or IELTS (can be waived if previous degree was in English)

• Letters of recommendation

• Statement of Purpose / Motivation Letter

• CV/Resume

 3. Documents You'll Need

Make sure you have these ready:

• Passport (valid)

• Degree certificate & transcripts (attested)

• English proficiency certificate (TOEFL/IELTS)

• Recommendation letters (usually 2)

• CV or resume

• Statement of Purpose

• Medical fitness certificate

• Passport-sized photo

 4. When to Apply

Most Saudi universities open applications between:

• January to May for Fall intake (September start)

• Some open again in September to November for Spring intake

Early application increases your chances of acceptance.

 5. Apply Through the University Portal

Each university has an online admission portal. You create an account, fill out your application, upload your documents, and submit.

No need to pay application fees — most public universities in Saudi Arabia do not charge anything for applying.

 6. What the Scholarship Covers

•  Full tuition waiver

•  Monthly living stipend (approx. 1,800–2,500 SAR)

•  Free accommodation (campus housing)

•  Airfare ticket (round-trip or once during study)

•  Health insurance

•  Sometimes meals and books
   

Cheap and Affordable Universities in Saudi Arabia

Bachelor in Saudi Arabia for Free

1. Apply for Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships

• 100% tuition fees

• Monthly stipend (approx. 850–1000 SAR)

•  Free dormitory/accommodation

•  Medical insurance

•  Round-trip airfare

• Some also provide meals & transport

Top Saudi Universities Offering Free Bachelor’s Degrees

University	Scholarship Name	Medium of Instruction	Key Programs
Islamic University of Madinah	University Scholarship	Arabic	Islamic Studies, Sharia, Hadith, Arabic
King Saud University (KSU)	Government Scholarship	Arabic & English	Engineering, Sciences, Medicine, Business
King Abdulaziz University (KAU)	International Scholarship	Arabic & English	Science, Engineering, Business, Law
Umm Al-Qura University	Undergraduate Scholarships	Arabic	Arabic, Islamic Studies, Education
Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University	Fully Funded	Arabic	Islamic Law, Arabic, Media
Taibah University	International Student Program	Arabic	Quran, Hadith, Islamic Studies
Qassim University	Government Scholarship	Arabic	Arabic Language, Islamic Studies
Princess Nourah University (for women only)	International Scholarship	Arabic	Arts, Science, Education

2. General Eligibility Requirements

• Age: 17–25 years (bachelor's level)

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Good academic record (usually 60% or above is okay)

• Must be medically fit

• Must have a valid passport

• For Islamic universities: Basic knowledge of Arabic is helpful (some provide language prep)

3. Required Documents

• High school certificate & transcript (attested)

• Valid passport

• Birth certificate

• Passport-size photo

• Police clearance certificate

• Medical certificate

• Letter of recommendation (sometimes)

• Statement of Purpose (for some universities)

4. How to Apply

• Visit the university’s official scholarship/admissions portal

• Fill out the application form

• Upload the required documents

• No application fee

• Some universities also accept applications via the Saudi embassy in your country

5. Application Timeline

• Most applications open between December and May

• Results are usually out by July–August

• Classes start in September

Master in Saudi Arabia for Free

1. Apply for Fully Funded Government or University Scholarships

•  100% Tuition

•  Monthly Stipend (around 900–1,500 SAR/month)

•  Free Accommodation

•  Round-trip Airfare

•  Health Insurance

•  Books & Meals (sometimes)

Top Saudi Universities Offering Free Master’s Degrees

University	Scholarship Type	Language of Instruction	Strong Fields
King Abdulaziz University (KAU)	Full Scholarship	English & Arabic	Engineering, Sciences, Business, Law
King Saud University (KSU)	Government Scholarship	Arabic & some English	Science, Medicine, Education, Islamic Studies
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM)	Graduate Scholarship	English	Engineering, Computer Science, AI, MBA
King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)	KAUST Fellowship	English	Science, Technology, Engineering, Environment
Islamic University of Madinah	Full Scholarship	Arabic	Islamic Studies, Sharia, Hadith, Arabic
Umm Al-Qura University	Graduate Scholarships	Arabic	Arabic, Islamic Studies, Education
Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University	Scholarship Program	Arabic	Arabic, Media, Islamic Finance

2. General Eligibility for Master’s Programs

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (minimum 60–70% or CGPA 2.75/4 or higher)

• Age usually under 30–35 years

• Must be medically fit

• English proficiency: IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught programs (can sometimes be waived)

• Recommendation letters (2 usually)

• Statement of Purpose (SOP) or Motivation Letter

3. Required Documents

• Bachelor's degree certificate + transcripts (attested)

• Passport (valid)

• Passport-size photo

• CV/Resume

• Statement of Purpose (SOP)

• Two letters of recommendation

• English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS or medium-of-instruction letter)

• Medical fitness certificate

• Police clearance certificate (sometimes)

