Saudi Arabia
Public universities, private institutions and graduate research.
Study overview
Saudi Arabia’s higher-education system includes public universities, private institutions and specialised graduate provision. International places can be self-funded or supported through a defined scholarship route. Award coverage, teaching language and entry conditions attach to the particular programme and applicant category.
Tuition / Year
Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University (PMU), 2026/27 international bachelor’s example, including 15% non-Saudi VAT. Two semesters; programme differences and additional charges apply.
Living / Month
Illustrative Dhahran allowance: SAR 1,500 shared rent plus SAR 1,000 daily costs. Not a PMU quote; funded campus arrangements differ.
Typical degree length: Bachelor’s: usually 4 years
Master’s: 1–2 years
Medicine (PMU): 6 years + 1-year internship
Fields: Engineering; computing; business; sciences; Arabic studies.
Official references
- https://www.pmu.edu.sa/admission/fees_tf_ro_2026_2027
- https://www.pmu.edu.sa/admission/international_students
- https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/study/international-students/fees-and-scholarships
- https://sustainability.kfupm.edu.sa/sustainable-cities-and-communities-new/
- https://studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa
- https://www.pmu.edu.sa/academics/about_law_dept_cshs_udp
- https://ms.kfupm.edu.sa/documents/48/Cohort-Based_Programs_Rules_and_FAQ_Jnuary_2026_001.pdf
- https://www.pmu.edu.sa/academics/mbbs_studyplan_dept_com_udp
Study and admission
Universities and Study Routes
Public and private provision, degree levels and distinct domestic and international selection.
Public and private provision
The Ministry of Education’s directory identifies public universities across the Kingdom, including regional institutions in Jazan, Tabuk, Najran, Ha’il and the Northern Borders. Private provision includes comprehensive universities and specialist institutions. Dar Al Uloom University, University of Business and Technology and Riyadh Elm University illustrate different private academic profiles. Arab Open University operates a Saudi branch with national recognition and an academic relationship with the United Kingdom’s Open University. Public or private ownership does not, by itself, specify an international applicant’s admission category or financial entitlement.
Degree and subject provision
Saudi institutions offer undergraduate and postgraduate study through different academic models. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology is a graduate research university offering Master of Science and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, with integrated master’s–doctoral pathways in selected disciplines. King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences has its main campus in Riyadh and branches in Jeddah and Al-Ahsa. Private Al Mustaqbal University includes dentistry, engineering and computing, and administrative and humanities provision. The available subject range and degree level therefore depend on the institution.
Aptitude and achievement routes
Qudurat, the General Aptitude Test, and Tahsili, the achievement examination, serve different purposes: aptitude assessment concerns reasoning, while achievement assessment concerns school learning. Universities combine scores according to their own published routes. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals currently weights its primary route equally between Qudurat and its own achievement test. Its secondary route for remaining vacancies uses 50% Qudurat, 40% Tahsili and 10% school performance. These are two university-specific combinations, not a national formula applying to every undergraduate or international application.
International applicant categories
The Ministry of Education distinguishes internal scholarships for legally resident non-Saudis from external scholarships for non-Saudis arriving from abroad. Its public-university scholarship guidance excludes health and medical specialities from that specified route; this is not a description of every private or paid programme. Separate institutional pathways also exist. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals accepts local and international candidates through an SAT route that does not require Qudurat or Tahsili, but does require qualified applicants to pass the university’s mathematics test. Nationality and application route remain material distinctions.
Funding and Student Residence
Graduate evidence, scholarship components, educational visas and residential campus services.
Graduate academic evidence
KAUST requires a relevant bachelor’s degree for master’s entry and a relevant master’s degree for direct doctoral entry. Its minimum grade-point average is 3.0/4.0. Applications include academic records, a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae and three referees. English is the teaching language. English-test exemption requires a qualifying degree completed physically in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand, or at KAUST. English-medium letters and degrees completed at offshore branches do not independently establish exemption. Transcripts submitted in another language require a certified English translation.
