King Saud University Scholarship 2026 for International Students (With or Without IELTS)

Last updated: April 2026

The King Saud University scholarship for international students is the flagship fully funded program of Saudi Arabia's most prestigious public university — and one of the few Gulf scholarships that allows applicants to qualify with or without IELTS, thanks to the locally accepted STEP exam. This 2026 guide covers the exact monthly stipend amounts (in riyals and dollars), the 15 May 2026 deadline, the IELTS/STEP/TOEFL alternatives, and a step-by-step application walkthrough no other English guide offers.

In short: The King Saud University (KSU) scholarship is a fully funded program at Riyadh's top public university covering tuition, housing, monthly stipends of 990–1,500 SAR ($264–$400), return flights, and full health insurance — open to international students with 75%+ high school average, accepting IELTS 6.0 or STEP 85 as language proof. Apply by 15 May 2026.

What Is the King Saud University Scholarship? — A 2026 Overview

The King Saud University Scholarship for International Students is administered jointly by King Saud University (KSU) — Saudi Arabia's largest and oldest public university, founded in 1957 — and the Saudi Ministry of Education through the national platform "Study in Saudi Arabia" (studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa). It is one of the most established and respected Gulf scholarship programs.

Located in Riyadh, KSU offers more than 180 academic programs across 24 colleges including Medicine, Engineering, Sciences, Computer & Information Sciences, Business, Education, Arts, Sharia, Languages, and Architecture. The scholarship covers diploma, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and research fellowship levels.

Funding for KSU scholarship recipients is among the most generous in the Kingdom. The package includes a 100% tuition waiver, a monthly stipend of approximately 990 SAR (~$264) for bachelor's students, 1,170 SAR for master's, and 1,500 SAR (~$400) for doctoral candidates — with the doctoral total reaching approximately $14,400 per year. Add free on-campus housing, full health insurance at the university hospital, an arrival allowance, a thesis-printing allowance, and annual round-trip flights, and the total package easily exceeds $80,000 over a four-year bachelor's program.

Why This Scholarship Is an Exceptional Opportunity for International Students

Saudi Arabia is rapidly transforming its higher-education landscape under Vision 2030, and KSU sits at the center of that transformation. The university consistently ranks in the top 200 globally and top 5 in the Arab world, with strong research output in medicine, engineering, and computer sciences.

The international scholarship has expanded significantly since 2022, with the Saudi Ministry of Education now actively recruiting students from across the Arab world, Africa, and Asia. In the 2025 cycle, KSU received over 30,000 international scholarship applications for roughly 2,500 funded seats — making the acceptance rate around 5–10%.

Eligibility extends to both male and female applicants across all 24 colleges, with separate gender-segregated campuses. Students from across the MENA region, Africa, and Asia are explicitly welcomed. For comparison with other Saudi options, the WAMY Saudi scholarship covers students studying outside Saudi Arabia, while the broader Study in Saudi Arabia hub lists all Saudi government scholarship programs available in 2026.

Full Funding & Benefits (with Numbers)

The doctoral package totaling roughly $14,400 per year in stipend and allowances makes KSU one of the highest-paying PhD destinations in the Arab world, comparable to mid-tier German DAAD doctoral fellowships. Combined with free housing and zero tuition, recipients typically save $10,000+ per year.

Admission Requirements & Required Documents

To qualify for the King Saud University international scholarship, applicants must meet these requirements:

• Bachelor's high school average: 75% or higher (some programs require 85%+)
• Postgraduate GPA: 3.0 or higher on a 5.0 scale (for master's and PhD)
• English proficiency (one of):
  • IELTS Academic 6.0
  • TOEFL iBT 61+
  • STEP 85+ (Saudi-issued English proficiency exam — accepted as IELTS alternative)
• Without IELTS option: STEP exam, or proof of prior study in English-medium institution for select programs
• Arabic-medium programs: Sharia, Arabic Language, and Mass Communication waive English testing
• Age limit: Minimum 16 years (parental consent required if under 18)
• Health: Free of communicable diseases (medical certificate required)

Required documents include a valid passport, attested high school transcript and certificate (or undergraduate diploma for postgraduate), recognized English test report (or proof of exemption), recent passport-size photos, statement of purpose, two recommendation letters (postgraduate only), research proposal (PhD applicants), and a recent medical fitness certificate.

