Are you planning on getting your master’s degree in Saudi Arabia? Applying for a master’s degree in Saudi Arabia could be one of the best options for any international applicant, as there are numerous benefits, including quality education at an affordable tuition fee, scholarship opportunities, and a peaceful English-taught university atmosphere. Moreover, you will not only have a quality education here but also enjoy some of the biggest desert areas including Rub al-Khali and An Nafud.
In this article, we will provide all of the information you need to know about applying for a master’s degree in Saudi Arabia. Let’s get to it!
Is it Expensive to Study Master’s in Saudi Arabia?
When it comes to the cost of education, Saudi Arabia has the most affordable tuition fees compared to other Arab countries. This is to foster an atmosphere that ensures equal possibilities for students from all over the world who aspire to an excellent educational experience. King Saud University, one of Saudi Arabia’s most popular universities, charges international candidates between 35,000 SAR and 50,000 SAR in tuition fees. King Khalid University, on the other hand, costs international candidates between 30,000 SAR and 40,000 SAR in tuition fees.
Admission Requirements When Applying for a Master’s Degree
Now that you’ve decided to pursue your master’s degree in Saudi Arabia, you should know what documents you’ll need to submit with your application. There are a few mandatory documents that you must submit, and we are here to explain them in full.
1. Bachelor’s Degree Certificate
If you are applying for a master’s degree, you must provide an undergraduate certification. This is an essential piece of paper that the institutions you intend to apply to will undoubtedly require. If your diploma is in another language, you must get it translated into English. Alfaisal University, one of Saudi Arabia’s top and most renowned universities has made it obvious that applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree as part of their admissions requirements. You can review the entrance requirements that they require you to submit.
2. Transcript of Records
The next significant document you must submit to the university is your transcript, sometimes known as the academic grade results. This document will help the institution determine if you are eligible for the program or not. Several study programs, like medicine or engineering, require applicants to have above-average scores in mathematics, science, or certain subjects. If you have an exceptional academic track record, the university may even offer you a scholarship.
Universities state the minimum GPA for applicants to apply to the universities, such as Prince Sultan University, whose students with a general GPA of above 2.00 out of 4.00 or 3.00 out of 5.00 may be admitted to the program.
3. Personal Statement / SOP
Universities often request an SOP from each candidate to learn about the student’s aims and goals for attending the university. SOP is a statement that describes the student’s future educational goals, and it is one of the greatest ways to demonstrate that he or she deserves to be given a seat at his/her preferred degree.
While completing the application, you may be required to submit a few more papers, such as your national identity, recommendation letters, and others.
Language Proficiency Tests Needed for Master’s Programs
If you are an international applicant seeking a master’s degree in English-taught courses, you must present proof of your English ability. There are various approved English proficiency exams accessible worldwide that you can take, such as the TOEFL and IELTS. Applicants should aim to get a good score to be eligible for the program. This can also be used to evaluate for scholarship admissions. Each university specifies the minimum score for English competency. However, to ensure admission, you must score higher than the minimum required score. Alfaisal University, for example, stated that admission requirements include an IELTS band score of at least 6.0 or a TOEFL band score of at least 70.
Application Process for Master’s Degree in Saudi Arabia
Now that you know what documents you need to submit, we’ll go over the application procedure. Let us start!
Step 1. List down all your preferred universities
The first thing that you need to do if you are planning to take a master’s degree in Saudi Arabia is to make a list of universities that offer courses you intend to pursue. Your list should include location, courses offered, affordability, and safety and security.
This step should be completed a few months before applying as you need to trim it down to universities that best suit your needs.
Step 2: Gather your documents
Next, gather and prepare all of the documentation that you will need, then submit it with your application. Check the application page of your selected university to gain a comprehensive understanding of the requirements and scores that you must meet. We recommend that candidates begin this stage at least 2-3 months ahead of the application deadline because it sometimes takes time to obtain the requirements.
Step 3. Submit your application early
It is encouraged to submit your application ahead of the deadline. Universities receive thousands of applications every year. It is good practice to submit your application early. In certain situations, if the university has already reviewed your documents, they may ask for additional requirements. If so, then you’ll have ample time to obtain the document needed.
Step 4. Wait for the result
You will be notified of the decision on your application once the admissions committee has evaluated and assessed all your documents. So keep checking your email or the application portal to see whether the university requires any extra paperwork. A lack of response frequently leads to the university withdrawing an applicant’s application.
So there you have it, the information discussed above is designed to inspire you to pursue your educational goals and earn your dream degree in Saudi Arabia. We recognize that choosing the perfect university might be a challenging but important decision. We strongly urge you to explore your desired university admissions site and choose wisely.
We hope that you found this article informative. Please also check out these Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad.