Official references
Funding and fee categories
The Study in Saudi platform separates full scholarships, partial scholarships and paid study programmes. The Ministry’s guidance describes partial support as potentially limited to a place or a place plus housing. KAUST’s fellowship provides tuition and bench fees, a stipend, base accommodation, health insurance and relocation support, with restrictions where external sponsorship applies. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals separately publishes postgraduate scholarship arrangements. These named packages are not evidence that every Saudi degree is free, or that an offer to a foreign applicant necessarily includes maintenance funding.
Educational visa categories
The official Study in Saudi platform describes a short-term educational visa for programmes of up to six months, extendable for a further six months, and a long-term visa valid for one year and renewable annually. Applicants must be at least sixteen and hold admission from a licensed, accredited institution, with financial evidence or a guarantee. The long-term category also requires medical documentation, insurance and evidence of the teaching language, except for Arabic-language study. Applicants under eighteen require the specified consent documentation. Academic admission and visa eligibility remain separate requirements.
Official references
Residential study and services
KAUST guarantees university-managed campus housing for admitted students. Furnished student accommodation is concentrated around the Harbour area near academic buildings and Discovery Square. Single students usually receive a room in shared accommodation; housing configurations depend on availability and student circumstances. The university’s campus services include a health centre, pharmacy, shops, sports facilities, counselling and career support. It also operates buses to Jeddah. This is a defined residential-campus model at Thuwal, rather than an accommodation guarantee made by the wider Saudi university sector or every scholarship scheme.
Entrance and language assessments
General Aptitude Test (GAT / Qudurat)
Applies to: Specified undergraduate admission routes
Measures aptitude and reasoning. KFUPM’s primary route gives Qudurat 50% weight alongside its institutional achievement test. It is not required in the university’s separate SAT route for local and international candidates.
Academic Achievement Test (Tahsili)
Applies to: Specified school-leaver admission routes
Assesses school-subject achievement. KFUPM’s secondary vacancies route weights Tahsili at 40%, alongside 50% Qudurat and 10% school performance. This route-specific formula does not establish a requirement for all expatriate or overseas applicants.
https://apply.kfupm.edu.sa/undergraduate-regular-admissions/
KFUPM Achievement Test
Applies to: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals primary undergraduate route
The university’s own achievement test contributes 50% of the primary-route selection score. It is distinct from national Tahsili and from the mathematics examination used in KFUPM’s SAT route.
SAT (College Board)
Applies to: KFUPM’s local and international SAT admission route
Minimum published score: 1350. Qudurat and Tahsili are not required in this route. Qualified candidates must pass the university mathematics test and may be interviewed; the minimum SAT score does not guarantee admission.
Standardized Test of English Proficiency (STEP)
Applies to: English evidence for accepting institutions and routes
KFUPM publishes STEP 65 or an accepted equivalent for its primary and secondary routes. Its primary-route policy excludes the SAT and Olympiad tracks from this stated English-score requirement. STEP is not a universal international-admission condition.
International English Language Testing System / Test of English as a Foreign Language (IELTS / TOEFL)
Applies to: KAUST graduate English-language evidence
Published standard: IELTS 7 overall, 6.5 per section, or TOEFL iBT 5 overall, 4.5 per section on the new scale. Defined degree-location exemptions and conditional arrangements for Saudi nationals and doctoral students apply; these are KAUST rules.
https://admissions.kaust.edu.sa/how-to-apply/entry-requirements
Postgraduate General Aptitude Test / Graduate Record Examination (PGAT / GRE)
Applies to: Institution-specific postgraduate selection
KAUST accepts either score as optional supporting evidence and recognises five-year score validity. Neither is compulsory for its application. Other universities determine their own postgraduate test requirements.
https://admissions.kaust.edu.sa/how-to-apply/entry-requirements
Scholarships and funding routes
Study in Saudi — international scholarship routes
Support: The portal distinguishes full scholarships, partial scholarships and paid study. Full awards include university-provided benefits such as tuition, accommodation, healthcare and travel under the relevant scheme.
Eligibility: Non-Saudi applicants: external scholarships are for applicants abroad; internal routes are for eligible legal residents. Nationality, age, academic and programme conditions vary.
