Saudi Arabia accepts international students at its public universities through one official portal, the Ministry of Education’s Study in Saudi platform. You can apply for a full scholarship, a partial scholarship or a paid place, at diploma, bachelor’s, master’s or PhD level. This guide explains who can apply, what to prepare and how the process works, based on the Ministry’s own programme profile. It was last checked on 4 October 2026.
What you can study
The programme is open for any major except medicine. The Ministry’s profile lists these subject areas:
- Engineering and natural sciences
- Computer science
- Business, economics and administration
- Law and politics
- Education and media
- Agriculture
- Shariah and Arabic
Four levels are available: a Diploma in Arabic Studies, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and a PhD.
Language of study
Theory-based majors are taught in Arabic. Practical majors such as engineering, computer science and the natural sciences are taught in English. Check the language of your chosen programme before you apply, because it decides which language proof the university will ask for.
Three ways to enrol
- Full scholarship: the university covers your study costs and gives you financial support.
- Partial scholarship: some costs are covered and you pay the rest.
- Payment based: you pay your own fees.
The exact benefits of a full scholarship, such as the monthly allowance, housing, medical care and air tickets, are set by each university and shown on the platform. Other websites quote different stipend figures, so rely on the amount shown for your own programme.
Who can apply
- Age: 17 to 25 for a bachelor’s degree or the Arabic diploma, up to 30 for a master’s degree and up to 35 for a PhD.
- You have not held a scholarship at a Saudi institution before.
- You have never been expelled from an educational institution in Saudi Arabia.
- Your certificates and identity documents are attested by the authorities your university names.
- You pass the medical exam required by Saudi law.
- Your home government consents to your study, if your country asks the same of Saudi students.
Which universities take part
The Ministry’s profile lists 26 public universities, including King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University, Umm Al-Qura University, the Islamic University of Madinah, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, King Faisal University, King Khalid University, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Taibah University and Qassim University.
Places are limited. Each university reserves 5% of its places for scholarship students. The Islamic University of Madinah is the exception at 85%. Acceptance depends on the places available in your programme.
KAUST is not part of this platform. It runs its own admissions, which we cover on the KAUST Fellowship page.
Deadlines
There is no single national deadline. Each university sets its own application window for each intake, and the dates change every year. Check the dates on the platform for every university on your shortlist, and apply as soon as the window opens because scholarship places are few.
Documents to prepare early
Most universities ask for the following:
- Passport valid for the length of your study
- Attested certificates and transcripts for your previous degree or school diploma
- Recommendation letters and a CV for master’s and PhD applicants. Our academic CV template can help.
- Proof of English or Arabic, depending on the programme
- Medical report
- Recent passport photo
Attestation takes the longest, often several weeks. Start it before the application window opens. Each university publishes its own document list, so confirm it on the platform.
The Study in Saudi platform
All applications go through Saudi Arabia’s official platform at studyinsaudi.sa. It is a government website, and it lists the universities, their programmes and the type of funding each programme offers. You create one account, complete your profile and apply to programmes from there. The platform will not let you apply until your profile is complete, so fill it in first.
Full scholarship, partial scholarship or self-funded: what each means
Every programme on the platform is labelled with its funding type:
- Fully funded scholarship: the sponsoring entity covers all scholarship costs, and the student bears no financial burden.
- Partially funded scholarship: the sponsoring entity covers part of the tuition, and the student pays the remaining balance. The programme page shows the amount due.
- Self-funded programme: you pay the tuition yourself.
Programmes are also marked as open to international students or to residents of Saudi Arabia. Check both labels before you apply, because the same subject can appear with different funding for different groups.
How to apply on the platform, step by step
- Create your account on studyinsaudi.sa with your email address.
- Complete your profile: personal details, passport information and your education history. Some details, such as your name, gender and nationality, cannot be changed later, so enter them exactly as they appear in your passport.
- Browse institutions. Open a university to see when it was founded, how many programmes it offers and its accreditations.
- Filter the programmes by level, language and funding type.
- Open a programme page and read its requirements, duration, language of teaching and any tuition due.
- Upload your documents in the format the platform asks for.
- Submit your application and note the confirmation.
- Track the status in your account and reply quickly if the university asks for more information.
What happens after you submit
The platform explains the stages. After you submit, your application is sent to the university you selected for review. Once the university approves it, the university and the Ministry of Education process it together to complete the final admission procedures. This is why the university’s own requirements matter most: its admission committee makes the first decision.
Study visa requirements
For a long-term educational visa, the platform lists these requirements:
- You are 16 years of age or older.
- Your passport is valid for at least 6 more months.
- You have admission from a licensed and accredited educational institution in Saudi Arabia.
- You can prove that you are able to pay tuition and living expenses, or you hold a scholarship that covers them.
The platform lists further conditions, so read the full visa section before you travel.
Example: King Abdulaziz University
King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah shows how the platform works. It was founded in 1967 and lists 138 programmes. A PhD in engineering appears there as a full scholarship for international students with a duration of three years, while some bachelor’s programmes are listed as partial scholarships for residents, with a tuition amount per semester. See our King Abdulaziz University scholarship page for details.
How to choose your programmes
- Choose programmes that match your previous degree and grades.
- Check the language of teaching. Many science and engineering programmes are in English.
- Read the funding label and the tuition line, so you know what you would pay.
- Compare two or three universities for the same subject.
- For master’s and PhD programmes, look at the university’s research in your field.
A preparation plan
- Three months before you apply: start attesting your certificates and check your passport’s validity.
- Two months before: create your account, complete your profile and shortlist programmes.
- One month before: prepare transcripts, a CV, recommendation letters and language proof.
- When the programme opens: apply through the platform and keep the confirmation.
- After approval: follow the steps for your educational visa.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply for the Saudi Arabia government scholarship?
On the official Study in Saudi platform, studyinsaudi.sa.
Is the Saudi government scholarship fully funded?
Programmes labelled as fully funded scholarships are. Others are partial scholarships or self-funded, and each programme page shows which it is.
Can I apply to more than one university?
The platform lets you browse and apply to programmes at different universities. Check its rules on the number of applications.
Is there an age limit?
The Ministry’s programme profile gives 17 to 25 for a bachelor’s degree, up to 30 for a master’s and up to 35 for a PhD.
Who decides on my application?
The university reviews it first. Approved applications are then processed with the Ministry of Education.
Keep a record of your application
Save a copy of everything you upload, your account details and the confirmation for each programme you apply to. If a university asks for a correction, you will need to find the right document quickly. Check your email and your account on the platform at least twice a week until you have a decision, because requests often come with a short time limit.
Tips before you apply
- Apply to universities and majors that match your previous degree and grades.
- If you do not speak Arabic, choose an English-taught practical major or ask the university about an Arabic preparation year.
- Apply only through the official platform, and do not pay anyone who promises you a place.
- Keep other options open. See our list of current scholarships for more funded programmes.
For the key facts in one place, see our Saudi Arabia Government Scholarships page.
Related scholarships: funding, stipend and deadlines
| Scholarship | Funding | Stipend | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAUST Fellowship 2027 in Saudi Arabia | Fully funded | Living allowance of 20,000 to 30,000 US dollars a year, depending on qualifications and progress | 3 Jan 2027 |
| King Abdulaziz University Scholarship 2027 in Saudi Arabia | Fully funded | See the scholarship page | Varies |
| Saudi Arabia Government Scholarships 2027 | Partial | See the scholarship page | Varies |
This list updates itself from our scholarships page. Stipend figures are shown where the provider publishes them. See all scholarships.
