The Saudi Arabia Government Scholarship is run by the Saudi Ministry of Education to bring international students into Saudi universities. It covers Diploma, Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programs, it is open to all nationalities, and it costs nothing to apply. One application on the Study in Saudi portal covers every university you select.
The part most students get wrong is funding. Not every program on the portal is fully funded, and the program you pick decides what you actually get. This guide covers how that works, who is eligible, what to upload, and how to apply before the October 6, 2026 deadline.
For the quick reference version with all official links, see our Saudi Arabia Government Scholarship page. Applying for Medicine? Read our Medicine-specific Saudi guide first.
Three Types of Programs on the Portal
Every program on Study in Saudi is listed under one of three funding types. Funding is set per program, not per university, so the same university can list a fully funded program next to a paid one.
| Type | What You Get |
|---|---|
| 🟢 Fully Funded | Tuition waiver, monthly stipend, housing, health insurance, annual airfare, Iqama fees, and other allowances |
| 🟡 Partial Scholarship | Tuition fee waiver only. No stipend, housing, or allowances |
| 🔵 Paid Study | You pay the listed tuition fees. No automatic scholarship benefits |
Medicine (MBBS) and Pharmacy are currently Paid Study, not fully funded. Always open the specific program on the portal and check its funding type and tuition before you select it.
Levels of Study
- Diploma (2 years)
- Bachelor's degree
- Master's degree
- PhD / Doctoral degree
Top Universities
- King Saud University (KSU)
- King Abdulaziz University (KAU)
- King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM)
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
- Islamic University of Madinah
These are also the most crowded. More on less competitive options below.
Available Fields
- Computer Science and IT
- Engineering
- Natural Sciences: Botany, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Microbiology
- Economics, Marketing, Management, Supply Chain Management, Business and Management
- Languages (including Chinese Language) and Islamic Studies
Programs are added and updated on the portal continuously, so check the live list before you apply.
Benefits of a Fully Funded Program
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Tuition | 100% covered |
| Monthly stipend | 900-1,200 SAR (Bachelor's) · 1,500 SAR (Master's) · 1,500-3,000 SAR (PhD) |
| Accommodation | Free on-campus housing or a housing allowance |
| Health insurance | Medical, dental, and emergency coverage |
| Airfare | Annual round-trip ticket to and from your home country |
| Arrival allowance | One-time cash payment on landing |
| Residence permit | Iqama processing fees fully covered |
| Books and materials | Study allowance provided |
| Arabic training | Free language courses if required. The preparatory Arabic year for Arabic-taught programs is covered |
Benefits, tuition coverage, and conditions vary by university and program. Check the specific program before applying.
Eligibility
General Requirements
- Open to all nationalities
- Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
- Medical report confirming absence of infectious diseases
- No previous scholarship from any Saudi institution
- Police clearance and good conduct certificate from your home country
- All certificates and documents authenticated by the relevant authorities
Academic Qualification, Age, and GPA
| Level | Qualification Needed | Age Limit | GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma | High school diploma | - | 90%+ |
| Bachelor's | High school diploma | 17-25 years | 90%+ |
| Master's | Bachelor's degree | Up to 30 | 3.5 / 4.0 |
| PhD | Master's degree | Up to 35 | 3.5 / 4.0 |
Required Documents
- Completed online application form
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates (attested)
- Valid passport copy
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letter of recommendation
- Medical fitness certificate, including blood tests and chest X-ray
- Police clearance and good conduct certificate
- Language proof: TOEFL or IELTS for English programs (optional), Arabic certificate for Arabic programs
- Recent passport-size photograph
Optional supporting documents: CV, Quran memorization certificate, official language test results.
Documents must be attested and translated as your program requires: into English for English-taught programs, into Arabic for Arabic-taught programs. Need help with attestation? See our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Create your account. Go to studyinsaudi.sa, select "Create Account", and enter your full name, nationality, date of birth, passport details, email, and phone number. Verify with the email or SMS code.
- Complete your profile. Fill in personal information, educational background, passport details, and contact information before moving on.
- Choose funding type and programs. Pick your degree level and funding type (fully funded, partially funded, or self-funded), then select 3 to 5 preferred universities and programs.
- Upload documents. Upload scanned colour copies of everything, already attested and translated. Incomplete or uncertified documents are the most common cause of rejection.
- Submit. One submission covers all selected universities. No separate university applications. No application fee.
- Track your application. Log back into the portal dashboard to check your status in real time.
- Receive your offer. If selected, your scholarship offer and admission letter arrive together by email.
- Apply for your visa. Apply for a D1 Education Visa through the Study in Saudi system with your acceptance letter, valid passport, medical certificate, and proof of financial capability if self-funded.
- Arrive and register. Most universities provide airport pickup and accommodation support. Attend orientation and complete your Iqama registration.
Application Deadline
Bachelor's, Master's and PhD: October 6, 2026. Deadlines can vary by university, so verify the date for your programs on the portal.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Fully funded programs mean zero tuition, free housing, healthcare, and annual flights
- No application fee
- One application covers multiple universities
- Access to well-funded research facilities and teaching hospitals
- Academic and professional networking across the Middle East
- Arabic language training included
- Iqama handled by the university
Cons
- Conservative cultural environment with strict social norms
- Arabic is the language of daily life, even if your program is in English
- You must finish the full program. Quitting voluntarily or being expelled may mean repaying scholarship costs
- Part-time work is generally not permitted during studies
- Family and dependent visas are complicated and not guaranteed
- Female students should check the university's guardian (mahram) policy before applying
How to Increase Your Chances
- Keep your GPA strong. 90%+ for undergraduate, 3.5+ for postgraduate. Academic merit is the main selection criterion.
- Write a specific SOP. Explain why that exact university, how the program connects to your career goals, and what you bring academically. Keep the motivation letter short, around 5-7 lines.
- Get strong recommendation letters. A detailed letter from a teacher or supervisor who knows your work beats a generic one from a senior name. Give accurate referee contact details.
- Get your documents perfect. Missing attestations, expired documents, and untranslated certificates are the most common reasons for rejection. Start 2-3 months before the deadline.
- Align with Vision 2030. Healthcare, STEM, engineering, and technology are priority areas. Show how your field connects to Saudi Arabia's development goals.
- Learn basic Arabic. Even a basic conversational level shows commitment and sets you apart from equally qualified applicants.
- Apply to the maximum. Select 3 to 5 universities. Do not bet everything on one institution.
- Target less competitive universities. Everyone applies to KSU and KAUST. Taif University, Al-Baha University, and Northern Borders University offer the same scholarship benefits with much lower competition.
- Apply early. First-round applicants are reviewed before slots fill. Later applicants compete for what is left.
IELTS, TOEFL, or SAT results strengthen your application even where they are not strictly required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an application fee?
No. Applying through Study in Saudi is free.
Do I have to apply to each university separately?
No. One submission on the portal covers all the universities you select.
Is MBBS fully funded?
No, not currently. Medicine and Pharmacy programs on the portal are listed as Paid Study. See our Medicine guide for the full list and fees.
Where do I find the full list of universities?
It becomes available after you create an account on the portal.
Can I work part-time during my studies?
Generally no. Plan your budget around the stipend and family support.
Applying for the Saudi Government Scholarship this cycle? Titans Abroad helps Pakistani students pick the right programs, get documents attested and translated, and submit on time. Contact us on WhatsApp for a free consultation.