Guidelines & Resources

Saudi Arabia Scholarships 2026 — Complete University Guide

Faseeh Sultan

July 1, 2026
One Comment

Saudi Arabia Scholarships 2026 — Complete University Guide for International Students

Saudi Arabia is quietly running one of the most generous scholarship ecosystems in the world right now. Across seven major universities, international students can walk into fully funded Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programmes — tuition paid, housing sorted, flights covered, and a monthly stipend in hand — without paying a single riyal of their own money. The best part? Most applications go through one central government portal, meaning you can apply to multiple universities in a single sitting.

This guide covers every major Saudi university scholarship that is confirmed open, verified, and active for 2026 — with real benefits, real eligibility requirements, and official links only.

Detail	Information
Country	Saudi Arabia
Degree Levels	Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
Funding Type	Saudi government (Ministry of Education) + university-specific
Deadlines	Vary by university — see per-university breakdown below
Open To	International students of all nationalities (age limits apply)
Central Portal	Study in Saudi Arabia — Official Platform

📚 Why Saudi Arabia Right Now

Here’s what makes Saudi Arabia different from other scholarship destinations: the money is real, the campuses are modern, and the country is actively competing for international talent. Saudi Vision 2030 has pumped billions into higher education — universities are hiring globally ranked faculty, building state-of-the-art research labs, and expanding English-taught programmes faster than almost anywhere else in the Gulf.

The result? 22 Saudi universities in the QS World Rankings 2026 — up from 16 in 2025, the biggest single-year jump of any GCC country. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals hit its historic best ranking of #67 globally in 2026. KAUST is ranked #1 in the Arab world by Times Higher Education. These are not just numbers on paper — they translate directly into the quality of research environment you’d be stepping into.

What makes this even more practical is the central government application platform: Study in Saudi Arabia lets you create one profile, upload your documents once, and apply to more than 27 public universities in a single go. Scholarships on the platform cover tuition, housing, stipend, flights, and medical — and the process is free.

📚 How the System Works — Start Here

Before diving into individual universities, understand the two main routes:

Route 1 — The Unified Platform: Study in Saudi Arabia is the Ministry of Education’s central portal. It covers 27+ public universities under one application. You register once, upload your documents, select your preferred universities and programmes, and submit. The application flows from the university to the Ministry for final approval.

Route 2 — Direct University Applications: A few institutions — most notably KAUST and KFUPM — handle their own admissions and scholarship processes separately, outside the central platform. For these, you apply directly on their own portals.

Knowing which route your target university uses before you start saves a lot of confusion.

📚 The Major Saudi Arabia Scholarships — University by University

🎓 1. KAUST — King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

If there is one Saudi scholarship that stands apart from everything else on this list, it is KAUST. Located on the shores of the Red Sea in Thuwal, this graduate-only research university was founded in 2009 with a single mission: tackle the world’s most pressing scientific challenges. It has become, in under two decades, one of the top research universities on the planet.

Here’s what makes it remarkable for international students: every single admitted student automatically receives the KAUST Fellowship. There is no separate scholarship application. Getting accepted is getting funded.

The confirmed package from KAUST’s official Fees & Funding page includes full tuition and bench fees (up to $35,000/year), a living allowance of $20,000–$30,000 per year depending on degree level and progression, fully furnished on-campus housing on a self-contained campus, comprehensive health and dental insurance, and relocation support. The total fellowship value comes to $70,000–$80,000 per year — competitive with top European and American PhD packages, without the immigration stress that often comes with those.

KAUST does not require GRE. English proficiency is required (TOEFL 79 or IELTS 6.5), though this is waived for graduates of accredited institutions in the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand. The focus is squarely on STEM — engineering, applied sciences, computing, environmental science, and related fields.

Apply directly via KAUST Admissions

🎓 2. KFUPM — King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals

KFUPM, based in Dhahran on the Arabian Gulf coast, is Saudi Arabia’s top-ranked university in 2026 by QS (#67 globally) — and one of the most respected engineering and petroleum science institutions anywhere in the world. Its graduate scholarship is one of the most straightforward on this list: if you are admitted as a distinguished MS or PhD candidate, the funding comes automatically with the offer.

