Best Universities in Saudi Arabia for International Students
An overview of well-known universities in Saudi Arabia for international applicants — KAUST, KFUPM, King Saud University and others — with rankings attributed to their issuers and links to verify admissions on official sources.
Last updated
Key facts
- Graduate research university
- KAUST (English, master's and PhD only)
- Engineering-focused
- KFUPM, Dhahran
- Large public university
- King Saud University, Riyadh
- Rankings
- Several appear in QS and THE rankings (attributed; verify current year)
- Official portal
- studyinsaudi.sa
How to read this overview
Saudi Arabia hosts a range of public and graduate-focused universities that admit international students, several of which appear in international rankings published by QS and Times Higher Education (THE). Rankings measure different things, change every year, and are only one input — so treat them as a starting point, not a verdict.
There is no single "best" university for everyone. The right choice depends on your field, the language of instruction, funding, and your own goals. Use the official admissions pages below to confirm programmes, requirements and current rankings before deciding.
KAUST — graduate research university
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), near Thuwal on the Red Sea coast, is an English-language graduate-only research university focused on science, engineering and technology, admitting master's and PhD students from around the world.
KAUST is research-intensive and features in international rankings published by QS and THE. It is widely known for offering competitive funded fellowship support to admitted graduate students; the exact terms, eligibility and deadlines are set officially and can change, so verify them on kaust.edu.sa.
KFUPM and engineering-focused study
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Dhahran is a public university long associated with engineering, the sciences, computing and business, with many programmes taught in English. It appears in QS and THE rankings.
KFUPM admits undergraduate and postgraduate students, with admission based on academic results and programme prerequisites. Check the language of instruction, prerequisites and current intake rules for international applicants on kfupm.edu.sa.
King Saud University and large public universities
King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh is one of Saudi Arabia's large, long-established public universities, offering a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across the sciences, engineering, health sciences, business and the humanities. Some programmes are taught in English and others in Arabic, so confirm the medium for your specific programme.
KSU and other large public universities feature in international rankings published by QS and THE. International admission, language requirements and document lists are published on the official university site (ksu.edu.sa) and on the national study portal.
Applying as an international student
International applicants generally apply through each university's own admissions system, providing academic transcripts, identification, and English-language evidence (such as IELTS or TOEFL) for English-medium programmes. Saudi Arabia also runs an official national portal, Study in Saudi Arabia, that explains routes for international students.
Student entry and residence in Saudi Arabia are handled through official government channels in coordination with the university. This is general information, not immigration advice — verify the current visa and residence requirements on the official government source before making plans.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best university in Saudi Arabia?
There is no single "best" university for every student. KAUST, KFUPM and King Saud University are well known and appear in QS and THE rankings, but the right choice depends on your field, the language of instruction, funding and your goals. Compare official programme pages before deciding.
Is KAUST only for graduate students?
Yes. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is an English-language graduate-only research university admitting master's and PhD students in science, engineering and technology. Its funded fellowship terms and eligibility are published officially on kaust.edu.sa.
Are Saudi universities taught in English?
It varies. KAUST and many KFUPM programmes are taught in English, while large public universities such as King Saud University teach some programmes in English and others in Arabic. Always check the language of instruction for your specific programme on the official university website.
Where can I verify admission requirements for Saudi universities?
Use each university's official website (for example kaust.edu.sa, kfupm.edu.sa, ksu.edu.sa) and the official Study in Saudi Arabia portal run by the Ministry of Education. Requirements, deadlines and rankings change, so confirm the current details there.
Official sources
This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.
Verified against: Study in Saudi Arabia — Ministry of Education portal; KAUST — official website; KFUPM — official website.
Last verified: 14 June 2026.
Related / Next steps
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