Saudi Arabia has some of the best fully funded scholarships in the world, and the government strongly supports them to help achieve the “Saudi Vision 2030.”” For the 2026–2027 school year, international students can use top-notch research facilities and get generous living stipends at a number of top schools.
1. The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
KAUST is a top-notch research university for graduate students. One thing that makes KAUST special is that every student who is accepted gets the KAUST Fellowship.
- • The award includes full tuition coverage, a monthly living allowance (between $20,000 and $30,000 per year), housing on campus, medical and dental coverage, and help with moving.
- • Deadlines for 2026 and 2027:
- Fall 2026 Intake: The main application period ended in early 2026.
- Applications for the Spring 2027 intake are due by January 14, 2027.
- • Requirement: Admission is based only on merit. Most programmes prefer high GRE scores, but they aren’t always required.
2. The Graduate Initiative at King Saud University (KSU)
KSU is based in Riyadh and has started a strategic initiative for the 2026 cycle to bring in top PhD candidates from all over the world.
- • The award includes full tuition, a monthly living allowance of SR 54,000 ($14,400) per year, housing on campus, and help with moving.
- • Deadline for 2026: The application period for the 2026/2027 intake is open from March 2026 to May 15, 2026.
- • Eligibility: Requires a Master’s degree from an accredited institution and English proficiency (TOEFL iBT 61+ or IELTS 6.0+).
3. Scholarships from King Abdulaziz University (KAU)
KAU is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the Arab world and offers a highly structured international scholarship program.
- • The award includes full tuition, a monthly stipend, subsidised meals, health insurance, and round-trip airfare once a year.
- 2026/2027 Cycle: The deadline for the 2026 intake was October 31, 2025. The portal for the 2027 intake usually opens again in the middle of 2026.
- Age Limits: People who want to get a master’s degree must be at least 30 years old, and people who want to get a PhD must be at least 35 years old.
4. Scholarships for specific institutions
Islamic University of Madinah (IU)
This is the best place for students of Islamic Sciences, but it also has STEM tracks for the 2026 cycle.
- The award includes full tuition, housing, a monthly stipend, and travel.
- Deadlines for 2026:
- Undergraduate: You can apply until June 14, 2026.
- Postgraduate (Master’s/PhD): You can usually apply all year long, but the next big deadline is December 2026.
Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU)
PNU is the biggest women’s university in the world, and it gives out special “External Scholarships” to women from other countries.
- • The Award: A monthly stipend, a preparation allowance, health insurance, and awards for students who do well in school.
- 2026 Timeline: The central “Study in Saudi” platform handles applications, and the deadlines for each faculty vary, but they usually fall in the first half of 2026.
5. Tips for 2026 Applicants on How to Be Strategic
- “Study in Saudi” Portal: The Study in Saudi digital platform is now the main place to apply to most public universities (KSU, KAU, PNU). Making a profile here in early 2026 is important for keeping track of different deadlines.
- • NIN and Identity: The 2026 portals need exact National Identity Number (NIN) or passport information from people from West Africa and South Asia. If there is a difference between your ID and your academic records, the Ministry’s automated visa-processing system may automatically reject your application.
- Document Authentication: The Saudi Embassy in your home country must sign off on all academic documents for Saudi Arabia. You should start this process right away after getting your transcripts because it takes a long time.
In conclusion
The scholarship cycle in Saudi Arabia for 2026/2027 is very competitive, but it is still one of the best ways for international students to make money. The KSU PhD Initiative is still open until May 15, 2026, and the Islamic University of Madinah is still taking undergraduate applications through June, even though some graduate deadlines for the Fall 2026 intake have passed. Now is the best time to start document attestation for all other programmes, since the Spring 2027 and Fall 2027 windows will open later this year.
