Medical education in Saudi Arabia expanded significantly after the establishment of King Saud University’s College of Medicine in 1967. The college, which is part of King Saud University, was the first medical college in the Kingdom. Studies began in 1969.
Saudi Arabian medical schools now offer a range of undergraduate medical programs, curricula, clinical-training models, and internship requirements. The institutions below are presented as options to research rather than as an official ranking. Applicants should use the linked university pages to confirm current admissions requirements, tuition fees, scholarship opportunities, and program details before applying.
Top Medical Schools in Saudi Arabia
1. Alfaisal University
Alfaisal University is a private university. Its College of Medicine offers a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program with a spiral curriculum organized into three interconnected phases. The outcomes of each phase build on those of the preceding phase.
Prospective international students should review Alfaisal University’s international-applicant guidance and current tuition information before applying.
2. King Abdulaziz University
King Abdulaziz University (KAU) established its Faculty of Medicine in 1975. The undergraduate medical program is divided into two main phases: basic medical sciences and clinical sciences.
Students receive practical training in university hospitals and medical facilities affiliated with the university. Applicants should consult the official faculty and admissions pages for current program and eligibility details.
3. King Saud University
King Saud University, formerly known as Riyadh University, established the first medical college in Saudi Arabia in 1967. The college’s studies began in 1969.
Under the current internship requirements published by the College of Medicine, students complete 219 credit hours through at least six years of study before entering a 12-month internship program. The MBBS degree is awarded after the defined internship period has been completed. Applicants should confirm their eligibility through the university’s current admissions guidance.
4. King Saud bin Abdulaziz University For Health Sciences
King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) offers a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery program that was prepared in collaboration with the University of Sydney in Australia.
The university describes the program as consisting of two preparatory years, four years of specialization, and a one-year internship. Prospective students should use the official program page to confirm current admissions requirements.
5. Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), formerly the University of Dammam, founded its College of Medicine in 1975 as part of King Faisal University. In 2009, the college became part of the newly established University of Dammam, which is now known as Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University.
The university’s MBBS program consists of a preparatory year and five additional years of study, totaling 234 credit hours. Students must also complete an internship program.
The college’s official dean’s message describes local and international collaborations, including relationships with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, the University of Arizona, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
FAQs: Studying Medicine in Saudi Arabia
Can International Students Enroll in Medical Schools in Saudi Arabia?
International applicants should check each institution’s official admissions guidance carefully. Admission routes differ between public universities and private institutions, and the availability of a medical program does not necessarily mean that the program is open to every category of international applicant. It really varies which institutions accept international students.
What is the Medical Curriculum Like in Medical Schools in Saudi Arabia?
The curriculum varies by university. Applicants should review the official program page for the institution they are considering rather than assume that every Saudi medical school follows the same structure.
For example, King Saud University College of Medicine states that students complete 219 credit hours through at least six years of study before entering a 12-month internship program. Other universities organize their undergraduate and internship requirements differently.
We hope this article on medical schools in Saudi Arabia helped narrow down which programs may be suitable for you. For more information about studying abroad, check out the KSA Study Guide and Available Programs for International Students.
