International Students Can Get Scholarships in Saudi Arabia (2026/2027)

Saudi Arabia has become one of the most welcoming places for international students by 2026. This progress is because of its Vision 2030 goals to become a global centre for research and innovation. Most scholarships pay for everything, including tuition, housing, health insurance, and even a monthly “salary” or stipend.

1. The three biggest research universities

These schools provide the world’s best packages, targeting high achievers in STEM, AI, and sustainability.

KAUST stands for King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

• The Prize: The KAUST Fellowship is worth about $75,000 a year.
• Benefits include full tuition, a monthly living stipend ($20,000 for MS, $25,000–$30,000 for PhD), free housing on campus, medical and dental insurance, and help with moving.
• Applications for the Autumn 2027 intake usually open in October 2026.
• Requirement: High GPA and strong research skills. There is no fee to apply.

King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Jeddah

• The Award: Full funding for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
• Benefits include a monthly stipend, free housing, a two-month stipend to help with travel expenses, and airfare.
• 2026/2027 Status: KAU takes applications for graduate programmes all year round.
• Unique Feature: One of the most diverse groups of international students in the Middle East.

The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM)

• The prize is a full scholarship, free housing with furniture, and a monthly stipend.
• Focus: Energy, Computer Science, and Engineering.
• 2027 Intake: Applications for the Spring 2027 intake usually open in the middle of 2026.

2. Islamic Studies and Humanities Concentrate

These scholarships give students who want to study Arabic, Islamic law, or the liberal arts a chance to experience a different culture.

Madinah Islamic University

• The Award: All costs covered for Muslim men who apply.
• Benefits include a monthly stipend, free housing, books, and a ticket home once a year.
• 2026/2027 Due dates:
  • Undergraduate: Usually ends in June 2026.
  • Postgraduate: Usually has a short time frame in November and December.
• This is the best place to study Shariah and Arabic, but it also has good programmes in science and computing now.

Riyadh’s King Saud University (KSU)

• The award covers full tuition and a stipend for both undergraduate and graduate students.
• 2026 Status: Portals for different graduate degrees and diplomas are either open now or will be open in April or May 2026 for the next school year.

3. The “Study in Saudi” Centralised Portal

The Saudi government has made the process easier by creating a single portal called StudyInSaudi.

• You can use one application to apply to more than one Saudi university, such as Princess Nourah University for Women or Umm Al-Qura.
• Eligibility: Almost all nationalities can apply. Usually, applicants for an undergraduate degree must be between 17 and 25 years old, and for a PhD, they must be under 35.

4. How to Get Out of Taking the IELTS in Saudi Arabia in 2026

You can get around the English scores that top research universities like KAUST and KFUPM usually require by

• Medium of Instruction (MOI): If your last degree was in English (for example, from Nigeria, Ghana, India, or the UK), most Saudi universities will let you skip the IELTS with a letter from your registrar.
• Arabic-Taught Programmes: You don’t need to take an English test if you want to study humanities or Islamic studies in Arabic. Most scholarships include a free Arabic language course for a year.
• Many private and new Saudi institutions now accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) as a faster option.

5. Important Timeline for 2026 and 2027

1. The best time to apply to KAU and the Islamic University of Madinah (Undergrad) is between April and June 2026.
2. August 2026: Write research proposals for the 2027 cycles at KAUST and KSU.
3. October 2026: Major research universities usually open their portals for Autumn 2027 admission.
4. The StudyInSaudi portal will stop accepting applications for many government-sponsored scholarships in January 2027.

Final Thoughts

KAUST is still the best place for international students to get money for high-tech research. The StudyInSaudi portal is the best way to apply to over 20 universities at once for your first degree. Saudi committees are looking for “global ambassadors” to represent their modernised education systems, so make sure your application highlights your leadership potential and academic consistency.