Saudi Arabia Government Scholarship 2026-27
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education scholarship for international students, applied for through the Study in Saudi portal. Offers fully funded, partial, and paid-study programs at Diploma, Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD levels. Fully funded programs cover 100% tuition, a monthly stipend (900-3,000 SAR depending on level), housing, health insurance, annual airfare, and Iqama fees. One free application covers multiple universities. Deadline: October 6, 2026.
Quick Facts
Status
Opening SoonFunding
Full / PartialDeadline
October 6, 2026 (Bachelor's, Master's & PhD) - varies by university, verify on the portal
Country
Saudi ArabiaAll Saudi Arabia guidesEvery Saudi Arabia scholarship in one place→About the Saudi Arabia Government Scholarship 2026-27
The Saudi Arabia Government Scholarship is administered by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education under the study portal studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa. Under the Pakistan-Saudi bilateral educational cooperation framework, 700 scholarship seats are allocated annually across 25 participating Saudi universities - 75% reserved for applicants based in Pakistan and 25% for Pakistani nationals residing in Saudi Arabia as expatriates. This bilateral arrangement is one of the largest country-specific scholarship allocations in the region and reflects the deep educational and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Funding is structured in tiers based on the university. Fully funded universities - including King Saud University (KSU), King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Islamic University of Madinah, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) - provide a complete package: 100% tuition waiver, monthly stipend of 850-1,500 SAR (approximately USD 225-400 depending on degree level), free hostel accommodation, comprehensive health insurance and medical care, annual round-trip flight tickets, and coverage for books and study materials. Partially funded universities cover only selected components. Self-funded options at additional institutions provide enrollment access but limited financial support.
The program spans virtually all major academic fields. Medicine (MBBS), Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and allied health sciences are among the most accessible and sought-after programs. Saudi medical universities - particularly King Saud University and King Abdulaziz University - operate world-class hospital facilities that provide clinical training of the highest standard. For postgraduate study, KAUST (ranked among the world's top research universities for engineering and sciences) and KFUPM offer exceptional Master's and PhD programs in Engineering, Computer Science, and Petroleum Engineering. Business, Islamic Studies, Social Sciences, and Education programs are available across multiple universities.
The 2026-27 application cycle has two rounds: Round 1 closes May 21, 2026 (for both Bachelor's and Master's/PhD levels), and Round 2 opens in September 2026. A Police Clearance Certificate became mandatory for the 2026 cycle and must be obtained before application submission. Importantly, no Arabic translation of academic certificates or mark sheets is required for the 2026 cycle - documents can be submitted in English or their original language.
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 national transformation program has driven substantial investment in higher education quality, research infrastructure, and international faculty recruitment. Saudi public universities have risen significantly in global rankings over the past decade. For students in medicine and engineering in particular, studying in Saudi Arabia provides access to some of the most well-resourced academic and clinical environments in the developing world. The large, well-established Pakistani student and expatriate community across Saudi cities provides a ready-made support network for new arrivals.
Eligible Levels
Eligible Fields
Why Choose This Scholarship?
700 seats with generous bilateral quota
one of the largest country-specific scholarship allocations globally, with two application rounds per year
MBBS available at multiple Saudi universities, including world-class facilities at King Saud University and King Abdulaziz University
Saudi Arabia is an Islamic country
applicants who prioritize halal food, prayer facilities, and an Islamic social environment will find Saudi campuses deeply accommodating
Annual return flight tickets included in the fully funded package
ensures scholars can return home each year at no cost
KAUST is ranked among the world's top 100 universities for engineering and sciences - offering a genuinely world-class postgraduate research environment
No document translation requirement for 2026
the application process is simpler and more accessible than many comparable scholarships
Two application rounds (May and September) provide a second opportunity for applicants who miss the first deadline
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 investments have dramatically upgraded university facilities, faculty, and research infrastructure across all major institutions
What the Scholarship Covers
Studying in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is the Arab world's largest economy and is undergoing one of the most ambitious national transformation programs in history under Vision 2030. Higher education investment has been a centerpiece of this transformation: Saudi universities have added thousands of international faculty members, built state-of-the-art research labs, and partnered with leading global institutions. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is now ranked among the world's top research institutions for engineering, computer science, and environmental sciences. King Saud University and King Abdulaziz University offer internationally accredited programs across medicine, engineering, and sciences recognized by WHO and other global bodies. Major university cities - Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, Dammam, and Dhahran - offer modern, well-serviced campuses in a country with zero income tax, very low cost of living, and a strong, stable social environment. For students in medicine and engineering, Saudi Arabia's clinical and industrial infrastructure provides training exposure that is exceptionally difficult to match at this cost level anywhere else in the world.
Eligibility Requirements
9 requirements
Documents Checklist
11 documents required
How to Apply - Step by Step
Step 1 - 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 via email or SMS code.
Step 2 - Complete your profile: fill in personal information, educational background, passport details, and contact information fully before moving forward.
Step 3 - Choose funding type and programs: select your degree level and funding type (fully funded, partially funded, or self-funded), then select 3 to 5 preferred universities and programs.
