Checkout the Travel and Tourism Courses in Saudi Arabia....
Mar 29, 2025 12:51:25
Diploma in Travel & Tourism Management
Bachelor's in Tourism & Hospitality Management
Certificate Courses in Tour Operations / Ticketing
MBA in Hospitality & Tourism Management
Short Courses & Workshops (IATA-certified or locally accredited)
Prince Sultan University (Riyadh)
Offers courses in tourism, business, and hospitality.
Good option for English-speaking students.
King Abdulaziz University (Jeddah)
Offers tourism studies under the College of Economics and Administration.
Affordable tuition for international students.
Taif University
Known for its programs in tourism and heritage management.
Located in a city with tourism potential.
Saudi Electronic University
Offers online programs, flexible for part-time study.
Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC)
Offers diplomas and certifications in tourism services and hospitality.
More practical/skill-based training.
Some Indian or UK universities have collaboration programs.
Look for IATA-approved training centers (Airlines & Travel Agent courses).
Certain community colleges also offer 6–12 month certification courses.
Educational Requirement: 10+2 for diploma/certificate; Bachelor's for MBA.
Language: Many programs are in English; basic Arabic may be a plus.
Visa: You need a student visa or residency permit sponsored by the institution or a guardian.
Equivalency Certificate: Some universities may require an equivalency certificate for Indian qualifications.
Tuition Fees: SAR 8,000 – SAR 25,000 per year (1.75L to 5.5L)
Living Expenses: SAR 1,500 – 3,000/month (30k to 65k)
Choose the university and program.
Apply online via the university portal.
Submit documents (transcripts, passport, proof of English proficiency).
Receive admission letter → Apply for visa.
Travel and register.
Check for English-taught programs.
Some institutions have Indian student communities.
Look into part-time work options (limited under Saudi law).
Join groups on Facebook/LinkedIn to connect with Indian students in Saudi.
Program: Department of Tourism and Archaeology
Notable for: One of the most prestigious universities in Saudi Arabia with a specialized program in tourism studies.
Offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in tourism and heritage management.
Program: College of Business Administration – Hospitality & Tourism Management
Focuses on the business side of tourism with a modern, international approach.
Private university with strong English-taught programs and international collaborations.
Program: Department of Tourism (under Faculty of Arts & Humanities)
Offers degrees in Tourism Management, Heritage, and Cultural Resource Management.
Jeddah being a coastal and historic city adds practical value to the study of tourism.
Program: College of Tourism and Hotel Management
Offers Bachelor's degrees in Hotel & Tourism Management.
Strategic location in Madinah helps students gain real-life exposure to religious tourism.
Program: College of Business Administration – Department of Tourism and Hospitality
Special focus on religious tourism and pilgrimage management (Hajj & Umrah tourism).
Offers academic and professional training programs tailored to Saudi Arabia’s tourism vision.
Program: Department of Tourism and Archaeology
Situated in a region known for natural beauty and cultural tourism.
Combines practical tourism skills with cultural and historical education.
