Study in Saudi Arabia

Who this applies to

Students at Saudi universities. Arabic at most public universities (+ English in medicine/engineering/sciences); KAUST & KFUPM fully English. Sex-segregated campuses (Princess Nourah women-only).

Governing authority

Ministry of Education (Saudi Arabia).

Degree system

Bachelor 4–5 yrs (medicine longer) · Master · PhD. Large public universities + KAUST (graduate research) + private sector.

Admission

How

Secondary certificate + standardized tests (Qiyas: General Aptitude GAT + Tahsili achievement); international students apply directly (KAUST has its own global graduate admission).

Language

Arabic (English in sciences/medicine/engineering; KAUST/KFUPM English).

Tuition

Public

Free for Saudi nationals + monthly stipends.

Private

Fee-paying.

Note

Oil-funded; KAUST (2009) is an English-medium graduate research university with a massive endowment, ranked ~QS 100; KFUPM reached ~QS 67 (top STEM globally). Vision 2030 driving rapid HE expansion.

Student visa & residence permit

Student visa for non-nationals.

Scholarships

Government (generous, incl. for international students); KAUST full fellowships.

Sources & references

• public universities — https://www.moe.gov.sa/en/education/highereducation/pages/universitieslist.aspx (2026-06-12)
• KFUPM rank — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Fahd_University_of_Petroleum_and_Minerals (2026-06-12)