Universities in Riyadh for International Students

Universities in Riyadh for Indian Students

1. King Saud University (KSU)

• Ranking:

  • QS World Ranking: ~230 (2024)

  • Top university in Saudi Arabia

• Popular Programs:

  • Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Computer)

  • Medicine & Health Sciences

  • Business Administration

  • Pharmacy

  • Computer Science

  • Islamic Studies

  • Arabic Language for Non-native Speakers

• Fees:

  • Government-funded for scholarships (Tuition-free for many international students on scholarship)

  • Without scholarship: Approx SAR 8,000–20,000/year (~INR 1.8L–4.5L)

• Intake:

  • Fall (September) – Main intake

  • Spring (February) – Some programs

• Scholarships:

  • Fully funded scholarships for international students (covering tuition, stipend, housing)

• Notes:

  • Competitive entry; Arabic language programs available

2. Alfaisal University

• Ranking:

  • QS: ~590 globally

  • #3 in Saudi Arabia (private)

• Popular Programs:

  • Medicine (MBBS)

  • Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Software)

  • Business (Finance, Marketing, Entrepreneurship)

  • Pharmacy

  • Science (Nanoscience, Life Science)

• Fees:

  • SAR 90,000–100,000/year (~INR 20L–22L/year for MBBS)

  • Other programs: SAR 60,000–80,000/year (~INR 13L–18L)

• Intake:

  • Fall (September)

  • Rolling admissions open in Spring in some departments

• Scholarships:

  • Merit-based and need-based available

  • International scholarships (partial)

• Notes:

  • English-taught programs

  • High-quality private university, western-style curriculum

3. Prince Sultan University

• Ranking:

  • #601-650 QS Ranking

  • Top private university in Riyadh

• Popular Programs:

  • Computer Science & IT

  • Engineering

  • Business Administration

  • English Translation

  • Law

• Fees:

  • SAR 50,000–70,000/year (~INR 11L–15L)

• Intake:

  • Fall (primary)

  • Limited Spring intake

• Scholarships:

  • Available for high-achieving international students

• Notes:

  • English-based instruction

  • Modern campus and international faculty

4. Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU)

• Ranking:

  • Regional ranking (not globally high, but reputable locally)

• Popular Programs:

  • Islamic Studies

  • Arabic Language for Non-Native Speakers

  • Law

  • Social Sciences

  • Computer Science

• Fees:

  • Free for many international students (on scholarship)

  • Otherwise: SAR 10,000–15,000/year (~INR 2.2L–3.3L)

• Intake:

  • Mainly Fall

• Scholarships:

  • Fully funded scholarships with stipend and housing

• Notes:

  • Strong in Islamic and Arabic studies

  • Suitable for students seeking religious or cultural education

 Why Indian Students Choose Riyadh Universities

• Scholarships & Tuition-Free Options

• English-taught programs

• International campuses with Indian student community

• Proximity to India (direct flights)

• Cultural familiarity (for Muslims, especially)

• High demand for medical and tech programs

 Documents Required (Common)

• Valid passport

• 10th and 12th marksheets

• Bachelor’s degree (for Master’s)

• English proficiency test (IELTS/TOEFL for private universities)

• Statement of Purpose (SOP)

• Recommendation Letters

• Medical certificate

• Police clearance certificate

• Proof of funds (for self-funded students)
   

Universities in Saudi Arabia

Public Universities in Riyadh

1. King Saud University (KSU)

• Ranking:

  • QS World Ranking 2024: ~230

  • Top public university in Riyadh and one of the best in the Arab world

• Popular Faculties/Programs:

  • Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Petroleum, Software)

  • Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry

  • Computer Science

  • Business, Economics, Law

  • Arabic & Islamic Studies

• Tuition Fees:

  • Free for international students on scholarship

  • Self-funded: SAR 8,000–20,000/year (~INR 1.8L–4.5L)

• Intake:

  • Mainly September (Fall)

  • Some spring intakes

• Scholarships:

  • Fully funded for international students (tuition, stipend, accommodation, health insurance)

• Language:

  • Mostly Arabic (some programs in English, especially STEM & Medicine)

• Notes:

  • Competitive admissions

  • Offers intensive Arabic programs for non-native speakers

2. Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU)

• Ranking:

  • Strong regional presence, not ranked globally high

  • Highly respected for Islamic and Arabic studies

• Programs Offered:

  • Islamic Studies (Shariah, Hadith, Quran)

