Thinking about studying abroad in 2026? Saudi Arabia is quietly becoming one of the fastest-growing study destinations in the Middle East, and international students can tap into a wide range of funded and fully funded scholarships to get there. These opportunities, offered by the Saudi government, leading universities like KAUST and KFUPM, and international organizations, cover undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs across nearly every field.
The Kingdom has climbed the global rankings fast in recent years, with several universities sitting among the world’s top 200, which makes it an attractive option for students wanting a strong education without a heavy price tag. Most scholarships on this list include full tuition waivers, monthly stipends, free accommodation, and airfare, removing almost every financial barrier between you and a degree in Saudi Arabia.
This guide lays out the 10 best Saudi Arabia scholarships for 2026 and 2027, including what each one covers, who qualifies, and how to apply.
Study in Saudi Arabia: A Quick Look at the Country and Its Universities
Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, sits on the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is generally safe for international students, with a low crime rate, though the usual travel precautions still apply outside major towns and cities. The country is the birthplace of Islam and home to the Rub’ al Khali, or the Empty Quarter, the largest contiguous sand desert on the planet.
Saudi Arabia has become one of the region’s top study destinations, with several universities now ranking among the best in the world. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals currently holds the top spot nationally, placing 63rd globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026, making it the first Saudi university to ever crack the global top 100. King Saud University, based in Riyadh, follows closely as the country’s second-highest-ranked public university, sitting at 107th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027. It carries a strong reputation for Agriculture Sciences and Computer Science, and international students can pursue fully or partially funded scholarships there through both the Saudi government and the university itself.
Before you dive into the list, it helps to have your general scholarship paperwork in order. If you are putting an application together for the first time, this complete guide to college scholarships for 2026 and 2027 is a useful primer on how funded study opportunities generally work, beyond just Saudi Arabia.
The Full List of 10 Best Scholarships in Saudi Arabia
We researched and shortlisted the 10 best Saudi Arabia scholarships for international students, covering government, university, and organization-funded programs across every field of study. Below, you will find the full rundown of what each one offers and how to apply.
1. King Abdulaziz University Scholarship
King Abdulaziz University, known as KAU, is a research-focused public university in Jeddah and one of the leading institutions in Saudi Arabia, ranked around 200th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027. International students may apply for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs across nearly every major field.
Eligibility criteria
- Applicants must hold a university degree, or for undergraduate applicants a secondary school certificate no older than three years, from an accredited institution, with a grade of very good or higher
- Master’s applicants must be under 35 years old, and PhD applicants must be under 40 years old
- Applicants must have a clean conduct record and be medically fit
- Proof of English proficiency through IELTS or TOEFL, or Arabic proficiency, is required depending on the program’s language of instruction
- The applicant must be an international student without existing Saudi residency, since a separate track exists for residents already in the Kingdom
Benefits
The KAU scholarship covers full round-trip airfare, on-campus accommodation subject to availability, health and medical care, full tuition, a monthly stipend, an arrival allowance, and thesis-printing support for graduate students, for the entire length of the degree.
Application deadline
KAU does not run a single fixed annual deadline. Its application window has historically opened in May and stayed open into October, with the exact cutoff announced each cycle. Because the dates shift each year, always confirm the current cycle on the official KAU Deanship of Student Affairs scholarship portal before applying.
Since strong references can carry real weight for competitive scholarships like this one, it is worth getting your paperwork right the first time. This guide on how to ask for a scholarship recommendation letter walks through exactly who to approach and what to say.
2. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Scholarship
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, or KFUPM, is Saudi Arabia’s highest-ranked university and a regional leader in engineering, science, and technology, placing 63rd globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026. KFUPM mainly offers fully funded scholarships for master’s programs, both project-based and thesis-based, and PhD programs, along with select MBA tracks, across fields such as engineering, computing, business, and applied sciences.
Eligibility criteria
- A recognized bachelor’s degree for MS applicants, or a master’s degree for PhD applicants, with a minimum GPA of around 3.0 out of 4.0 for scholarship consideration
- English proficiency proof, such as TOEFL 80 iBT or IELTS 6.5, unless the previous degree was taught entirely in English
- A GMAT score is required for international MBA applicants
- Open to applicants of all nationalities, including Saudi nationals
- A commitment to full-time study for the entire scholarship duration, along with meeting the standard medical clearance requirements
Benefits
The KFUPM scholarship covers full tuition, a free furnished and air-conditioned on-campus apartment, a monthly living stipend, medical insurance, free textbooks, subsidized campus meals, and round-trip airfare at the start and end of the program.
