"Study in Saudi" Government-Funded Scholarship Program

Study in Saudi Government Funded Scholarship Program

The Study in Saudi Government Funded Scholarship Program for Pakistani Students remains one of the most sought-after funding opportunities for higher education abroad. This popular scholarship program, managed by the Saudi Ministry of Education, covers 100% of tuition fees, provides a monthly stipend of 2,000 SAR, free air-conditioned accommodation, and comprehensive medical insurance for the 2025-2026 academic session. Pakistani students also receive a one-time settling allowance of 3,000 SAR and complimentary airport pickup upon arrival in Riyadh or Jeddah.

Beyond financial support, the scholarship includes a full-year preparatory Arabic language course at designated language institutes before degree classes begin. For engineering, medicine, pharmacy, and computer science applicants, access to state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities at King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University, and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals significantly enhances practical learning. The scholarship is renewable annually, contingent upon maintaining a minimum CGPA of 3.0 out of 5.0, ensuring uninterrupted funding throughout the entire program duration.

Eligibility Criteria and Application Deadlines for Pakistani Students

Pakistani applicants must be under 25 years for undergraduate programs, under 30 for master's degrees, and under 35 for PhD studies, with at least 70% marks in their most recent academic qualifications. Students with pre-medical, pre-engineering, or computer science backgrounds receive priority selection due to alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 priorities. A valid Pakistani passport with minimum two years validity, attested transcripts from HEC, a clear statement of purpose, and two academic recommendation letters are mandatory submission components.

The application window for the 2025 intake opens in January and closes by March 31, with all submissions processed through the official Saudi Ministry of Education portal. Shortlisted candidates undergo an online interview conducted by Saudi university representatives, typically scheduled for mid-April. Final results are announced by May 30, and successful applicants must complete the Saudi visa processing through the Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh or the consulate in Karachi, which generally takes four to six weeks for document verification and biometric appointments.

Required Documents and Application Process

Pakistani students must prepare a comprehensive application file including attested copies of all educational certificates, equivalence certificates from the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) for intermediate students, and valid IELTS or TOEFL scores if applying for English-taught programs. For Arabic-taught programs, students must demonstrate basic proficiency through an online assessment conducted during the application review phase. All documents must be translated into Arabic by a certified translator and notarized before submission.

The online application process requires creating an account on the Saudi Ministry of Education scholarship portal, completing the biographical information section, uploading scanned documents in PDF format, and selecting up to three preferred universities and programs. Applicants must pay a non-refundable processing fee of 200 SAR through approved payment gateways. After submission, candidates receive a tracking number to monitor application status, and any incomplete documentation leads to automatic disqualification, so careful review before final submission is essential.

Benefits and Coverage Details for Selected Students

Selected Pakistani students receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes round-trip airfare tickets from Islamabad or Lahore to Saudi Arabia at the beginning and end of the program. The monthly stipend of 2,000 SAR is disbursed directly into students' Saudi bank accounts, which are opened during the first week of arrival with assistance from the university international office. Married students with families receive an additional 500 SAR per month for dependents, along with family accommodation in university housing complexes.

Health insurance coverage extends to outpatient consultations, emergency hospitalization, dental procedures, and prescription medications at all government and private hospitals affiliated with the Saudi health system. Students also receive an annual book allowance of 1,500 SAR and access to subsidized cafeteria meals costing approximately 10 SAR per meal. Upon program completion, graduates receive a certificate of completion and are eligible to apply for a one-year post-study work visa to gain professional experience in Saudi Arabia's growing knowledge economy.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through its Ministry of Education, has introduced the “Study in Saudi” scholarship platform to streamline applications from international students — including Pakistani citizens — who wish to pursue higher education at Saudi public universities. This initiative forms part of Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at fostering global academic collaboration and developing the Kingdom as a higher-education hub. With this portal, you don’t need to apply separately to each university — you simply choose your preferred university and programme through the single online platform.

Fields & Study Programmes Available Under the Scholarship

The “Study in Saudi” scholarship covers a wide spectrum of academic disciplines and degree levels – making it a great choice for students from Pakistan interested in diverse fields. Popular areas of study include:

• Science & Engineering: Computer Science (AI, Data Science), Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Renewable Energy, Petroleum & Chemical Engineering.
• Health & Life Sciences: Medicine, Surgery, Public Health, Nursing, Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Psychology.
• Social Sciences & Humanities: Islamic Studies, Arabic Language, International Relations, Media, Education, Law, Business, Economics (Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management).
• Other Specialities: Arts, Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, Design, Home Economics, among others.

The breadth of available subjects makes this scholarship highly flexible and appealing to Pakistani students across many academic interests.

Why Choose a Saudi Government Scholarship? – Full Benefits Explained

Securing a fully funded scholarship through the “Study in Saudi” programme opens the door to an enriching academic experience with major financial support. Key benefits include:

• Full tuition fee waiver, so you pay nothing for the academic fees.
• Monthly living stipend that covers day-to-day costs such as food, transport and personal expenses.
• Accommodation support, often including free on-campus housing or a housing allowance.
• Annual round-trip airfare from Pakistan, allowing you to return home once a year.
• Comprehensive healthcare insurance, ensuring access to medical services while studying.
• Arrival allowance, a one-time sum to help you settle in during your first days in Saudi Arabia.
• Access to university facilities, including libraries, research centres, sports and student-support services.
• Language-training opportunities, where needed: Arabic preparatory courses or support for English-taught programmes.