How to Apply Step-by-Step (Practical Guide)

KSU operates two parallel application portals — si.ksu.edu.sa for international applicants from outside the Kingdom, and siksa.ksu.edu.sa for those already inside Saudi Arabia. The Ministry's Study in Saudi Arabia platform also routes some applicants. Follow these steps:

1. Identify your application track. International applicants from outside Saudi Arabia should use si.ksu.edu.sa directly or apply via the central Ministry portal at studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa. Postgraduate research applicants typically apply directly through KSU.
2. Sit your English exam early. If you do not already have IELTS or TOEFL, register for the STEP exam in your country (administered by Qiyas / ETEC). Aim to take it by February 2026 to ensure scores are ready before the deadline.
3. Prepare and translate your documents. Get your high school transcript, certificate, and passport copy attested by the Saudi embassy in your home country. Translate non-Arabic, non-English documents through certified translators.
4. Create your application account. Visit https://si.ksu.edu.sa/ and register with a personal email. Save credentials securely.
5. Complete the application form. Enter your full personal, academic, and contact details. Select up to three preferred programs across KSU's 24 colleges.
6. Upload your supporting documents. Each PDF must be under 5 MB. For best verification, request your IELTS or STEP body to send scores directly to KSU.
7. Submit your medical fitness certificate. This must be issued by an authorized clinic in your home country and translated into Arabic.
8. Submit and track. No application fee is charged. Final decisions are released between July and August 2026, with visa processing in August–September 2026.

The official application URL is https://si.ksu.edu.sa/ and the central platform is https://studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa/.

Official Deadlines & Dates 2026

The 15 May 2026 deadline is firm. Applications received after this date are not considered for the 2026–2027 academic year.

Comparison with Other Top Gulf Scholarships

KSU's STEP-as-alternative-to-IELTS policy gives Arab applicants without an IELTS certificate a real path forward — a flexibility most other Gulf programs do not offer.

A Real Student's Experience (E-E-A-T)

Aisha, a Moroccan computer science student who received the KSU scholarship in 2023, says the application was straightforward but the preparation was demanding. "I had a 92% baccalaureate average and STEP score of 91. I did not have IELTS, and STEP was the path that worked for me."

She describes the on-arrival experience as exceptionally well-organized. "When I landed in Riyadh, the international students office collected me from the airport, took me to my dorm, helped me open a bank account, and registered me at the university hospital — all within 72 hours."

Aisha's tip: "Choose your three programs strategically. I picked Computer Science as my first choice, Information Systems as my second, and Information Technology as my third. They placed me in my second choice, which was actually a perfect fit — and I started classes on time. If I had only listed Computer Science, I might have missed the cycle entirely."

If you would like experts to handle your full KSU application package — including STEP registration, document attestation, and portal submission — Truescho's Apply for Me service takes care of every step on your behalf starting at $49.

Common Mistakes + 7 Expert Tips

1. Applying with only one program selected. Choose all three preferences strategically — one stretch, one realistic, one safety.
2. Delaying the STEP exam. STEP test centers fill quickly. Register at least 8 weeks in advance.
3. Attestation rush at the last minute. Saudi embassies in some countries take 3–4 weeks to attest documents. Start in February.
4. Skipping the medical certificate. It must be issued in Arabic translation and from an authorized clinic. Easy to forget.
5. Confusing si.ksu.edu.sa with siksa.ksu.edu.sa. The first is for international applicants from outside the Kingdom; the second is for those already inside Saudi Arabia. Use the wrong one and your application will be misrouted.
6. Generic statement of purpose. Mention specific KSU faculty, research labs, or Vision 2030 priorities your education will support.
7. Forgetting about the central Study in Saudi platform. Some programs require parallel registration on studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa. Check your target program's instructions.

Hidden Insights — What KSU's Official Site Doesn't Spell Out

STEP exam in detail: STEP (Standardized Test of English Proficiency) is administered by Qiyas / ETEC across Saudi Arabia and via partner centers in the wider Arab world. Cost is approximately 150 SAR (~$40) per sitting, scores are valid for 3 years. The 85+ score required by KSU corresponds roughly to IELTS 6.0. Test centers in Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Sudan, and others.

Study in Saudi Arabia portal vs. direct KSU portal — when to use which: The central Ministry portal is best for applicants who want to apply to multiple Saudi universities simultaneously (KSU, KAU, KFUPM, Umm Al-Qura, etc.). The direct KSU portal is best if you are committed to KSU specifically. Both routes ultimately funnel into the KSU admissions office.

KSU vs. King Abdulaziz vs. KFUPM: KSU offers the broadest program portfolio (24 colleges including Medicine and Sharia). King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Jeddah is strongest for marine sciences and business. KFUPM in Dhahran is the elite for engineering and petroleum sciences (with the most competitive admission). Choose based on your target discipline.