Application deadline
KFUPM’s master’s and PhD application windows open and close at different times each year depending on the program track, historically falling somewhere between January and June or July. Because the exact dates shift annually, check the current cycle’s opening and closing dates directly on the official KFUPM Graduate Studies application portal before applying.
If the IELTS or TOEFL requirement above is a sticking point, it is worth knowing you have other options elsewhere. Germany runs several fully funded routes that skip the test entirely, covered in this guide to studying in Germany without IELTS on scholarship.
3. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Fellowship
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, or KAUST, is a graduate-only research university on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, consistently ranked among the world’s top institutions for research impact. Every admitted student automatically receives the KAUST Fellowship for master’s and PhD programs across 16 STEM disciplines. KAUST does not offer undergraduate degree programs.
Eligibility criteria
- A relevant bachelor’s degree for master’s applicants, or a master’s for PhD applicants, from a recognized institution
- A strong academic record in a STEM-related field, such as engineering, computer science, biological or environmental science, or physical science
- Proof of English proficiency through TOEFL or IELTS, since every program is taught entirely in English
- Open to applicants of all nationalities
Benefits
The KAUST Fellowship covers full tuition and bench fees, on-campus housing, full medical and dental coverage, relocation support, and a round-trip airfare ticket. The monthly living allowance alone runs $20,000 to $30,000 a year depending on your degree level and progress, putting the total package value at roughly $70,000 to $80,000 a year.
Application deadline
KAUST admits students on a rolling basis across Fall and Spring intakes, with PhD applications open across both cycles and master’s applications typically tied to Fall entry. Confirm current deadlines on the official KAUST Admissions portal before applying.
Comparing STEM research opportunities elsewhere? Singapore also runs strong fully funded routes that do not require IELTS scores, detailed in this guide to studying in Singapore without IELTS on scholarship.
4. Islamic University of Madinah Scholarship
The Islamic University of Madinah, known as IU, is a public university founded in 1961 by the Saudi government, located in the holy city of Madinah. IU offers a fully funded external scholarship for international Muslim male students pursuing bachelor’s degree programs, the primary open pathway for general international applicants. Master’s and PhD admission at IU is more restricted, generally limited to Saudi nationals, GCC citizens, existing residents, or students arriving through an external scholarship sponsored by their home country.
Eligibility criteria
- Open only to Muslim male applicants who are not Saudi nationals
- Undergraduate applicants must be between 17 and 25 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent covering 12 years of education, and be in good academic standing, sound health, and good conduct
- Master’s applicants generally need a bachelor’s degree with a GPA around 3.75 out of 5, while PhD and master’s admission largely runs through Saudi nationals, GCC citizens, residents, or an external scholarship route from the applicant’s home country, rather than a general open application
- All application documents must be submitted in Arabic or English, then attested by the Saudi Embassy after admission is confirmed
Benefits
The scholarship covers full tuition, a monthly living allowance with an extra allowance for high-achieving students, free furnished accommodation for unmarried students, quality healthcare at the university hospital, subsidized meals, and a round-trip airfare ticket each academic year, plus free transportation to the Prophet’s Mosque and organized Umrah trips.
Application deadline
Deadlines are level-specific and shift yearly. Undergraduate applications have historically closed around mid-June, while master’s and PhD admission runs on a later cycle, sometimes stretching into late October. Always confirm the current-cycle dates on the official portals before applying.
5. Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarship
The Islamic Development Bank, or IsDB, headquartered in Jeddah, is a multilateral financial institution offering scholarships to students from IsDB member countries and Muslim communities in non-member countries. Importantly, IsDB scholarships fund study at approved partner universities worldwide, including institutions in Malaysia, Turkey, and the UK, not exclusively Saudi Arabia, for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degree programs.
Eligibility criteria
- The applicant must be a citizen of an IsDB member country, or a Muslim from an eligible non-member country
- Age limits apply: under 24 for bachelor’s and technical programs, under 30 for master’s, and under 35 for PhD
- A strong academic record and demonstrated financial need are both required
- The applicant must not currently hold another active scholarship
- Admission must be secured, or in process, at a qualifying institution in a relevant field
Benefits
The IsDB master’s and PhD tracks are fully funded, covering tuition, a monthly stipend, health insurance, and study materials. Note that the bachelor’s-level track, called the IsDB-ISFD Scholarship, works as an interest-free loan rather than a grant, so recipients repay it in installments after graduation and employment. Students selected to study abroad also receive round-trip economy airfare and an installation allowance.
