🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia · Scholarships
Scholarships and financial aid for studying in Saudi Arabia — government, university, and international programs.
Quick answer
Saudi Arabia's best-known scholarships (such as the King Abdullah / King Salman programs) are largely for Saudis studying abroad, but incoming international students can access generous, often fully funded university scholarships — for example at KAUST (graduate research), KFUPM and other Saudi universities. Explore the university sites and apply by the deadline.
Saudi scholarship routes include Ministry of Education study-abroad programmes for Saudis and internal scholarships for some non-Saudi students at public higher-education institutions. Eligibility, application windows and language requirements should be checked with the ministry or university.
- Safeer supports Saudi scholarship and study-abroad administration.
- Internal scholarships for non-Saudis are generally implemented through universities.
- Scholarship approval should be matched with the correct educational visa route.
Step-by-step
- 1
Map the funding landscape
Map Saudi funding: generous, often fully funded university scholarships (e.g. KAUST graduate research, KFUPM) for incoming international students.
- 2
Check eligibility and deadlines
Confirm eligibility (level, nationality, grades, language) and note that scholarship deadlines are often months before course start.
- 3
Prepare your documents
Prepare transcripts, a language-test score, reference letters, a strong personal statement and (for research) a proposal.
- 4
Apply to the scheme and university
Submit the scholarship application and, where required, a separate university/admission application by each deadline.
- 5
Interview, results and acceptance
Attend any interview or selection stage; if awarded, formally accept the scholarship and your study place.
- 6
Handle visa, funds and conditions
Apply for your student visa, arrange disbursement, and note any conditions such as progress requirements or a return/service obligation.
Checklist
- Funding sources identified (government / university / private)
- Eligibility + deadlines confirmed
- Transcripts + language test + references
- Personal statement / research proposal
- Scholarship + university applications submitted
- Interview / selection completed
- Offer accepted + funding terms understood
- Student visa + disbursement + any bond/return rules
Official authorities
- National Platform — Education and Training
Official education and scholarship overview.
- National Platform — Internal Scholarships for Non-Saudis
Official non-Saudi internal scholarship service.
Frequently asked questions
Are there scholarships for foreigners in Saudi Arabia?
Yes — several universities offer generous, often fully funded scholarships to international students, especially for graduate and research study.
What is KAUST funding like?
KAUST (a graduate research university) typically offers full fellowships covering tuition, a stipend, housing and health insurance.
Are the King Abdullah/King Salman programs for foreigners?
Largely no — those flagship programs mainly fund Saudi nationals studying abroad; incoming students use university scholarships.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Saudi National Portal (my.gov.sa) — Saudi government services portal
- Absher (Ministry of Interior) — Residency (Iqama), visas, and entry/exit services
- Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) — VAT, zakat, and customs
- Ministry of Investment (MISA) — Foreign-investment licensing (formerly SAGIA)