Over the last few decades, Saudi Arabia has made significant efforts to attract international students, including through the official Study in Saudi Arabia platform and public-university scholarship programs. Recent public reporting and official platform materials indicate that more than 70,000 international students study in Saudi Arabia through a range of academic, training, and research programs.
What makes Saudi Arabia attractive to international students? First, Saudi Arabian universities are expanding international study options, including fully funded, partially funded, and self-funded routes. Second, completing a degree in Saudi Arabia can be useful for students interested in sectors such as engineering, computer science, medicine, business, hospitality, and education, although students should always check program-specific career and visa rules before applying. Read more to discover five well-known English-taught universities in Saudi Arabia.
Top Universities for English-taught Programs in Saudi Arabia
Studying in Saudi Arabia comes with many benefits for international students, and several Saudi universities now offer international admissions routes and English-taught study options. Below, we list five Saudi Arabian universities known for English-medium or English-taught options at different degree levels.
1. King Saud University
King Saud University is a strong option for many international students because it lists dedicated admission routes for non-Saudi students, including external scholarships for applicants outside Saudi Arabia, internal scholarships for eligible residents, and fee-based bachelor’s programs. Students should confirm the exact program language, eligibility rules, and admission requirements through the university before applying.
Rather than publishing one standard tuition rate for all international students, King Saud University lists different scholarship and fee-based routes. Scholarship benefits may include free education, accommodation, a monthly stipend, a return ticket, and healthcare, while fee-based programs have program-specific costs.
2. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Ranked highly in regional and subject rankings, KAUST is a graduate-level science and technology research university in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. Its language of instruction is English, and it is well known for research in science, engineering, technology, and related fields. Being a global research university, KAUST has numerous collaborations with scholars and researchers worldwide and is a leading name in the region for innovation and research.
Admitted graduate students generally receive the KAUST Fellowship, which can cover full tuition support, a living allowance, housing or accommodation, health coverage, and relocation support. Funding details may differ for some externally sponsored students, so applicants should check the current KAUST admissions and funding pages before applying.
3. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals is well recognized in the region and is especially known for engineering, science, technology, and energy-related programs. KFUPM states that English is the medium of instruction at both undergraduate and graduate levels, making it a strong option for international students with the required academic background and English proficiency.
Some popular programs include aerospace engineering, petroleum engineering, geosciences, civil and environmental engineering, computer science, and finance. Admission can be competitive, and international applicants should review KFUPM’s current scholarship, English-test, and program requirements. KFUPM is located in Dhahran, an important center for Saudi Arabia’s energy sector. The city also offers shopping malls, cafes, restaurants, and other student-friendly amenities.
4. Alfaisal University
Located in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, Alfaisal University is a private higher education institution known for programs in business administration, medicine, biomedical sciences, clinical psychology, and engineering. The university is also known for its international identity, and its undergraduate handbook states that all programs are delivered in English.
Alfaisal University is a private institution. Official undergraduate tuition is SR 94,000 per year for all degrees, which is about US$25,000 at the Saudi riyal’s dollar peg. The university also lists total tuition of SR 200,000 for master’s programs and SR 400,000 for Ph.D. programs. Need-based and merit-based undergraduate scholarships can cover 20% of tuition, subject to eligibility, limited funds, and annual review. Alfaisal’s student body is internationally diverse; recent ranking data reports a total student body of 3,443 and an international student share of 37%.
5. Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
Established as a branch of King Faisal University in Dammam in 1975 and renamed Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University in 2016, IAU is a public institution offering programs across health, engineering, sciences and management, and arts and education. Its College of Medicine was established in 1975 and pioneered postgraduate medical education in Saudi Arabia. Current QS data lists 21,672 total students and 2,886 international students.
International students interested in IAU should review each program page carefully because the university offers a mix of Arabic- and English-language programs, and requirements can differ by college and degree level. Students can also explore internships, training, and career-related opportunities through the relevant college or department pages.
FAQs: English-Track Programs in Saudi Arabia
Which City in Saudi Arabia is Best to Study English-Taught Programs?
Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is one of the most practical and popular cities for international students due to its multicultural population, dynamic lifestyle, accessibility, and concentration of major universities. King Saud University in Riyadh is one of the most established universities for international students in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is one of the largest and most influential countries in the Gulf and is central to Islam, one of the world’s largest religions, with about 2.0 billion Muslims worldwide as of 2020. Saudi Arabia also has major cities with distinct academic and cultural environments. In addition to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dhahran, Dammam, and Thuwal are popular study destinations for international students.
Saudi Arabian universities offer more than classroom education; many provide scholarships, research facilities, student services, and international admissions routes. Before applying, prospective students should confirm the language of instruction, tuition or scholarship coverage, entry requirements, and visa steps directly with the university or the official Study in Saudi Arabia platform.
We hope that this article on the best English-taught universities in Saudi Arabia for international students was helpful. To learn more, check out the Available Programs for International Students and KSA Study Guide to explore your study options.