Application: Applications are processed through the official Study in Saudi portal for the selected institution, programme and funding category.
Conditions: Paid-study admission carries no scholarship entitlement. Internal awards require lawful Saudi residence; external awards serve applicants abroad. The Ministry’s international scholarship route excludes health and medical specialisations.
KAUST Fellowship
Support: Full tuition and bench fees; an annual stipend of US$20,000 for MS students or US$25,000–30,000 for PhD students; base housing, health insurance and relocation support.
Eligibility: Admitted eligible graduate students, including international applicants, in KAUST science and engineering programmes; externally sponsored arrangements can differ.
Application: Eligible graduate admission includes consideration for the KAUST Fellowship.
Conditions: External sponsorship can affect eligibility. Housing upgrades incur extra charges. Relocation support covers the initial move and return after graduation, rather than annual holiday travel.
KFUPM graduate scholarship
Support: Full tuition support with a monthly stipend and benefits including furnished accommodation, medical care and eligible international travel.
Eligibility: Distinguished full-time graduate applicants meeting KFUPM’s scholarship admission requirements, including eligible international students.
Application: Scholarship selection forms part of admission to an eligible full-time research graduate programme.
Conditions: Self-sponsored thesis degrees and professional master’s routes have separate fee arrangements. The direct-entry PhD lasts five years, while the published full scholarship covers its first four years.
Prince Sultan University scholarships
Support: Competitive tuition awards of 25%, 50% or 100% in specified categories; some full-award recipients may also receive SAR 1,500 monthly.
Eligibility: Saudi and non-Saudi applicants qualify in specified categories, with different weighted-score thresholds. A PSU student ID is required for scholarship application.
Application: Applications are submitted through the university scholarship system after admission registration.
Conditions: The cited guide covers 2026–27. Some categories are restricted to Saudi nationals; the SAR1,500 stipend is attached to designated full-award categories and is not universal.
Selected university profiles
Selected public, private and specialist universities from the national higher education landscape. The official Ministry list provides institutional context; programme access and international scholarship categories remain institution-specific.
King Saud University
A public university in Riyadh providing undergraduate, postgraduate and research education. Its academic colleges cover medicine and other health professions, engineering, business, sciences and humanities. Degree teaching and research are organised through these colleges and their associated academic departments.
- Subjects
- Medicine; Engineering; Business; Science; Humanities
- Address
- King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://ksu.edu.sa/
Official references
King Abdulaziz University
A public university in Jeddah with undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes. Its academic colleges cover medicine, engineering, business, sciences and humanities, alongside other professional subjects. The university’s teaching and research activities include both health-related and nonclinical fields within a collegiate structure.
- Subjects
- Medicine; Engineering; Business; Science; Humanities
- Address
- P.O. Box 80200, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://www.kau.edu.sa/
- cic@kau.edu.sa
Official references
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
A public university in Dhahran specialising in science, engineering and technology. Its subjects include computing, business and geosciences alongside engineering disciplines. Academic qualifications encompass undergraduate degrees, thesis-based research master’s and doctoral programmes, with professional master’s programmes forming a separate graduate route.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Computing; Science; Business; Geosciences
- Address
- King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://www.kfupm.edu.sa/
Official references
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
A residential graduate research university in Thuwal on the Red Sea coast. It offers master’s and doctoral study in science and engineering, including computing, biosciences, environmental science and materials science. Its degree catalogue is postgraduate, without a conventional undergraduate programme.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Computing; Bioscience; Environmental science; Materials science
- Address
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://www.kaust.edu.sa/
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
A public university in the Eastern Province providing undergraduate and postgraduate education. Its colleges cover medicine, dentistry, engineering, business and computer science alongside other disciplines. Health-professions education and clinical training form part of the university’s academic structure, together with nonclinical programmes.
- Subjects
- Medicine; Dentistry; Engineering; Business; Computer science
- Address
- P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://www.iau.edu.sa/
Official references
King Faisal University
A public university based in Al Ahsa with undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Its subject range includes agriculture, veterinary medicine, business, engineering and human medicine. Agricultural and veterinary education sit alongside other scientific, health-related and professional disciplines within its constituent colleges.
