Ministry of Education, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Study in Saudi Arabia Scholarship Platform
Edit ScholarshipThe Saudi Ministry of Education's unified national platform through which international students apply for fully funded scholarships at Saudi universities across diploma, bachelor, master and PhD levels.
Overview
The Study in Saudi Arabia platform (studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa) is the Saudi Ministry of Education's centralized digital gateway for international student scholarships. Rather than being a single named scholarship, it is the official portal through which you can discover, apply for, and track government-funded scholarship opportunities across Saudi Arabia's public universities. The platform serves students from more than 160 nationalities and covers programs at the diploma, bachelor's, master's, and PhD levels.
Using the platform, you can browse participating universities — more than 27 public institutions — select your field of study, and submit a single application that is routed to your chosen institution. The platform is used for both the internal scholarship track (for non-Saudis with valid Saudi residency) and the external track (for applicants residing outside the kingdom). There is no application fee charged through the platform itself.
Scholarship benefits available through the platform vary by university and degree level, but typically include tuition coverage, a monthly living stipend, accommodation, annual travel costs, health insurance, and an arrival or settlement allowance. If you want to study at a Saudi public university as an international student and access government funding, this platform is the main starting point for most applicants.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Funding Body | Ministry of Education, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |
| Host Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Degree Levels | Diploma, Bachelor's, Master's, PhD |
| Value | Varies by university; typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, annual travel, health insurance, and arrival allowance |
| Deadline | Annual cycles; bachelor's-level deadlines have recently fallen around May; master's/PhD windows extend to October |
| Eligible Nationalities | 160+ nationalities; per-university and per-degree criteria apply |
| Official Website | studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa |
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Requirements
Academic requirements differ by university and program. At the undergraduate level, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent with competitive grades. At the graduate level, you need a relevant prior degree meeting the GPA threshold set by the host university. Because the platform aggregates multiple institutions, always click through to your target university's specific requirements within the platform before applying.
Nationality Requirements
The platform is open to international students from more than 160 nationalities. Some universities may restrict certain programs to specific nationalities due to bilateral agreements or program capacity. The platform displays which universities and programs are available to you based on your country of origin when you register.
Language Requirements
Language requirements depend on the program and institution. Arabic-medium programs require Arabic proficiency. English-medium programs require recognized English language test scores. Some universities offer preparatory language programs before the main degree. The platform will indicate language requirements for each available program when you browse the listings.
Age and Other Requirements
The platform applies the Ministry of Education's standard age criteria: 17–25 for undergraduate applicants, a maximum of 30 for master's applicants, and a maximum of 35 for PhD applicants. You must not hold another Saudi government scholarship and must meet the medical and conduct requirements set by your target university.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Tuition fees at the host public university
- Monthly living stipend (amount varies by university and degree level)
- Free or subsidized accommodation on or near campus
- Annual travel costs between your home country and Saudi Arabia
- Health insurance for the duration of the scholarship
- Arrival or settlement allowance to help cover initial costs when you first arrive
How to Apply
- Create an account: Register on the Study in Saudi platform at studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa using a valid email address and accurate personal information.
- Browse universities and programs: Use the platform's search tools to find universities, programs, and available scholarships that match your academic background and interests.
- Check program-specific requirements: Before applying, confirm the admission criteria, language requirements, and document requirements for your chosen program at your chosen university.
- Prepare your documents: Gather all required documents, ensuring academic certificates are officially attested and any required translations are certified.
- Complete the application form: Fill in all sections of the online application form accurately and upload your supporting documents.
- Submit before the deadline: Submit your application before the closing date for your degree level. Bachelor's windows typically close around May; graduate windows extend further into the year.
- Track your application: Use your platform account to monitor the status of your application and respond to any requests for clarification or additional documents.
- Respond to the scholarship offer: If selected, follow the instructions provided by the platform and your host university to confirm your acceptance, arrange your visa, and prepare for travel.