The confirmed scholarship package covers full tuition, a monthly stipend (amount determined per category — verify for your specific programme on the official page), free furnished air-conditioned on-campus housing including utilities and maintenance, medical and dental care, subsidised meals, free textbooks, and annual airfare for international students. PhD Direct Entry students — those entering a PhD directly from a Bachelor’s — receive up to five years of support, with full funding for the first four.

What also sets KFUPM apart is its alignment with Saudi Arabia’s industrial backbone: graduates regularly go on to ARAMCO, NEOM, and the Public Investment Fund’s portfolio companies. If STEM research with a direct career pathway in the Gulf is what you’re after, KFUPM is one of the strongest options on this entire list.

English requirement: TOEFL 68 iBT (MS) / 79 iBT (PhD) or IELTS 6.0 (MS) / 6.5 (PhD).

For a complete, dedicated KFUPM guide: KFUPM Scholarship 2026 — Full Guide on Gradualin

Apply via KFUPM Graduate Studies Portal

🎓 3. King Saud University (KSU)

Founded in 1957, King Saud University in Riyadh is the oldest public university in Saudi Arabia and one of its most internationally active. The scholarship covers Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD levels — which is broader than almost any other institution on this list.

KSU’s confirmed funding package includes full tuition waiver, free on-campus housing, full health insurance, an annual return flight, and a monthly stipend that scales by level — approximately 990 SAR (~$264) for Bachelor’s, 1,170 SAR for Master’s, and 1,500 SAR (~$400) for PhD candidates. That PhD stipend, compounded across three years, totals roughly $14,400 annually — one of the highest public-university doctoral stipends in the Arab world.

One distinctive feature: KSU accepts STEP (Saudi Test of English Proficiency) at 85 as an alternative to IELTS or TOEFL — one of the very few Saudi institutions to do so. Full English test requirement: TOEFL 61 iBT / IELTS 6.0 / STEP 85, with the usual exemption for degrees from English-speaking countries.

KSU also runs a separate PhD Initiative for exceptional doctoral candidates — this is a parallel track with enhanced funding and direct placement in specific research programmes, governed by the KSU Board of Directors and approved under Vision 2030.

KSU International Portal · KSU PhD Initiative

🎓 4. King Abdulaziz University (KAU)

KAU in Jeddah is one of Saudi Arabia’s top-200 globally ranked universities and among the most internationally diverse. Unlike some universities that focus purely on STEM, KAU’s scholarship covers a genuinely wide field range — Sciences, Engineering, Humanities, Arts, Information Technology, Business Administration, and Computer Engineering — at Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD levels.

The confirmed package includes full tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, free accommodation, and health insurance. Exact stipend figures are not published on the official portal — verify current amounts directly with KAU before applying. A cash arrival grant and book allowance are also noted in various cycle documents.

Applications for KAU are handled through the university’s own scholarship portal (Deanship of Students’ Affairs) and, for some programmes, through the central Study in Saudi platform. No stated deadline — KAU processes applications across two screening cycles per year, so you can apply at any point, though submitting earlier in the year gives more time for processing.

KAU International Scholarship Portal

🎓 5. Islamic University of Madinah (IUM)

The Islamic University of Madinah is a unique option on this list — and arguably one of the most distinctive fully funded scholarships in the Arab world. Founded in 1961 by royal decree, IUM is one of the world’s leading institutions for Islamic studies, Arabic language, and related disciplines, set in one of Islam’s most significant cities.

What this scholarship includes goes beyond academics. Confirmed benefits: full tuition waiver, a monthly stipend, free furnished accommodation (for single students), affordable meals at the university cafeteria, comprehensive healthcare, annual round-trip airfare, daily transportation to the Prophet’s Mosque, access to sports and social facilities, a cash arrival bonus, and an excellence allowance for outstanding academic performance.

The scholarship is primarily directed at Muslim male students for undergraduate programmes, though postgraduate (Master’s and PhD) options are available. English proficiency is expected but requirements vary by programme — verify on the official website. Applications for undergraduate students have typically closed around June 14 each year through the Study in Saudi platform; postgraduate applications run on a rolling basis (verify current cycle dates).

