The King Saud University Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded opportunity for outstanding international students to pursue a PhD degree at King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Offered through the King Saud University Initiative for attracting talented and distinguished graduate students, the scholarship covers full tuition fees and provides SAR 54,000 per year as a living allowance, on-campus accommodation, comprehensive healthcare, and relocation support for students coming from outside Riyadh. The initiative is open to applicants from around the world and supports selected PhD programmes in computer science, engineering, basic and applied sciences, and health and medical sciences. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the King Saud University Scholarship, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
The scholarship was created to attract students with strong academic and research records to KSU and strengthen the university’s research community. Unlike the University’s general international student scholarship programme, this initiative is specifically designed for new PhD applicants and provides a dedicated three-year funding package.
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King Saud University Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: PhD
- Institution: King Saud University (KSU)
- Study Destination: Saudi Arabia
- Eligible Countries: All countries
- Program Period: 3 years
- Fields of Study: Computer Science, Engineering, Basic and Applied Sciences, Health and Medical Sciences
King Saud University Scholarship Deadline
Applications for the King Saud University Scholarship generally run between March and May.
Applicants should prepare their academic documents, English-language test results, recommendations, CV, and statement of purpose before the application period begins because only complete applications are considered.
The initiative is offered in phases, and the exact programmes available can change between application rounds according to King Saud University’s research priorities.
King Saud University Scholarship Coverage
The King Saud University Scholarship provides selected full-time PhD students with:
- Full tuition fee coverage
- SAR 54,000 per year living allowance
- On-campus accommodation
- Comprehensive healthcare through King Saud University hospitals
- Relocation support for students coming from outside Riyadh
- Potential opportunities for part-time work
- Eligibility to work in Saudi Arabia for up to one year after graduation
- Funding for the normal three-year PhD period
The annual living allowance is equivalent to approximately SAR 4,500 per month.
The scholarship therefore provides considerably more than a tuition waiver: the main academic, accommodation, healthcare, and living costs are included in the funding package.
Eligibility Criteria for King Saud University Scholarship
To qualify for the King Saud University Scholarship, applicants must fulfil the following requirements:
- Required Language: English
- Eligible Countries: Applicants from all countries can apply
- Hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution
- Have a strong academic and research record
- Submit two letters of recommendation
- Submit an updated curriculum vitae (CV)
- Include evidence of a recent publication or patent, if available
- Submit a statement of purpose
- Meet any additional requirements of the selected PhD programme
- Be available for full-time doctoral study
Applicants must also provide one of the following English-language test scores:
- IELTS: Minimum 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum 61
- STEP: Minimum 85
Applicants can receive an English-language test waiver if they completed their master’s degree at an accredited institution in:
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Australia
- New Zealand
The GRE General Test is preferred but is not compulsory for every programme. Individual departments can make the GRE or other requirements mandatory for a particular PhD programme.
Applicants may also be invited to an online or in-person interview as part of the selection process.
The scholarship is intended for full-time PhD students. Applicants who currently hold full-time or part-time employment are not normally eligible to receive funding under the initiative.
How to Apply for King Saud University Scholarship?
Please follow the steps below to apply for the King Saud University Scholarship:
(1) Visit the official King Saud University Initiative website and review the PhD programmes available in the current application cycle.
Only selected PhD programmes are included in each phase, so make sure your intended field appears in the application portal before preparing your application.
(2) Check the specific admission requirements of your selected PhD programme.
In addition to the general scholarship criteria, individual departments may set additional requirements related to your previous degree, research background, GRE score, publications, or area of specialisation.
(3) Prepare your supporting documents, particularly your CV, statement of purpose, English-language test certificate, and recommendation letters.
Your CV should make your research experience, publications, conference presentations, patents, awards, and relevant technical experience easy to identify. You can use our guide on how to write an academic CV for a scholarship when preparing it.
You should also select referees who can comment specifically on your academic and research potential. Our scholarship recommendation letter guide explains how to approach potential referees.
(4) Create an account through the King Saud University Initiative application portal and complete the online application.
Upload all required information and supporting documents and select the PhD programme that best matches your academic and research background.
(5) Submit the application before the scholarship deadline.
Applications are competitively reviewed by the academic programme and the initiative’s selection committee. Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee a scholarship.
(6) Shortlisted applicants may be invited to an online or in-person interview.
The interview may assess your academic background, previous research, proposed area of doctoral research, motivation for choosing KSU, and suitability for the selected programme.
(7) Candidates nominated by King Saud University must complete the next stage through the official Study in Saudi platform.
International applicants outside Saudi Arabia will use this stage to upload the official documents required for final admission and scholarship processing.
(8) International students admitted from outside Saudi Arabia will also complete the Educational Visa process through Study in Saudi.
Saudi Arabia’s long-term educational visa is intended for programmes such as bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees and can be renewed annually.
Documents Required for King Saud University Scholarship
Applicants should prepare the following documents:
- Master’s degree certificate from an accredited institution
- Master’s academic transcript
- Bachelor’s degree certificate and academic transcript where requested
- Valid IELTS, TOEFL, or STEP certificate, unless eligible for an exemption
- Updated curriculum vitae (CV)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Evidence of research publications or patents, if available
- GRE score if required by the selected PhD programme
- Passport and identification documents required during final admission
- Any additional documents requested by the selected academic department
The initial scholarship application focuses heavily on your academic and research profile. Candidates progressing to the final stage may be required to provide officially authenticated documents through the Study in Saudi system.
Website
To learn more about the King Saud University Scholarship and submit your application, please visit the official scholarship website:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the King Saud University Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The King Saud University Initiative provides full tuition support, SAR 54,000 per year as a living allowance, on-campus accommodation, healthcare, and relocation support for eligible full-time PhD students.
Can international students apply for King Saud University Scholarship?
Yes. The initiative is specifically designed to attract talented graduate students from Saudi Arabia and around the world.
How much is the King Saud University Scholarship stipend?
The scholarship provides SAR 54,000 per year, equivalent to approximately SAR 4,500 per month, as a living allowance.
Is King Saud University Scholarship available for master’s students?
The flagship King Saud University Initiative covered in this guide is for PhD study.
King Saud University has other scholarship routes for international students, including its broader external scholarship programme, which can include postgraduate opportunities.
Is IELTS required for King Saud University Scholarship?
Applicants must normally provide IELTS, TOEFL, or STEP results.
The minimum scores are IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 61, or STEP 85. A waiver is available if your master’s degree was completed at an accredited institution in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.
Is GRE required for King Saud University Scholarship?
The GRE General Test is preferred but is not universally required.
However, an individual PhD programme can make the GRE compulsory, so applicants should check the specific requirements displayed for their selected programme in the application portal.
Can I apply if I am currently employed?
The initiative is designed for full-time doctoral students. KSU states that the scholarship is not intended for applicants who continue to hold full-time or part-time employment while receiving the award.
Which subjects are available under King Saud University Scholarship?
The initiative offers selected PhD programmes in:
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Basic and Applied Sciences
- Health and Medical Sciences
The individual programmes offered can differ between scholarship cycles according to the University’s research priorities.
Sadia Munir
Software Engineer & Scholarship Consultant
Sadia Munir researches and writes scholarship and study-abroad guides at Scholarship Roar. Her work explains eligibility requirements and application steps. Muhammad Faizan reviews her articles.
Reviewed by Muhammad Faizan
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