Saudi Arabia Offers a Great Higher Education System for Pakistani Students

Saudi Arabia is a Sovereign Arab state officially known as Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). It is situated in West of Asia that consists on the bulk of Arabian Peninsula. Geographically Saudi Arabia is the fifth largest state in Asia and the second largest in the Arab world after Algeria. Its neighboring countries are Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and United Arab Emirates. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932 by Ibn Saud. Saudi Arabia has absolute monarchy kingship with Islamic rules.

As far as education is concerned in Saudi Arabia it is free at all levels for their nationals. Schooling system comprises on elementary, intermediate and secondary schools and a large part of schooling is devoted to Islam. Literacy rate of Saudi Arabia is 90.4% among males and among females it is 81.3% and there is no concept of Co-education.

Higher Education System of Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia education system is under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Education and is affiliated with Ministry of Higher Education and General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training. Main medium of instruction is Arabic in educational institutes however there are found private higher education institutions that use English as the main language of instruction. English is also considered a main medium of instructions particularly in medical fields. According to some statistical reports, Saudi Arabia has 203 international schools; international schools in a sense that medium of instruction is English in these institutes.

Home to Globally Ranked Universities

Saudi Arabia is definitely a leader in the educational field in the Arab region as per the QS World ranking of Universities over the years. It has maintained this dominance in the educational field over the Arab region due to its vast spending on higher education and quality research papers. Many of its universities are in top 400 QS ranked universities 2018 which is an astonishing figure for an education system. Here is a list of Top QS World ranked universities of Saudi Arabia.

1. King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals

A five star rated university by QS standing at 173^rd position overall.

2. King Saud University

A five star rated university by QS standing at 221^st position overall.

3. King Abdul Aziz University KAU

A five star rated university by QS standing at 267^th position overall.

4. King Khalid University

QS World ranking 471-480.

5. Umm Al Qura University

QS World ranking 551-600.

Cost of Studying in Saudi Arabia

As a student there are many questions striking your head like how much it costs to study in Saudi Arabia, living costs, accommodation, travel, healthcare and more. As I have stated above that education in Saudi Arabia is totally free for students of Saudi Arabia. For international students education is free too but private universities take dues from the international students. Do check your chosen higher education institution’s website to see exact tuition fee.

SEE ALSO: Best Arab Countries for Higher Education

How to Apply for Study and get Visa to study in Saudi Arabia?

If you are preparing to get a student visa for Saudi Arabia you must be facing questions like where do I start? How should I be equipped properly. Answer to your queries are right here.

First of all select a university in Saudi Arabia then visit their website to apply for admission. Once selected as student, they will refer you for visa. In order to stay in Saudi Arabia you must obtain a student visa and Saudi Arabia insurance for international students. Basic documentation needed for Saudi Student Visa is given below.

What do I Need?

1.     Recent Passport

2.     Three copies of passport size pictures with white background

3.     An Application form (Filled with Capital Letters)

4.     Attested Copies of Transcripts

5.     Three Copies of a medical report

Is it difficult  to study in Saudi Arabia for Pakistani students?

An important question that runs through many Pakistani students that is it difficult to study in Saudi Arabia. Allow me to answer this question in brief.

Going abroad for studies is never easy there are many adjustments that a student needs to make like cultural, societal and environmental. Language barrier could cause some issues too. These all are the problems that you are going to face no matter what country you choose or where you go in the world. As far as Saudi Arabia is concerned despite of its strict Islamic practices there must not be any problems for students from Pakistan especially having the same religious values.

Saudi Arabia’s societal transformation in higher education department ,despite of flaws that can be improved and will be with time, there hasn’t been any reports or recent part on the account that students are facing any sort of difficulties. I would definitely suggest Saudi Arabia as a Stud destination for Pakistani students keeping in mind the Focus of Saudi Government on education and the response of its universities in the QS World rankings.

SEE ALSO: Top 10 Universities of Arab Region and their World Ranks

Lifestyle of Students in Saudi Arabia

When you prepare yourself to study abroad you also keep this thing in mind that you will have to adapt according to the culture of that particular country no matter how hard it may be for you because if you don’t, you may feel and in most cases you will feel isolated. Same is the case of Saudi Arabia you will definitely have to adjust yourself there with some limits.

Just a simple example of this is that according to their culture it is not allowed to be with some unfamiliar people (referring to male and female both) at public places, men can wear trousers and t-shirts but women have to wear Abaya while leaving home. Some cultural practices have to be obeyed in every foreign country according to their values.

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