This guide covers the 2 scholarships in Saudi Arabia that ScholarshipClaude lists for 2027: 1 fully funded and 1 with partial funding. For each one you will find what it pays for, who can apply and the deadline, with a link to the full page. The list was last updated on 8 October 2026.
The nearest confirmed deadline is KAUST Fellowship 2027 in Saudi Arabia, on 3 January 2027. Scholarships with expected dates are based on the previous cycle and will be confirmed when the new call opens.
How scholarships work in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia funds international students in two ways. Its public universities offer government scholarships through the Study in Saudi platform, and research universities such as KAUST fund every admitted graduate student. Programmes are taught in Arabic or English, depending on the subject.
Scholarships in Saudi Arabia 2027 at a glance
| Scholarship | Level | Funding | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAUST Fellowship 2027 in Saudi Arabia | Master's & PhD | Fully funded | 3 January 2027 |
| Saudi Arabia Government Scholarships 2027 | Bachelor's, Master's & PhD | Partial | Varies |
Fully funded scholarships in Saudi Arabia for international students
KAUST Fellowship 2027 in Saudi Arabia
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a graduate research university on the Red Sea coast in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. Every student admitted to a KAUST graduate programme receives the KAUST Fellowship, so there is no separate scholarship application. The fellowship covers full tuition, a living allowance of 20,000 to 30,000 US dollars a year (depending on your qualifications and progress), housing, medical and dental cover and relocation support.
What it covers:
- Full tuition
- Living allowance of 20,000 to 30,000 US dollars a year, paid monthly, depending on qualifications and progress
- Housing on campus
- Medical and dental coverage
Who can apply:
- Bachelor's degree (for MS) or master's degree (for PhD) in a relevant science or engineering field
- Minimum grade average of 3.0 out of 4.0
- English: IELTS 7.0 with 6.5 in each section, or an accepted equivalent
Level: Master's & PhD. Deadline: 3 January 2027. Full details and how to apply.
Partial scholarships in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Government Scholarships 2027
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, for an Arabic diploma, a bachelor's degree, a master's degree or a PhD. The programme is open for any major except medicine.
What it covers:
- Three types of enrolment: full scholarship, partial scholarship or paid place
- A full scholarship covers study costs and gives financial support
- The monthly allowance, housing, medical care and air tickets are set by each university and shown on the platform
- Each university reserves 5% of its places for scholarship students; the Islamic University of Madinah reserves 85%
Who can apply:
- Age 17 to 25 for a bachelor's degree or the Arabic diploma
- Age 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
Level: Bachelor's, Master's & PhD. Deadline: varies. Full details and how to apply.
Scholarships in Saudi Arabia: documents and how to apply
KAUST Fellowship 2027 in Saudi Arabia
More eligibility rules:
- At least 18 years old when the programme starts
- One application and one programme per year
- Every admitted student is automatically awarded the KAUST Fellowship
Documents:
- Online application form (required; no application fee)
- Official transcripts from every university attended; a partial transcript is accepted if you are still studying (required)
- CV (required)
- Statement of purpose of about 750 words (required)
- Contact details of three referees with academic or work e-mail addresses (required)
- Passport page (required)
- Certified English translation of transcripts (only if they are not in English)
- English test score (can be added later, but needed before enrolment)
- GRE score (optional)
Application steps:
- Choose your programme for Fall 2027 entry (MS, MS/PhD or PhD)
- Apply on the KAUST application portal (Round 2 opened on 28 September 2026)
- Upload transcripts, CV, statement of purpose and English test results
- Make sure your referees submit their letters on time
- Submit by 3 January 2027 (dates are tentative and may change)
- Decisions are expected around 14 February 2027; studies start on 29 August 2027
How applications are assessed:
- A holistic review of each application
- Academic achievements
- Personal qualities such as motivation and potential impact in the scientific community
Duration: Length of the MS, MS/PhD or PhD programme. Open to: All nationalities. Go to the KAUST Fellowship 2027 in Saudi Arabia page.
