The Saudi Government Scholarship 2027 officially administered by the Saudi Ministry of Education (MOE) through the Study in Saudi Arabia platform (studyinsaudi.sa/en) is one of the world’s most comprehensive and accessible fully funded government scholarship programmes, providing outstanding international students from more than 200 countries worldwide the opportunity to pursue Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degrees at any of 27 Saudi public universities across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, completely free of charge, with full tuition coverage, a monthly living stipend, free university accommodation, comprehensive health insurance for the student and eligible family members, an annual return flight, an arrival allowance, and a books and study materials allowance. The Saudi Government Scholarship 2027 is available through two tracks: the External Track for international students applying from outside Saudi Arabia, and the Internal Track for non-Saudi nationals already residing legally in the Kingdom. Applications are submitted through the official Study in Saudi Arabia portal at studyinsaudi.sa/en, through the Saudi Cultural Attaché in your country, or through the Saudi Embassy if no Cultural Attaché is present. Each university sets its own application dates — there is no single universal deadline.

Key Highlights

Detail Description

The Saudi Government Scholarship Programme for international students is one of Saudi Arabia’s flagship educational diplomacy initiatives — aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of developing human capital, strengthening international ties, and positioning Saudi Arabia as a global hub for world-class higher education. Administered by the Ministry of Education (MOE) through the centralized Study in Saudi Arabia platform, the programme attracts distinguished international students from across the globe to study at Saudi Arabia’s leading public universities.

Saudi Arabia has made massive investments in higher education over the past two decades — with several Saudi universities now ranking among the best in the world and the Arab region. Institutions such as King Abdulaziz University (KAU), King Saud University (KSU), King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Islamic University of Madinah, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, and Umm Al-Qura University offer world-class programmes across engineering, sciences, Islamic studies, Arabic language, social sciences, and business. Students from more than 200 countries have studied in Saudi Arabia under the government scholarship programme, with over 100,000 international graduates since the programme’s inception.

Benefits

Two Application Tracks

Eligibility Criteria

• • Nationality: Open to students from all countries worldwide — there are no nationality restrictions. Students from more than 200 countries have received Saudi Government Scholarships.
  • Age Limits:
    • Diploma and Bachelor’s: minimum 17 years, maximum 25 years
    • Master’s: maximum 30 years
    • PhD: maximum 35 years
  • Academic Qualifications: Must meet the same admission requirements as Saudi students at the chosen university. For Bachelor’s: secondary school certificate (equivalent). For Master’s: Bachelor’s degree. For PhD: Master’s degree. All certificates must be officially attested by the relevant authorities in your country.
  • No Previous Saudi Scholarship: Must not have previously received a scholarship from any Saudi educational institution at the same academic level. Cannot apply for the same scholarship at the same level more than once.

• Clean Record: Must provide a police clearance certificate (proof of no criminal record) from your country’s security services. Must not have been previously dismissed from any Saudi educational institution.
• Medical Fitness: Must pass a medical examination and provide a certificate of freedom from contagious diseases.
• Government Approval: For countries that require it, must have the approval of the home country’s government to study in Saudi Arabia.
• Female Students — Mahram Requirement: Female applicants must have a mahram (male guardian) who is either: sponsored by a Saudi entity, holds a regular legal residency in Saudi Arabia, or is registered as an employee in Saudi Arabia. This is a formal requirement under current Saudi regulations.
• Valid Passport: Must hold a valid passport.
• For Internal Track (already in KSA): Must be a regular resident of Saudi Arabia with a valid iqama. Must have the approval of the sponsor on whose iqama you are registered to study at the chosen institution.
• Fields Excluded: Health and medical specialties (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, etc.) are NOT covered by the government scholarship programme for international students.

