Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University
Princess Nourah University External Scholarship (Female International Students)
Edit ScholarshipPrincess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University offers a full-ride scholarship for female Bachelor's students in Saudi Arabia. It provides a stipend equal to Saudi students', plus housing, healthcare, and travel and arrival allowances. Applications go through the Study in Saudi platform each year.
Overview
Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) in Riyadh is the world's largest women's university. It offers undergraduate education across a broad range of disciplines in a campus environment built specifically to support female students. The external scholarship for international female students is one of the most comprehensive women-only funded opportunities in the Gulf, covering tuition, accommodation, monthly living costs, healthcare, travel, and a series of additional allowances from arrival through graduation.
The external scholarship is for female students who are applying from outside Saudi Arabia. You apply through the Ministry of Education's Study in Saudi platform. The process requires documentary evidence of your academic record, language ability, and personal conduct. For applicants from Arab countries, the academic bar is set in grade percentages with specific minimums that vary by field. For applicants from non-Arab countries, you must demonstrate B2-level Arabic language proficiency through a competency test.
If you are accepted, you study on PNU's campus in Riyadh with access to the university's academic facilities and student services. No transfer to another Saudi university is permitted without PNU's explicit approval. The scholarship is structured to cover your financial needs from the moment you arrive in the Kingdom, including your educational visa fees for the current academic year, so the transition into university life is supported from the start.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding Body | Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University |
| Host Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Degree Levels | Bachelor's |
| Value | Monthly stipend equal to Saudi students, on-campus accommodation, full healthcare, annual return travel ticket, two-month arrival allowance, three-month graduation allowance, one-month annual book allowance, SAR 1,000 excellence award for outstanding achievement, educational visa fees for current year |
| Deadline | Annual; applications via studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa during announced windows each cycle |
| Eligible Nationalities | Non-Saudi female students aged 17 to 25, applying from outside Saudi Arabia |
| Official Website | pnu.edu.sa — External Scholarship Page |
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Requirements
You must hold a high-school diploma obtained within the last five years. For applicants from Arab countries, the minimum high-school GPA is 98 out of 100 for Engineering, Computer Science, or Business programmes, and 95 out of 100 for Humanities and Social Sciences. You must also have an SAT score of at least 1330 out of 1600 or an ACT score of at least 29 out of 36. For applicants from non-Arab countries, you must pass a B2-level Arabic Language Competency Test in place of these GPA and test-score requirements.
Nationality Requirements
The scholarship is for non-Saudi female students only and is specifically the external track, meaning you must be applying from outside Saudi Arabia. You must not hold an existing Saudi scholarship, must not have previously enrolled at PNU, and must not already have a pending offer from the university.
Language Requirements
For applicable English-medium programmes, you need an IELTS score of at least 5.0 or a TOEFL iBT score between 35 and 45. For applicants from non-Arab countries, a B2-level Arabic Language Competency Test is required as part of the application process — this is separate from any English language requirement and reflects PNU's Arabic-medium instructional environment.
Age & Other Requirements
You must be aged between 17 and 25 at the time of application. You must be medically fit (supported by a medical fitness report issued within three months of your application date), provide a good conduct certificate, and — if your home country requires it — obtain an official government approval letter before applying. Criminal record clearance from your home country is also required.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Monthly stipend equivalent to that received by Saudi students
- On-campus accommodation throughout your studies
- Full healthcare coverage for the duration of your programme
- Annual return travel ticket to your home country
- Two-month preparation allowance upon arrival in Saudi Arabia
- Three-month graduation and book-shipping allowance
- One-month annual book allowance
- SAR 1,000 excellence award for outstanding academic achievement
- Educational visa fees for the current academic year
How to Apply
- Confirm eligibility: Verify your age (17 to 25), confirm your high-school diploma was issued within the last five years, and ensure you are currently residing outside Saudi Arabia.
- Prepare documents early: Begin the authentication and attestation process for your high-school certificate and other documents well in advance; these processes take weeks in most countries.
- Obtain government approval: If your home country requires an official government approval letter, initiate that process before the application window opens.
