Saudi Arabia is the largest country on the Arabian Peninsula in West Asia. The country has a rich religious history and extensive petroleum resources: the economy has recently diversified in a manner similar to that of its smaller neighbor, the UAE. A large part of the country is covered by a desert, with the eastern and western coasts home to the largest cities in the country. The country is rapidly modernizing under its dynamic leadership, and is a growing regional power.
Saudi Arabian Universities have recently received extensive funding from the Government, and the country has emerged as a local leader in STEM education. There are over 50 highly ranked public and private universities in the country, with most located in the prominent cities of Riyadh and Jeddah. With a huge population of international workers and a robust placement system in most universities, Saudi Arabia is a consistently popular destination for foreign college students.
Saudi Arabia is highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:
There are over 50 public and private Universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, offering three main types of full time degrees. Over 1 million students are enrolled in these institutions of higher education, a remarkable achievement, considering that the infrastructure was all set up after 1970. The higher education system is unique in that it makes provision for special and continuing education, in an effort to ensure that nobody is left without access to knowledge.
1. Public Universities: They are completely funded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and all local students study for free. There are also scholarships available for international students. Some of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education in the country are public universities. They also have a strong research focus, with the Government prioritizing funds towards homegrown innovation, particularly in science and technology.
2. Private Universities: These are usually funded by prosperous business people in Saudi Arabia. They may have a partial stake held by the Government, and typically offer fewer scholarships to international students. However, given the scale of funding, they are able to provide their students with world class facilities, on par with those in public Universities.
Technical and Administrative Training Programs are provided in multiple fields, from mechanical engineering to healthcare and teaching. These certificate and diploma programs usually last between one and four years, and are generally meant for local residents, thereby creating a local skilled workforce. Some of the most prestigious institutions offering these programs include the Royal Technical Institute (Riyadh) and the Hofuf Technical Training School. Unlike other institutions, these are not operated by the Ministry of Higher Education, but are jointly administered by the Ministries of Technical Education, Vocational Training, Labor, and Social Affairs. Their intake and funding vary according to the requirements of the job market.
Most undergraduate Bachelor’s degree programs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia last four years, though a few degrees (primarily in the Humanities) can be completed in three years. Medical and dental courses last five or six years. The first half of any undergraduate degree in a Saudi Arabian University is dedicated to general courses in the field, and the second half introduces a specialization, and trains students either for a career or further postgraduate studies.
Postgraduate Master’s degree programs in Saudi Arabia usually take two years to complete, and involve the completion of several courses of advanced study in the chosen field. Most courses involve several assignments, and the academic pressure is much higher than in an undergraduate degree. A Master’s thesis needs to be presented and defended for the award of a postgraduate degree, and graduates of these programs are in high demand for high paying jobs in the Kingdom.
With the increasing investment by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in research, there is a large number of doctoral program seats available for international students. Not all undergraduate disciplines and departments have corresponding PhD degree programs; the most popular fields of doctoral study are related to industrial engineering and Middle Eastern history. Most PhD degrees take at least three years to earn, and students can avail of research and teaching assistant programs to fund their doctoral studies. After a successful thesis defense, students are awarded their PhD degree, and can use it to obtain a job or postdoctoral position anywhere in the world.
The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in Saudi Arabia are-
| Chemical Engineering | Graphic Design | History of the Middle East |
| Pharmacy | Architecture and Urban Planning | Islamic Studies |
| Dentistry | Accounting & Finance | Water Technology |
| Computer Science & Machine Learning | Sustainable Design | Global Investment |
| Exercise & Fitness | Sports Management | Arabic Language |
Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in Saudi Arabia.
| The name of the city | No. of Universities |
| Riyadh | 16 |
| Jeddah | 18 |
| Mecca | 2 |
| Dammam | 6 |
| Medina | 5 |
Saudi Arabian citizens do not need to pay tuition fees in any University in the country. Most international students receive tuition fee scholarships in public universities. In private Universities, they usually need to pay tuition fees; these range from 94,000 Saudi Riyals (UG) to 200,000 Saudi Riyals (PG) per year, depending on the type of program.
Living costs in Saudi Arabia are reasonably high in the larger cities of Riyadh and Jeddah. For example, accommodation in a college dormitory is the most economical option; however, the rent of a private apartment might exceed 4,000 Saudi Riyals per month. Other costs (including food, travel, and insurance) must also be included in the monthly budget.
Applicants for a long term Saudi student visa must satisfy the following conditions:
