King Saud University: Open To International Students?

King Saud University (KSU) is a public university in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was established in 1957 by King Saud bin Abdulalziz to address the country's skilled worker shortage and is the first university in Saudi Arabia. The student body of KSU today consists of 40,000 male and female students, 7% of which are international. The university offers courses in the natural sciences, the humanities, and professional studies, and many courses are tuition-free. The medium of instruction in undergraduate programs is English and Arabic depending on the chosen major. The university is ranked #142 in Best Global Universities and #3 in Best Global Universities in Saudi Arabia. So, does KSU accept non-Saudi students?

King Saud University's admission process for non-Saudi students

King Saud University (KSU) is a public university in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was established in 1957 and was the first university in the country. The student body of KSU today consists of 40,000 male and female students, 7% of whom are international. The university offers courses in the natural sciences, the humanities, and professional studies, and many courses are tuition-free. The medium of instruction in undergraduate programs is English and Arabic depending on the chosen major.

The admission process for non-Saudi students at King Saud University is as follows:

• Non-Saudi students must apply for admission at the beginning of the academic year, as there is no admission during the second semester.
• The university considers admitting a limited number of distinguished non-Saudi students each year, depending on the availability of seats and incoming directions.
• Non-Saudi students should follow the websites of the universities to know the specific admission procedures and then follow up with the Deanship of Admissions and Registration at the chosen university.
• Non-Saudi students of Saudi mothers are treated as Saudi students. These students must enter their ID number on their residence permit. After approval, they must send, by Express Mail, their file, original high school certificate, and copies of their residence permit, passport, birth certificate, and their mother's national ID card, along with the signed application form.
• All students must successfully complete admission tests and interviews or nominations, as required by specific colleges.
• Students must log into their accounts on the announced dates to check their admission status. Text messages and mail are also sent out for confirmation.

The university's history of accepting international students

King Saud University (KSU) was established in 1957 by King Saud bin Abdulalziz to address the country's skilled worker shortage. It is the first university in Saudi Arabia.

The student body of KSU today consists of 40,000 male and female students, 7% of whom are international. The university offers courses in the natural sciences, the humanities, and professional studies, and many courses are tuition-free. The medium of instruction in undergraduate programs is English and Arabic depending on the chosen major. Applicants from non-Arabic speaking countries are required to pass an Arabic examination. English language support at all levels is provided by the Languages Unit.

KSU has an Office of International Students and a Deanship of Student Affairs. The university offers generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.

KSU was established to "Disseminate and promote knowledge in Our Kingdom for widening the base of scientific and literary study, and for keeping abreast with other nations in the arts and sciences and for contributing with them [in] discovery and invention, in addition to reviving Islamic civilization and articulate its benefits and glories, along with its ambitions to nurture the young virtuously and to guarantee their healthy minds and ethics."

In pursuit of attracting distinguished non-Saudi students, the university admits a limited number of non-Saudi students, complying with the regulations announced in each academic year.

Application requirements for non-Saudi students

King Saud University (KSU) does accept non-Saudi students, although the number of international students is limited. The application requirements for non-Saudi students are:

• The applicant must have obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• The applicant's grade must not be less than 'Very Good'. In some cases, this requirement can be waived on the recommendation of the program council.
• The applicant must not have studied a similar program in Saudi Arabia or another Arab country.
• The applicant must be under the age of 25.
• The applicant must be physically fit and free from learning disabilities.
• The applicant must be enrolled as a full-time student.
• The application must include: a copy of the high school diploma certificate, a copy of the transcripts, an original letter of recommendation by an academic who knows the student, a recent medical report, a copy of the birth certificate, a copy of a valid passport, and the full address of the applicant written in both Arabic and English. All papers must be certified.

Non-Saudi students of Saudi mothers are treated as Saudi students. These students must enter their own ID number on the residence permit. After approval, they must send, by Express Mail, the following: the file, the original high school certificate, and copies of the residence permit, passport, birth certificate, and their mother's national ID card, in addition to the application form.

Available scholarships for international students

King Saud University (KSU) does accept non-Saudi students and offers a variety of scholarships for international students. The university is committed to attracting top talent from around the world and offers scholarships for international students to pursue higher education in Saudi Arabia. Here are the details of the available scholarships for international students at King Saud University:

King Saud University Scholarships:

The King Saud University Scholarships are highly competitive and provide comprehensive support to international students. The scholarships are open to male and female students from various countries and are available for different levels of study, including Diploma, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees. The benefits of the scholarship include:

• Full Tuition Fee Exemption: Recipients are fully exempted from tuition fees.
• Accommodation and Meals: On-campus housing and discounted meal plans are provided.
• Travel: A free flight ticket is provided upon acceptance, along with a return ticket at the end of each academic year.
• Monthly Stipend: Financial assistance is offered throughout the academic journey.
• Arrival Allowance: A two-month allowance is provided upon arrival to help students settle in.
• Healthcare: Full medical coverage is provided for the student and their family members.
• Cultural and Social Support: Opportunities for cultural, social, and training engagements are available.
• Graduation Allowance: A three-month allowance is given for shipping books and other academic materials after graduation.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for the King Saud University Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Academic Performance: A minimum grade of "very good" is required for high school or an equivalent qualification.
• Age Criteria: Applicants must be between 17 and 25 years old.
• Government Approval: Students must obtain permission from their home country's government to study abroad, if applicable.
• Document Authentication: All certificates and documents must be officially authenticated.
• Good Character: A certificate of good conduct is required.
• Health Requirements: Applicants must be medically fit to study in Saudi Arabia.

Application Process:

The application process for the King Saud University Scholarships typically involves the following steps:

• Download the required application forms or access the online application portal.
• Review the admission guidelines and requirements carefully.
• Start a new registration by filling out the online application form and providing all necessary documents.
• Submit the application by the specified deadline, which varies from year to year.

External Scholarships:

In addition to the King Saud University Scholarships, there are external scholarship opportunities available for international students. These scholarships are offered by organisations or institutions other than the university itself. The eligibility and application processes for external scholarships may vary, and students are advised to refer to the specific guidelines provided by the respective scholarship providers.

International Students Department:

King Saud University has an International Students Department that facilitates the integration of international students into various levels of study. The first level offered is the Diploma and Higher Diploma, which includes programs such as the Intermediate Diploma in Linguistic Preparation for Non-Arabic Speakers and programs in Arabic as a Second Language. The second level is the Bachelor's degree, where eligible students can be admitted to the university's colleges based on their previous areas of specialisation. The third level is Postgraduate Studies, where academically eligible students can pursue master's and doctoral programs.

Additional Information:

It is important to note that King Saud University does not offer distance education or external study options. The university also has specific admission requirements and procedures for non-Saudi students, which may include criteria such as academic excellence and the availability of seats. International students are advised to refer to the university's official website and contact the relevant departments for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding scholarships and admission processes.

The number of international students at King Saud University

King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was established in 1957 by King Saud bin Abdulalziz to address the country's skilled worker shortage. It is the first university in Saudi Arabia.

The student body of KSU today consists of 40,000 male and female students, 7% of whom are international. This equates to 2,800 international students. The university offers courses in the natural sciences, the humanities, and professional studies, and many courses are tuition-free. The medium of instruction in undergraduate programs is English and Arabic, depending on the chosen major. Applicants from non-Arabic speaking countries are required to pass an Arabic examination.

The university has an Office of International Students and a Deanship of Student Affairs.

KSU is ranked #142 in the Best Global Universities.

Frequently asked questions