King Saud University Scholarships: Fully Funded Bachelor’s, Master’s & PhD Scholarships. King Saud University (KSU) is one of Saudi Arabia’s leading public universities and is located in Riyadh. The university offers opportunities for international students through external scholarships and postgraduate scholarship programs.

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For students searching for fully funded scholarships in Saudi Arabia, King Saud University can be an attractive destination because scholarship benefits may include tuition exemption, accommodation, monthly financial support, healthcare, and travel benefits, depending on the applicable scholarship and program.

KSU’s official information confirms that international students living outside Saudi Arabia can apply for external scholarships, while non-Saudi students already residing legally in Saudi Arabia may apply through the internal scholarship route.

KSU offers scholarship opportunities at different academic stages. International students can enter bachelor’s programs through the external scholarship system, while qualified international students can also be considered for master’s and PhD study through KSU’s postgraduate scholarship arrangements. Apply for More Fully Funded Scholarships Here.

One important point for students planning is that KSU has not yet published one universal deadline covering all bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD scholarships. KSU states that the annual admission timeline is provided through the relevant scholarship portal. Therefore, students should treat the deadline as TBA (To Be Announced) until the university officially publishes it.

King Saud University Scholarships – Summary

Category	Details
University	King Saud University (KSU)
Location	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Scholarship type	Fully funded/external and postgraduate scholarship opportunities
Eligible students	International students meeting specific requirements
Bachelor’s	Available through external scholarships
Master’s	Available in eligible postgraduate programs
PhD	Available in eligible postgraduate programs
2027–28 deadline	Not officially announced / TBA
Previous application schedule	Published through KSU/Study in Saudi Arabia portals
Tuition	Exempted/covered under applicable full scholarships
Accommodation	Available under applicable scholarship conditions
Monthly stipend	Available under applicable scholarship conditions
Healthcare	Available under applicable scholarship arrangements
Airfare	May be provided according to scholarship regulations
Application route	Study in Saudi Arabia / KSU scholarship portals
Official university	King Saud University
Country	Saudi Arabia

What Are King Saud University Fully Funded Scholarships?

King Saud University scholarships are designed to provide qualified students with the opportunity to study at KSU without having to pay the normal cost of education.

For international students outside Saudi Arabia, KSU’s external scholarship route provides admission opportunities to eligible bachelor’s programs. The university’s current requirements include academic, age, medical, and document-authentication conditions.

For postgraduate students, KSU’s scholarship system also supports international students pursuing master’s and doctoral studies. The university’s Deanship of Graduate Studies has a dedicated scholarship and funding unit that handles applications, nominations, and scholarship procedures for postgraduate students.

However, applicants should understand that not every KSU program is automatically fully funded. Scholarship availability depends on the academic program, applicant category, and applicable admission cycle.

King Saud University Scholarship Deadline

Is the Deadline Confirmed?

No. The official 2027–28 deadline has not yet been announced.

KSU’s International Students Department states that applicants can find the timeline for admission procedures through the relevant scholarship portal.

This means students should not treat dates published by unofficial scholarship websites as confirmed KSU deadlines.

Expected Timing

Although the exact dates are not available yet, applicants should begin preparing their applications well in advance.

The best strategy is to monitor the official:

KSU website
KSU International Students Department
KSU Graduate Studies portal
Study in Saudi Arabia platform
Relevant college or department

Bachelor’s Deadline

Deadline: TBA

International bachelor’s applicants should apply through the official external scholarship/admission system when the new cycle opens.

Master’s Deadline

2027–28 deadline: TBA

Master’s applicants should monitor the KSU postgraduate admissions and scholarship announcements because postgraduate deadlines can differ by program.

PhD Deadline

Deadline: TBA

PhD applicants should pay particular attention to program-specific announcements because KSU’s doctoral opportunities can have additional research and academic requirements.

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1. King Saud University Bachelor’s Scholarships

KSU offers external scholarships for international students living outside Saudi Arabia.