Application deadline
IsDB scholarships follow a fixed annual deadline of January 31, one of the more predictable deadlines on this list, though it is still worth confirming on the official portal each cycle in case of extensions.
6. Government of Saudi Arabia Scholarship (Study in Saudi Portal)
The Saudi Ministry of Education runs Study in Saudi, the official government platform that centralizes scholarship applications, university admissions, and visa processing for international students across more than 50 public and private Saudi universities. Through this single portal, applicants can apply for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs and choose between fully funded, partially funded, or self-funded study tracks.
Eligibility criteria
- The applicant must be an international student, meaning a non-Saudi national, at least 16 years old
- A valid passport with sufficient remaining validity is required
- A medical report confirming freedom from contagious diseases must be submitted
- The applicant must meet the specific admission requirements of the chosen Saudi university and program
- The applicant must not currently hold another scholarship from a Saudi institution
- Supporting documents, such as academic transcripts and certificates, must be attested and translated into Arabic or English where needed
Benefits
Fully funded awards through this portal typically cover full tuition, free accommodation, health insurance, an annual round-trip airfare allowance, and a monthly stipend, commonly cited around SAR 850 to 900 for bachelor’s students and higher for postgraduate levels.
Application deadline
Deadlines vary by participating university and intake cycle, generally falling between spring and autumn each year. Because timing differs by institution, always check current openings on the official Study in Saudi portal.
Government-run scholarship platforms like this one are not unique to Saudi Arabia. Switzerland runs a similarly structured route worth comparing, outlined in this guide to the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-2028.
7. Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) External Scholarship
Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, known as PNU, located in Riyadh, is the largest women-only university in the world and one of Saudi Arabia’s top public institutions. Its External Scholarship program is offered specifically to non-Saudi female students residing outside the Kingdom who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree or diploma on its all-female campus. This is distinct from PNU’s separate internal scholarship track, which is reserved for non-Saudi women already residing in the Kingdom on a valid Iqama.
Eligibility criteria
- Open only to female applicants who are not Saudi nationals and are residing outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the time of application
- Applicants must fall within the standard undergraduate age range, historically 17 to 25 years old, and hold a high school certificate obtained within a limited window prior to application, historically within the last five years
- The applicant must be medically fit and pass the required medical examination
- The applicant must not currently hold another scholarship from a Saudi educational institution, and must have no prior study record at PNU
- The applicant must also meet PNU’s standard academic admission requirements for the chosen program, the same as domestic applicants
Benefits
The scholarship covers a full tuition fee waiver, free housing on the secure female-only campus, a monthly stipend, and annual round-trip airfare, plus visa and residency support. Some third-party sources describe the stipend as roughly equivalent to what Saudi students receive, though PNU’s own page does not publish a fixed figure, so always confirm current amounts on the portal before applying.
Application deadline
There is no separate, fixed PNU deadline. Applications are tied to the Study in Saudi platform’s annually announced timelines, since PNU does not run a standalone application system for this track. Always confirm the current-cycle opening and closing dates directly on the official portal before applying.
8. Effat University Scholarship for Female Students
Effat University is a leading private, non-profit women’s university in Jeddah, operating under the King Faisal Foundation. It offers merit-based scholarships to female students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs, with applicants from all nationalities considered for every award. The university carries a strong reputation for Engineering, Energy Engineering, Architecture, and Humanities programs.
Eligibility criteria
- Open only to female applicants, from all nationalities
- Scholarships are merit-based and tiered rather than a flat full ride. The Effat Excellence Scholarship can cover up to 100 percent of tuition for the strongest high school GPAs, while the Effat Merit Scholarship covers a smaller, partial share of tuition based on academic standing, and a separate Loyalty Scholarship reduces tuition for returning Effat students moving into further study
- Recipients must maintain the cumulative GPA specified in their scholarship contract to keep the award
- Recipients must remain in good disciplinary standing, and may change major only once, before completing the fourth academic level
Benefits
Rather than the flat full tuition claim seen in some listings, Effat’s scholarships are tiered grants that cover a percentage of tuition, not automatically 100 percent. The grant applies to all required credit hours toward graduation, including regular and summer semesters. Overseas-specific costs like visa expenses and accommodation are handled separately under the university’s Overseas Students admissions track rather than as part of the merit scholarship itself, so confirm the current details on the official overseas admissions page before applying.
Application deadline
There is no single fixed annual date. Scholarships are awarded per admission cycle, with academic scholarship competitions typically held in early spring or early summer, so confirm the current cycle’s criteria and dates directly on the official portal before applying.
