Tuition a year
$3,000 to $12,000
Indicative range for an international student. Varies by university and subject.
Saudi Arabia
Study in Saudi Arabia
Well funded universities investing heavily in research, many fully funded scholarships that include accommodation and a stipend, and the chance to study close to the holy cities.
The numbers, up front
Indicative annual ranges in US dollars for an international student. Use them to shortlist, then let a counsellor price your actual choices.
Living a year
$6,000 to $11,000
Rent, food, transport and everyday costs. Cities differ far more than countries do.
Intakes
September and January
Apply at least nine months before the intake you want.
After you graduate
Restricted for students
The post study work position as it currently stands.
Why students choose it
Well funded universities investing heavily in research, many fully funded scholarships that include accommodation and a stipend, and the chance to study close to the holy cities.
- Fully funded scholarships often include housing and a stipend
- Heavy investment in research universities
- Close to Makkah and Madinah
- Strong in engineering, petroleum and medical sciences
Universities in Saudi Arabia
Go straight to each institution's own website, where the current admissions contact is always published. The full directory, with a guide for every university, is in LEAD Quest.
Search the full directory
Looking for a phone number? University switchboards and admissions inboxes change constantly, so we link to the official site rather than printing a number that might be wrong by the time you call it. If you would rather we made the approach, that is what a counsellor is for.
Funding in Saudi Arabia
Award values and deadlines change every cycle, so read the current call on the official page.
How to actually win one
KAUST Fellowship
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Full funding including tuition, accommodation and a living stipend for Masters and PhD.
Official page
King Abdulaziz University scholarships
King Abdulaziz University
Awards for international students including accommodation and a monthly allowance.
Official page
Saudi Government scholarships
Ministry of Education, Saudi Arabia
Programmes for international students across Saudi public universities.
Official pageSafety in Saudi Arabia
Save these before you fly, not after you land.
Saudi Arabia
997 ambulance, 998 civil defence
- Add your campus security number in your first week.
- Register with the Embassy of Pakistan, Riyadh so they can help quickly in an emergency.
- Keep a cloud copy of your passport, visa and offer letter.
Plan your application
Free tools that work for Saudi Arabia as well as anywhere else.
Cost calculator
Seven questions and an indicative total for the whole programme, not just year one.
Open it
Printable planners
Application tracker, document checklist, budget sheet and a pre departure timeline.
Print themWinning a scholarship
What selection panels actually reward, and the timeline that makes an application competitive.
Read the guide
LEAD Quest
Not sure this is the right country at all? Answer a few questions and find out for free.
Try it
Serious about Saudi Arabia?
Bring your transcripts and your budget to a free session. We will tell you which universities are realistic, what it will really cost and which intake you can still make.