Jazan University
Al-Baha University
Najran University
Program: Bachelor in Tourism and Heritage Management
College: College of Tourism and Antiquities
Language: Primarily in Arabic, with some courses in English
Focus: Cultural tourism, heritage conservation, tourism planning, tour guiding
Extras: Fieldwork in historic sites and museums, internships
Program: BA in Tourism & Hospitality Management
College: Faculty of Arts & Humanities
Language: Mostly Arabic, but varies depending on track
Focus: Hospitality management, event planning, tourism marketing, sustainability
Location Advantage: Near Red Sea – great for coastal and heritage tourism studies
Program: BSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management
College: College of Business Administration
Language: English
Focus: International tourism, hotel operations, business & service management
Highlights: Modern curriculum, internships with leading hospitality brands, strong industry ties
Program: Bachelor in Tourism and Hospitality
College: College of Business Administration
Language: Arabic
Specialization: Religious tourism (Hajj & Umrah), hotel management
Ideal for: Students interested in working with pilgrimage tourism, event logistics, and faith-based travel services
Program: Bachelor in Hotel & Tourism Management
College: College of Tourism and Hotel Management
Language: Arabic
Focus: Hotel operations, guest services, tourism planning, religious and cultural tourism
Location Edge: Based in one of Islam’s holiest cities – ideal for learning about religious tourism
Program: BA in Tourism and Archaeology
Language: Arabic
Focus: Eco-tourism, cultural heritage, tourism planning in natural landscapes
Region Benefit: Abha is a rising tourist spot with natural beauty
High school certificate (science/literature stream acceptable)
Arabic or English language proficiency (depends on university)
Personal interview or admission test (some cases)
GPA requirements vary by institution
Check out Prince Sultan University – it offers an English-medium Bachelor’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management, great for international students or those aiming for global careers.
Program: Master of Arts in Tourism and Heritage Management
College: College of Tourism and Antiquities
Language: Arabic (some courses may be in English)
Focus Areas:
Tourism development & policy
Heritage site management
Sustainable tourism
Tour operations & planning
Research-based with thesis option
Program: Master in Tourism Management
Department: Department of Tourism – Faculty of Arts & Humanities
Language: Arabic
Focus Areas:
Tourism marketing
Event and hospitality management
Urban and cultural tourism
Features: Field projects, industry partnerships, and practical case studies
Program: Master in Tourism & Hospitality Management
College: Business Administration
Language: Arabic
Specialization: Hajj and Umrah tourism, faith-based tourism systems
Ideal for: Students interested in religious tourism and logistics management
Program: Master in Hotel & Tourism Management
College: College of Tourism and Hotel Management
Language: Arabic
Focus:
Religious tourism strategy
Tourism planning and hotel business development
Location Advantage: A hub for faith-based tourism studies and research
Bachelor's degree in tourism, hospitality, management, or a related field
GPA (usually 3.0/5 or higher)
Arabic proficiency (for most programs)
English test (if the program has English content – mainly for business-focused degrees)
CV, recommendation letters, and possibly an entrance interview or research proposal
Program: PhD in Tourism and Heritage Management
College: College of Tourism and Antiquities
Language: Arabic (with some resources in English)
Focus Areas:
Tourism policy and development
Heritage site preservation and management
Sustainable tourism and planning
Cultural tourism and museum studies
Research-based: Requires dissertation; strong academic and field research component
Program: PhD in Tourism Management (offered under the Faculty of Arts & Humanities)
Language: Arabic
Specializations:
Tourism marketing and destination branding
Events and hospitality
Heritage tourism
Urban and religious tourism
Opportunities: Close ties with government tourism agencies and ongoing mega-projects (e.g. NEOM, Red Sea Project)
Program: PhD in Hospitality & Tourism Management (in development or under limited intake)
Language: Arabic
Specialization:
Hajj and Umrah tourism systems
Tourism logistics and operations
Pilgrimage tourism strategy
Ideal for: Candidates looking to specialize in religious tourism or faith-based tourism policy
Business Administration (Tourism focus)
Geography and Urban Planning (with a tourism research angle)
Heritage and Archaeology (with applications in cultural tourism)
Examples:
Taibah University – Madinah