- Subjects
- Agriculture; Veterinary medicine; Business; Engineering; Medicine
- Address
- P.O. Box 400, Al Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://www.kfu.edu.sa/
- reg.service@kfu.edu.sa
King Khalid University
A public university serving the Asir region, with Al-Faraa among its principal campus locations. Its colleges provide programmes in medicine, engineering, computing, business and humanities. Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching is distributed across the university’s academic units and regional teaching sites.
- Subjects
- Medicine; Engineering; Computing; Business; Humanities
- Address
- Al-Faraa University Campus, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://www.kku.edu.sa/
Qassim University
A public university in the Qassim region with its main institutional address in Buraydah. Its colleges provide undergraduate and postgraduate education in medicine, engineering, agriculture, business and sciences. Agricultural and health-professions programmes form part of its wider academic and research activity.
- Subjects
- Medicine; Engineering; Agriculture; Business; Science
- Address
- Al-Jamea District, Buraydah; P.O. Box 52571, Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://www.qu.edu.sa/
- info@qu.edu.sa
Official references
Umm Al-Qura University
A public university based in Makkah, with Al-Abidiyyah among its teaching locations. Islamic studies and Arabic-language education form part of its academic identity alongside medicine, engineering, sciences and business. Its colleges provide undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes across these disciplines.
- Subjects
- Islamic studies; Arabic; Engineering; Medicine; Business
- Address
- Al-Abidiyyah Campus, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://uqu.edu.sa/
Taibah University
A public university based in Madinah with colleges and teaching locations across its wider regional network. Its subjects include medicine, sciences, engineering, business and humanities. Undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are delivered through academic colleges covering health professions and nonclinical disciplines.
- Subjects
- Medicine; Science; Engineering; Business; Humanities
- Address
- Prince Nayef Road, Madinah 42353, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://www.taibahu.edu.sa/
- tawasul@taibahu.edu.sa
Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University
A public women’s university in Riyadh providing undergraduate and graduate education. Its colleges cover health sciences, computing, business, education and arts, alongside other academic subjects. Professional degree programmes and research activity are organised through the university’s constituent colleges and academic departments.
- Subjects
- Health sciences; Computing; Business; Education; Arts
- Address
- Building 7808, King Khalid International Airport, Unit 1, Riyadh 13412-3230, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://pnu.edu.sa/
- info@pnu.edu.sa
Official references
King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences
A public university specialising in health sciences, with campuses in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Ahsa. Its subjects include medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and applied medical sciences. Academic programmes combine healthcare education with research and clinical training within the university’s specialist remit.
- Subjects
- Medicine; Nursing; Pharmacy; Dentistry; Applied medical sciences
- Address
- P.O. Box 3660, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://www.ksau-hs.edu.sa/
Official references
Islamic University of Madinah
A public university in Madinah offering Islamic studies and Arabic-language education alongside science, engineering and computing. Its academic provision includes undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. Preparatory Arabic study forms a distinct component of its education for students entering from different linguistic backgrounds.
- Subjects
- Islamic studies; Arabic; Science; Engineering; Computing
- Address
- Islamic University, P.O. Box 170, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://iu.edu.sa/
Prince Sultan University
A private nonprofit university in Riyadh providing undergraduate and graduate programmes. Its subject areas include business, computing, engineering, architecture and law. The university operates a competitive undergraduate scholarship scheme with separate award categories and academic thresholds for Saudi and non-Saudi applicants.
- Subjects
- Business; Computing; Engineering; Architecture; Law
- Address
- P.O. Box 66833, Rafha Street, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://www.psu.edu.sa/
Official references
Alfaisal University
A private nonprofit university in Riyadh offering undergraduate and graduate education in medicine, engineering, business, pharmacy and sciences. Its colleges organise professional training and research within these fields. Academic admission and financial-aid selection are separate processes within the university’s student recruitment system.
- Subjects
- Medicine; Engineering; Business; Pharmacy; Science
- Address
- P.O. Box 50927, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://www.alfaisal.edu/
Effat University
A private nonprofit university in Jeddah with programmes in business, engineering, architecture, humanities and design. Undergraduate and postgraduate education are organised through academic colleges. The curriculum encompasses technical and professional subjects alongside creative disciplines, including architecture and visual or design-related study.
