Saudi Arabia offers international students full, partial and paid study opportunities. Do not assume every admission through Study in Saudi is fully funded. Application dates are set for the relevant academic year and institution, so applicants should confirm the currently available programmes and deadlines on the official Study in Saudi platform before applying.
Saudi Arabia provides international students with opportunities to study at public universities through government and university scholarship arrangements. Nigerian and other African students can explore these opportunities through the official Study in Saudi system and participating universities.
This guide explains the main scholarship types, funding benefits, general eligibility rules and application process without treating every Saudi scholarship as automatically fully funded.
Are Saudi Arabia Government Scholarships Fully Funded?
Some are, but not all. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education describes three broad types of scholarships at government universities:
- Full scholarships: students receive the full benefits attached to the scholarship.
- Partial scholarships: the institution may provide only some benefits, such as a study place or a study place plus housing.
- Paid study: students study under a fee-paying arrangement.
Applicants should therefore check the funding type attached to the specific programme or admission offer. For a broader explanation of scholarship funding terminology, see our guide to fully funded and partial scholarships.
What Can a Full Saudi Scholarship Include?
The Saudi Ministry of Education lists possible advantages for external scholarship students including health care, an arrival financial reward, housing, benefits available to students at the institution and annual travel tickets, subject to the applicable regulations. The official Study in Saudi information also describes full scholarships as covering study costs and institutional services and providing financial assistance to international students.
Benefits can differ by institution and award. Applicants should rely on the terms of their specific scholarship rather than assuming that every scholarship includes the same stipend, airfare, accommodation or research funding.
Who Can Apply?
Saudi public-university scholarships include external scholarships for non-Saudi students applying from outside the Kingdom and internal scholarships for eligible non-Saudi residents already living in Saudi Arabia.
The Ministry of Education’s general scholarship guidance for international students lists study levels including Arabic-language diploma programmes, bachelor’s degrees, higher diplomas, master’s degrees and PhDs, subject to the requirements of the institution and programme.
General Eligibility Requirements
Requirements vary by university, programme and scholarship type. Saudi Ministry of Education guidance includes general conditions such as meeting the institution’s admission requirements, providing properly attested certificates and documents, satisfying medical requirements and not having been dismissed from a Saudi educational institution.
The Ministry’s public guidance also lists general age limits of 17–25 for undergraduate study and Arabic-language institutes, up to 30 for master’s study and up to 35 for doctoral study. Applicants should still confirm the current rules for the institution and programme they select because universities may apply additional requirements.
Available Fields and Universities
Saudi Arabia has public universities across the Kingdom offering programmes in many disciplines. The Ministry’s general international-scholarship guidance states that applicants may apply for available specialisations at the relevant study levels, while noting restrictions that can apply to health and medical specialties.
Rather than relying on a fixed list of “participating universities,” use the Study in Saudi platform and official university websites to see which institutions and programmes are accepting international applications for the cycle you intend to join.
How to Apply Through Study in Saudi
- Visit the official Study in Saudi platform.
- Review the study opportunities and identify a programme appropriate to your academic level and background.
- Check whether the opportunity is a full scholarship, partial scholarship or paid programme.
- Read the institution’s admission requirements and prepare the required academic and identity documents.
- Submit your application using the route specified by Study in Saudi or the relevant university.
- Track the application and respond to any requests from the institution or Saudi authorities.
The Ministry of Education also notes that scholarship applications may be handled through public universities according to their admission-opening dates. Applicants should follow the current official process rather than an application method copied from an older scholarship cycle.
When Is the Saudi Scholarship Deadline?
There is no single permanent deadline covering every Saudi scholarship and university. The Ministry states that opening dates are determined according to the requirements of the academic year at universities. Check the Study in Saudi platform and the relevant university for the current opening and closing dates.
For that reason, this article does not label the scholarship as “open now” unless a current application window has been confirmed for the programme concerned.
Documents to Prepare
The exact document list is programme-specific, but applicants should be ready to provide the academic and identity documents required by their chosen institution. Saudi Ministry guidance specifically refers to certificates and supporting papers being attested by the competent authorities and may require other supporting documentation under the institution’s rules.
Do not pay an unofficial agent simply because they claim they can guarantee a scholarship. Use the official Study in Saudi platform, Saudi Ministry of Education information and the university’s official channels.
Saudi Study Visa and Scholarship Admission
The Ministry of Education states that students seeking a study visa through Saudi embassies need a scholarship from a Saudi university. Scholarship recipients may also be eligible for residence arrangements after arrival in accordance with the applicable rules and university documentation.
Related Scholarship Guides
- Fully Funded Scholarship Guides
- Fully Funded Scholarships in China
- Commonwealth Scholarships for Nigerian Students
- How to Write a Scholarship Essay
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Nigerian students apply to study in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia’s international scholarship system is designed for non-Saudi students, including applicants from outside the Kingdom. Nigerian applicants should check the available programmes and programme-specific eligibility requirements through Study in Saudi.
Are all Study in Saudi opportunities fully funded?
No. Saudi government-university opportunities can be full scholarships, partial scholarships or paid study. Check the funding type for the particular programme before applying.
Does a Saudi scholarship include accommodation and flights?
Full external scholarships may include benefits such as housing and annual travel tickets under the applicable regulations, but benefits differ by award and institution. Confirm the exact package stated in your scholarship offer.
Where should I apply?
Start with the official Study in Saudi platform and follow the current application route shown for your chosen programme or university.
Final Note
Saudi Arabia continues to provide scholarship opportunities for international students, but funding packages, programme availability and application dates vary. Treat Study in Saudi and the Saudi Ministry of Education as the primary sources, and verify the exact terms of the opportunity before submitting documents or making financial plans.