NOT Eligible:

• Saudi nationals (this programme is for international students only)
• Students who have previously received a Saudi government scholarship at the same level
• Students who have been dismissed from a Saudi educational institution
• Female students without a mahram legally present in Saudi Arabia
• Applicants seeking to study Health/Medical specialties

27 Participating Saudi Public Universities

The Saudi Government Scholarship is offered at all 27 Saudi public universities across the Kingdom. Key universities include:

Required Documents

• Valid passport — must be valid for the duration of intended study period
• Academic certificates and transcripts — secondary school certificate (Bachelor’s applicants) | Bachelor’s degree (Master’s applicants) | Master’s degree (PhD applicants) — all officially attested by competent authorities in your country
• Police clearance certificate — from security services in your country, proving no criminal record
• Medical certificate — confirming freedom from contagious diseases, signed by a licensed physician
• Passport-sized photographs
• Home country government approval — for countries that require government approval for citizens to study abroad
• Mahram documentation — for female applicants: proof that mahram is sponsored, legally resident, or employed in Saudi Arabia
• Internal Track only: Sponsor’s approval letter for the student to study at the chosen institution
• Recommendation letter — from a body, institution, or personality specified by the university (if required by the chosen university)
• Any additional documents required by your chosen university — check each university’s specific admission requirements

Application Process

Step 1: Register on the Study in Saudi Arabia Platform

Go to studyinsaudi.sa/en and create your account. The platform is available in 10 languages including English, Arabic, French, Turkish, German, Hindi, Chinese, Hausa, Malay, and Urdu. Browse the available programmes and universities. You can search by university, field of study, degree level, and scholarship type. The platform handles both external (from outside KSA) and internal (already in KSA) scholarship tracks.

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Step 2: Choose Your Universities and Programmes

Identify up to 3 Saudi public universities offering your desired programme. Check each university’s specific admission requirements, language of instruction (Arabic or English), and any additional eligibility conditions. Some universities teach primarily in Arabic — if you do not speak Arabic, look for universities offering English-medium programmes or those that include an Arabic language preparatory year. Islamic University of Madinah and Umm Al-Qura University are for Muslim students only.

Step 3: Prepare and Attest All Documents

This is the most time-consuming step. All academic certificates must be officially attested by the competent authorities in your country — typically the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Saudi Embassy or Cultural Attaché in your country. Start the attestation process early — it can take 4–8 weeks. Obtain your police clearance certificate from your country’s security services. Get your medical certificate from a licensed physician. Ensure your passport is valid.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Submit your application through one of three channels: (1) Directly through the university’s application portal via studyinsaudi.sa/en; (2) Through the Saudi Cultural Attaché office in your country; (3) Through the Saudi Embassy in your country if no Cultural Attaché is present. Upload all required documents. Each university opens its own application window — check and apply before each university’s specific deadline. You can apply to up to 3 universities simultaneously.

Step 5: Application Review and Admission Offer

After submission, the university reviews your application and supporting documents. Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for additional requirements or interviews. If accepted, you will receive an admission and scholarship offer by email. The type of scholarship (full, partial, or paid) will be specified in your offer. Only full scholarship holders receive all benefits listed above.

Step 6: Apply for Study Visa

After receiving your scholarship acceptance letter, apply for a Saudi study visa from the Saudi Embassy in your country. Present your scholarship acceptance letter, valid passport, attested documents, and medical certificate. After arriving in Saudi Arabia, your university will assist you in obtaining a free residence permit (iqama) for the duration of your studies — issued with a letter from the university’s passport department.

How to Apply

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Saudi Government Scholarship 2027?

The Saudi Government Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded scholarship programme offered by the Saudi Ministry of Education to international students from 200+ countries for Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD study at 27 Saudi public universities. Full scholarship benefits include: tuition fees, monthly stipend (~SAR 990/month Bachelor’s | ~SAR 1,170/month Master’s | ~SAR 1,500/month PhD — varies by university), free accommodation, health insurance, annual return airfare, arrival allowance, and books allowance. Apply through studyinsaudi.sa/en or through the Saudi Cultural Attaché in your country. No single universal deadline — each university sets its own dates.