The current official requirements state that applicants should have a recognized secondary-school certificate or equivalent and meet the university’s other eligibility conditions.

Bachelor’s Eligibility

Applicants generally need to:

Be a non-Saudi international student.
Live outside Saudi Arabia for the external scholarship route.
Hold a recognized high school certificate or equivalent.
Have a minimum high school performance specified by KSU.
Be between 17 and 25 years old.
Have obtained the secondary-school certificate within the permitted period.
Meet any required standardized test requirements.
Be medically fit.
Have authenticated educational documents.
Not have already received another Saudi educational scholarship.
Not be currently enrolled in another university.
Not already hold a bachelor’s degree.
Meet any additional program requirements.

KSU’s current external scholarship page specifies a minimum SAT score of 1010 for the applicable international undergraduate route.

Bachelor’s Fields

Depending on the admission cycle, external scholarship opportunities can include fields such as:

Engineering
Computer and Information Sciences
Architecture and Planning
Food and Agricultural Sciences
Education
Humanities and Social Sciences
Law and Political Sciences
Language Sciences
Business Administration
Finance
Economics
Marketing
Accounting
Management Information Systems
Tourism and Archaeology
Arts
Sports Sciences

The available programs can change from year to year, so applicants should check the current program list when the 2027–28 application portal opens. KSU’s official scholarship information confirms that applicants can view available academic specializations through the scholarship portal.

2. King Saud University Master’s Scholarships

International students can also pursue eligible postgraduate programs at KSU.

Master’s applicants should understand that postgraduate admission is different from undergraduate external scholarship admission.

The university’s current postgraduate scholarship requirements state that applicants for internal and external scholarships must generally have at least a Very Good grade in their previous degree. The current rules also state an age limit of 30 years for master’s scholarship applicants, although the university may grant exceptions.

Master’s Eligibility

Depending on the program, applicants may need:

A recognized bachelor’s degree.
A relevant academic specialization.
At least a Very Good grade for scholarship consideration under the current general scholarship rules.
English-language proficiency.
Recommendation letters.
Attested academic certificates.
A valid passport.
Additional department-specific requirements.

The university’s postgraduate regulations currently list a minimum English requirement for scholarship applicants of IELTS 4.0 or TOEFL iBT 45, while noting that a department may require a higher score.

Important: These are general minimums. A particular master’s program can require a substantially higher English score or additional examination.

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3. King Saud University PhD Scholarships

KSU also offers doctoral opportunities for qualified students.

PhD applicants normally need an appropriate master’s degree and must satisfy the requirements of their intended academic department.

The current postgraduate scholarship rules state that scholarship applicants should have at least a Very Good grade in the previous degree and should generally be no older than 35 years for doctoral study, subject to possible university exceptions.

PhD Eligibility

Typical requirements may include:

Recognized master’s degree.
Relevant academic background.
Strong academic performance.
English-language proficiency.
Recommendation letters.
CV.
Statement of purpose.
Research-related documents where required.
Attested academic certificates.
Valid passport.
Additional departmental requirements.

For PhD applicants, research experience, publications, projects, and a clear research direction can strengthen an application.

King Saud University PhD Initiative

KSU also operates a dedicated initiative aimed at attracting talented and distinguished graduate students.

The KSU Graduate Studies Initiative provides opportunities for exceptionally talented students to pursue PhD study in areas including:

Computer Sciences
Engineering
Basic and Applied Sciences
Health and Medical Sciences

The initiative states that scholarships are awarded through a competitive process and that satisfying the minimum requirements does not guarantee a scholarship.

The initiative’s published requirements include:

Master’s degree from an accredited institution
English proficiency
Two recommendation letters
CV
Statement of purpose
GRE where required or preferred by the selected program
Possible personal interview

The initiative currently lists IELTS 6.0 or equivalent TOEFL/STEP scores as its general English requirement.

Applicants should distinguish this initiative from KSU’s general postgraduate admission because the requirements and deadlines may differ.