- Subjects
- Business; Engineering; Architecture; Humanities; Design
- Address
- P.O. Box 34689, Jeddah 21478, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://www.effatuniversity.edu.sa/
- Admissions@effatuniversity.edu.sa
Dar Al-Hekma University
A private nonprofit university in Jeddah offering undergraduate and graduate programmes in business, law, design, computing and international relations. Its academic schools combine professional education with creative and social-science subjects. Degree provision includes both bachelor’s qualifications and selected master’s programmes.
- Subjects
- Business; Law; Design; Computing; International relations
- Address
- 6702 Prince Majed, Al Faiha, Unit 2, Jeddah 22246-4872, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://www.dah.edu.sa/
Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University
A private university in the Eastern Province providing undergraduate and graduate education. Its colleges cover engineering, computing, business, law and architecture, among other professional fields. English-language preparation forms part of its academic provision alongside the disciplinary study required for degree programmes.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Computing; Business; Law; Architecture
- Address
- P.O. Box 1664, Al Khobar 31952, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://www.pmu.edu.sa/
- enrollment@pmu.edu.sa
Al Yamamah University
A private university in Riyadh with colleges in business, engineering and law. Its programmes include architecture, computing and management-related specialisations at undergraduate and graduate levels. Preparatory English-language education is provided through its university preparatory programme and associated language-teaching arrangements.
- Subjects
- Business; Engineering; Architecture; Computing; Law
- Address
- King Fahad Branch Road, Al Qirawan, Riyadh 13451; P.O. Box 45180, Riyadh 11512, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://yu.edu.sa/
- admissions@yu.edu.sa
Official references
Prince Musaid bin Abdulrahman University (formerly Saudi Electronic University)
A public university formerly named Saudi Electronic University, with its institutional base in Riyadh and branches across Saudi Arabia. Its blended-learning programmes combine online study with in-person components. Subjects include business, computing, health sciences and humanities at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
- Subjects
- Business; Computing; Health sciences; Humanities
- Address
- Abu Bakr Al Siddiq Road, intersection with Prince Mohammed bin Salman Road, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Website
- https://seu.edu.sa/
Further institutions
| Institution | Location and type | Official website | Book page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University | Riyadh / Public university | https://imamu.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| Taif University | Taif / Public university | https://www.tu.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| University of Ha’il | Ha’il / Public university | https://www.uoh.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| Jazan University | Jazan / Public university | https://www.jazanu.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| Jouf University | Sakaka / Public university | https://www.ju.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| Al-Baha University | Al Baha / Public university | https://bu.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| University of Tabuk | Tabuk / Public university | https://www.ut.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| Najran University | Najran / Public university | https://www.nu.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| Northern Border University | Arar / Public university | https://www.nbu.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University | Al Kharj / Public university | https://www.psau.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| Shaqra University | Shaqra / Public university | https://www.su.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| Majmaah University | Al Majmaah / Public university | https://www.mu.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| University of Jeddah | Jeddah / Public university | https://www.uj.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| University of Bisha | Bisha / Public university | https://www.ub.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| University of Hafr Al Batin | Hafr Al Batin / Public university | https://www.uhb.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| Dar Al Uloom University | Riyadh / Private university | https://dau.edu.sa/en/ | 256 |
| Sulaiman Al Rajhi University | Al Bukayriyah / Private university | https://sr.edu.sa/site/ | 256 |
| Almaarefa University | Diriyah, Riyadh / Private university | https://www.um.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| University of Business and Technology | Jeddah / Private university | https://www.ubt.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| Fahad Bin Sultan University | Tabuk / Private university | https://fbsu.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| Al Mustaqbal University | Buraydah / Private university | https://uom.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| Riyadh Elm University | Riyadh / Private university | https://riyadh.edu.sa/ | 256 |
| Arab Open University, Saudi Arabia | Riyadh and regional centres / Private open university | https://www.arabou.edu.sa/ | 256 |