2. Who is eligible for the Saudi Government Scholarship 2027?

International students from any country worldwide are eligible. Age requirements: 17–25 years (Bachelor’s), up to 30 years (Master’s), up to 35 years (PhD). Must not have previously received a Saudi scholarship at the same level. Must not have been dismissed from a Saudi institution. Must provide a police clearance certificate. Female applicants must have a mahram (male guardian) with legal presence in Saudi Arabia. Medical/Health specialties are excluded.

3. Is the Saudi Government Scholarship fully funded?

Saudi universities offer three types of scholarships: (A) Full (free) scholarship — covers all benefits including tuition, stipend, accommodation, health insurance, airfare, and allowances; (B) Partial scholarship — covers some benefits only; (C) Paid study — student pays own costs. When applying, confirm with the chosen university which type of scholarship is being offered. The full scholarship covers all benefits and is the most sought-after type.

4. What is the deadline for the Saudi Government Scholarship 2027?

There is no single universal deadline. Each of the 27 participating Saudi public universities sets its own application opening and closing dates according to the Saudi academic year calendar. Saudi Arabia typically operates on a Hijri/Islamic calendar aligned academic year. Visit studyinsaudi.sa/en and check each university’s specific dates. Apply as early as possible — university places are limited and highly competitive.

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5. Can Pakistani students apply for the Saudi Government Scholarship 2027?

Yes — Pakistan is among the 200+ eligible countries. Pakistani students can apply for Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD scholarships at all 27 Saudi public universities. Female Pakistani applicants must have a mahram with legal presence in Saudi Arabia. Medical/health specialties are not available under the scholarship. Apply through studyinsaudi.sa/en or through the Saudi Cultural Attaché in Islamabad, Karachi, or Lahore.

6. Do I need to know Arabic for the Saudi Government Scholarship?

It depends on your chosen university and programme. Most Saudi public universities teach primarily in Arabic. However, some universities offer English-medium programmes — particularly at Master’s and PhD level in STEM fields. If your chosen programme is in Arabic and you do not speak Arabic, you may be required to complete an Arabic language preparatory year before your main programme begins. Check the language of instruction for your chosen programme at your target university before applying.

7. How many universities can I apply to under the Saudi Government Scholarship?

You can apply to up to 3 Saudi public universities simultaneously through the Study in Saudi Arabia platform (studyinsaudi.sa/en). Each university reviews your application independently. If more than one university accepts you, you choose which offer to accept. Note: you cannot hold the same scholarship at the same level at more than one university simultaneously. Each university sets its own admission requirements and scholarship conditions within the MOE framework.

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Final Thoughts

The Saudi Government Scholarship 2027 is one of the world’s most accessible and comprehensive fully funded government scholarship programmes — with no nationality restrictions, a wide range of degree levels from Diploma to PhD, 27 participating public universities across Saudi Arabia, and a full package covering tuition, stipend, accommodation, health insurance, airfare, and allowances. With more than 100,000 international graduates since the programme began and students currently studying from more than 200 countries, Saudi Arabia’s commitment to international higher education is clear and substantial. Whether you are seeking an undergraduate education, a Master’s degree, or a PhD in engineering, sciences, humanities, Islamic studies, or Arabic language — the Saudi Government Scholarship offers a fully funded pathway to world-class education in one of the Middle East’s most dynamic and rapidly developing countries. Register on the official Study in Saudi Arabia platform at studyinsaudi.sa/en, identify your target university and programme, prepare your attested documents early, and apply through the platform, your Saudi Cultural Attaché, or the Saudi Embassy in your country.

Need Help With Your Application?

The Global Services Consult team powered by worldwidestudies.info provides professional admission and scholarship application support for international students. The team helps you identify suitable universities, prepare strong application documents, and guides you through the entire process—from admission and scholarships to visa processing, flight booking, and accommodation. We also help job seekers apply for international job opportunities with ease.

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