About Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the most important countries in the Arab world in terms of its great political and economic position in the Middle East, as it is the country of oil and petroleum products that gave it and its people prosperity and well-being in living that was reflected in all areas of life in it.
Saudi Arabia has paid great attention to the education sector and has become a center for many well-known universities in the Arab region, and has become an important study destination for many international students from inside and outside the region.
Curiosity will lead us to know the details and conditions of studying in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and below we will get to know everything that matters to the next student to travel to study in its universities
Why study in Saudi Arabia?
Most students dream of traveling to study abroad, especially in European countries, but this dream has become possible in Arab countries as well through the best and most prestigious universities in them. Saudi universities occupy a prominent position in terms of the quality and leadership of education, in addition to many reasons that encourage coming to Saudi Arabia and studying there, namely:
The prominent position of Saudi universities
Saudi Arabia spent a lot of money on the field of higher education and strengthened the status of universities and colleges in them to become of a leading classification, as 19 Saudi universities were ranked among the top 100 Arab universities in 2016, and 4 universities within the rankings of the top 250 international universities, and this is prominent in the education sector and interesting. international students.
Amazing travel opportunities
Life in Saudi Arabia gives room for travel and roaming, especially at leisure, whether by car in close proximity to the Red Sea for short distances, or for half an hour by plane from Dubai or Oman and enjoying the most beautiful scenery in the world.
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A large and diverse international community
Saudi universities record high numbers in the number of international students who are already registered in them, due to the attractive offers they offer of symbolic tuition fees and courses in English, in addition to meeting the residency of many expatriate families, and this enables students to establish strong social relations with the local population and with Students from outside Saudi Arabia and help them in their academic and professional lives in the future.
Saving Money
Saudi Arabia is considered to have low living costs relative to the rest of the world (about 37% less than its counterpart the United States of America). Saudi Arabia is keen on international standing and fame. Therefore, it works to attract large numbers of international students to its universities and provides them with great facilities, financing incentives and various scholarships.
Residence and work opportunities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The strong economy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia gives great and important opportunities for international graduates to work for a fixed number of years in many Saudi companies with huge investments, especially oil, technology and information companies, banks, the health sector, construction sectors, and others, but this calls for the presence of the sponsor to help secure the special work visa Which insurance is the responsibility of the employer.you can also check Study in Switzerland
Optimize your CV with international experience
After completing the study in Saudi Arabia and obtaining a high university degree, the decision will come to return to the homeland, and the experience of studying in the Kingdom’s universities will be a unique and rich experience in a short period and will add to the CV of international students a great international value and valuable study experience.
Study costs in Saudi Arabia
University tuition fees in Saudi Arabia are relatively low and sometimes free, and some universities provide living expenses in addition to funding opportunities, and the following table shows the value of different tuition fees from one university to another:
| Saudi University | Tuition fee costs |
| King Abdulaziz University | $ 900 per month |
| King Saud University | From 5000 USD and above annually |
| Effat University | USD 8000 onwards annually |
| King Abdullah University of Science and Technology | From $ 500 and above per month |
| Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University | From 6000 USD and above annually |
| Alfaisal University | From 8000 USD onwards annually |
| King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals | From 800 USD and above annually |
The cost of living in Saudi Arabia
The cost of living in Saudi Arabia is lower than it is in western countries, in addition to high salaries and the absence of a personal income tax, which makes it a good option for those coming from other countries to work and study.
