Study in Saudi Arabia Scholarship 2026 Now Open: Fully Funded for All Nationalities, No IELTS Required

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education has confirmed that the Study in Saudi Arabia Scholarship 2026 is currently accepting applications from international students worldwide. The programme, offers one of the broadest fully funded opportunities in the Gulf — covering every level from undergraduate diploma to doctoral research, across more than ten universities and up to 25 selectable programmes per applicant.

What separates this from most regional scholarships is the combination of scale and accessibility. There is no IELTS requirement, no application fee, and no nationality restriction.

Study in Saudi Arabia Scholarship 2026 — everything in one place

Why it matters now

The 2026 cycle is open at a time when the cost of international education is pushing more students toward Gulf alternatives. Saudi Arabia’s scholarship infrastructure has expanded significantly under Vision 2030, which directs the Kingdom to attract international academic talent as part of its higher education reform agenda. The initiative aims to attract highly talented and distinguished students, locally and globally, who have exceptional academic and research achievements.

For students from South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East — regions where access to fully funded master’s and PhD programmes is structurally limited — Study in Saudi Arabia Scholarship 2026 cycle represents a realistic and well-resourced path to postgraduate education without debt or self-funding.

What the scholarship covers

The Study in Saudi Arabia Scholarship covers tuition, a monthly living stipend, travel costs, accommodation, health insurance, and a settlement allowance upon arrival. Monthly stipends vary by degree level: approximately 990 SAR for bachelor’s students, 1,170 SAR for master’s candidates, and 1,500 SAR (~$400) for doctoral students.

Accommodation is provided on-campus at the host university. Return airfare is covered for international students. Health and dental care is included throughout the duration of the award. There is no partial-funding tier — selected students receive the full package.

What the Study in Saudi Arabia scholarship does not cover: visa fees for the educational entry visa, personal expenses beyond the stipend, and any optional travel outside official programme terms. The educational visa is processed through the Study in Saudi portal after acceptance — students are responsible for initiating this within the deadline communicated by the university.

Who is eligible

The Study in Saudi Arabia scholarship is open to all nationalities at undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels. Applicants can choose from more than ten universities with a limit of 25 programmes in total per application. Participating institutions include King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, and the Islamic University of Madinah, among others.

The English proficiency requirement is flexible. STEP is accepted as an IELTS alternative — a meaningful distinction for applicants from countries where TOEFL and IELTS access is limited or expensive. Minimum scores are TOEFL 61 iBT, IELTS 6.0, or STEP 85 where required; exemptions apply for graduates of accredited institutions in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand.

 Study in Saudi Arabia scholarship are only awarded for full-time students and are not intended for people who are currently employed and hold full or part-time jobs. This is a condition that catches applicants off guard — if you are currently in full-time employment, you must be prepared to resign before taking up the award.