9. Ministry of Education Internal Scholarship for Non-Saudi Residents
The Saudi Ministry of Education, or MOE, runs a distinct government scholarship track separate from the Study in Saudi external program: the Internal Scholarship, reserved for non-Saudi students who already legally reside in the Kingdom on a valid residency permit, known as an Iqama. This differs from the general portal covered above, which serves new applicants arriving from outside Saudi Arabia. This track is specifically for non-Saudi families and residents already living inside the country.
Eligibility criteria
- The applicant must be a non-Saudi national residing in the Kingdom with a legal residency permit at the time of application
- The applicant must not be less than 17 years old, and must meet the standard age limits applied to Saudi students at the relevant academic level
- The applicant must meet the same academic admission requirements applicable to Saudi nationals at the chosen public university
- Applications are submitted electronically through the Ministry’s national portal, without needing to visit Ministry offices in person
- As with the external track, the applicant must not already hold another active scholarship from a Saudi institution
Benefits
Scholarships across Saudi public universities fall into different tiers depending on benefits. Some are free scholarships covering full tuition and benefits, while others cover partial costs. The Ministry states that international and resident scholarship students are sponsored free of charge and without tuition fees, though the exact benefits package, including stipend, housing, and healthcare, varies by university and program, so always confirm current entitlements directly with the awarding institution.
Application deadline
There is no single fixed date. Applications open according to each public university’s own admission and registration timelines for the academic year. Always confirm current opening dates on the official portal before applying.
10. Umm Al-Qura University Scholarship
Umm Al-Qura University, known as UQU, founded in 1949 and located in the holy city of Mecca, is one of Saudi Arabia’s largest public universities. Unlike some Saudi universities that admit only one gender, UQU accepts both male and female international students through separate faculties. International admission and funding run through the official Study in Saudi platform rather than a standalone UQU international-scholarship office. UQU’s own Office of Scholarships handles outbound scholarships for its existing students to study abroad, not incoming international applicants.
Eligibility criteria
- The applicant must be a non-Saudi international student, applying through the official Study in Saudi platform
- The applicant must meet UQU’s standard academic admission requirements for the chosen [content cuts off here in the source material — flagging this as missing rather than guessing at what follows]
Getting your application file together? You may also want to check this guide on how to ask for a scholarship rec
Frequently Asked Questions: Saudi Arabia Scholarships
Is it hard to get a scholarship to study in Saudi Arabia?
It depends heavily on which program you target. Government-run tracks through the Study in Saudi portal tend to have broader intake numbers, while KAUST and KFUPM lean more competitive since they attract strong applicants worldwide and admission itself already doubles as the scholarship review. Keeping a solid GPA and a clean application file gives you a realistic shot at most programs on this list.
Do you need IELTS or TOEFL to study in Saudi Arabia on a scholarship?
Most English-taught programs, including KFUPM and KAUST, ask for TOEFL or IELTS unless your previous degree was taught entirely in English. Arabic-medium programs, such as several tracks at the Islamic University of Madinah, instead require Arabic proficiency. Always check the specific program page, since requirements shift depending on the field and the language of instruction.
Are these scholarships open to female applicants?
Yes, though access varies by institution. Universities like KAUST, KFUPM, and King Abdulaziz University accept both men and women across their programs, while some, such as Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University and Effat University, are exclusively for female students. On the other end, the Islamic University of Madinah’s main external scholarship route is limited to male applicants.
Does a Saudi Arabia scholarship cover your entire cost of living?
In most cases, yes, at least for the fully funded programs on this list. Tuition, housing, medical care, and a monthly stipend are standard across government and university scholarships, and several also throw in round-trip airfare. Some tracks, like certain Effat University awards, only cover a percentage of tuition, so it is worth reading the benefits section closely before assuming everything is included.
Can you bring your family with you on a Saudi Arabia scholarship?
This depends entirely on the specific scholarship and university policy rather than a blanket national rule. Some graduate-level programs at institutions like KFUPM and KAUST allow dependents under certain visa and housing conditions, while several undergraduate tracks, including some accommodation offered through the Islamic University of Madinah, are restricted to unmarried students. Always confirm dependent policy directly with the university before making any relocation plans.
What GPA do you need to qualify for a Saudi Arabia scholarship?
Requirements vary by program, but a grade of very good or higher is a common baseline, and several scholarships get more specific. KFUPM generally looks for a GPA around 3.0 out of 4.0, while the Islamic University of Madinah asks master’s applicants for roughly 3.75 out of 5. Since these programs remain merit-focused, a stronger transcript meaningfully improves your chances across nearly every scholarship on this list.