Costs & Funding in Saudi Arabia - Study in Saudi Arabia

Costs & Funding for Studying in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's cost picture is the opposite of most study destinations: for many international students, a degree here is fully funded by the host country. Public universities commonly admit international students on a scholarship that waives tuition and adds a stipend, housing, and airfare, while KAUST funds its graduate students generously. Only the private universities charge meaningful fees. Add no personal income tax, and the cost of being a student can be remarkably low. This guide breaks down the scholarship model, private tuition, living costs by city, and how funding connects to your student visa.

Tuition Fees

Tuition depends entirely on which route you take — and one route is free.

Public universities on a government scholarship

At King Saud, King Abdulaziz, KFUPM, and the Islamic University of Madinah, international admission usually comes with a scholarship, so tuition is free.

KAUST (graduate only)

KAUST charges its admitted Master's and PhD students no tuition and adds a generous stipend and free housing.

Private universities

Alfaisal, Prince Sultan, and Effat charge fees, but commonly teach in English and offer their own partial scholarships.

That is the honest figure — the public and KAUST routes are free, the private route is paid. Exact amounts vary by university and program, so confirm on the program page. Run a personalised estimate with our cost-of-study calculator, and compare routes in the programs and universities guide.

The Scholarship Package in Detail

The Saudi Government Scholarship is the centrepiece of the funded route. A typical package for an international student includes:

KAUST funds its graduate students separately and even more generously — a monthly stipend set for a comfortable standard of living, free on-campus housing, full medical and dental cover, and relocation support. Exact amounts are reviewed periodically, so confirm current figures on the university's official pages.

Monthly Living Costs

For students paying their own way (mainly at private universities), living costs depend heavily on the city — and on whether housing is provided.

Riyadh / Jeddah (highest costs)

Smaller cities (cheaper)

Total Cost of a Degree

The total depends entirely on your route:

For funded students, a full degree can cost little or nothing out of pocket — a position few destinations can match. Self-funded students at private universities should budget tuition plus 12 months of living.

Scholarships

Funding in Saudi Arabia is the main attraction, not an afterthought.

The Saudi Government Scholarship

At many public universities, the scholarship is built into international admission — free tuition, a stipend, housing, and airfare. You apply through the university's international admissions or a designated scholarship portal, and selection is competitive and merit-based. This is the flagship route, and it can make a degree effectively free.

KAUST funding

KAUST funds all admitted graduate students automatically — there is no separate scholarship application. If you are accepted to a Master's or PhD program, the funding comes with the place.

Private-university scholarships

Private universities (Alfaisal, Prince Sultan, Effat) offer their own merit and need-based awards, usually as partial tuition discounts tied to your admission. Apply early through the university's scholarship portal; deadlines frequently align with the admission deadline.

Home-country and external funding

• Home-country government scholarships that fund study abroad
• Private foundations and employer sponsorships in your home country
• Subject-specific awards in fields like engineering and the sciences

Strategy: because the public and KAUST routes are already free, your funding plan there is really an admission plan — get accepted and the money follows. For private universities, apply for every relevant award early.

Part-Time Work

Opportunities are limited. International students' residence under the Iqama is generally tied to study, and part-time work is restricted, so you should not rely on a job to fund yourself. The upside is that funded scholarships and the KAUST stipend are designed to cover living costs without working, and there is no income tax to erode them. Working after graduation requires a separate, employer-sponsored work permit. Confirm the current rules with your university's international office and the visa and arrival guide.

Proof of Funds for the Student Visa

Requirements vary by route:

• Scholarship and KAUST students: the scholarship itself usually satisfies the financial requirement, since tuition, housing, and a stipend are provided
• Self-funded students (private universities): be prepared to show you can cover tuition and living costs, typically via a bank statement or sponsor letter

Requirements can change, so confirm the exact current figure and accepted documents with your university and the Saudi authorities before you apply. Full walkthrough in our visa and arrival guide.

Health Insurance and Healthcare

International students in Saudi Arabia are generally required to hold medical insurance, which is often included in scholarship packages and at KAUST, and bundled into fees at many private universities. Saudi Arabia has modern, well-equipped private hospitals and a public system. Keep your insurance valid throughout your studies and confirm exactly what your plan covers, especially for any pre-existing conditions.

Smart Ways to Manage Money

Even with a stipend, students manage their budgets in predictable ways:

• Take the provided housing — scholarship and KAUST accommodation is the biggest saving available
• Cook and shop at local supermarkets rather than eating out constantly
• Use the cheap petrol and ride-sharing for transport; some cities are adding public transit
• Buy a prepaid SIM with a generous data plan — mobile data is inexpensive
• Bank locally once you have your Iqama to avoid foreign-transaction fees
• Remember there is no income tax — your stipend or salary is not reduced by tax

Together these keep a self-funded budget manageable and let a scholarship stipend cover daily life comfortably.

Budget Planning Checklist

Before you arrive, confirm:

• Funding route confirmed (government scholarship, KAUST funding, or self-funded at a private university)
• For scholarship students: the stipend amount, housing arrangement, and airfare terms in writing
• For self-funded students: tuition payment schedule and first instalment
• Private-university scholarship applications submitted where relevant (early deadlines!)
• Proof of funds prepared if self-funded; scholarship letter ready if funded
• Medical insurance arranged (often included in scholarship or private fees)
• A settling-in buffer (SAR 3,000-5,000) for first-week costs before your stipend or banking is set up

Next Steps

1. Visa and arrival — the student visa and Iqama, step by step
2. Admissions and application — if you have not applied yet
3. Programs and universities — compare routes and find your field
4. Why study in Saudi Arabia — the honest case, if you are still deciding