These benefits mean you can focus on your studies and growth without worrying about financial constraints.

Eligibility Criteria for Pakistani Applicants – What You Must Know

To apply for the Study in Saudi scholarship, Pakistani students generally must meet the following requirements. Note: specific universities or programmes may have small variations in criteria.

Nationality & Age

• Must be a Pakistani citizen (non-Saudi national).
• Age limits:
  • For Bachelor’s degree → typically 17-25 years.
  • For Master’s degree → up to around 30 years.
  • For PhD level → up to around 35 years.

Academic Qualifications

• For Bachelor’s: A high-school diploma (or equivalent) with a good academic record.
• For Master’s: A relevant Bachelor’s degree in the applicable field.
• For PhD: A Master’s degree in the related discipline is required.

Additional Requirements

• A valid Pakistani passport with at least six months validity beyond your date of entry.
• A medical fitness certificate stating no infectious diseases; you’ll also be covered by health insurance during study.
• Clean legal record; a certificate of good conduct or police clearance may be needed.
• You should not already hold a Saudi university scholarship at the same academic level.
• If under 18, guardian’s written consent is required.
• Language proficiency:
  • For Arabic-taught programmes: Arabic language competence (or enrolment in preparatory Arabic).
  • For English-taught programmes: IELTS/TOEFL score may be required (e.g., IELTS 5.5+ or TOEFL 500+), though some universities may waive this if your previous education was in English.
• Some programmes may ask for proof of financial means or sponsorship, despite being fully funded.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the Scholarship

Follow this guided process to submit your application through the Study in Saudi portal:

• Access the official portal – Visit: moe.gov.sa (From Pakistan you may need a VPN if access is restricted).
• Register and create your profile – Fill in accurate personal and academic information.
• Browse universities & programmes – Use the portal to explore the participating public universities, check available programmes, languages, eligibility and deadlines.
• Prepare required documents, including:
  • Valid passport copy
  • Recent photograph
  • Academic certificates/transcripts (translated into English or Arabic if required)
  • Statement of Purpose / Motivation Letter
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • CV/Resume
  • Medical certificate
  • English proficiency test results (if required)
  • Pakistani CNIC/birth certificate & parents’ ID
  • Police clearance / good-conduct certificate
  • Guardian’s consent (if under 18)
  • Any programme-specific documents
• Select your university & programme, upload your documents and submit your application via the portal — there is no application fee.
• Submit a copy to the Pakistani Embassy in Riyadh, if required, for further tracking (e.g., email: parepriyadh@mofa.gov.pk).
• Wait for selection outcome – You will receive an acceptance letter through the portal or from your chosen university. Then proceed with visa and pre-departure formalities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Are the scholarships truly fully funded? 
Yes — these scholarships are designed to cover tuition, accommodation/housing support, monthly allowance, health insurance and annual airfare. 
Q2: Do I need to apply to each university separately? 
No — one application via the Study in Saudi platform is sufficient; you simply select your preferred university and programme through the portal. 
Q3: Is a language test (IELTS/TOEFL) required? 
Usually yes for English-taught programmes. Some universities may waive the requirement if your prior education was in English. If you are applying for an Arabic-taught programme, Arabic language proficiency (or training) is needed. 
Q4: Are there age limits? 
Yes. Typical age limits: 17-25 for Bachelor’s, up to ~30 for Master’s, and up to ~35 for PhD. 
Q5: Can both male and female Pakistani students apply? 
Absolutely. All eligible students can apply. Female students may also choose programmes at institutions dedicated to women (e.g., ‎Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University). 
Q6: What fields are offered? 
A wide range including engineering, computer science, health sciences, business, humanities, Islamic studies and more. 
Q7: What documents are required? 
Passport copy, transcripts, SOP, recommendation letters, CV, medical certificate, test scores (if applicable), CNIC/birth certificate, police clearance, guardian consent (if under 18). 
Q8: How will I know if I’m accepted? 
Successful applicants receive an official acceptance letter via the portal or from the university, followed by visa and arrival instructions. 
Q9: Can I work in Saudi Arabia after graduation? 
Yes — there are job opportunities in high-demand fields such as IT, engineering, healthcare and finance. However, you will typically need an employer to sponsor a work visa. 
Q10: What about cost of living in Saudi Arabia? 
With the scholarship covering key expenses like tuition, housing/housing allowance, stipend and health insurance, your major expenses are largely taken care of — allowing you to focus on your studies and experience.

Conclusion

For Pakistani students aspiring to study abroad with full financial support, the “Study in Saudi” scholarship is a highly attractive opportunity. With full tuition, housing or housing allowance, monthly stipend, health insurance and yearly airfare included — and a streamlined one-platform application process — your path to global education becomes much easier. If you meet the eligibility criteria, are ready with documentation and have solid motivation, this scholarship could become your bridge to world-class academic exposure and promising career prospects.