Study in Saudi Arabia in 2025: Top Universities, & Jobs

Saudi Arabia can be a compelling study-abroad option for international students as higher education initiatives are bolstered in the Middle-eastern country under the Saudi Vision 2030. The goal is to create a multi-faceted economy, attract and sustain global talent, and create a knowledge-based social fabric. Under the Saudi Vision 2023, multiple initiatives have been taken up and outlined:

Study in Saudi Arabia for International Students

• Foreign Universities entering Saudi Arabia: Allowing foreign universities to set up their campuses in Saudi Arabia,
• New-age Courses in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence: Introduce institutes that offer Bachelor’s, Master’s and P.hD courses in booming fields like Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. 
• Private Sector’s share in Saudi’s economy and educational sphere increased– Amplify the private sector’s role in designing the higher education future of the country.
• Plan Institutes offering MBBS programs as demand for healthcare workers shoots up- Set up institutes offering Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programs.
• Invest Saudi Platform facilitated– Invest Saudi Platform has also been put in place to aggrandize investment opportunities in the higher education field.

Other reasons are also equally important. Studying in Saudi Arabia for Indian students has become a popular option for over 1.3 million people went to study in the country, according to the MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) data. Listed below are some compelling reasons for you to Study in Saudi Arabia: 

• Collaborations with Global Academic Institutions– Saudi Arabia is keen on collaborating with global academic networks and attracting international students to offer specialized academic disciplines that have not been offered prior to this in the country.
• 5th Most Popular Study-abroad destination for Indian Students– On the other hand, Saudi Arabia, a country rich in history, with an ancient culture and distinctive civilizational development, has become the fifth most popular destination for Indian students owing to its handsome scholarship opportunities
• Launching Study in Saudi Arabia visa program– Saudi Arabia has launched the “Study in Saudi Arabia” visa program, which will streamline the application process and allow students to choose from a vast palette of academic programs ranging from shorter-duration courses to extensive academic programs. Students can apply for a visa through the ‘Study in Saudi Arabia’ visa portal. 

Explore: New study visa program for international students in Saudi Arabia

• Universities are growing in prominence: With 29 Saudi Arabian universities ranked in the top 100 of the QS University Rankings, Saudi Arabia is emerging as a strong hub for higher education, particularly in STEM subjects.
• Amazing travel opportunities: One of the biggest perks is a lot of travelling in your spare time.  A short drive from the Red Sea and an hour and a half’s flight from Dubai or Oman, Saudi Arabia is in close proximity to some of the world’s most beautiful sights and top travelling destinations. 
• Large and Diverse International Community: With many institutions offering generous scholarships to international students, you’ll have the chance to make friends with both locals and students from more than 170 countries around the world. And, if you decide to work in Saudi Arabia after your studies, you’ll most likely cross paths with young professionals from a host of different cultural backgrounds.
• Money Saver: In order to attract more international students, Universities in Saudi Arabia offer various funding incentives and scholarships. In addition, the costs of living in Saudi Arabia are relatively low compared to many parts of the world (around 37% lower than in the US as of June 2016). Renting a one-bedroom apartment in a city center will cost you around US$400 per month, a liter of gasoline roughly US$0.16 and a cappuccino about US$2.57.
• Amazing opportunities to stay and work in Saudi Arabia: It’s no secret that oil is the key asset that has transformed Saudi Arabia into one of the top 20 economies in the entire world. Developments in Saudi Arabia’s economy have opened up doors for international graduates to work under major companies based in Saudi Arabia, including AE Systems, Cisco Systems, Procter & Gamble, Schlumburger, Nestlé and Siemens, which will, in turn, add value to your CV. 

Explore Here: Top 10 Affordable Countries to Study for Indian Students

Top Universities in Saudi Arabia: Average Tuition Fees and Programs 

After choosing the destination, you must learn about the top universities and their popular programs for Studying in Saudi Arabia.