  • Arabic Language for Non-Native Speakers

  • Computer Science, Economics, Law, Media

  • Engineering & Management (growing in recent years)

• Tuition Fees:

  • Free for students on scholarship

  • Others: SAR 8,000–15,000/year (~INR 1.8L–3.3L)

• Intake:

  • Fall intake (primary)

• Scholarships:

  • Fully funded (includes monthly allowance, housing, flight tickets)

• Language:

  • Mostly Arabic (but offers Arabic language programs for foreigners)

• Notes:

  • Great for students interested in Islamic knowledge, Arabic linguistics, or Law in Islamic context

  • Separate campuses for men and women

3. Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University (PNU)
(Women Only)

• Ranking:

  • One of the largest women’s universities in the world

  • Recognized regionally

• Programs Offered:

  • Health Sciences (Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy)

  • Education, Arts, Law, Business

  • Design, Computer Science, Engineering

  • Arabic Language Institute for non-native speakers

• Tuition Fees:

  • Government funded for Saudi citizens

  • For international students: SAR 10,000–15,000/year (~INR 2.2L–3.3L)

  • Scholarships available

• Intake:

  • Fall intake (August–September)

• Scholarships:

  • Limited, but available to high-performing international students

• Language:

  • Arabic + Some English-medium programs

• Notes:

  • Fully female faculty and students

  • Excellent facilities including a metro on campus

4. Shaqra University

• Location: Just outside Riyadh province

• Ranking:

  • Newer public university (not globally ranked)

• Programs Offered:

  • Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine

  • Education, Arts, Science

  • Arabic Language

• Fees:

  • Very low or free with government funding

  • Scholarships for international students

• Language:

  • Mostly Arabic

• Intake:

  • September

• Notes:

  • Regional university with opportunities for students from smaller cities

 Comparison Table

University	Key Focus	Fees (Avg)	Language	Scholarship Available	Women-Only
King Saud University (KSU)	Medicine, Engg, Business, Arabic	SAR 8k–20k / Free	Arabic + English	Fully Funded
Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud (IMSIU)	Islamic, Arabic, CS, Law	SAR 8k–15k / Free	Mostly Arabic	Fully Funded
Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman	Medicine, Arts, Business	SAR 10k–15k / Free	Arabic + Some Eng	Limited
Shaqra University	General Fields, Arabic	SAR 6k–12k / Free	Arabic	Yes

 

Study in Saudi Arabia

Private Universities in Riyadh

1. Alfaisal University

• Ranking:

  • QS World Ranking 2024: ~590

  • Among the top 3 universities in Saudi Arabia

  • Prestigious private university with an international outlook

• Popular Programs:

  • Medicine (MBBS)

  • Business Administration

  • Engineering (Mechanical, Software, Electrical)

  • Pharmacy, Life Sciences, Nanoscience

• Tuition Fees:

  • MBBS: SAR 100,000/year (~INR 22L)

  • Engineering/Business: SAR 60,000–80,000/year (~INR 13L–18L)

• Intake:

  • Fall (September) – Main intake

  • Spring (January) – Limited programs

• Language:

  • 100% English instruction

• Scholarships:

  • Merit-based and need-based (partial)

  • Open to Indian and other international students

• Notes:

  • Western-style education

  • Diverse student body (many international students)

2. Prince Sultan University (PSU)

• Ranking:

  • QS Arab Region Ranking: Top 50

  • Leading non-profit private university in Riyadh

• Popular Programs:

  • Computer Science & IT

  • Cybersecurity

  • Business & Finance

  • Engineering (Interior Design, Communications)

  • Law, English Translation

• Tuition Fees:

  • SAR 50,000–70,000/year (~INR 11L–15L)

• Intake:

  • Fall (September) – Major

  • Spring (January) – Available in some programs

• Language:

  • English-based instruction

• Scholarships:

  • Offered to high-performing students

  • Some need-based or sibling discounts

• Notes:

  • Great for tech, law, and business students

  • Modern campus and facilities

3. Riyadh Elm University (REU)

• Specialization:

  • Focused on health sciences

  • Previously known as Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy

• Popular Programs:

  • Dentistry (BDS)

  • Pharmacy (BPharm)

  • Nursing, Health Informatics

• Tuition Fees:

  • SAR 80,000–100,000/year (~INR 18L–22L)

  • Dentistry tends to be higher

• Language:

  • English for most programs

• Intake:

