10 Cheap Universities in Saudi Arabia for International Students

When people mention Saudi Arabia in a conversation, images of oil drums and a desert may immediately come to mind. Well, this may be true since the kingdom has the largest oil reserve in the world. Additionally, it also has the largest sand desert on Earth.

Officially known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this Middle Eastern country offers more than just oil and sand. It has one of the most advanced banking systems in the world. It is also the third-largest producer of dates in the world.

The country also has the largest airport and is home to the two biggest mosques in the world. Recently, Saudi Arabia opened its doors to tourists who want to see the historical and cultural sites of the country.

But Saudi Arabia also has a notable education system. It is ranked among the top 50 education systems in the world and some universities in Saudi Arabia are considered as among the best. With this, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can be an option for students who want to study abroad. In this article, we will be looking at the cheap universities in Saudi Arabia for international students.

Cost of Studying in Saudi Arabia

Even as the cost of education in Saudi Arabia is not too costly, the living expenses in the country is rather high. A budget of at least $1,500 USD per month is needed. And this doesn’t include accommodation expenses.

Accommodations can cost from 1,000 SAR ($300 USD) to 3,000 SAR ($800 USD) per month. The size of the apartment and its location will play a major factor in the final figure.

Are Universities Free in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia is one of the richest countries in the world due to its huge oil reserves. With this in mind, international students may find it interesting to know that some programs offered in Saudi Arabian universities are free. Some even provide a monthly stipend for its students.

For programs that require tuition, the cost of education starts at around 25,000 SAR or $6,700 USD per semester. The cost of education depends on the program and the university offering it.

What are the languages of instruction for universities in Saudi Arabia?

Even as Arabic is the main language of instruction for universities in Saudi Arabia, some programs and courses are taught in English. Despite this, it’s advisable for international students to learn to speak Arabic since they can also use the language when they explore the country.

Cheapest Universities in Saudi Arabia for International Students

1. University of Tabuk

The University of Tabuk was established in 2006. It represented the vision of the late King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud. The vision aimed to create higher education institutions around the country. The goal of the university is to become a beacon of knowledge in development and education. The University of Tabuk is one of the free universities in Saudi Arabia for international students.

The university is among the higher education institutions offering tuition-free programs for its students. All the students have to do is to qualify for the scholarship offered by the university. The university offers several programs through its academic colleges. These colleges include the College of Education and Arts, College of Engineering, College of Applied Medical Sciences, and College of Medicine.

Moreover, the university has five vice-rectorships along with 16 faculties. For the moment, the university is still working on completing its project of a University City. The project includes a housing project for the faculty and permanent buildings for different colleges.

2. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

Established in 2009, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a graduate research university offering tuition-free programs for its students. It is the first multi-gender university and was included in the list of the fastest-growing research universities in the world in 2013.

The university offers Master and Doctorate programs. These programs include Bioscience, Marine Science, Applied Mathematics and Computational Science, Statistics, Chemical Engineering, Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

Aside from offering full tuition support for its students, the university also provides a monthly living allowance, housing, and dental and medical coverage. The allowance can range from $20,000 USD to $30,000 USD per year depending on the qualification of the student and the degree program.

3. AlMaarefa University

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • 25,000 SAR ($6,700 USD) to 42,500 SAR ($11,300 USD) per semester
  • Tuition Fee Link

Established in 2009, AlMaarefa University is a private institution for higher learning located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was originally called the AlMaarefa College when it was founded, In 2018, it received its university status from the Saudi National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA). AlMaarefa University is one of the cheapest universities in Saudi Arabia for international students.

The university has three colleges offering several medical-related programs. These programs include Nursing, Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Respiratory Care, Anesthesia Technology, Information Systems, and Industrial Engineering.

The university aims to become the leading private institution for higher learning in the region. It endeavors to prepare the students in a knowledge-based society as well as promote creativity, education, community service, and excellent research.

4. Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University

The Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, a cheap university in Saudi Arabia, was established in 2006. It initially offered undergraduate degrees in 17 programs that were taught mainly in Arabic. But some of the programs had English language classes.

The university has six colleges offering a host of undergraduate and graduate programs. These programs include Mechanical Engineering, Interior Design, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Law, and Architecture and Design.

The university has programs available to both genders and others were only available to either male or female students. It also has clubs and organizations catering to male and female students. Moreover, the university aims to ensure the students have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills through the different activities it offers.