The value of the Saudi riyal against the US dollar
1 Saudi riyal = 0.2666 US dollars
1 US dollar = 3.7510 Saudi riyals
| Expenses | Monthly cost (in dollars $) |
| Housing – rent an apartment | 1500 – 3000 riyals per month |
| Bills: electricity – water – gas | 350 riyals per month |
| Communications: the Internet | 250 – 999 riyals per month |
| Communications: mobile phone packages | 110 – 350 riyals per month |
| Transport | 300 – 400 riyals for a bus ticket 180 riyals for the train ticket |
| Clothing | 160 riyals for a dress 300 riyals for a pair of shoes |
| Fee for a regular doctor’s examination in a private clinic | 180 riyals |
| the food | 5 riyals for a liter of milk 3 riyals for a loaf of bread8 Real Dozen eggs 5 riyals is the price of a kilo of bananas 2 riyals is the price of 1.5 liters of water |
| Restaurants | 20 – 80 riyals is the price for a simple meal in an average restaurant 300 riyals for a luxurious meal in a fancy restaurant |
Conditions of study in Saudi Arabia
There are 28 public universities in Saudi Arabia and 10 private universities, most of the public university programs are programs that grant a 4-year degree, while private colleges offer higher-priced and less competitive admission and provide many programs including diploma programs, certificates, and intermediate and short-term courses, some of which are segregated. It provides instructions in Arabic only.
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Admission requirements
In order for the student to be accepted into higher education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he will need to complete the required application from him, send a high school diploma, and reveal the marks of the university he intends to apply to. Outside Saudi Arabia, the university must be verified and what is required of it to prove competency for admission.
Conditions for accepting postgraduate programs
- Master’s level: Most master’s programs call for two years of study in different fields of study from marine sciences to architecture to human resource management, and require a bachelor’s degree, TOEFL test score, standardized English language test results, specific GPA, letters of recommendation and GRE scores
- Doctoral level: The PhD takes between two and a half to five years, and requires the following for admission: the student’s TOEFL certificate, GRE scores for application, proof of bachelor’s degree (and sometimes masters), letters of recommendation.
What are the requirements for a student visa to Saudi Arabia?
Students who want to study in Saudi Arabia need to apply for a student visa, and it is strange that one of the requirements for obtaining a study visa is not just admission to a Saudi university, but also must receive a full or partial scholarship, so most of the university offers understand this matter. It provides all possible assistance.
Student visa requirements in Saudi Arabia
- A recent color passport size photo on a white background.
- The original passport is valid for a minimum period of 6 months, with at least 2 blank visa pages.
- Student application form with black ink pen or print.
- Make sure to choose one (Evidence of Completion) to fill out the online application.
- A visa referral note stating the number and date of the visa issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs or one of its branches in Jeddah or Dammam.
- The applicant’s original birth certificate plus one copy.
- The applicant’s secondary school certificate in addition to one copy, the copy must be from the Saudi Cultural Attaché.
- A medical report in three copies with laboratory results and three passport-sized color photos on a white background, and the report must be issued by a licensed doctor confirming that the student is free from contagious diseases and the doctor puts the license number on each copy and his address, and the medical reports do not exceed three months from the date of issue .
- Police report issued within 6 months prior to the date of the request with detailed information on the applicant’s criminal record, if any.
- To apply, you must seek the help of one of the travel agencies approved by the embassy.
Scholarships to Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the leading countries in providing various scholarships to international students. The number of scholarships it offers is approximately 600, and there are no registration fees for these scholarships and it does not require a TOEFL / IELTS certificate.
Among these scholarships are: King Abdulaziz Scholarship, the Islamic University of Madinah, KAUST Training in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the King Abdullah Scholarship, which provide about 600 international scholarships for all citizenship holders around the world.
List of scholarships
- Scholarships from the Islamic University of Madinah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2020 (fully funded).
- King Abdulaziz University Scholarships for International Students 2020 Fully Funded for Masters and PhD degrees.
- King Abdullah International Training Program 2020 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (fully funded).
- King Fahd University Scholarships 2020 for Masters and PhD in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .
Student housing in Saudi Arabia
International students can apply for on-campus accommodation from universities, and they can check this from the relevant university’s website, if they are able to secure housing.
Who deserves student housing
- Scholarships according to the scholarship rules
- Saudi students residing in remote areas more than 150 km from the city of Riyadh.
- Students with special status whose status requires that they be examined by the Deanship of Student Affairs.
- A non-Saudi student who meets the rental conditions specified by the Deanship of Student Affairs
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Services
- Securing and equipping the housing buildings to receive students in coordination with the competent department.