Top Universities	Average Tuition Fees	Popular Programs
King Abdulaziz University  (Ranking #149)	30,000 to 60,000 Saudi Riyal (roughly $8,000 to $16,000) per academic year.	Seas Sciences, Geology, Nuclear Engineering, Medical Engineering, Meteorology, and Aviation and Mineralization.
King Saud University (Ranking #90)	Undergraduate programs: Approximately 25,000-35,000 Saudi Riyals per academic year Graduate programs: Around 30,000-50,000 Saudi Riyals per academic year	Medicine, Engineering, Business Administration, Computer and Information Sciences and Science.
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals  (Ranking #101)	$5,000 to $10,000 per year	Aerospace Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
King Khalid University (Ranking #301)	$3,000 – $4,000	Computer science, Medicine and Surgery, Business administration
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (Ranking #501)	9,200 Saudi riyals per semester, plus VAT. The university also charges 500 riyals per credit hour.	Clinical Nursing – Medical surging, Critical Care, Obstetrics and Gynecologic, Pediatric, Clinical Psychology and Environmental Health

How to Apply to Saudi Arabian Universities in 2025?

The procedure for Studying in Saudi Arabia is fairly simple. Just follow the steps mentioned below and get yourself enrolled in your desired university : 

1. Explore Universities: Explore the universities of Saudi Arabia and find a suitable course for yourself.
2. Double-Check Eligibility Criteria: Check the eligibility criteria. Also, check the documents required (mentioned below). Note: You must visit the university’s official website to fulfill the exact requirements. 
3. Stack up Documents Properly: Assemble all the documents accordingly.
4. Complete the Application Form: Fill the application form from (download from the official website) and apply online for the admission. Submit the documents with the duly filled application form.
5. Pay the Application Fee: Pay $75 application fee.
6. Wait for the Offer Letter: Once the university you chose in Saudi Arabia decides to provide you with a seat, it will issue an offer letter.
7. Prepare for Visa Procedures: After receiving the offer letter, start preparing for your VISA. Check thoroughly all the documents required for VISA application. 
8. Get Ready to Reach Saudi: Once you get the approval of the visa, pack your bags and fly to Saudi Arabia for your further education.

Eligibility For Saudi Arabian University Admission

The Eligibility Criteria for Study in Saudi Arabia are as follows : 

• For the Undergraduate level and the Arabic Language Institute, students should not be aged less than 17 years and not more than 25 years; for the Master’s level, his or her age should not be more than 30 years; and for the doctoral level, not older than 35 years of age. 
• The student should not have obtained another scholarship from one of the educational institutions in Saudi Arabia. 
• Certificates and any required documents must be certified by the competent authorities as specified by the educational institution.
• The student must obtain garda clearance/vetting.
• The student should not have a prior record of dismissal from one of the educational institutions in Saudi Arabia.
• Students must pass the medical examination stipulated by the regulations and instructions.

Documents Required For Saudi Arabian University Admission

• Proof of previous academic qualifications and grades 
• Proof of language proficiency (English or Arabic) 

English-Language-Proficiency Test	Minimum Requirement
IELTS	6.5
GTEC CBT	1210
Duolingo	105
PTE Academic	58
TOEFL (internet based)	81
SAT	500 on the Evidenced Based Reading and Writing Portion of SAT Exam
Cambridge English Exam – Certificate of Advanced English (CAE)	176, CEFR Level

• Passport size photos
• Secondary school diploma or certificate: Original and photocopies
• Academic records: Undergraduate documents (for post-graduate studies)
• A good conduct certificate
• Identification cards: 2-3 photocopies
• Letter of Recommendation: At least 2-3 academic recommendation letters from a professor who has taught you before
• Approval of the custodian for female students
• A valid copy of the assport
• A birth certificate

Top Scholarships to Study in Saudi Arabia

Studying in Saudi Arabia with Scholarships has become easier as the Saudi Arabian government offers some unique scholarships to international students through various programs to support students in pursuing their studies.

Scholarship	Grant	Coverage
King Abdullah Scholarship Program (Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission)	CAD$2,800	Tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance and round-trip airfare
King Salman International Scholarship Program	Not mentioned	Tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance and round-trip airfare
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Scholarships (KFUPM)	Fully funded	Tuition fees, housing, monthly stipend, round-trip airfare

Cost Of Living In Saudi Arabia

Here’s a table outlining the average living costs in Saudi Arabia : 

Food and drink	SAR 603	Transportation	SAR 506
Housing and Utilities	SAR 894	Culture and recreation	SAR 106
Healthcare	SAR 51	Hospitality and restaurants	SAR 172
Internet and telecom	SAR 181	Education	SAR 86
Clothing and footwear	SAR 119	Others	SAR 1,613
Total			SAR 4,331

Student life in Saudi Arabia 

Saudi Arabia has forsaken its puritanical social approach and introduced key reforms. From opening theatres for cinema-viewing and women-driving cars and vehicles to setting up luxury resorts and allowing women to travel without male guardians, Saudi Arabia has come a long way and is embracing cosmopolitan culture. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, student life is what you make out of it. It is important to meet your academic commitments, but it is also important to relax! Studying in Saudi Arabia can be challenging for international students as the social and religious realities of living in a conservative country never vanish, but it is possible to find friendships and fun as a student. You may find it through some of the social clubs or among neighbors; it is possible to enjoy your student life in Saudi Arabia. Generally, a good place to start building a community is among international students on your university campus.

