Conditions for admission to Saudi public universities

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the largest countries in the Middle East and is known for offering an outstanding and diverse educational system.

Saudi Arabia includes many universities distributed in various regions of the Kingdom, offering educational programs in a wide range of specializations.

Universities in Saudi Arabia

Saudi universities aim to provide high-quality education that keeps pace with global developments and promotes innovation and scientific research.

• Najran university
• King Saud University
• King Abdulaziz University
• Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University
• King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
• King Khalid University
• Princess Nora bint AbdulRahman University
• Al Qussaim university
• Taibah University
• Jazan University.

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Private universities in Saudi Arabia

Private universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are considered a distinguished educational option for students wishing to pursue their higher education in an innovative and supportive educational environment. These universities provide diverse academic programs and focus on developing students' leadership and practical skills, while paying attention to meeting the needs of the local and international labor market.

1. Prince Mohammed bin Fahd University
2. Prince sultan university
3. Dar Al Uloom University
4. Al-Faisal University
5. Al Yamamah University
6. Effat University
7. Riad Al-Ilm University
8. Sulaiman Al Rajhi College
9. Ibn Sina College of Medical Sciences
10. University of Knowledge

Read also: List of Saudi public and private universities

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Conditions for admission to Saudi public universities

Public universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia set a set of conditions and standards that students must meet to enroll in their academic programs. These conditions ensure the selection of the most qualified students prepared to contribute to the higher education environment, and include academic and non-academic criteria.

• The student must have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Certificates must be authenticated by the competent authorities and by the Saudi embassy in the student’s country.
• The student must be between 17 and 25 years old for the undergraduate level.
• The student must not be more than 30 years old for the master’s degree and 35 years for the doctoral degree.
• The student must obtain approval from his country’s government to study in the Kingdom if this is a requirement for his country.
• You must pass the required medical examination in accordance with Saudi regulations.
• The student must provide a certificate of freedom from criminal records from his country.
• The university may request a recommendation from one of the recognized bodies or figures.
• The student must be a legal resident of the Kingdom.
• The student must not have received another scholarship from one of the educational institutions in the Kingdom.
• If the student needs a mahram, the mahram must be covered by a scholarship, have a regular residence permit, or have a regular work record in the Kingdom.
• Passing the general aptitude and academic achievement tests organized by the Education and Training Evaluation Commission in the Kingdom.
• The student must adhere to all instructions and regulations specified by the university.

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Admission requirements to Saudi universities for non-Saudis

It allows admission into Saudi universities for non-Saudi students to join its academic programs through a set of special conditions that foreign students must meet. These conditions aim to ensure that international students are able to adapt to the academic and social environment in the Kingdom.

Admission requirements to Saudi universities for non-Saudis:

1. Obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent from the student’s country.
2. Passing aptitude and achievement tests, if required.
3. Submitting a certificate of proficiency in the Arabic or English language according to the program requirements.
4. Obtaining a valid residence permit in the Kingdom.
5. Submit letters of recommendation from previous school or college.
6. Submit official certified documents such as passport and high school certificate.

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Admission requirements at King Saud University

King Saud University is one of the most prestigious universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, providing distinguished educational opportunities for students from various parts of the Kingdom and abroad. The university has established a set of conditions and standards that students must meet to enroll in its academic programs for the year 1445.

1. Obtaining a high school diploma with an excellent grade or its equivalent.
2. Passing the aptitude and achievement tests with a weighted percentage determined by the university.
3. Submit the admission application through the electronic admission portal within the specified dates.
4. Pass any additional tests or personal interviews required for some specializations.
5. Submit the required documents such as national ID and high school certificate.
6. Commitment to any additional requirements determined by the chosen academic department.

Admission requirements to King Saud University for residents

King Saud University provides distinguished educational opportunities for residents of the Kingdom, as the university has established a set of conditions and standards that resident students must meet to enroll in its academic programs. These conditions take into account the specific situation of residents in the Kingdom.

1. Obtaining a high school diploma from the Kingdom or its equivalent.
2. Successfully passing aptitude and achievement tests.
3. Submit the admission application via the electronic portal within the specified dates.
4. Submit a valid residence certificate.
5. Submitting a certificate of proficiency in the Arabic or English language according to the program requirements.
6. Submit official documents such as passport and high school certificate.