Step 4 - Upload documents: upload scanned colour copies of all required documents, attested and translated before upload. Incomplete or uncertified documents are the most common cause of rejection.
Step 5 - Submit: one submission covers all selected universities. No separate university applications and no application fee.
Step 6 - Track your application: log back into the portal dashboard to monitor your status in real time.
Step 7 - Receive your offer: if selected, the scholarship offer and admission letter arrive together by email.
Step 8 - Apply for your visa: apply for a D1 Education Visa through the Study in Saudi system using your acceptance letter, valid passport, medical certificate, and proof of financial capability if self-funded.
Step 9 - Arrive and register: most universities provide airport pickup and accommodation support. Attend orientation and complete your Iqama registration on arrival.
Application Timeline
September 2026
Portal open for applications
Programs are added and updated continuously
October 6, 2026
Application deadline (Bachelor's, Master's & PhD)
Varies by university - verify on the portal
After deadline
Application review
Track status on the portal dashboard
By email if selected
Offer and admission letter
After acceptance
D1 Education Visa
Applied through the Study in Saudi system
Before classes start
Arrival, orientation and Iqama registration
Insider Tips & Pro Tips
Check the funding type of every program before selecting it - Medicine and Pharmacy are currently Paid Study, not fully funded
Select the maximum allowed (3 to 5 universities) rather than putting everything on one institution
Consider less competitive universities such as Taif University, Al-Baha University, or Northern Borders University - same scholarship benefits, lower competition than KSU or KAUST
Keep your motivation letter concise (around 5-7 lines) and focused on your academic goals and reasons for applying
Connect your field to Saudi Vision 2030 priorities in your SOP - healthcare, STEM, engineering, and technology are priority areas
Start document attestation and translation 2-3 months before the deadline - missing attestations and untranslated certificates are the most common reasons for rejection
Apply in the first round and early - first-round applicants are reviewed before seats fill
IELTS, TOEFL, or SAT results strengthen your application even where not strictly required
Important Links & Contacts
▶️ Video Guide
Video Guide: How to Apply for Saudi Government Scholarship
🔗 Official Links
Study in Saudi Portal (Apply Here): Official application portal. Create an account, choose programs, upload documents, track your status, and apply for your D1 visa here. The full university list is available after account creation.
Ministry of Education, Saudi Arabia: The government body that administers the scholarship.
For Pakistani Students
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan (Islamabad)
📍 Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 4, Islamabad
📞 +92-51-9216800
🌐 mofa.gov.sa/ar/missions/EmbassyIslamabad →For document legalization and general enquiries. The Cultural Attaché section handles education matters.
Pakistani Consulate in Jeddah
📍 Al Sharafiya District, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
📞 +966-12-6824250
🌐 mofa.gov.pk/saudi-arabia/ →Consular services for Pakistani students in the Western Province (Jeddah/Madinah).
Embassy of Pakistan in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh)
📍 Pakistani House, Batha, Riyadh 11442
📞 +966-11-4880830
🌐 mofa.gov.pk/saudi-arabia/ →Consular services for Pakistani students in Riyadh and surrounding regions.
Students from Other Countries
The scholarship is open to all nationalities. Apply directly on the Study in Saudi portal and contact the Saudi Embassy in your home country for document legalization.
Find Saudi Arabia Embassies Worldwide →Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions - click any to expand
On fully funded programs: 900-1,200 SAR for Bachelor's, 1,500 SAR for Master's, and 1,500-3,000 SAR for PhD. Partial scholarships and Paid Study programs do not include a stipend.
No, not currently. Medicine (MBBS) and Pharmacy programs listed on the Study in Saudi portal are Paid Study, with tuition around 90,000-92,000 SAR per year at the listed private colleges. Dentistry may have partial scholarships. Always check the funding type on the portal before applying.
Fully funded covers tuition, stipend, housing, insurance, airfare, Iqama fees, and allowances. Partial covers the tuition fee waiver only. Paid Study means you pay the listed tuition and receive no automatic scholarship benefits. Funding type is set per program, so check each one individually.
90% and above for high school (undergraduate) applicants, and 3.5 out of 4.0 for postgraduate applicants. Academic merit is the primary selection criterion.
Bachelor's: 17-25 years. Master's: up to 30. PhD: up to 35.
Select 3 to 5 universities and programs. One application on the Study in Saudi portal covers all of them, and there is no application fee.
Yes, where the program requires it. Documents must be attested and translated into English for English-taught programs or Arabic for Arabic-taught programs, according to your selected program's requirements.
It is listed as optional for English programs, but IELTS, TOEFL, or SAT results significantly strengthen your application given how competitive the scholarship is.
After acceptance, apply for a D1 Education Visa directly through the Study in Saudi system using your acceptance letter, valid passport, medical certificate, and proof of financial capability if you are self-funded.
Part-time work is generally not permitted during studies. Family and dependent visas are complicated and not guaranteed.
Ready to Apply?
Applications open September - get your documents ready now.
Apply on Official Website →More Scholarships to Explore
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