Foreign Scholarship in Saudi Arabia — A Comprehensive Guide to Scholarship and Study Abroad
What is Foreign Scholarship in Saudi Arabia?
Foreign scholarship is a Saudi government program that supports students and employees to pursue higher education in the world’s top universities. The program is managed by the Ministry of Education through the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Foreign Scholarship (formerly known as the “Scholarship Program”). It aims to build national competencies that contribute to achieving Saudi Vision 2030 by qualifying human resources in vital specialties.
Scholarship Program Services
The program offers several types of scholarships, including:
– Bachelor’s degree scholarship (for high school graduates).
– Postgraduate studies scholarship (master’s and doctoral degrees) for those with suitable qualifications.
– Scholarship for government sector employees (nominated by their agencies).
– Medical scholarship for rare medical specialties.
– Non-regular student scholarship (for those studying outside the Kingdom without a previous scholarship).
– Research study funding for Saudi researchers.
– Joint scholarship programs with international universities and companies.
Foreign Scholarship Conditions
General Conditions
– The applicant must be Saudi nationality.
– Good behavior and conduct.
– Meeting academic requirements (such as cumulative average or international test scores like TOEFL/IELTS/GRE/GMAT).
– No other government scholarship.
– Not working (for bachelor’s degree) or agency approval (for postgraduate studies).
– Passing a personal interview (if requested).
– Commitment to the mandatory contract to return to work in the Kingdom.
Special Conditions
| Category | Conditions |
|——-|——–|
| Bachelor’s degree | High school graduate (scientific or literary track) with a minimum average of 90% (may vary depending on the specialty). |
| Master’s degree | Bachelor’s degree holder with a minimum average of 3.75 out of 5 or 3.0 out of 4. |
| Doctoral degree | Master’s degree holder with a minimum average of 3.5 out of 4 or 4.0 out of 5. |
| Doctors | Approval from the Ministry of Health or the Health Specialties Authority. |
| Non-regular students | Registration |
Enroll in an accredited university and meet the program requirements.
Steps to Apply for Scholarship
1. Register on the Scholarship Portal (Ministry of Education portal).
2. Fill in personal and academic data.
3. Upload required documents (certificates, academic records, language tests, etc.).
4. Wait for committee approval after reviewing the application.
5. Pass the interview (if requested).
6. Sign the contract with the Ministry of Education.
7. Receive final approval and begin travel arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I apply for a scholarship if I am employed in the private sector?
Yes, you can apply, but you must obtain approval from your employer if the scholarship requires it.
2. What are the preferred specializations in the scholarship program?
The program focuses on vital specializations such as engineering, medicine, technical sciences, business administration, and humanities based on the needs of the Saudi labor market.
3. Is there an age limit for applying for a scholarship?
There is no fixed age, but you must meet the academic requirements for each stage (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD).
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