Saudi Arabia Government Scholarships 2027
There is no single national deadline: each university sets its own application window, so no date is shown here. The exact benefits of a full scholarship are set by each university and shown on the platform.
More eligibility rules:
- 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
Documents:
- Online application on the Study in Saudi platform, with a complete profile
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Attested certificates and transcripts for your previous studies
- Any further documents your chosen university asks for on the platform
- For the educational visa: admission from a licensed Saudi institution, and proof that you can cover your costs or a financial guarantee
Application steps:
- Create an account on the Study in Saudi platform
- Compare universities and programmes, and note each one's language, requirements and dates
- Fill in the application and upload your attested documents
- Submit and track the status in your account
- If you are accepted, follow the platform's steps for your study visa
- After you submit, the platform sends your application to the university you chose. Once the university approves it, the university and the Ministry of Education complete the admission
- Check your details before you submit. Only contact details can be changed afterwards
- You cannot hold two scholarships for the same degree level
Duration: Length of the degree. Open to: International students. Go to the Saudi Arabia Government Scholarships 2027 page.
Studying in Saudi Arabia: what to know before you apply
Two different routes
The two scholarships on this page work in different ways. KAUST is a graduate research university that funds every admitted master’s and PhD student and teaches in English. The government scholarships on the Study in Saudi platform cover many public universities, from the Arabic diploma and bachelor’s degrees up to the PhD, and each university runs its own admission.
Language
At KAUST, all teaching and research is in English. On the Study in Saudi platform, theory-based subjects are taught in Arabic and practical subjects such as engineering, computer science and the natural sciences are taught in English. Check the language of your programme before you apply, because it decides which language proof you need.
Documents and attestation
Saudi universities ask for attested certificates and identity documents, and a medical examination is required. Attestation can take several weeks, so start it before the application window opens.
Costs
KAUST covers tuition, housing, a living stipend and medical care for its students. On the Study in Saudi platform, the benefits of a full scholarship are set by each university, and partial scholarships and paid places also exist. Read what your offer includes before you accept.
Who these scholarships suit
KAUST suits science and engineering graduates who want a research degree and have strong academic records. The Study in Saudi platform suits students who want a wider choice of subjects and levels, including Islamic studies and Arabic, and who meet the age limits for their level.
Deadlines
KAUST has one application deadline for each intake. The Study in Saudi platform has no single national deadline, so check the dates for every university on your list.
Scholarships in Saudi Arabia by study level
- Bachelor’s: Saudi Arabia Government Scholarships 2027.
- Master’s: KAUST Fellowship 2027 in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia Government Scholarships 2027.
- PhD: KAUST Fellowship 2027 in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia Government Scholarships 2027.
Application timeline
Plan your applications in deadline order:
- 3 January 2027: KAUST Fellowship 2027 in Saudi Arabia
No single deadline: Saudi Arabia Government Scholarships 2027. Its dates depend on the university, country or round, so check its page.
What the scholarships in Saudi Arabia ask you to submit
Across the 2 scholarships in Saudi Arabia on this page, this is how many ask for each document:
- CV or résumé: 1 of 2 (guide: academic CV template)
- Motivation letter, personal statement, essay or study plan: 1 of 2 (guide: statement of purpose guide and motivation letter template)
- Recommendation or reference letters: 1 of 2 (guide: how to get strong recommendation letters)
- Language test score or certificate: 1 of 2 (guide: IELTS or TOEFL: which to choose)
- Transcripts or degree certificates: 2 of 2
Frequently asked questions
Which scholarships in Saudi Arabia are fully funded?
Among the scholarships we list: KAUST Fellowship 2027 in Saudi Arabia.
Which scholarships give partial funding?
Saudi Arabia Government Scholarships 2027.
Which deadline comes first?
KAUST Fellowship 2027 in Saudi Arabia, on 3 January 2027.
See every active scholarship for this country on the scholarships page, and read how to find fully funded scholarships for more options.
Live list: every scholarship we currently cover here
| 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 table updates itself whenever a scholarship is added or changed, so it can include newer entries than the sections above. See all scholarships.