5. University of Prince Mugrin

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • 30,000 SAR ($8,000 USD) to 33,000 SAR ($8,800 USD) per semester
  • Tuition Fee Link

The University of Prince Mugrin offers the most advanced educational system in Saudi Arabia. It aims to empower its students through its updated and innovative curriculum that was designed using the latest educational resources. The university is also affiliated with Penn State University.

The three colleges of the university offer a good range of programs for its students. These programs include Civil Engineering, Interior Design, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Finance, Business Management, and International Hospitality Management.

The university offers several services to ensure the students maintain their productivity throughout their entire stay. The university also features a modern library that nurtures a positive learning environment for the students. Sports and recreational facilities are also available to maintain the health and wellness of the students.

6. Al Yamamah University

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • 32,500 SAR ($8,700 USD) per semester
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • 144,000 SAR ($38,400 USD) to 197,000 SAR ($52,500 USD) per program
  • Tuition Fee Link

Next on our list of cheapest universities in Saudi Arabia is Al Yamamah University, which was established as the Al Yamamah College in 2001 by the Alkhudair family. It initially accepted male students before female students were accepted in 2006. A royal decree issued in 2008 gave it university status.

The university offers a notable range of undergraduate and graduate programs through its three colleges. These programs include Architecture, Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Management, Private Law, and Public Law.

The students are encouraged to meet other students through social and cultural activities organized by the university. Student clubs are also available for students who want to pursue their passions. These clubs include the Marketing Club, Architecture Club, Toastmaster Club, and Environment Club.

7. Effat University

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • 35,000 SAR ($9,300 USD) to 51,750 SAR ($13,800 USD) per semester
  • Tuition Fee Link

Effat University was originally called the Effat College when it was established in 1999. It is a non-profit higher education institution for women under the King Faisal Charitable Foundation. It received its university status in 2009 following the inauguration of the three colleges of the university.

The university currently has four colleges offering a good number of undergraduate and graduate programs. These programs include Psychology, Marketing, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Information Systems, Computer Science, Design, and Cinematic Arts.

The student organizations of the university allow the students to discover who they are outside of the classroom. The students can also take their learning to another level through the student associations in the university. These associations include the American Institute of Architecture Students, Effat Business Students Association, and the Student Green Building Council.

8. Dar Al Hekma University

Established in 1999, the Dar Al Hekma University started offering only three majors and a college preparation program. The first three majors of the university were interior design, special education, and MIS. This cheap university in Saudi Arabia gradually added majors into its curriculum until it started offering a notable lineup of programs for its students.

The university is the leading school for females in Jeddah. It currently has four schools offering its different undergraduate and graduate programs. These schools are Business & Law, Design & Architecture, Health, Behavioral Sciences & Education, and Engineering, Computing & Informatics.

The extra-curricular program of the university allows the students to develop a spirit of citizenry. It also enhances their cognitive skills and allows them to build on their self-esteem. The program also allows the students to develop a positive relationship with other members of the community.

9. Al Faisal University

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: 94,000 SAR ($25,100 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: 200,000 SAR ($53,300 USD) per program
  • Tuition Fee Link

Established in 2002, Al Faisal University is a non-profit, research-focused, student-centered university located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It aims to produce global citizens who are socially responsible and committed to personal development and lifelong learning.

The university currently has five academic colleges consisting of different departments offering a wide array of programs for its students. These programs include Anatomy and Genetics, Medicine, Industrial Engineering, Project Management, Finance, Chemistry, Pharmacy, and Physiological Sciences.

Students can look forward to developing their leadership skills through activities organized by the university. These activities are organized by the Events & Activities Team of the Student Affairs Deanship. Moreover, they can also join student associations where they can further develop the skills they need in their chosen fields of expertise.

10. Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • 50,000 SAR ($13,300 USD) to 70,000 SAR ($18,700 USD) per month
  • Tuition Fee Link

The final candidate in our list of cheapest universities in Saudi Arabia is the Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, which was established as the first private medical college supervised by the Ministry of Higher Education. Located in Jeddah, the university is associated with the Al-Jedaani Group of Hospitals.

The university has a diverse lineup of experienced faculty members who ensure the teaching and learning process is conducted under an appropriate scientific atmosphere. The university offers several programs, namely Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Dentistry. They use an updated curriculum to allow the university to provide competent and highly-trained pharmacists, nurses, and physicians to society.

Aside from their academics, the university also organizes professional skills activities to enhance the skills and knowledge of its students. A student support service is also available to provide the necessary assistance and guidance to students who are facing challenges in their academic life in the university.

 

I hope that this article on the cheapest universities in Saudi Arabia was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Cheap Tuition Category!