4. When to Apply

• Applications usually open between December and April

• Some universities (like KAUST, KFUPM) accept applications twice a year

• Results are declared 2–3 months after application deadlines

• Fall intake usually starts in August–September

5. How to Apply

• Go directly to the university’s graduate admission portal

• Fill the form, upload your documents, and submit

• No application fee at most Saudi public universities

• For some programs, you may also apply via the Saudi Embassy in your country

6. What to Study?

• Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil)

• Computer Science / Artificial Intelligence

• Environmental Science

• MBA / Business Admin

• Islamic Studies / Sharia / Arabic

• Data Science & Cybersecurity

• Education & Linguistics

PhD in Saudi Arabia for Free

1. Apply for Fully Funded PhD Scholarships

• 100% tuition fee waiver

• Monthly stipend (ranges from 1,900 to 3,000 SAR)

• Free accommodation (on-campus housing)

•  Airfare (initial and return flights, sometimes yearly)

•  Medical insurance

• Support for research & conferences

Top Saudi Universities Offering Free PhD Programs

University	Language	Research Focus	Benefits
KAUST – King Abdullah University of Science & Technology	English	Science, Engineering, Environment	Full funding + ~$20,000–30,000 USD/year
KFUPM – King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals	English	Engineering, CS, Energy, AI	Monthly stipend + housing + flight
King Abdulaziz University (KAU)	English & Arabic	Sciences, Engineering, Business, Islamic Studies	Fully funded international scholarship
King Saud University (KSU)	English & Arabic	Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture, Islamic Studies	Tuition-free, monthly stipend, housing
Umm Al-Qura University	Arabic	Islamic Studies, Arabic, Education	Full scholarship + housing
Islamic University of Madinah	Arabic	Sharia, Dawah, Hadith	Fully funded for Muslim students

2. Eligibility Criteria for PhD in Saudi Arabia

• A Master’s degree in a related field (good academic record)

• GPA: Usually minimum 3.0/4.0 or equivalent (~70%+)

• TOEFL/IELTS (for English programs)

• Research proposal (sometimes optional at admission)

• Letters of recommendation (2 or 3)

• Statement of Purpose or Study Plan

• Age: Typically under 35–40 (varies by university)

3. Required Documents

• Passport (valid)

• Master’s degree & transcripts (attested)

• Bachelor’s degree & transcripts

• Letters of recommendation (2–3)

• Updated CV/Resume

• Statement of Purpose (SOP)

• English language certificate (TOEFL/IELTS or exemption letter)

• Medical certificate

• Police clearance (in some cases)

• Research proposal (sometimes required)

4. Application Timeline

• Most universities open applications from December to April

• KAUST and KFUPM often have two rounds per year (Fall & Spring intake)

• Results typically announced 1–3 months after deadline

5. How to Apply

• Apply directly through the university's online admission portal

• No application fee in most Saudi public universities

• Some programs may also allow you to apply via Saudi embassies

Fields Available for PhD in Saudi Arabia

Popular choices:

•  Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Petroleum)

•  Computer Science, AI, Cybersecurity, Data Science

•  Environmental Science, Energy

•  Islamic Studies, Sharia, Arabic Language

•  Business, Economics

•  Biology, Physics, Chemistry

•  Education, Linguistics

Sample Monthly Stipends

University	Monthly Stipend
KAUST	20,000–30,000 SAR/year (~$2,000/month)
KFUPM	1,900–2,500 SAR/month
KAU	1,900 SAR/month
KSU	1,200–2,000 SAR/month

Free Riyadh Language Course in Saudi Arabia

1. Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) – Arabic Language Institute

•  Location: Riyadh

•  Program: Arabic Language Diploma for non-native speakers

•  Cost: Free (fully funded) for accepted international students

•  Includes: Tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, health care, visa support

•  Who can apply: Non-Arabic speaking Muslims from any country

•  Duration: Usually 2 years (4 semesters)

•  Focus: Classical and Modern Standard Arabic, grammar, speaking, listening, and Islamic vocabulary

2. King Saud University – Arabic Institute for Non-Native Speakers

•  Location: Riyadh

•  Program: Arabic Language Certificate Program

•  Cost: Free (if you apply under the scholarship route)

•  Benefits: Full tuition waiver, monthly allowance, housing, round-trip ticket

•  Who can apply: Non-native Arabic speakers (Muslims preferred, but not required)

•  Duration: Typically 1–2 years

3. Riyadh-Based Islamic Centers (Non-University)

There are several Islamic Dawah Centers in Riyadh that offer free Arabic language courses for:

• New Muslims

• Non-Arabic-speaking residents and expatriates

• Workers and students living in Riyadh

Examples include:

• Al-Rajhi Center for Arabic Language

• Al-Madina Dawah Center

• King Fahd Cultural Center

• Online courses run by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs

Bonus: Online Arabic Learning from Saudi Institutions

• Many Saudi universities now offer online Arabic courses for free, especially through platforms linked to:

  • Imam University

  • Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs

  • Islamic University of Madinah (online courses)

What You Get in Free Arabic Courses in Riyadh

Feature	Included
Tuition	Free
Monthly Stipend	Yes (if university scholarship)
Housing	Free dormitory
Health Care	Provided
Certificate	Yes, on completion
Visa & Travel	Included for international students in scholarship programs