Saudi Arabia offers international students several study routes, including fully funded scholarships, partially funded scholarships, and self-funded programs. Tuition and other study costs vary by university, program, residency status, and scholarship eligibility. With continued investment in the quality of education, Saudi Arabia offers opportunities for international students to participate in academic and research activities.
In this article, we introduce seven affordable universities and scholarship-supported study options in Saudi Arabia. The universities are not presented as a formal tuition ranking because fees and funding conditions differ considerably between programs and applicant categories. Before applying, confirm the latest tuition, scholarship, and eligibility information on the university’s official website.
Affordable Schools in Saudi Arabia for International Students
1. Islamic University of Madinah
Located in Madinah, the Islamic University of Madinah is a public university that offers programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Its official external-scholarship information describes a tuition-free undergraduate place for eligible international students residing outside Saudi Arabia, together with financial benefits and student services. Applicants to graduate programs should review the current scholarship announcement and their admission offer rather than assuming that every graduate place is automatically tuition-free.
2. Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: SAR 3,000 for qualifying courses and SAR 2,500 per semester for the Advanced Affiliation Program; these are not general undergraduate or graduate tuition rates
Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University is a public university in Riyadh. Its Faculty of Sharia was established in 1953, and the institution became a university in 1974. It now offers programs across Islamic studies, languages, humanities, sciences, computing, engineering, business, and other fields.
The frequently cited SAR 2,500 semester fee applies specifically to the university’s Advanced Affiliation Program. International applicants should check the tuition or scholarship conditions for their intended program because this amount does not apply to every undergraduate and graduate degree.
3. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: Fully covered by the KAUST Fellowship for eligible admitted M.S. and Ph.D. students; some externally sponsored students may not be eligible
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a graduate research university in Thuwal with an international academic and research community. It admits students to master’s and doctoral programs in science, engineering, and related interdisciplinary fields.
The KAUST Fellowship covers full tuition and bench fees, base accommodation, health insurance, and relocation support. It also provides annual living support worth USD 20,000 for M.S. students and USD 25,000 to USD 30,000 for Ph.D. students, depending on qualifications and academic progress. Students with certain external sponsorships or partnership funding may receive different arrangements.
4. King Saud University
- Admissions | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: Vary by admission track; external scholarship recipients receive free education, while fee-based bachelor’s options are available for certain applicants and programs
Founded in Riyadh in 1957, King Saud University (KSU) was the first government university established in Saudi Arabia. It offers programs across health sciences, engineering, science, business, humanities, languages, and other academic areas.
KSU does not publish one universal tuition rate for all international students. Nonresident international applicants may apply for external scholarships or certain fee-based health-sciences programs. Non-Saudi residents may apply through internal-scholarship or fee-based tracks, subject to the requirements for each program. KSU’s international scholarship benefits can include free education, accommodation, a monthly stipend, healthcare, and an annual return ticket.
5. Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: SAR 9,200 per regular semester and SAR 4,600 for the summer semester, including VAT, for non-Saudi residents in the undergraduate internal scholarship program
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University is a public higher education institution in Dammam, on the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia. It offers programs in health, engineering, science, management, arts, and education.
The SAR 9,200 semester fee applies specifically to non-Saudi students residing in Saudi Arabia who are admitted to the undergraduate internal scholarship program with tuition fees. It consists of SAR 8,000 in tuition plus VAT. It is not a universal undergraduate and graduate tuition rate. International students residing outside Saudi Arabia may instead apply through the university’s external-grant route, subject to its eligibility conditions and program restrictions.
6. King Abdulaziz University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: Typically covered for recipients of KAU international scholarships; self-funded fees vary by program and admission route
Located in Jeddah, King Abdulaziz University (KAU) was established in 1967 as a private university and later became a public university. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of academic fields and supports international students through scholarship programs.
KAU’s official scholarship information states that international scholarships are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels and typically cover tuition, accommodation, and living expenses. Applicants should check the conditions attached to the specific program and funding route listed in their offer.
7. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: Waived for undergraduate international students living outside Saudi Arabia; tuition-free graduate scholarships are available for all Ph.D. programs and selected M.S. programs, while self-sponsored graduate fees vary
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals is a public university in Dhahran. It offers programs in engineering, computing, mathematics, petroleum engineering, geosciences, chemicals and materials, design, and business. The university states that its courses are taught in English.
Undergraduate international students living outside Saudi Arabia receive a full scholarship and have their tuition waived. For graduate students, comprehensive scholarships are offered for all Ph.D. programs and selected M.S. programs. Self-sponsored graduate students are subject to a separate fee structure. The current official schedule lists a USD 2,000 semester registration fee plus USD 135 per credit hour for most non-thesis programs. Thesis-based programs list a USD 2,000 registration fee for the first semester, USD 1,000 from the second semester onward, and USD 135 per credit hour.
FAQs: Studying in Saudi Arabia
What Are the General Requirements to Study in Saudi Arabia?
Every university in Saudi Arabia sets its own admission rules, and requirements differ according to the applicant’s degree level, program, residency status, and funding route. Applicants should follow the conditions shown for their selected program rather than relying on one nationwide list of academic requirements.
Common requirements when applying to universities in Saudi Arabia include a valid passport, attested academic certificates, a medical report, and any documents required by the institution. Applicants may also need proof of language proficiency, standardized test scores, recommendations, or previous academic records when the selected university or program requires them. Educational-visa applicants must also meet the current passport, admission, financial-support, and health requirements published by the official Study in Saudi Arabia platform.
Do Universities in Saudi Arabia Offer English-Taught Programs?
Yes. However, the language of instruction varies by university and program. The official Study in Saudi Arabia platform identifies whether individual programs are taught in Arabic, English, or both. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals states that its courses are taught in English, while other universities may offer a mixture of Arabic- and English-taught programs. Applicants should confirm the language and any required IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent score on the page for their chosen program.
As shown in this article, the educational cost of studying in Saudi Arabia can be relatively low for students who qualify for institutional or government scholarships. It may also be possible to study for free when a scholarship explicitly covers tuition. Self-funded tuition, however, varies substantially by university, program, residency status, and degree level. Applicants should confirm current fees and scholarship benefits directly with the university before submitting an application or making a financial commitment.
We hope that you found this article on affordable universities in Saudi Arabia helpful. If you are interested, please check out these Available Courses for international students and the KSA Study Guide!