Required Documents
- Valid passport
- High school diploma and transcripts, officially attested (for undergraduate applicants)
- Undergraduate degree certificate and transcripts, officially attested (for graduate applicants)
- Master's degree certificate and transcripts, officially attested (for PhD applicants)
- Medical fitness certificate
- Certificate of good conduct from home country authorities
- Passport-size photographs
- Proof of language proficiency (as required by your chosen program)
- Any additional documents specified by the target university for the program applied to
Key Dates and Deadlines
Application windows are announced annually on the Study in Saudi platform. Recent patterns show bachelor's-level deadlines falling around May, while master's and PhD windows extend to approximately October 31. Exact dates vary by university and intake year. Create your account and set up notifications on the platform early so you are aware of opening and closing dates as soon as they are published.
Tips for a Strong Application
What helps
- Creating your account and familiarizing yourself with the platform well before the deadline, so you are not rushing to figure out the process at the last minute
- Choosing a university and program that is a strong academic match, rather than selecting based on reputation alone
- Starting document attestation early, as this process typically takes several weeks through your country's government authorities
- Reviewing each program's specific requirements within the platform, since they differ significantly from one university to another
- Applying to more than one eligible program if the platform allows it, to increase your chances of receiving an offer
- Keeping your contact information up to date on your platform account so you do not miss communication from the university or the Ministry
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying without checking the specific admission requirements for your chosen program — general eligibility does not guarantee program-level eligibility
- Uploading unattested copies of academic documents, which will result in your application being incomplete or rejected
- Missing the bachelor's deadline, which closes around May and is considerably earlier than graduate deadlines
- Applying while holding another Saudi government scholarship, which disqualifies you from any award through this platform
- Assuming benefit amounts are the same across all universities — stipend levels, accommodation quality, and airfare arrangements differ by institution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Study in Saudi Arabia Scholarship Platform?
It is the Saudi Ministry of Education's centralized online portal for international student scholarships at Saudi public universities. You use it to search for available programs, submit applications, and track your application status. It is not a single scholarship but a gateway to scholarships at 27+ institutions.
Is there an application fee on the Study in Saudi Arabia platform?
No. The platform does not charge an application fee for international students applying through it.
How many universities are available through the Study in Saudi Arabia platform?
More than 27 Saudi public universities participate in the platform, spanning multiple regions of the kingdom from Riyadh and Jeddah to Madinah, Qassim, and beyond.
What does a scholarship through the Study in Saudi Arabia platform cover?
Typical coverage includes tuition, a monthly living stipend, accommodation, annual travel costs, health insurance, and an arrival allowance. Exact benefits vary by university and degree level — review the details for each institution on the platform before applying.
What is the deadline for the Study in Saudi Arabia scholarship platform?
Deadlines vary by degree level and are announced annually. Recent bachelor's-level deadlines have fallen around May. Master's and PhD windows have extended to approximately October 31. Check the platform for the exact dates applicable to your intake year.
Can I apply to more than one university through the Study in Saudi Arabia platform?
The platform may allow you to apply to multiple programs or universities within a single cycle. Check the current rules on the platform when you register, as the number of simultaneous applications allowed may be set by the Ministry.
What nationalities can apply through the Study in Saudi Arabia platform?
Students from more than 160 nationalities are eligible to apply. Some universities may have country-specific restrictions for certain programs. The platform will display available options based on your nationality when you set up your account.
Does the Study in Saudi Arabia platform cover both internal and external scholarship tracks?
Yes. The platform handles applications for both the external track (for applicants residing outside Saudi Arabia) and the internal track (for non-Saudi nationals with valid Saudi residency).
How do I track my application on the Study in Saudi Arabia platform?
Log in to your account at studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa and navigate to your application dashboard. Application status updates are shown there, and the system sends notifications to your registered email address when there are changes or requests.
What documents do I need to apply through the Study in Saudi Arabia platform?
You typically need a valid passport, officially attested academic certificates and transcripts for your level, a medical fitness certificate, a good conduct certificate, passport photographs, and language proficiency proof as required by your chosen program. Confirm specific requirements for your target university within the platform.
Is the Study in Saudi Arabia platform the only way to apply for Saudi government scholarships?
No. Some scholarships can also be applied for through individual university websites, Saudi Cultural Attachés, or Saudi Embassies in your country. The platform is the primary centralized channel but is not always the only one for every institution.