Islamic University of Madinah — Official Site · Apply via Study in Saudi Platform

🎓 6. Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU)

PNU in Riyadh is the largest women’s university in the world — 18 colleges, 82 undergraduate programmes, over 100 graduate programmes, and more than 40,000 students across a fully self-contained academic city in northern Riyadh. For international female students, this is one of the most distinctive scholarships not just in Saudi Arabia but in the entire Gulf.

The scholarship covers full tuition, free on-campus dormitory housing on a fully female-staffed and secured campus, a monthly stipend equivalent to that received by Saudi national students, annual round-trip airfare, a two-month settling-in allowance upon arrival, and comprehensive health insurance. IELTS is not required for Arabic-taught programmes — making this accessible to applicants from countries where English testing access is limited.

Applications go through the central Study in Saudi Arabia platform. The window is short — typically three to four weeks in May — so preparation in advance is essential. Age limit for undergraduate applicants is 17–25 years.

PNU External Scholarships — Official Page · Apply via Study in Saudi Platform

🎓 7. King Faisal University (KFU)

King Faisal University in Al-Ahsa — the Eastern Province’s largest city — is a public research university founded in 1975 with particular strengths in Agriculture, Food Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Education, and Administrative Sciences. It is often overlooked in Saudi scholarship roundups, but that works in your favour: the competition for a place here is considerably lower than at KSU or KAU, while the funding package is equally comprehensive.

KFU’s confirmed scholarship covers full tuition, monthly stipend, housing, annual round-trip airfare, and access to the university medical centre — all handled through the central Study in Saudi Arabia platform. Both fully funded and partially funded tracks exist; fully funded awards cover all costs including living expenses. Multiple programs are offered in English, particularly in the sciences and medical-related fields.

Apply via Study in Saudi Platform

🎓 Other Universities on the Unified Platform

Beyond the four above, the Study in Saudi Arabia portal lists more than 20 additional public universities — including institutions well known for international and Islamic studies programmes, such as the Islamic University of Madinah and Umm Al-Qura University. Rather than guess at funding details we can’t verify per-institution, we recommend browsing the full institution list directly on the official platform, since scholarship value, English requirements, and available fields differ by university and change between cycles.

Browse All Participating Institutions

📚 Who Should Apply — and Who Should Think Twice

✅ STEM graduates looking for research-intensive, well-funded PhD or Master’s positions — KAUST and KFUPM are world-class options with financial packages that rival Western programmes

✅ International Muslim students interested in Islamic studies, Quranic sciences, or Arabic language — IUM is one of the strongest options anywhere in the world

✅ Female international students seeking a fully funded, female-only campus environment — PNU is in a category of its own

✅ Applicants who want to apply to multiple universities in one submission — the central Study in Saudi platform handles this elegantly

✅ Graduates from countries where the STEP exam is accessible — KSU’s acceptance of STEP instead of IELTS removes a major barrier

❌ Students seeking Medicine as an international applicant — most Saudi public universities restrict this to Saudi nationals (verify with your target institution)

❌ Applicants who need an exact guaranteed funding figure before choosing a university — KAU and KFU do not publish specific stipend amounts prominently

❌ Anyone who cannot manage a multi-step document authentication chain — embassy attestation is non-negotiable and takes weeks

📚 Required Documents (General — Confirm Per University)

Valid passport — minimum 6 months’ validity
Academic transcripts and degree certificates, certified by the relevant Saudi Embassy in your country
English proficiency test scores (TOEFL / IELTS / STEP as applicable)
Curriculum vitae
Statement of purpose
Letters of recommendation — typically two to three
Medical fitness certificate
Good conduct certificate (required by most institutions)
For non-EU and some other nationalities: government consent from your home country to study in Saudi Arabia (verify if this applies to you)

📚 Step-by-Step — How to Apply

Decide your route. Most universities (KSU, KAU, PNU, IUM, KFU) use the central Study in Saudi Arabia platform. KAUST and KFUPM use their own direct portals.
Register and complete your profile on the relevant portal. For the central platform, this includes all personal and academic details.
Select your university and programme(s). The government platform allows you to rank multiple preferences.
Start document authentication early — embassy attestation typically takes 2–4 weeks in MENA capitals, longer elsewhere. This is the most common bottleneck.
Upload all required documents and submit before the window closes.
Track your application. For the government platform: the institution reviews first, then forwards to the Ministry of Education. You’ll be notified by email at each stage.
Non-EU applicants needing a study visa should note that Saudi universities coordinate visa processing after admission — follow the university’s guidance carefully before making travel arrangements.