  • Fall intake (August–September)

• Scholarships:

  • Limited scholarships available

• Notes:

  • Recognized by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS)

  • Private but highly respected in medical circles

4. Dar Al Uloom University

• Ranking:

  • Growing reputation locally

• Programs Offered:

  • Law

  • Architecture & Digital Design

  • Business Administration

  • Computer Science, Engineering

• Tuition Fees:

  • SAR 40,000–60,000/year (~INR 9L–13L)

• Language:

  • English-taught for most majors

• Intake:

  • Fall & Spring

• Scholarships:

  • Available for top-performing students

• Notes:

  • Known for modern design and creative programs

5. Al Yamamah University (YU)

Programs Offered:

• • Business (Finance, Marketing, MIS)

  • Engineering and Architecture

  • Computer and IT Sciences

  • Law and International Relations

• Tuition Fees:

  • SAR 45,000–65,000/year (~INR 10L–14L)

• Language:

  • English-medium instruction

• Scholarships:

  • Merit-based scholarships available

• Notes:

  • Known for business and international outlook

  • Suitable for Indian students looking for quality + affordability

 Summary Table

University	Focus Areas	Tuition Fees (Avg)	Language	Scholarships
Alfaisal University	Medicine, Engg, Business	SAR 60k–100k/year	English	Yes
Prince Sultan Univ.	IT, Business, Cybersecurity	SAR 50k–70k/year	English	Yes
Riyadh Elm Univ.	Dentistry, Pharmacy, Health Sci.	SAR 80k–100k/year	English	Limited
Dar Al Uloom Univ.	Law, Design, Engineering	SAR 40k–60k/year	English	Yes
Al Yamamah Univ.	Business, Law, IT	SAR 45k–65k/year	English	Yes

 

Art & Humanities in Saudi Arabia

Cheap & Affordable Universities in Riyadh

1. King Saud University (KSU)

Tuition Fees:

• • SAR 8,000–20,000/year (~INR 1.8L–4.5L) if self-funded

  • FREE for students on government scholarships (highly competitive)

• Programs:

  • Medicine, Engineering, Pharmacy, Computer Science, Business

• Language: Arabic + some programs in English

• Scholarship: Fully funded scholarships (with stipend & housing)

2. Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU)

Tuition Fees:

• • FREE for scholarship students

  • ~SAR 10,000–15,000/year (~INR 2.2L–3.3L) if self-funded

• Programs:

  • Arabic, Islamic Studies, Law, CS, Education

• Language: Arabic (with Arabic language programs for non-native speakers)

• Scholarship: Yes (fully funded with monthly stipend)

3. Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University (For Women)

Tuition Fees:

• • SAR 10,000–15,000/year (~INR 2.2L–3.3L)

  • Free or partially funded for selected students

• Programs:

  • Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Arts, Business

• Language: Arabic + English

• Scholarship: Limited scholarships for international women students

4. Shaqra University

Tuition Fees:

• • SAR 6,000–12,000/year (~INR 1.3L–2.6L)

• Programs:

  • Engineering, Education, Computer Science, Islamic Studies

• Language: Mostly Arabic

• Scholarship: Available (especially for Arabic/Islamic programs)
   

MA in Saudi Arabia

 Affordable Private Universities

1. Al Yamamah University (YU)

Tuition Fees:

• • SAR 45,000–55,000/year (~INR 10L–12L)

  • Scholarships for academic excellence available

• Programs:

  • Business, Computer Science, Law, Marketing

• Language: English

• Notes: Good for business and tech students

2. Dar Al Uloom University

Tuition Fees:

• • SAR 40,000–60,000/year (~INR 9L–13L)

  • Discounted rates or scholarships may apply

• Programs:

  • Architecture, Business, Engineering, Law

• Language: English

• Notes: Creative fields and modern programs

3. Prince Sultan University (PSU)

• Tuition Fees:

  • SAR 50,000–70,000/year (~INR 11L–15L)

  • Scholarships available for high academic achievers

• Programs:

  • Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Business, Translation

• Language: English

• Notes: High quality for mid-range price

Pro Tips to Save on Costs:

• Apply for fully funded scholarships (especially at KSU or IMSIU)

• Choose Arabic-taught programs (usually cheaper than English-taught ones)

• Live in university accommodation (many public unis offer free or subsidized housing)

• Consider online/remote options for first semesters (some universities offer this)
   

Cheap and Affordable Universities in Saudi Arabia