- Providing the highest level of health, social and psychological care to students residing in the residence
- Providing integrated meals for students at reduced prices.
- Providing means of transportation to serve housing students.
- Providing computer and telephone networks to facilitate external communication.
- Providing various commercial services (student service, supplies, restaurant, café) according to students’ needs.
- The establishment of extracurricular activities in the student residence.
- A student can use the sports and leisure facilities on campus.
Work during the study period in Saudi Arabia
The expatriate student wishes to secure a job opportunity to provide for his living costs and to help himself and his family in these costs, and most students abroad work part-time or a job during their study period, and this work requires a permit issued by government agencies in the country in which they study.
As for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, working for a student during the study period is prohibited and illegal, as the student’s visa is for study only and residency only and not for work, and the Saudi Ministry of Education allows students to stay on its territory as residents during their study period, so they have to prepare for the many expenses without relying on a job.
The most famous entertainment activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
With its large area and growing population, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has become a wonderful place for the most prominent activities and entertainment events that make those who live in it and come to it from abroad feel pleasure and joy, and what distinguishes it and makes it a destination for visitors are several points, namely:
Beautiful landscapes and nature in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has a wide range of charming views throughout its territory and throughout the year, it is not only sand dunes that distinguish it with its beauty; But there are mountain places and wonderful adventures when you visit them, and also there are coastal areas that are characterized by their clear waters and pristine beaches.
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Various marine activities in Saudi Arabia
The coastal areas of Saudi Arabia enjoy great interest from residents and foreign residents who come to visit them, and they train in swimming and diving, especially in the Red Sea coast.
Shopping in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia occupies a prominent and prominent position in the field of shopping and the number of markets, malls and shops spread over the territory of the Kingdom, in addition to thousands of international brands that open stores for them in the Saudi market.
Culture in Saudi Arabia
Exploring Saudi heritage, historical monuments, museums, and popular markets is exciting and fascinating for those coming to Saudi Arabia from other countries.
Sports in Saudi Arabia
Sport is very popular in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and the idea of football in Saudi Arabia enjoys great support and encouragement from the government and the population, as well as from expatriates.
Is Saudi Arabia a safe country?
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is acceptable and remarkably safe despite the presence of a few different crimes, such as theft, criminal matters and others, in addition to the fact that the area near the Yemeni border is prohibited for travelers due to the ongoing war between the two parties.
Checkpoints are spread on the roads in Saudi Arabia, in which the soldiers ask for papers and documents from travelers and passengers, so everything that is required of a person to prove his identity on the road must be prepared.
Also driving for vehicles and buses in Saudi Arabia is a real horror for new drivers, because most of the names of regions are not registered on maps and guide books, and also because of the camels that commonly roam around the Kingdom on dirt roads and sometimes traffic, so here you must also be careful and pay attention Saudi Arabia has one of the highest Road deaths accidents in the world.
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Saudi health system
The Saudi Health Law works to ensure complete health care for all people, in a fair and accessible manner, and health care services are provided to more than 31 million citizens and residents, in addition to several million visitors during Hajj and Umrah through medical cities, specialized hospitals, universities and primary care centers.
Foreign health care
Saudi hospitals provide all treatment supplies to everyone without exception and in all cases, and whether the treatment is for a Saudi citizen or for a foreign resident, especially in critical cases such as traffic accidents, fractures, burns, and suffocation. In 2005, compulsory health insurance was issued for non-Saudis who work in the Kingdom under the Cooperative Health Insurance Law.
Difficulties studying in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Higher education in Saudi Arabia, including universities and colleges, is exposed to great difficulties and challenges imposed by social and economic conditions, and it is known that each system has its own challenges and demands that must be worked out to find solutions.
The most prominent issues facing education and students in Saudi Arabia are the following: (restricting places, depleting resources, and quality standards) For these reasons, some procedures and solutions have been initiated to relieve pressure on Saudi higher education, including the establishment of private colleges, post-secondary diploma programs, and the establishment of a fund for higher education. And the real organizational and financial restructuring, which is the most important part between these procedures
