Studying in Saudi Arabia—What if you want to study abroad but aren’t sure where to go? Even though you’ve considered central foreign locations like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and so on, none of them seem to have captivated your attention.
Universities in Saudi Arabia are an excellent option if you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary. According to QS University Rankings: Arab Region, Saudi Arabian universities have a strong presence in this recent edition.
Over the past decade or two, Saudi Arabia has made aggressive strides to improve its universities and research facilities and become a leading knowledge economy through increased government spending on higher education. QS University Rankings: Arab Region 2021 ranks 29 Saudi Arabian universities in the top 100 and four global top 250 for engineering, technology, and science and technology, making Saudi Arabia a vital center for higher education in STEM fields.
Living in Saudi Arabia has several advantages, including the opportunity to go on numerous vacations whenever you have the time. Some of the world’s most magnificent sights and top tourism locations are just a short drive or an hour-and-a-half flight away in Saudi Arabia.
Many Saudi Arabian universities already have considerable numbers of international students enrolled and cater to the many expat families who live in the Kingdom. You’ll be able to meet people from all around the world if you decide to pursue a degree in Saudi Arabia while studying abroad. While working in Saudi Arabia after completing your studies, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with young professionals from a wide range of ethnicities and nationalities.
Many colleges in Saudi Arabia are eager to attract overseas students and provide a variety of financial incentives and scholarships to expand their student body. In addition, Saudi Arabia’s cost of living is lower than in many other parts of the world (around 37 percent lower than in the US as of June 2016, according to Numbeo.com). A cappuccino costs about $2.57, a liter of gas about $0.16, and a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is about $400 per month.
The Saudi economy has opened up chances for overseas graduates to work for a defined period in finance and manufacturing, particularly in the oil, IT, healthcare, banking, teaching, telecommunications, and construction industries. AE Systems, Cisco Systems, Procter & Gamble, Schlumberger, Nestle, and Siemens are some of the world’s largest corporations established in Saudi Arabia. The sponsor for your work visa is usually your employer, but you should know this.
Even if you opt to stay in Saudi Arabia after graduation, the international perspective you’ll have gained from studying and working in the country will be an asset to your resume when you return home. If you’ve studied overseas, you’ll have obtained a wide range of soft skills, as well as an in-depth awareness of the professional and cultural settings in Saudi Arabia, which can help you land a job in any industry.
Have you considered the cuisine of the country where you’ll be studying abroad when deciding? Shawarmas are Saudi Arabia’s national sandwich, consisting of thin slices of meat rolled up in a pita with tahini, hummus, pickles, veggies, and often served with fries. It’s a must-see!
Essential Things to Know About Studying in Saudi Arabia
There are two semesters of higher education in Saudi Arabia, ranging from September to June after students have graduated from secondary school. Even though many Saudis have historically studied outside of the nation, the government is investing extensively in education and enticing people to attend public and private universities, colleges, and vocational training institutes.
As a result, there are seven Saudi universities in the world’s top 700. It’s not always easy for foreigners living in the Kingdom to enroll in academic programs. Although English is used at many private institutions and some professions, such as engineering, it is not the primary language of instruction. Despite this, there is a wide variation in the quality of English training.
There are 28 state universities in Saudi Arabia and ten private ones; however, most of the country’s research money goes to the public ones. Both genders can attend some universities, but others have gender-segregated classes simultaneously. Medical, economic, engineering, teaching, Islamic law, and veterinary science are just a few of the fields of study available in the Kingdom. There are a lot of 4-year, degree-granting programs available at universities.
Private colleges are plentiful throughout the Kingdom, offering less competitive admissions, a higher price tag, and more technical and vocational opportunities. Diploma and certificate programs and medium- and short-term study options are all on the table. If you’re looking for a school that teaches Arabic, you’ll want to make sure you’ve done your research on the different options.
Getting into college or university is relatively easy. Your high school diploma and transcripts must be submitted with the application. Your General Secondary Education Certificate (GSE Certificate) must be offered if you graduate from a Saudi secondary school. It’s essential to remember that more difficult programs have different cutoff points. If you graduated from high school overseas, check with your university to see if they want any proof of aptitude.