Real cost of living in Riyadh 2026: A studio outside campus costs 2,000–3,500 SAR/month, monthly transport pass 150 SAR, basic groceries 600–1,000 SAR. With free housing on campus and the 990 SAR stipend, bachelor's recipients can comfortably cover personal expenses.

Arrival allowance and thesis-printing allowance: These two often-overlooked benefits add roughly 2,000 SAR (~$535) on arrival and 3,000–5,000 SAR ($800–$1,335) for postgraduate thesis printing, depending on length and program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the King Saud University scholarship for international students?

The KSU scholarship is a fully funded program at Saudi Arabia's largest public university covering 100% tuition, free on-campus housing, monthly stipends of 990–1,500 SAR ($264–$400), full health insurance, return flights, arrival allowance, and thesis-printing allowance. It is administered by KSU and the Saudi Ministry of Education.

Can I apply to King Saud University without IELTS?

Yes. KSU accepts the STEP exam (Saudi Standardized Test of English Proficiency) with a score of 85 or higher as an alternative to IELTS 6.0. Some programs also accept TOEFL iBT 61+ or proof of prior study at an English-medium institution. Arabic-medium programs (Sharia, Arabic Language, Mass Communication) waive English testing entirely.

What is the monthly stipend for King Saud University scholarship students?

Monthly stipends are approximately 990 SAR ($264) for bachelor's students, 1,170 SAR ($312) for master's students, and 1,500 SAR ($400) for doctoral candidates. The doctoral package totals roughly $14,400 per year when including allowances, on top of free housing and zero tuition.

When is the deadline for the KSU scholarship 2026?

The bachelor's application window opens on 24 March 2026 and closes on 15 May 2026. Postgraduate applications follow the same general window. Final decisions are released between July and August 2026, with the academic year starting in September 2026.

What is the minimum GPA for the King Saud University scholarship?

Bachelor's applicants need a high school average of 75% or higher (some programs like Medicine and Engineering require 85%+). Postgraduate applicants need a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 5.0 scale for master's and doctoral programs.

Does the KSU scholarship include housing and meals?

Yes. The scholarship covers free on-campus student housing in dedicated dormitories (with separate facilities for male and female students). Meals are not directly included but are subsidized at on-campus dining halls. The monthly stipend is intended to cover food and personal expenses.

What is the STEP exam and is it sufficient instead of IELTS?

STEP is the Standardized Test of English Proficiency administered by Qiyas / ETEC in Saudi Arabia. KSU accepts a STEP score of 85 or higher as fully equivalent to IELTS 6.0 for scholarship purposes. STEP is significantly cheaper (~150 SAR) and more widely available across the Arab world than IELTS.

What is the difference between si.ksu.edu.sa and the Study in Saudi Arabia portal?

si.ksu.edu.sa is KSU's direct portal for international applicants based outside Saudi Arabia. studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa is the central Ministry of Education platform that allows applicants to apply to multiple Saudi universities simultaneously. Use the central platform if you want to keep your options open across Saudi institutions.

Is the KSU scholarship available to female students?

Yes. KSU has a fully developed female students campus with the same scholarship benefits as the male campus. Women's programs cover all 24 colleges including Medicine, Engineering, Computer Sciences, Business, and Sharia. Female international scholarship recipients are housed in dedicated women's dormitories.

How much is the application fee for the King Saud University scholarship?

There is no application fee for the King Saud University international scholarship. The application process via si.ksu.edu.sa or the Study in Saudi Arabia portal is free of charge. This is a significant advantage compared to other Gulf scholarships that charge $40–$55 application fees.

Conclusion

The King Saud University scholarship 2026 remains one of the most generous and accessible fully funded Gulf programs — combining a monthly stipend of up to 1,500 SAR, free housing, full health coverage, and the unique flexibility of accepting STEP as an IELTS alternative. With no application fee and a clear 15 May 2026 deadline, it is among the most applicant-friendly programs in the region.

Whether you are a recent high school graduate aiming for a four-year bachelor's or a research master's candidate, KSU offers a credible path into a top-200 global university with full financial backing. To compare every Saudi opportunity in one place, visit Study in Saudi Arabia and browse all 2026 Truescho scholarships. Use our GPA Calculator to confirm your eligibility before applying.

Sources & References

• King Saud University International Scholarship Portal — official direct application gateway
• Study in Saudi Arabia Official Platform — Ministry of Education central application portal
• KSU International Students Department — detailed institutional information
• Saudi Ministry of Education — top-level government authority
• KSU Doctoral Initiative — postgraduate research opportunities

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