A lot of students hear "Saudi Government Scholarship" and assume they can study MBBS in Saudi Arabia for free. Right now, that is not the case. Every Medicine program currently listed on the Study in Saudi portal is Paid Study, which means you pay the listed tuition and get no automatic scholarship benefits.
This guide lists every Medicine program on the portal with its fees, the other healthcare programs available, and what makes a strong application. For the general scholarship process, read our complete Saudi Government Scholarship guide.
Medicine Programs Currently on the Portal
| University | Language | Funding | Tuition | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Rayan National Colleges | Arabic / English | Paid Study | 92,000 SAR per year | 7 years |
| AlMaarefa University | English | Paid Study | 46,000 SAR per semester | 7 years |
| Batterjee Medical College (Jeddah) | English | Paid Study | 90,000 SAR per year | 7 years |
| Batterjee Medical College (Aseer) | English | Paid Study | 90,000 SAR per year | 7 years |
| Batterjee Medical College (Dammam) | English | Paid Study | 90,000 SAR per year | 7 years |
| Batterjee Medical College (Madinah) | English | Paid Study | 90,000 SAR per year | 7 years |
| Riyadh Elm University | English | Paid Study | 46,000 SAR per semester | 7 years |
Programs are added and updated on the portal continuously. A fully funded or partial Medicine seat could appear later in the cycle, so keep checking.
Before you pay any tuition: check that the university is on the PMDC recognition list if you plan to practise in Pakistan. See our PMDC licensing guide.
Other Healthcare Programs on the Portal
Nursing
- Buraydah Private Colleges - Partial Scholarship
- Sulaiman Al-Rajhi University - Partial Scholarship
Pharmacy
- Al-Rayan National Colleges - Clinical Pharmacy
- AlMaarefa University - Doctor of Pharmacy
- Batterjee Medical College - Pharmacy Technician Diploma
- King Saud University - Doctor of Pharmacy
- Riyadh Elm University - Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
Pharmacy programs are also currently listed as Paid Study.
Dentistry
Partial scholarships may be available. Check the funding details and document requirements carefully for each program.
Other Medical Specializations
- Inaya Medical Colleges - Nuclear Medicine Technologies
Full vs Partial Scholarship vs Paid Study
| Type | Tuition | Stipend | Housing | Allowances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Scholarship | ✅ Waived | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Partial Scholarship | ✅ Waived | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Paid Study | ❌ You pay | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
For Arabic-taught programs on a scholarship, the preparatory Arabic year is fully covered.
What You Need to Maximise Your Chances
- GPA. Medicine is the most competitive field in any scholarship pool. Strong Biology, Chemistry, and Physics grades matter most.
- Research experience. Even basic lab work adds real weight.
- Personal statement. Your biggest weapon. Be specific about why medicine, why Saudi Arabia, and what you plan to do after. Personal, precise, unique. No generic answers.
- Recommendation letters. From teachers or professors who actually know your work. A specific, warm letter beats a generic one from a big name.
- CV. Make it diverse: volunteering, clinical exposure, healthcare-adjacent experience, language courses, extracurriculars. A couple of relevant online certificates is fine. Not 10+.
- Language proficiency. For English programs aim for IELTS 7.0+ or a strong TOEFL. For Arabic programs, show any Arabic you already know or a real willingness to learn.
- Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia is expanding its healthcare sector fast. Frame your application around clinical training, research interest, and contributing to healthcare development.
IELTS, TOEFL, or SAT results strengthen a Medicine application a lot, even where they are not strictly required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I study MBBS in Saudi Arabia for free?
Not through the programs currently listed. All listed Medicine programs are Paid Study. If you need a fully funded MBBS, look at other routes in our fully funded MBBS scholarships guide.
How long is MBBS in Saudi Arabia?
7 years for every Medicine program currently on the portal.
How much does MBBS cost in Saudi Arabia?
Around 90,000-92,000 SAR per year at the listed colleges. AlMaarefa and Riyadh Elm list 46,000 SAR per semester. Living costs come on top, since Paid Study has no stipend or housing.
Is there any scholarship option in healthcare?
Yes. Nursing at Buraydah Private Colleges and Sulaiman Al-Rajhi University is listed with partial scholarships (tuition waiver only), and Dentistry may have partial scholarships.
Confused between Saudi Paid Study and a funded MBBS elsewhere? Titans Abroad can compare the real total cost for you. Contact us on WhatsApp for a free consultation.