Saudi Arabia is one of the popular destinations for international students to pursue a degree, and it is for various reasons. Although Saudi Arabia is commonly known as an expensive country with a luxurious lifestyle, there are many affordable universities with lower tuition fees for international students, making the country a good option to study compared to countries like the USA or the U.K. With the improvement of the quality of education, Saudi Arabia has much to offer students to engage in academic and research activities.
In this article, we will introduce the top cheapest universities in Saudi Arabia, including their tuition fees and other study expenses, which will be a great opportunity if you’re looking to apply to programs in the country. So, if you’re all set, take your notes and find the most suitable Saudi Arabian university for your study abroad journey.
Affordable Schools in Saudi Arabia for International Students
1. Islamic University of Madinah
Located in Medinah, the center of the Islamic religion, the Islamic University of Madinah is a well-known public university in Saudi Arabia for Islamic studies. The university hosts students from more than 150 countries to complete their degrees in various Islamic disciplines and without any tuition fee. Besides free education, the Islamic University of Medinah offers a monthly allowance of 840 SAR ($233) per month.
2. Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University is a public university located in Riyadh. The university was founded in 1950 as an Islamic seminary, and today it is one of the best institutions for higher education in Saudi Arabia. There are numerous programs for international students in faculties of engineering, medicine, computer sciences, economics, social sciences, education, languages, Islamic studies, and so on.
3. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a leading institution in the country for science and technology. The university has an international campus with students from over 60 countries. KAUST currently enrolls international students in graduate programs.
KAUST is very generous to international students, offering various scholarship or fellowship options to cover their living expenses and tuition fees to complete their degrees in Saudi Arabia.
4. King Saud University
- Admissions | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: SAR 9,000 ($2,400)/sem (undergraduate) | SAR 4,500 ($1,200)/sem (postgraduate)
Founded in 1957 by King Saud bin Abdulaziz, King Saud University (KSU) has a special significance in the country by being the first university in Saudi Arabia. Also known as Riyadh University, King Saud University has over 61,000 students and is globally recognized for its science and technology. KSU also collaborates with 25 universities around the world.
5. Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University is a respected higher education institution in Dammam, on the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia. Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University is widely recognized for its medicine faculty and related studies, and it currently hosts over 45,000 students in 21 colleges. Tuition fees for international students at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University are fixed at SAR 9,200 ($2,450) per semester.
6. King Abdulaziz University
- Admissions | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: SAR 8,000 ($2,130)/sem (undergraduate) | SAR 22,000 ($5,860)/sem (postgraduate)
Located in Jeddah, King Abdulaziz University (KAU) is a widely recognized public university in the globe and is considered the top university in Saudi Arabia. Starting with the founding of the Faculty of Economics and Administration in 1967, King Abdulaziz University is now the most prestigious university for pursuing a degree and engaging in research activities.
Because it is a public university, KAU is free for Saudi students, yet international students are required to pay tuition fees during their program. The fees for international students are relatively lower than those of other universities in the country, and they are definitely much less expensive compared to the universities in the U.S. or the U.K.
7. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
Founded in 1963, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals is a public university in Dhahran. The university is recognized for its well-established engineering and science programs to study petroleum and minerals, the two main rich sources of the country.
Studying at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals is an excellent choice for international students seeking a top-quality program in engineering, science, business, and mathematics. The tuition fees for non-Saudi students are fairly lower than in many institutions in Saudi Arabia, with about SAR 20,000 ($5,330) per year on average.
FAQs: Studying in Saudi Arabia
What Are the General Requirements to Study in Saudi Arabia?
Every university in Saudi Arabia has its own regulations when admitting students, and the requirements can be different for international students for various reasons. The student’s country of residence, academic background, and the type of degree or program can change the set of requirements for his or her application.
Nevertheless, we can introduce international students to the general requirements when applying to universities in Saudi Arabia, which include proof of previous academic qualifications, proof of language proficiency, previous academic records (for graduate applications), and a valid passport. Keep in mind that the requirements can also vary depending on which university you apply to.
Do Universities in Saudi Arabia Offer English-Taught Programs?
Saudi Arabia encourages international applications for higher education, and for this encouragement, more and more degree programs are offered in English to increase the diversity at the university campuses. Some of the most popular global universities in Saudi Arabia offering a wide range of English medium programs are usually public universities, including King Abdulaziz University, where international students pay SAR 8,000 ($2,130) to SAR 10,000 ($2,660).
It is clear from our article that the educational cost of studying in Saudi Arabia is relatively low compared to many countries, and it is even possible to study for free as an international student. Besides its affordable universities, Saudi Arabia is an excellent choice for quality education and unique academic opportunities, as many of the universities on our list are globally recognized. If you’ve decided, it’s time to start your application to study in Saudi Arabia.
We hope that you found this article on the cheapest universities in Saudi Arabia helpful. To learn more about studying in Saudi Arabia or abroad, please check out these Open Courses and the KSA Study Guide to explore your options.
