The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia offers international students opportunities to complete their degrees with full or partial financial support. The Ministry of Education states that scholarships for non-Saudi students at public universities may be fully funded, partially funded, or offered as paid study places. Applications and available opportunities can also be found through the official Study in Saudi platform. In addition to government-supported opportunities, top universities in the country offer fully funded scholarships to qualified applicants. The country’s education system also includes universities with established research centers and internationally recognized programs. In this article, we will look at how to study in Saudi Arabia for free.
Living in Saudi Arabia can also give you a deeper understanding of its people and culture. You can also learn about job opportunities if you are considering remaining in the country after graduation.
How to Study in Saudi Arabia for Free
1. Prepare Your Application Materials and Submit Your Application on Time
If you are looking to study in Saudi Arabia for free, prepare your application as early as possible. Your application must meet the academic and other admission requirements of your chosen university. Because many scholarship programs seek high-achieving students, maintaining a strong academic record can improve your chances of receiving an award.
In addition to helping you build a competitive academic profile, studying diligently can prepare you for the demands of university. Tertiary education requires dedication, perseverance, and conscientiousness. Productive study habits can also help you develop the fundamental skills needed to manage more complex university-level teaching and assessment methods.
Education involves a series of learning, assessment, and evaluation activities that must be completed within specific timeframes. Time management is equally important during the university application process. Experience meeting school deadlines can improve your ability to organize several tasks and submit university and scholarship applications on time.
2. Receive Financial Aid and Scholarships in Saudi Arabia
Universities in Saudi Arabia may help eligible students study for free through scholarships. Awards can take different forms, including need-based aid, merit scholarships, and academic excellence awards. Private organizations may also provide support to students from particular countries or fields of study. Saudi public universities offer internal scholarships for eligible non-Saudi residents and external scholarships for applicants living outside the country.
With several potential sources of funding, consider applying for multiple scholarships in Saudi Arabia. Some scholarships cover tuition and living expenses, while others provide only partial support. Review each award’s conditions carefully because scholarship providers may restrict recipients from combining their funding with other awards.
3. Apply to Cheap Universities in Saudi Arabia
Along with scholarships, choosing a university with affordable costs can reduce the amount of financial support you need. Tuition varies substantially by university, program, and student status, so applicants should not rely on a single national average. At King Abdulaziz University, qualifying international students can apply for external scholarships that provide tuition-free study and additional benefits.
Another university to compare is Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University. Full-time undergraduate tuition is SAR 30,000 per semester for the preparatory program and the Colleges of Business Administration and Law. Tuition is SAR 32,500 per semester for the Colleges of Architecture and Design, Computer Engineering and Science, and Engineering. A 15% value-added tax applies to the tuition and fees of non-Saudi students. The university’s program options include Engineering, Business, Law, Computer Science, and an Interior Design program offered to qualified female Saudi and non-Saudi students.
Tuition-free Options for Bachelor’s Studies in Saudi Arabia
You can study for an undergraduate degree in Saudi Arabia for free through several options. The Ministry of Education’s Study in Saudi platform provides information about study and scholarship opportunities for international applicants. Public-university scholarships may be fully funded or partially funded, depending on the university and award. Another option is to apply for university scholarships. Dar Al-Hekma University lists several undergraduate awards, subject to availability. Its DAH Talent Scholarship covers 50% of fees for five outstanding freshman applicants in the areas of the Holy Quran, sports, art, technology and science, or culture. The university separately lists a Merit Award that covers 100% of tuition for three applicants—one from each of its three academic schools.
Another option is to apply for King Abdulaziz University scholarships. The university’s official information for external scholarship students lists accommodation, reduced-cost meals, healthcare, annual travel tickets, and financial allowances. Current monthly rewards are SAR 850 for literary, administrative, and diploma majors and SAR 1,000 for scientific majors, with a SAR 10 monthly contribution deducted for the Student Fund. Eligible students may also receive an arrival allowance equivalent to three months’ reward, a graduation allowance, and a SAR 1,000 excellence reward if they meet the university’s academic criteria.
Tuition-free Options for Master’s Studies in Saudi Arabia
To earn your Master’s degree in Saudi Arabia for free, eligible admitted students at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology may receive the KAUST Fellowship. It includes full tuition and bench-fee coverage worth up to USD 35,000 per year, a stipend worth USD 20,000 per year for master’s students, base accommodation, health insurance, and relocation support. Students with certain forms of external sponsorship or funding may not be eligible for the fellowship.
At King Abdulaziz University, eligible postgraduate external scholarship students currently receive a SAR 900 monthly reward, with SAR 10 deducted monthly for the Student Fund. The university also lists an arrival allowance equivalent to three months’ reward, an annual SAR 900 books and references allowance that may be paid twice during a master’s program, a SAR 3,000 thesis-printing allowance after graduation, and a book-shipping allowance equivalent to three months’ reward. Other listed benefits include accommodation, reduced-cost meals, healthcare, and annual travel tickets.
You may also be able to complete your Master’s degree in Saudi Arabia through King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals scholarships. KFUPM states that distinguished applicants can be admitted as full-time master’s or PhD students with a full scholarship. Comprehensive graduate scholarships are available for all PhD programs and selected master’s programs that do not have a corresponding doctoral track. Benefits include tuition-free study, a stipend based on the scholarship category, furnished on-campus housing, medical and dental care, subsidized meals, textbooks, and air tickets for international students.
Tuition-free Options for PhD Studies in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia also offers opportunities to pursue doctoral studies with full financial support. Eligible PhD students at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology may receive the KAUST Fellowship, which includes full tuition and bench-fee coverage, base accommodation, health insurance, and relocation support. The annual stipend for PhD students is currently worth USD 25,000 to USD 30,000, depending on their qualifications and academic progress. Students with some forms of external sponsorship or funding may not be eligible.
King Abdulaziz University also offers external scholarships to eligible doctoral candidates. Current financial benefits include a SAR 900 monthly reward, an arrival allowance equivalent to three months’ reward, an annual SAR 900 books and references allowance that may be paid three times during a PhD program, and a SAR 4,000 thesis-printing allowance after graduation. Eligible external scholarship students may also receive accommodation, healthcare, reduced-cost meals, annual travel tickets, and a graduation book-shipping allowance equivalent to three months’ reward.
You can also apply for a full doctoral scholarship at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. KFUPM offers scholarships for all PhD and direct-entry PhD programs. Benefits include tuition-free study, a stipend based on the scholarship category, furnished on-campus housing, medical and dental care, subsidized meals, free textbooks, air tickets for international students, opportunities to receive financial support through research projects, and conference funding under specified conditions. KFUPM states that its direct-entry PhD program lasts five years, with the full scholarship provided for the first four years.
We hope that this article on how to study in Saudi Arabia for free was helpful. For more information about studying abroad, explore the Available Programs for International Students and the KSA Study Guide.
