Apart from being one of the world’s major oil exporters, Saudi Arabia also holds higher education in high regard by introducing several initiatives, including tuition-free education for Saudi students at public universities and scholarship-funded study options for eligible international students.
Additionally, the country offers several scholarship opportunities that international students can take advantage of to lower their academic costs.
If you are looking to study at affordable universities or with scholarship support in Saudi Arabia, here are five universities to consider.
Tuition-Free Schools in Saudi Arabia for International Students
1. King Abdulaziz University
King Abdulaziz University (KAU), also known as جامعة الملك عبد العزيز in Arabic, is a prominent public research university located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Established in 1967, it is one of the largest and most prominent universities in the region.
The university offers tuition-free education to Saudi students through public higher education support. International students can also apply for scholarship opportunities, which may include benefits such as monthly rewards, housing, health care, travel support, and other institutional services.
2. King Saud University
King Saud University (KSU) is a renowned public university located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was established in 1957 and is recognized for its research activities, academic colleges, and research centers.
The university pays monthly stipends to eligible Saudi students, students born to Saudi mothers, and foreign scholarship students. International scholarship students may also receive support such as free education, accommodation, a monthly stipend, health care, and travel benefits, depending on the scholarship and program.
3. Umm Al-Qura University
Umm Al-Qura University (جامعة أم القرى) is a public university located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It began as the College of Shari’a in 1949 and has since grown into a large university with programs across fields such as Islamic studies, Arabic language, medicine, engineering, computer science, and social sciences.
International students may be able to study through internal or external scholarship routes. For example, scholarship students at the Institute of Arabic Language may receive free education, housing for single students, a monthly stipend, textbooks, medical treatment, and travel benefits, according to university scholarship rules.
4. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Another great university where students can pursue scholarship-funded graduate education in Saudi Arabia is King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Admitted graduate students generally receive the KAUST Fellowship, which includes full tuition support, a monthly stipend, base accommodation, health insurance, and relocation support. Some externally sponsored students may have different funding arrangements.
Additionally, eligible students from Islamic Development Bank member countries can apply for the IDB-KAUST Joint Ph.D. Scholarship Program, a fully funded program for qualified Ph.D. applicants. KAUST states that its Ph.D. program typically takes four years to complete.
5. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) is a public university located in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Established in 1963, it is known for its focus on engineering, applied sciences, technology, and business education.
KFUPM states that tuition fees are waived for undergraduate international students living outside Saudi Arabia. The university also offers comprehensive scholarships for all Ph.D. programs and select master’s programs, while some graduate programs are self-sponsored and charge tuition. In addition to its academic facilities, KFUPM has a medical center that provides primary health care services to students, employees, and their families.
Saudi Arabia offers a strong study abroad destination for international students seeking a mix of quality education and scholarship support. Through tuition-free public education for Saudi students, university scholarships, and government scholarship programs, eligible international students may be able to reduce the cost of studying at Saudi Arabian universities.
We hope this will encourage you to study in Saudi Arabia. Check our Saudi Arabia Study Page for a more comprehensive guide and tips! Also, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
