Study In Saudi Arabia - International Students ~ rfviral

Study in Saudi Arabia, and find the best universities in Saudi Arabia.

This study guide will give you all the information you need to find universities and study in Saudi Arabia.

Home of Islam, a historic marvel and a big provider of higher education in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is a mysterious but wealthy country which is looking to expand its international student recruitment beyond those wanting to study Islam.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a hugely wealthy country that is increasingly investing in its education sector. As home to one-fifth of the world’s oil reserves, Saudi Arabia is a leading educator in the field of oil and gas engineering.

Studying an undergraduate degree in Saudi Arabia will introduce you to this misunderstood and mysterious country.

This is a destination perfect for students who want to get out of their comfort zone and experience a different world.

Bachelor Degree In Saudi Arabia

Find the right Bachelor Degree in Saudi Arabia with our comprehensive guide.

Universities in Saudi Arabia

Home to one of the fastest-growing higher education systems in the world, Saudi Arabia has 24 government-run universities offering diplomas for bachelor and postgraduate qualifications.

It is also home to several private colleges and departments. Men and women are taught separately in different institutions, with degree lasting four years in humanities and social sciences and between five to six years in medicine, engineering and pharmacy.

The facilities at top universities in Saudi Arabia are world-class because of the nation’s large and on-going investment in higher education.

Because of the country’s large oil industry and the overall importance of the energy sector Saudi universities are renowned for gas and oil engineering programs.

QS has named King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals as the top institution in the Middle East for the second year in a row, also putting at 189th in the world in their full QS World University Rankings 2016/2017.

Although it does have a focus on oil engineering subjects, and is an important centre for the country’s oil industry, the university offers programs in a wide range of subjects.

King Saud University has more of a focus on life sciences alongside engineering and is highly rated in pharmacy & pharmacology, computer science, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, agriculture and forestry and education and training.

Tuition Fees in Saudi Arabia

Explore tuition fees in Saudi Arabia for bachelor's degrees and find the right bachelors degree at the right tuition cost for you.

The entry requirements for being able to study a degree in Saudi Arabia depend on the course, institution and type of study you want to do.

Many courses are taught in English, but it is worth having conversational Arabic as this will be useful in your day-to-day student life.

It is also home to several private colleges and departments. Men and women are taught separately in different institutions, with degree lasting four years in humanities and social sciences and between five to six years in medicine, engineering and pharmacy.

These degrees include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Engineering
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Business Administration

Specific degrees may depend on individual schools.

It is worth noting that restrictions on women studying undergraduate degrees in Saudi Arabia with admission being limited to a few select universities and female-only institutions.

Immigration & Visa in Saudi Arabia

Advice on Immigration & Visa in Saudi Arabia, where you can make sure you get the right documents to make a successful application to your ideal university.

Saudi Arabia has one of the toughest and most complicated visa procedures in the world. You will need to submit lots of information and been in constant contact with your chosen university.

Most recent supporting documents required to pursue applying for a student visa include a passport, an additional passport photo, an application form, a reference note, a birth certificate plus an extra copy of it, a high school diploma plus an extra copy of it, and additional pages including medical reports and police reports. Prepare these documents well ahead of time—they are extensive.

For more details about these requirements and a complete list of them, visit the Saudi embassy website.

It’s important to note that a Saudi Arabian student visa does not permit you to work while in the Kingdom. You should check all details with your home country before applying.

Advice on Accommodation & Living Costs in Saudi Arabia

Advice on Accommodation & Living Costs in Saudi Arabia.

International students going to Saudi Arabia will almost always live in private accommodation organised through the university, as halls of accommodation do not exist in the Kingdom. Accommodation in Saudi Arabia is plentiful, ranging from luxurious villas with courtyards and swimming pools, to modern flats.

One thing is key in all housing though – make sure you have air conditioning.

Living costs in Saudi Arabia and generally fairly expensive, and you need to factor in the lack of available public transport and the cost of bills. However, if you do decide to brave the Saudi traffic, you’ll find some of the cheapest petrol prices in the world.

Advice For Parents

Advice For Parents whose children may be looking to study in Saudi Arabia. You can find complete information on costs, safety, security and tips on keeping in touch during their time away.

How safe is Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia is a restrictive country and citizens are generally fearful of the police. The strict punishments for crime mean that international students are generally safe and violent crime is low.

However, foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia have been threatened by terrorist organisations, so it’s worth being aware of your surroundings and taking onboard advice from your university.

One thing to be aware of is Saudi driving, which is at best haphazard and at worst outright reckless.

Students should always take care to protect their own personal safety in order to avoid becoming victims of crime. They can do this by:

• Avoiding carrying around large amounts of money
• Staying in groups, especially at night, and never walking alone
• Not making valuables obvious
• Always having a route home planned and never getting into unlicensed taxis
• Being wary of strangers
• Being careful of traffic

Staying in touch

Staying in touch when your child is studying on the other side of the world might seem daunting – but there are ways you can talk regularly that don’t have to involve long distance phone calls and a nasty bill at the end of the month. Here are a few tips:

• Skype – the free video calling service can be downloaded within seconds, and will allow you to talk face to face anywhere you have an internet connection

• Blogging – maybe encourage your child to keep a blog of their adventures overseas, so that other families members (such as grandparents) can keep up to date

• Local sim cards – it is also a good idea for your child to buy a phone with a local pay as you go sim card when they arrive so that they can text and call home without running up a bill

Apply to Study in Saudi Arabia

Apply to Study in Saudi Arabia and get free online and telephone support with your application. The advice here will help you find the right bachelors at the right university in Saudi Arabia.

If you would like to study overseas but are not certain as to where is the best fit in terms of country, course and funding you can register for free with the International Student Admissions Service (ISAS) where a dedicated admissions team will be able to help you every step of the way.

You can find out about studying in other countries with our country guides.