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Conditions for admission to Saudi public universities for foreigners

Public universities in Saudi Arabia are an attractive option for foreign students wishing to pursue their higher education in an advanced academic environment. These universities establish a set of conditions that ensure foreign students' compatibility with the academic and cultural requirements of the Kingdom.

1. Obtaining a high school diploma from the student’s country or its equivalent.
2. Pass aptitude and achievement tests if required.
3. Submitting a certificate of proficiency in the Arabic or English language according to the program requirements.
4. Obtaining a valid study visa.
5. Submit a letter of acceptance from the university.
6. Submit official certified documents such as passport and high school certificate.

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How to apply to Saudi universities

The admission process in Saudi universities is an important step that requires good preparation and a clear understanding of the required procedures. Universities strive to simplify the application process with dedicated online portals and clear guidelines for domestic and international students.

Steps to apply to Saudi universities

1. Choose the appropriate major and university based on your academic interests.
2. Visit the website of the chosen university to learn about admission requirements.
3. Prepare the required documents such as high school diploma, national ID or passport, and personal photos.
4. Registration for aptitude and achievement tests (if required).
5. Submit an admission application through the university’s electronic admission portal.
6. Follow the application status through the electronic portal and wait for the acceptance notification.
7. Completing any additional procedures such as personal interviews or admission tests.
8. Complete the registration procedures after obtaining final acceptance.

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What is the acceptance rate of foreigners in Saudi universities?

According to the decisions of the Saudi Council of Ministers, the acceptance rate of foreign students in Saudi universities was set not to exceed 5% of the total number of students. This decision aims to ensure a balance between local and international students and achieve cultural and academic diversity within universities

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How much are Saudi university fees for foreigners?

In public universities such as King Saud University and King Abdulaziz University, tuition fees for foreign students range from 20,000 to 30,000 Saudi riyals annually.

The cost of studying medicine at King Faisal University is approximately $26,700 per year.

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The easiest Saudi public universities to accept foreign students

When talking about the easiest Saudi public universities to accept foreign students, this determination depends on several factors such as the rate of acceptance of foreigners, admission conditions, and programs available to international students. In general, there are some universities that are known for their flexibility in accepting foreign students, the most prominent of which are:

King Abdulaziz University

King Abdulaziz University is considered one of the universities that facilitates the admission of foreign students, as it offers many scholarships for international students. The university offers diverse programs that include many scientific and literary specializations, and it also provides a supportive educational environment for international students with advanced facilities and distinguished services.

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals is one of the leading universities in the Kingdom and is known for the quality of its higher education. Although admission requirements may be stringent, the university offers generous scholarships to international students that cover tuition fees and living costs, making it an attractive option for many.

Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University

Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University also provides great facilities to foreign students, especially in the religious and Sharia fields. The university offers distinctive study programs and provides scholarships that cover study and living costs, making it one of the universities that facilitates the acceptance of foreign students.

Islamic University of Medina

The Islamic University of Medina is distinguished by offering study programs in Sharia sciences and the Arabic language, and it is one of the universities that focuses on accepting Muslim students from different parts of the world. The university offers many scholarships and is considered one of the universities with somewhat flexible conditions for accepting international students.

Taibah University

It also offers good opportunities for international students, with a wide range of academic programs and support tailored to international students. The university works to facilitate the admission process for foreign students and provide them with the necessary support throughout their studies.

It is worth noting that the ease of admission to Saudi universities depends not only on the university’s flexibility in admission requirements, but also on the student’s submission of complete documents that are compatible with admission requirements, previous academic performance, and the ability to meet health and security requirements. Saudi universities seek to attract international students to support academic and cultural diversity, and therefore many of them offer great facilities to international students who demonstrate their seriousness and willingness to adapt to the academic environment in the Kingdom.

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Finally, in the conclusion of our article

At the conclusion of our article on admission requirements to Saudi public universities, it can be said that there are several public universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that are known for facilitating the admission of foreign students and providing a supportive and comprehensive educational environment, which contributes to enhancing their educational experience and providing distinctive opportunities for them to achieve their academic and professional goals.

Admission requirements to Saudi public universities establish a precise and comprehensive framework to ensure the admission of qualified foreign students who are prepared to adhere to the required academic, administrative and health standards.

Admission of foreigners to Saudi universities is not just an educational opportunity, but it is also an opportunity to enhance cultural and scientific exchange between the Kingdom and the world, which contributes to building bridges of cooperation and mutual knowledge.