Saudi Arabia
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Saudi Arabia, officially known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has one of the fastest-growing and most impressive higher education systems in the Middle East. Thus, it is hardly surprising that thousands of international students choose to enrol at Saudi Arabian universities and colleges every year.
With a colourful blend of modern architecture, ancient sites, and the beautiful Red Sea coast, it’s easy to understand why many want to study and live in this kingdom, at least for a while.
In Saudi Arabia, education is taken very seriously. Over 20% of the annual budget is invested in developing, improving, and maintaining a high standard of teaching at all education levels. This is also reflected in the large number of higher education institutions: there are over 25 public universities and more than 65 private colleges where students can enrol.
Saudi Arabian universities offer scholarships to all international students, regardless of their country of origin. Usually, the scholarship application is included in the university application process. The most substantial scholarships cover full tuition fees and a large part of the monthly living costs.
Students enjoy state-of-the-art resources and facilities, both in terms of studying and living. Universities have the latest technologies necessary for lab work and advanced research. As for on-campus accommodation, at some universities, students even benefit from air conditioning, gyms, swimming pools, and restaurants.
It’s no secret that oil is the key asset that has transformed Saudi Arabia into one of the top 20 economies in the entire world. This has allowed the beautiful Arab country to build an impressive infrastructure, a stable financial system, and to position itself as an attraction for tourists with money to spend.
As an international student, it’s a bit harder to find a job after graduating from a Saudi Arabian university. But this doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Students with specialist skills can find work in fields like IT, banking, telecommunications, or the oil industry.
In 2018, for example, the average salary was around 7,250 EUR per month, making Saudi Arabia the highest paying country among the five Gulf Cooperation Council states.
International students can enrol in various English-taught degrees. The following are only some of the most popular study options:
These are some of the top-ranked universities in Saudi Arabia:
Each university in Saudi Arabia has its own admission system on their website that allows future students to apply for and enrol in their Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programmes. So, once you select the university of your choice, you can go through their application and submit your materials there.
Here are some documents you might need to submit during your university application:
Let’s take a closer look at the tuition and living expenses in Saudi Arabia:
Tuition ranges wildly at public universities in Saudi Arabia. Study programmes can cost anywhere from 0 (yes, completely free!) to over 22,000 EUR per academic year. At some institutions, tuition is calculated using the total number of credit hours — very similar to the American education system.
Like in most other countries, private universities are more expensive.
Depending on the type of accommodation and your lifestyle, you will need anywhere between 650 and 1,000 EUR to cover your monthly expenses. Here are some of the average costs of living in Saudi Arabia:
Check out other living expenses in Saudi Arabia.
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