- Register on the Study in Saudi platform: Create an account at studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa.
- Complete the application form: Enter your personal and academic details accurately and in full.
- Upload documents: Attach all required files in PDF or JPEG format as specified by the portal.
- Submit before the deadline: Send your application within the announced window and save your application reference for tracking.
Required Documents
- Authenticated high-school certificate with full academic transcript
- Good conduct certificate or two academic recommendation letters
- Valid passport
- Official government approval letter from your home country (where required)
- Criminal record clearance from your home country
- Medical fitness report issued within three months of your application date
Key Dates & Deadlines
The application cycle is annual. Applications open and close on dates announced on the Study in Saudi platform at studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa. Check the platform regularly once you begin preparing your application, as announcement timing can vary. Start document authentication well before the window opens, as this step alone can take several weeks.
Tips for a Strong Application
What helps
- Begin document authentication at least two to three months before you expect the application window to open, particularly for your high-school certificate.
- Confirm early whether your home country requires an official government approval letter, since this adds an administrative step that takes time.
- For Arab-country applicants, the grade thresholds are high — 98/100 for STEM or Business and 95/100 for Humanities. Only apply if your grades genuinely meet these benchmarks.
- For non-Arab applicants, start Arabic language preparation early and schedule the B2 Competency Test with enough lead time to receive your results before the platform closes.
- Upload documents in PDF or JPEG format only; other file types may not be accepted by the portal.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying if your high-school diploma is older than five years; this is a firm requirement with no exceptions.
- Submitting documents that are not properly authenticated or notarized by the relevant authorities in your country.
- Forgetting to include the criminal record clearance from your home country, which is a required document.
- Attempting to transfer to another Saudi university after enrolment without PNU's explicit approval, which is not permitted under the scholarship terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Princess Nourah University External Scholarship for female international students?
It is a fully funded scholarship for non-Saudi female students applying from outside Saudi Arabia to study at PNU in Riyadh. It covers a monthly stipend, on-campus accommodation, healthcare, annual return travel, arrival and graduation allowances, a book allowance, and educational visa fees for the current year.
Who can apply for the Princess Nourah University External Scholarship?
Non-Saudi female students aged 17 to 25 who are applying from outside Saudi Arabia, hold a high-school diploma obtained within the last five years, and meet the academic and language requirements for their intended programme.
What grades do I need for the PNU External Scholarship?
For Arab-country applicants, the minimum high-school GPA is 98 out of 100 for Engineering, CS, or Business, and 95 out of 100 for Humanities or Social Sciences. You also need SAT 1330 or ACT 29 at minimum. For non-Arab country applicants, you must pass a B2-level Arabic Language Competency Test instead.
What does the Princess Nourah University External Scholarship cover?
It covers a monthly stipend equivalent to Saudi students, on-campus accommodation, full healthcare, annual return travel, a two-month arrival allowance, a three-month graduation allowance, an annual book allowance, educational visa fees, and a SAR 1,000 excellence award for outstanding achievement.
How do I apply for the PNU External Scholarship?
Apply through the Study in Saudi platform at studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa during the announced annual application window. Upload all documents in PDF or JPEG format as required.
What documents do I need for the Princess Nourah University External Scholarship?
You need an authenticated high-school certificate with transcript, a good conduct certificate or two recommendation letters, a valid passport, an official government approval letter if your country requires it, criminal record clearance from your home country, and a medical fitness report issued within three months of your application.
Is there an age limit for the PNU External Scholarship?
Yes. You must be between 17 and 25 years old at the time of application.
Can non-Arab students apply for the Princess Nourah University External Scholarship?
Yes. Students from non-Arab countries are welcome but must pass a B2-level Arabic Language Competency Test as part of their application requirements.
Can I transfer to another university after receiving the PNU External Scholarship?
No. Transferring to another Saudi university is not permitted without explicit approval from Princess Nourah University.
When does the Princess Nourah University External Scholarship application open?
The cycle is annual, with applications submitted through the Study in Saudi platform. Exact opening and closing dates are announced each year — check studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa once you begin preparing your application.