King Khalid University – Abha
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University – Dammam
Master's degree in tourism, hospitality, archaeology, business, or related field
Research proposal aligned with faculty expertise
Academic transcripts and thesis
Language proficiency (Arabic; English if needed for research)
Personal interview and approval of research committee
Align your research with Vision 2030 goals: sustainability, cultural heritage, religious tourism, mega-tourism projects
Explore government funding or university scholarships (e.g. from the Ministry of Education or Vision 2030 initiatives)
Look for collaborative opportunities with institutions abroad or tourism agencies
High School Certificate (Secondary Education)
Must be certified by the Ministry of Education (or equivalent for international students)
Minimum GPA: Usually 75% or equivalent (may vary by university)
Stream: Open to students from Arts, Science, or Business streams
Language Requirement:
Arabic proficiency (for Arabic programs)
English proficiency for English-medium universities (e.g. Prince Sultan University)
IELTS: Usually 5.5+ or equivalent TOEFL if applicable
Entrance exam or personal interview (in some cases)
Good conduct certificate
Medical fitness test (some public universities)
Bachelor’s Degree in:
Tourism, Hospitality, Business, Archaeology, Geography, Heritage, or a related field
GPA Requirement:
Usually Good or Very Good (e.g., 3.0+ out of 5)
Language Proficiency:
Arabic proficiency for Arabic-taught programs
English proficiency (if applicable):
IELTS: 6.0+ or TOEFL equivalent for English programs
Research proposal (sometimes required for thesis-based programs)
Recommendation letters (usually 2)
Updated CV or Resume
Statement of purpose (academic goals)
May require passing an internal test or interview
Master’s Degree in:
Tourism, Hospitality, Heritage Management, Business, Urban Planning, or related fields
GPA: Typically 3.5+ out of 5 (or equivalent “Very Good” standing)
Research Proposal: Strong, original topic aligned with faculty interests
Language Proficiency:
Arabic (most programs)
English if research involves international sources or English-medium materials
Academic publications (preferred, but not always required)
Thesis/dissertation from Master's program
Interview with graduate committee
Recommendation letters (2–3)
Possibly GRE or other entrance test (varies by university)
Must provide equivalency certificates from the Saudi Ministry of Education
Student visa (via Ministry of Education or sponsoring university)
Proof of financial support or scholarship
Health insurance and medical clearance
Semester Starts: Late August or early September
Application Window: April to July
Best for: Most Travel & Tourism programs (especially public universities)
Semester Starts: January or February
Application Window: October to December
Note: Not all universities offer Spring intake for Tourism or graduate studies.
University |
Programs |
Intake |
Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
|
King Saud University (KSU) |
BA, MA, PhD in Tourism & Heritage |
Fall only |
May–July |
|
King Abdulaziz University (KAU) |
BA, MA, PhD in Tourism |
Fall only |
April–June |
|
Umm Al-Qura University |
BA, MA in Tourism & Hospitality |
Fall only |
April–June |
|
Taibah University |
BA, MA in Hotel & Tourism Mgmt |
Fall & possibly Spring |
May–July / Oct–Dec |
|
Prince Sultan University (Private) |
BSc in Hospitality & Tourism Mgmt |
Fall & Spring |
May–Aug / Oct–Dec |
Application windows are often earlier to allow visa processing
Documents may need equivalency approval by the Saudi Ministry of Education
Scholarships for international students (e.g., King Abdulaziz University) often have their own deadlines — usually between January and March for the upcoming Fall semester
Academic transcripts and certificates
Language proficiency proof (Arabic or English, depending on program)
ID or passport copy
Recommendation letters (for grad studies)
Research proposal (for PhD)
Personal photo
Application form (online)
Duration: A few weeks to a year
Institutions: Vocational training centers, private institutes
Estimated Fees:
SAR 2,000 – 10,000
(USD $530 – $2,700)
Popular providers include:
TVTC (Technical and Vocational Training Corporation)
Private institutions like Al Khaleej Training and Education, Oxford Training Center, etc.
Duration: 3 to 4 years
Institutions: Universities & Colleges
Estimated Fees:
SAR 25,000 – 60,000 per year
(USD $6,700 – $16,000)
Top universities offering related programs:
Prince Sultan University
King Saud University (some programs under tourism and hospitality)
Effat University (Hospitality & Event Management)
Platforms: Coursera, edX, Udemy, etc.
Estimated Fees:
Free – SAR 1,500 depending on the platform and certification
