How do you feel about pursuing higher education in Saudi Arabia? Many overseas students prefer to continue their studies in Saudi Arabia for various reasons such as the opportunity to pay affordable tuition fees, get scholarships, and many more. In Saudi Arabia, higher education is the next step after three years of secondary school. International applicants can attend public or private higher education institutions, including universities, colleges, and academies.
If you are considering starting your studies in Saudi Arabia, this article will provide you with some general information about Saudi’s higher education. Now let’s get underway!
Types of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Saudi Arabia
Now, we will discuss Saudi higher education institutions based on their institutional status. You will get to know the types of studies that you can get involved in to pursue your studies in Saudi Arabia. Let’s start!
1. University
Nowadays, there are a lot of students and applications at the university level. The majority of Saudi institutions provide both undergraduate and graduate degrees to students with a wide range of specializations. International students, on the other hand, strongly choose graduate degrees. In response to the demand for overseas candidates, universities are also offering English-language courses. Besides, universities most certainly use the GPA grading system to assess their students’ performance.
Saudi universities also encourage international students to pursue Ph.D. programs and offer research opportunities. For example, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology provides Ph.D. programs designed to help you reach your full potential as an international student. Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, on the other hand, offers a variety of Ph.D. programs and grants to international applicants, particularly in health sciences and geography.
2. College
Colleges and other related institutions are readily available in Saudi Arabia. These educational institutions offer around three-year courses. They feature degree programs in agriculture, tourism, business, science, geography, and a variety of other subjects. Niagara College KSA is Saudi Arabia’s one of the most demanding institutions, offering a full foundation year program that includes English, mathematics, and computer training, as well as post-secondary programs in small company management, IT technical assistance, graphic design, and other fields.
As a result, if you’re looking for a college to make your first move, you’ll find plenty of options that are both popular and affordable. Without a doubt, these colleges offer internationally recognized demanding courses to attract students from all over the world. Thus, international applicants can readily enroll in any course offered there.
3. Vocational Institution
The higher education system also includes vocational institutes. Vocational education is critical for supplying society with a skilled workforce. Vocational businesses are the finest places to focus on labor training for diverse industries. The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation is the most popular vocational institution in Saudi Arabia, with branches located in all major cities. It provides a variety of training programs through its training centers, strategic cooperation institutes, and international technical colleges. It additionally offers training programs in private training facilities and flexible community support programs. There are several more like this, where students often acquire diplomas.
Types of Degree Levels in Saudi Arabia
Now, let’s have a look at the degrees that Saudi offers students that will enable them to pursue their chosen career paths.
1. Bachelor’s Degree
In Saudi Arabia, obtaining a bachelor’s degree certificate requires completion of an undergraduate program. Except for some technical and medical programs, which last five years or more, all programs last four years. In Saudi Arabia, bachelor’s degrees are available in a wide range of subjects, including business, computer science, nursing, medicine, accounting, engineering, and economics. For example, Saudi Electronic University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, provides excellent bachelor’s courses for international students.
2. Master’s Degree
You can obtain a master’s degree in Saudi Arabia, based on your qualifications and program. Most Saudi institutions offer two types of master’s degrees: research and course-based (teaching). Master’s degrees typically take one to two years to finish. You can check the master’s courses offered by KAUST, one of the finest universities in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has numerous scholarship opportunities for international students, making it an excellent opportunity for you to pursue your dream graduate degree.
3. Doctoral Degree
Saudi Arabia provides ample opportunity for researchers to explore their capabilities. For example, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals has an exceptional Ph.D. program for chemical specialists that is well-regarded by international students. On the other hand, Alfaisal University offers a Ph.D. degree in biomedical sciences to students worldwide. You would find numerous more Ph.D. opportunities to maximize your abilities and conduct research. Universities provide a healthy and appropriate environment for studying your project, and professors are quite helpful in making things easier for you.
FAQs: Higher Education in Saudi Arabia
What Grading System Does Higher Education Have in Saudi Arabia?
The Council of Higher Education (CHE) oversees all postsecondary, and non-military education. The Council is headed by the Ministry of Education. The majority of Saudi universities divide the grade system into nine categories: A+ (95-100%), A (90-95%), B+ (85-90%), B (80-85%), C+ (75-80%), C (70-75%), D+ (65-70%), D (60-65%), and F (0-59%). Although the majority of Saudi educational institutions follow this strategy, every university has its own set of policies, so grade levels may differ. For instance, King Fahad University uses a 4.0 grading scale. Therefore, if you are concerned about the grading system at any of your preferred universities, you should visit their website and confirm the grading policy they follow.
The information provided here is intended to motivate you to pursue your dreams and achieve your desired degree in Saudi Arabia. We understand that picking the best university for you might be a challenging yet vital decision. We strongly advise you to research your selected university and follow the Complete Guide on How to Apply to Universities in Saudi Arabia to make a well-informed selection.
We hope that this article helped you understand the higher education system in Saudi Arabia. Please also check out the Available Programs for International Students and Guide to Studying in Saudi Arabia to explore your options for studying abroad.
