Scholarships in Saudi Arabia 2026 – Fully Funded | Complete Guide | SaudiaJobs.net

Looking for scholarships in Saudi Arabia 2026? You are in the right place. Saudi Arabia is one of the most generous countries in the world when it comes to funding international education. In 2026, scholarships in Saudi Arabia cover full tuition, monthly stipends, free housing, medical insurance, and annual flights — completely free for selected students from over 160 countries.

Whether you are an international student planning to study in the Kingdom, or an expat family already living in Saudi Arabia looking for education funding, this complete guide covers every major scholarship in Saudi Arabia in 2026 — updated regularly by the SaudiaJobs.net team.

The number of Saudi Arabia scholarships in 2026 has grown significantly under Saudi Vision 2030 — the Kingdom’s national transformation plan that is investing billions in education, research, and global academic partnerships. According to the Saudi Ministry of Education, over 27 public universities now participate in the government scholarship program, hosting students from more than 200 countries. Combined funding across government, university, and corporate scholarships in Saudi Arabia exceeds $2 billion annually — making the Kingdom one of the top scholarship destinations in the world.

🏆 Top Scholarships in Saudi Arabia 2026

Scholarship	Level	Funding	Open To
KAUST Fellowship	MS / PhD	Fully Funded — up to $80,000/year	All Nationalities
Saudi Government Scholarship	Bachelor / Master / PhD	Fully Funded	All Nationalities
King Abdullah Scholarship Program	Bachelor / Master / PhD	Fully Funded	Saudi Citizens
King Abdulaziz University Scholarship	Bachelor / Master / PhD	Fully Funded	All Nationalities
KFUPM Graduate Scholarship	MS / PhD	Fully Funded	All Nationalities
King Saud University Scholarship	PhD	Fully Funded	All Nationalities
Islamic University of Madinah Scholarship	Bachelor / Master	Fully Funded	Muslim Students
Saudi Aramco Scholarship	Bachelor	Fully Funded	Employees & Families
Umm Al-Qura University Scholarship	Bachelor / Master	Fully Funded	All Nationalities
King Salman International Scholarship	Bachelor / Master / PhD	Fully Funded	All Nationalities

🎓 Types of Scholarships in Saudi Arabia 2026

🏛️ Government Scholarships in Saudi Arabia

Saudi government scholarships in Saudi Arabia are funded directly by the Kingdom and the Ministry of Education. These are the most comprehensive awards — covering full tuition, monthly stipend, free housing, healthcare, and annual airfare. They are open to international students from over 160 countries and cover Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs at 27 public Saudi universities. The official application platform is Study in Saudi Arabia — managed directly by the Ministry of Education.

🏫 University Scholarships in Saudi Arabia

Individual Saudi universities offer their own Saudi Arabia scholarship programs for outstanding international applicants. These include KAUST, KFUPM, King Abdulaziz University, King Saud University, and many others. Most university scholarships in Saudi Arabia are automatically awarded to admitted students — no separate scholarship application is needed. Getting accepted is getting funded.

🏢 Corporate Scholarships in Saudi Arabia

Major Saudi companies including Saudi Aramco and SABIC offer fully funded scholarships in Saudi Arabia for employees and their families. These programs support Bachelor’s and Master’s studies at leading universities inside and outside the Kingdom — covering tuition, living expenses, and flights throughout the full study period.

👨‍👩‍👧 Expat & Community Scholarships in Saudi Arabia

Expat families living in Saudi Arabia have access to a range of Saudi Arabia scholarship opportunities — from university merit awards to community-funded programs specifically designed for Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan expat communities in the Kingdom. These are some of the most underutilised scholarships in Saudi Arabia — many eligible families are simply unaware they exist.

💰 What Do Scholarships in Saudi Arabia Cover?

Most fully funded scholarships in Saudi Arabia 2026 include the following benefits:

✅ Full tuition fees — zero cost for your entire degree program
✅ Monthly living stipend — ranging from SAR 850 to $2,500/month depending on degree level
✅ Free on-campus housing — accommodation provided throughout your studies
✅ Medical and dental insurance — comprehensive health coverage for all scholarship holders
✅ Annual round-trip airfare — flights to and from your home country every year
✅ Arrival allowance — one-time payment when you first arrive in Saudi Arabia
✅ Free textbooks — academic materials provided at select universities
✅ Research funding — lab and bench fees covered at research universities like KAUST

📋 General Eligibility for Scholarships in Saudi Arabia 2026

While requirements vary by scholarship in Saudi Arabia, most programs require the following:

✅ Valid passport with minimum 1 year validity
✅ Certified academic transcripts and certificates
✅ Good conduct certificate — clean criminal record
✅ Medical fitness certificate approved by the university
✅ Age requirements — typically 17–25 for Bachelor’s, under 30 for Master’s, under 35 for PhD
✅ English or Arabic language proficiency depending on program
✅ Not currently holding another Saudi government scholarship
✅ Letters of recommendation required by some universities

🗓️ Application Deadlines — Scholarships in Saudi Arabia 2026

Application periods for Saudi Arabia scholarships in 2026 vary by program and university. Most open in two windows:

Period	Months
Main Intake	January – May 2026
Second Intake	September – November 2026

⚠️ Always check the official university website for the latest deadlines — they are updated every academic year. Apply early — most scholarships in Saudi Arabia are reviewed on a rolling basis and places fill before the formal deadline closes.