One tip that actually matters: Submit early in the application window, not on the last day. For competitive programmes like KSU’s PhD Initiative or KAUST, early submission signals serious intent — and gives you time to fix any document issues before the window closes.

📚 Important Dates Summary

University	Application Route	Approx. Deadline
KAUST	Direct — kaust.edu.sa	Cycle-dependent (Spring & Fall) — check official portal
KFUPM	Direct — kfupm.edu.sa	May 22 – June 30, 2026 (MS) — verify PhD dates
King Saud University	Study in Saudi + own portal	Around May 15–21, 2026 — verify current cycle
King Abdulaziz University	KAU portal + Study in Saudi	Rolling (two cycles/year)
Islamic University of Madinah	Study in Saudi	~June 14, 2026 (undergrad); rolling (postgrad)
Princess Nourah University	Study in Saudi	~3–4 weeks in May 2026 — check platform for exact date
King Faisal University	Study in Saudi	Varies — check platform
20+ other universities	Study in Saudi	Varies by institution

Bookmark this page and check back for updates.

📚 Why Study in Saudi Arabia — The Bigger Picture

Here’s something no other scholarship guide tells you plainly: a Saudi degree, particularly from KAUST or KFUPM, can open doors that some European degrees cannot — specifically in the Gulf’s energy, infrastructure, and technology sectors. ARAMCO, NEOM, and Saudi Aramco’s global subsidiaries actively recruit from Saudi universities. Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency for Distinguished Talent, launched in 2024, offers a fast-track to long-term residency for international graduates who land strong job offers after graduation.

For students from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East who want a funded degree with a direct career pathway in the world’s fastest-growing regional economy — and who are comfortable living in a culturally conservative environment — this is one of the most strategically sound options in 2026.

📚 FAQ

Q: Can I apply to multiple Saudi universities at once? A: Yes — the Study in Saudi Arabia platform lets you rank multiple institutions in one profile. KAUST and KFUPM require separate direct applications.

Q: Is IELTS required for all Saudi scholarships? A: No. KSU accepts STEP 85 as an alternative. PNU waives it for Arabic-taught programmes. KAUST waives it for degree-holders from English-speaking countries. Requirements differ — always check your specific university and programme.

Q: Are these scholarships open to female students? A: Yes — KSU, KAU, KFUPM, KAUST, and KFU are co-educational (gender-segregated campuses). PNU is exclusively for female students. IUM scholarships are primarily for male Muslim students.

Q: Is there an application fee? A: No application fee for the central Study in Saudi platform. KAUST and KFUPM also charge no application fees.

Q: What is the difference between the KSU PhD Initiative and the standard KSU scholarship? A: The standard scholarship is processed through the Study in Saudi platform for all levels. The PhD Initiative is a separate competitive track targeting exceptional doctoral candidates, with a dedicated portal and slightly enhanced support structure.

Q: Can I study Medicine as an international student? A: Generally restricted to Saudi nationals at most public universities — verify directly with your target institution before applying.

📚 Official Sources

📚 Summary Table

University	City	Levels	Funding	Route
KAUST	Thuwal	Master’s, PhD	Fully funded — $70k–80k/year confirmed	Direct
KFUPM	Dhahran	MS, PhD	Full tuition + stipend + housing	Direct
King Saud University	Riyadh	Diploma–PhD	Full — stipend 990–1,500 SAR/month confirmed	Platform + own portal
King Abdulaziz University	Jeddah	Bachelor’s–PhD	Full — stipend unconfirmed (verify)	KAU portal + platform
Islamic University Madinah	Madinah	Bachelor’s–PhD	Fully funded (Muslim students, primarily male)	Platform
Princess Nourah University	Riyadh	Bachelor’s–Master’s	Fully funded — female students only	Platform
King Faisal University	Al-Ahsa	Bachelor’s–PhD	Fully funded (full track)	Platform
20+ other universities	Government platform	Bachelor’s–PhD	Varies by institution	Browse