Benefits of King Saud University Scholarships

The benefits of a KSU scholarship depend on the scholarship category and program.
For eligible international scholarship students, benefits can include:
1. Tuition Exemption
Students receiving a full scholarship are generally exempted from tuition fees covered under the scholarship.
2. Monthly Stipend
KSU’s international scholarship information lists a monthly stipend for scholarship students.
3. University Accommodation
Scholarship students can receive university accommodation according to the applicable scholarship regulations.
4. Healthcare
Scholarship benefits can include healthcare through university medical facilities.
5. Air Tickets
International scholarship benefits can include travel support, including tickets according to applicable university regulations.
6. Academic and Student Support
Students may have access to:
University libraries
Laboratories
Research facilities
Student services
Training opportunities
Cultural and social activities
KSU’s published scholarship information also describes broader social, cultural and training support for international scholarship students.

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Required Documents

The exact documents depend on the degree and program.

Bachelor’s Applicants

Common documents include:

Passport
High-school certificate
Official high-school transcript
SAT result, where required
Proof of nationality
Medical documentation
Certificate authentication
Good-conduct certificate, where requested
Passport-size photograph, if requested
Other documents required by KSU

KSU specifically requires academic certificates and supporting documents to be authenticated by the competent authorities specified by the university.

Master’s Applicants

Master’s applicants should generally prepare:

Passport
Bachelor’s degree certificate
Bachelor’s transcript
CV
Recommendation letters
IELTS/TOEFL/approved English test, where required
Statement of purpose
Research proposal, if required
Certificates and supporting documents
Additional department-specific documents

PhD Applicants

PhD applicants may need:

Passport
Bachelor’s certificate
Master’s certificate
Official transcripts
CV
Two or more recommendation letters, depending on the program
English-language test
Statement of purpose
Research proposal, where required
Research publications, if available
GRE, if required by the program
Additional departmental documents

KSU’s PhD initiative specifically lists two recommendation letters, a CV, and a statement of purpose among its requirements.

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IELTS Requirements

There is no single IELTS score for every King Saud University scholarship.

Current KSU postgraduate scholarship regulations list:

IELTS 4.0 minimum for the general external/internal scholarship postgraduate requirement, or TOEFL iBT 45, subject to department requirements.
KSU’s distinguished graduate-student initiative currently lists IELTS 6.0, or equivalent TOEFL/STEP scores.

Therefore, applicants should always check the specific program.

For a competitive master’s or PhD application, obtaining a score higher than the minimum can be advantageous.

GPA Requirements

KSU’s current general postgraduate scholarship rules state that applicants should have at least a Very Good grade in their previous degree.

However, individual programs can establish additional requirements.

For this reason, applicants should not assume that a particular percentage or GPA automatically guarantees admission or scholarship selection.

For Bachelor’s

The university currently requires at least a Very Good high school grade for the external scholarship route, along with other conditions.

For Master’s

A strong bachelor’s academic record is required, with the current general scholarship rule specifying at least Very Good.

For PhD

A strong master’s academic record is important, and the selected department may impose additional GPA, research or examination requirements.

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Application Process

Step 1: Select Your Degree
Choose:
Bachelor’s
Master’s
PhD
Step 2: Select Your Program
Check whether your preferred degree is available to international scholarship applicants.
Step 3: Check Eligibility
Review:
Academic qualification
GPA
Age
Nationality
English requirement
Entrance tests
Research requirements
Step 4: Prepare Documents
Collect your certificates, transcripts, passport, recommendation letters, and other required documents.
Step 5: Authenticate Documents
If required, have your academic documents authenticated by the appropriate authorities.
Step 6: Apply Through the Correct Portal
International students outside Saudi Arabia should follow KSU’s external scholarship process and the official Study in Saudi Arabia system where directed.
KSU states that the timeline and available specializations can be viewed through the relevant scholarship portal.
Step 7: Submit Before the Deadline
Because the dates are not yet officially published, applicants should monitor the official portal closely.
Step 8: Wait for Evaluation
Applications are reviewed competitively. For postgraduate scholarships, departmental recommendations and scholarship decisions can be part of the process. KSU’s scholarship unit coordinates scholarship admissions and related procedures with the Ministry of Education.
Step 9: Admission and Visa
International students selected for an external scholarship then complete the relevant admission, visa, and travel procedures.