🏫 Top Universities Offering Scholarships in Saudi Arabia

1. KAUST — King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

Located in Thuwal on the Red Sea coast, KAUST is Saudi Arabia’s premier graduate research university — ranked among the top research institutions in the world. Every admitted student automatically receives the KAUST Fellowship — the most generous scholarship in Saudi Arabia for graduate students, valued at up to $80,000 per year. No separate scholarship application is needed. Visit the KAUST official admissions page for full details.

2. KFUPM — King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals

Based in Dhahran, KFUPM is Saudi Arabia’s top-ranked university in 2026 by QS (#67 globally) and the leading institution for engineering and petroleum science. Distinguished MS and PhD applicants receive full funding automatically with their admission offer — one of the most straightforward scholarships in Saudi Arabia for engineering and science graduates. Visit the KFUPM graduate admissions page to apply.

3. King Abdulaziz University (KAU) — Jeddah

One of Saudi Arabia’s largest and most prestigious public universities, located in Jeddah. KAU offers fully funded Saudi Arabia scholarships for international students at Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD levels — covering tuition, accommodation, healthcare, and a monthly allowance. Applications are managed through the Study in Saudi Arabia platform.

4. King Saud University (KSU) — Riyadh

Located in Riyadh, King Saud University is Saudi Arabia’s oldest and largest university. KSU offers PhD scholarships in Saudi Arabia for international students with a monthly living allowance of approximately $14,400 annually, free housing, medical coverage, and full tuition support throughout the program.

5. Islamic University of Madinah

One of the most unique scholarships in Saudi Arabia — the Islamic University of Madinah offers fully funded awards for Muslim students from all countries to study Islamic sciences, Arabic language, and related disciplines in the holy city of Madinah. All costs are covered including housing, meals, and airfare. Visit the Islamic University of Madinah admissions page to apply.

🇸🇦 Why Apply for Scholarships in Saudi Arabia in 2026?

The demand for scholarships in Saudi Arabia 2026 is growing every year — and for good reason:

World-class universities — KAUST and KFUPM are globally ranked and investing heavily in research and infrastructure under Vision 2030.
Most generous funding in the world — Saudi Arabia scholarships cover everything — tuition, housing, stipend, healthcare, and flights. Unlike most countries where scholarships cover only a fraction of costs, leading scholarships in Saudi Arabia are truly all-inclusive.
Vision 2030 investment — Saudi Arabia is investing billions in education and technology — meaning more scholarships in Saudi Arabia, better facilities, and stronger career opportunities for graduates every year.
Tax-free stipends — all scholarship stipends in Saudi Arabia are completely tax-free.
Career opportunities after graduation — a scholarship in Saudi Arabia gives you direct access to one of the fastest-growing job markets in the Middle East. Browse jobs in Saudi Arabia on SaudiaJobs.net to see what awaits after you graduate.
Multicultural environment — Saudi universities host students from over 100 nationalities. According to the Study in Saudi Arabia platform, international enrollment has grown by over 40% since 2021.

📚 Individual Scholarship Guides — Saudi Arabia 2026

Explore our detailed guides for each major scholarship in Saudi Arabia — including full eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and step-by-step application instructions:

🔗 Official Resources for Scholarships in Saudi Arabia

❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Scholarships in Saudi Arabia 2026

Who can apply for scholarships in Saudi Arabia 2026?

Scholarships in Saudi Arabia are open to international students from over 160 countries. Most government and university scholarships welcome applicants regardless of nationality, religion, or current country of residence. Expats already living in Saudi Arabia can also apply for most Saudi Arabia scholarship programs through the same official channels.

Are scholarships in Saudi Arabia really fully funded?

Yes — the leading Saudi Arabia scholarships in 2026 cover everything including tuition, housing, monthly stipend, healthcare, and annual flights. You pay nothing out of pocket for your entire degree. The Study in Saudi Arabia platform manages the main government scholarship applications.

Is Arabic required for scholarships in Saudi Arabia?

Not always. KAUST and KFUPM teach entirely in English and do not require Arabic. Government scholarships in Saudi Arabia at public universities may require Arabic for some programs — particularly humanities and Islamic studies. Most engineering, medicine, and science programs are fully available in English.

Can female students apply for scholarships in Saudi Arabia?

Yes — Saudi universities welcome both male and female international students for all Saudi Arabia scholarship programs. Policies have been significantly updated under Vision 2030. Always check the current requirements on the official university portal before applying.

When do scholarships in Saudi Arabia open for 2026?

Most scholarships in Saudi Arabia 2026 open between January and May for the main intake, and September to November for the second intake. Apply as early as possible — most universities review on a rolling basis and strong early applicants have a significant advantage over those who apply close to the deadline.

📅 Last updated: August 2026 | SaudiaJobs.net Scholarship Team
🔗 Bookmark this page — we update it every time new scholarships in Saudi Arabia open.