Student Visa For Saudi Arabia

Student visa documentation required for international students to Study in Saudi Arabia are:

• The applicant must be (16) years of age or older.
• Submit a valid passport, with a validity period of no less than 6 months from the target date of entry into the Kingdom.
• Obtaining acceptance from a licensed and accredited educational institution in the Kingdom.
• Proof of financial ability to cover tuition and living expenses or provide a financial guarantee.
• Written consent of the guardian and his companions for the visa holder for persons under the age of (18) years.
• Submit a medical report showing that you are free from infectious diseases.
• Submission of medical insurance documents for the visa holder and his companions
• Proof of proficiency in speaking the language of study, with the exception of those wishing to study Arabic. 

Job Opportunities in Saudi Arabia

In alliance with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has recently come up with a unified job portal, Jadarat, that will continuously post job hiring across public and private sectors. It will also provide customized job searches to filter out options as per the field and interest area of the user. The mission is to contain unemployment and simplify information about the prevalence of jobs in different sectors. After the Jadarat launch, unemployment has plummeted drastically in Saudi Arabia. 

As per the data shared by Saudi’s Ministry of Investment, its entertainment sector is posited to create 4,50,000 jobs by 2030 and account for a lion’s share of the GDP. Infact, Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector has been able to captivate 2,500 new businesses.

Now, let’s look at the 10 in-demand jobs in Saudi Arabia. 

Job Title	Average Salary	Top Hiring Companies in Saudi Arabia
Digital Marketing Specialist	SAR 9,500-35,000 per month	Ogilvy, Leo Burnett, MullenLowe
Data Analyst/Scientist	SAR 8,000-25,000 per month	SAP, Oracle, SAS Institute
Software Developer	SAR 7,500-22,000 per month	STC, Elm, Ureed
Civil Engineer	SAR 8,000-30,000 per month	Saudi Binladin Group, Al Arrab Contracting Co. Ltd.
Teacher/Education Specialist	SAR 6,000-20,000 per month	GEMS Education, Taibah Schools, Kingdom Schools
Nursing Professional	SAR 5,500-15,000 per month	Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, Saudi German Hospital Group
Accounting & Audit Professional	SAR 7,000-20,000 per month	KPMG, PwC, Deloitte
Human Resources Manager	SAR 9,000-25,000 per month	Al Rajhi Bank, SABIC, STC
Social Media Manager	SAR 6,000-18,000 per month	STARZPLAY, Careem, Noon
Business Development Manager	SAR 8,000-22,000 per month	Abdul Latif Jameel, Almarai, Savola Group

Summary

Saudi Arabia offers a thriving job market across technology, construction, healthcare, education, and business services. This blog will provide you with all the details to initiate your planning to study in Saudi Arabia, including application process, IELTS requirements, living cost, scholarships, top universities, VISA requirements and job prospects. Their Vision 2030 initiatives promise to create over 1 million positions by 2030, providing job seekers (domestic or international) with the skills to fulfill evolving workforce demands appropriately.

FAQs

Ques 1: What does a Saudi student VISA cost?

Answer 1: Price of student visa can be anywhere from $100 to $500. The duration of the visa is usually limited to 90 days within a 1-year validity period, or longer for study programs that require more than 3 months and VISA are usually processed in 4 to 5 days, but can take longer, depending on the individual case.

Ques 2: Can I work and study in Saudi Arabia?

Answer 2: Unfortunately, international students are not allowed to work while studying in Saudi Arabia but after graduation you will find a good selection of job opportunities as stated above as well.

Ques 3: Do Indian students need a VISA for Saudi Arabia?

Answer 3: Yes, Indians need a visa to go to Saudi Arabia. Here’s what you need to apply for the student visa : 

1. Valid passport
2. Visa Application Form
3. Passport-Sized Photos
4. Purpose of Visit documents
5. Money proof
6. Health Check-up
7. Travel Insurance 
8. Police Certificate
9. Visa Fees