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting a KSU Scholarship

Maintain Excellent Grades

Scholarships are competitive, so applicants should aim significantly above the minimum requirements.

Improve English

A strong IELTS score can strengthen your academic profile, particularly for postgraduate study.

Build Research Experience

Master’s and PhD applicants should highlight:

Research projects
Publications
Conference papers
Thesis work
Technical projects
Academic awards

Prepare Strong Recommendation Letters

Choose professors who can genuinely describe your academic and research abilities.

Write a Focused Statement of Purpose

Explain why you want to study at KSU, your academic interests and your long-term career or research objectives.

Apply Early

Do not wait until the final day to upload documents or request recommendations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is King Saud University scholarship fully funded?
KSU provides fully funded scholarship opportunities for eligible international students. Benefits can include tuition exemption, accommodation, stipend, healthcare, and travel support, depending on the scholarship category.
What is the KSU scholarship deadline?
The official deadline has not yet been announced. KSU states that annual scholarship admission timelines are provided through the relevant application portal.
Can Pakistani students apply?
Yes. Pakistani students can apply for eligible KSU international scholarships if they meet the applicable requirements.
Can I apply for a bachelor’s scholarship?
Yes. KSU offers external scholarships for international students outside Saudi Arabia.
Can I apply for a master’s scholarship?
Yes, eligible international applicants can apply for available postgraduate programs and scholarship opportunities.
Can I apply for a PhD scholarship?
Yes. KSU offers doctoral scholarship opportunities, including opportunities through its graduate-student initiatives.
Is IELTS required?
Requirements depend on the program. KSU’s current general postgraduate scholarship regulations list IELTS 4.0 as a minimum, while some initiatives require IELTS 6.0. Departments may require higher scores.
What GPA is required?
For postgraduate scholarship applicants, KSU’s current general rule requires at least a Very Good grade in the previous degree. Specific programs may impose higher requirements.
Does KSU provide accommodation?
Accommodation is among the benefits associated with international scholarship arrangements, subject to applicable rules and availability.
Does KSU offer a monthly stipend?
Yes. KSU’s published scholarship information lists a monthly stipend for eligible scholarship students.
Is there an age limit?
For undergraduate external scholarships, the current KSU requirement is 17–25 years. For postgraduate scholarships, current general rules specify up to 30 years for master’s and 35 years for PhD, with possible university exceptions.
Are medical programs available to international postgraduate scholarship students?
KSU’s current postgraduate scholarship regulations state that medical specializations are not available to non-Saudi scholarship applicants. Applicants should verify the latest program list before applying.

Official Websites

King Saud University

King Saud University Official Website

KSU International Students Department

Conclusion

King Saud University Scholarships offer an attractive opportunity for international students who want to study in Saudi Arabia with substantial financial support. Opportunities can cover Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD study, although eligibility, available programs, and scholarship benefits differ between academic levels.

For bachelor’s applicants, KSU’s external scholarship route has specific requirements relating to age, secondary education, SAT, document authentication and medical fitness.

For master’s and PhD applicants, the requirements are more program-specific. KSU’s current postgraduate scholarship rules include a Very Good minimum previous qualification, age conditions and English-language requirements, while individual departments can impose higher standards.

The most important information for students planning is the deadline: KSU has not yet officially announced one universal deadline for all Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD scholarships. The university states that scholarship applicants should use the relevant portal to check the annual application timeline and available academic specializations.

Students should therefore begin preparing now rather than waiting for the application announcement. Get your passport, certificates, transcripts, English-language test, recommendation letters, CV, and other supporting documents ready.

Finally, always verify the final deadline, scholarship status, available programs, eligibility criteria, and benefits directly through King Saud University or the official Study in Saudi Arabia platform before submitting an application.

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