King Saud University PhD Scholarship in Saudi Arabia 2026 | Fully Funded
Last Updated: March 24, 2026
King Saud University has announced the opening of applications for its PhD Scholarship in Saudi Arabia. Founded in 1957 in Riyadh, the university is the first university institution in the Kingdom and one of the most prominent universities in the region.
This scholarship aims to attract outstanding Saudi and international candidates to pursue their graduate studies. It is fully funded with no application fee, and it covers all academic study costs. The university offers a wide range of PhD programs across different academic disciplines.
Accepted applicants are required to begin their studies in Saudi Arabia either in the first semester (August 2025) or the second semester (January 2026). Below are the details of the scholarship requirements, financial benefits, and application steps.
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Details of the King Saud University PhD Scholarship
- Host Country: Saudi Arabia
- University Name: King Saud University
- Location: Riyadh
- Level: PhD
- Scholarship Duration: 3 years
- Funding Type: Fully funded
- Application Deadline: May 15, 2026
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Financial Benefits of the King Saud University PhD Scholarship
The fully funded scholarship covers the following benefits:
- Full tuition fee waiver.
- Monthly living allowance of up to USD 14,400 per year.
- Free on-campus accommodation.
- Comprehensive health insurance.
- Support for relocation costs for students coming from outside Riyadh.
- Part-time work opportunities during the study period.
- The possibility of working in Saudi Arabia for up to one year after graduation.
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Available Programs for Application
The scholarship offers PhD programs in a wide range of disciplines, including:
1) College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy in Arabic Language and Literature
- Literature and Criticism
- Grammar and Language
Doctor of Philosophy in History
- Ancient History
- Islamic and Medieval History
- Modern and Contemporary History
Doctor of Philosophy in Geography
- Human Geography
- Physical Geography
- Geographic Information Science
PhD in Social Studies
- Sociology
- Social Work
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication and Digital Media
Doctor of Philosophy in Information Science
2) College of Law and Political Science
Doctor of Philosophy in Law
- Law
3) College of Education
PhD in Islamic Studies
- Jurisprudence and Its Foundations
- Creed
- Sunnah and Its Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Measurement and Evaluation
Doctor of Philosophy in Early Childhood
- Early Childhood
Doctor of Philosophy in Education
- Foundations of Education
- Adult Education and Continuing Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration
- General Education Administration
- Higher Education Administration
Doctor of Philosophy in Education: Curriculum and Instruction (Specialization)
- General Curriculum and Instruction
- Science Teaching Methods
- Social Studies Teaching Methods
- Mathematics Education
- Islamic Studies Teaching Methods
- Computer Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Technology
- Educational Technology
Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education
- Behavioral and Emotional Disorders
- Learning Disabilities
- Hearing Impairment
- Intellectual Disability
4) College of Tourism and Archaeology
PhD in Qur’anic Studies: Readings
- Readings
PhD in Tafsir
- Tafsir
Doctor of Philosophy in Archaeology
- Islamic Periods
- Saudi Arabia
- Inscriptions
- Prehistoric Arabian Peninsula
5) College of Sport Sciences and Physical Activity
Doctor of Philosophy in Sport Sciences and Physical Activity
- Physical Education
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Training
- Sports and Recreation Management
6) College of Languages and Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Linguistics
- Applied Linguistics
Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics
- Linguistics
Doctor of Philosophy in Arabic Applied Linguistics
- Arabic Applied Linguistics
7) College of Architecture and Planning
Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies and Planning
- Urban Studies and Planning
Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture and Building Sciences
- Architecture and Building Sciences
8) College of Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering
- Construction Engineering and Management
- Water Resources
- Environmental Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Transportation Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering
- Chemical Industries
- Control and Systems
- Materials Engineering
- Transport Phenomena
Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering
- Electronics
- Communications
- Automatic Control and Computers
- Electric Power
Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering
- Solid Mechanics
- Thermal and Fluid Systems
Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Engineering
- Human Systems
- Manufacturing Systems Engineering
- Human Factors and Safety
- Industrial Operations and Supply Systems
9) College of Science
Doctor of Philosophy in Botany
Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology
Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology
- Zoology
Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry
- Biochemistry
Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics
- Statistics
Doctor of Philosophy in Physics
- Biophysics and Medical Physics
- Nuclear Physics
- Astronomy
- Quantum Technology
- Theoretical Physics
- Physics
Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics
- Analysis
- Computational and Discrete Mathematics
- Applied Mathematics
Doctor of Philosophy in Earth Sciences
- Earth Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
10) College of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy in Horticultural Sciences
- Horticulture
Doctor of Philosophy in Range and Forestry Sciences
- Range and Forestry
Doctor of Philosophy in Crop Sciences
- Field Crops
Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Pathology
- Plant Pathology
Doctor of Philosophy in Entomology
- Entomology
Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Sciences
- Soil Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy in Human Nutrition
- Human Nutrition
Doctor of Philosophy in Food Sciences
- Food Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Extension
- Agricultural Extension
Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Engineering
- Agricultural Machinery and Power Engineering
- Agricultural Environment and Structures Engineering
- Food Manufacturing Engineering
- Water and Irrigation Systems Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy in Animal and Poultry Production
- Animal and Poultry Production
11) College of Computer and Information Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
- Computer Science
Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Engineering
- Computer Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems
- Information Systems
Doctor of Philosophy in Software Engineering
- Software Engineering
12) College of Business Administration
Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration
- Human Resources in the Public Sector
- Health Administration
- Public Financial Administration
Doctor of Philosophy in Economics
- Economics
Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration
- Management Information Systems
13) College of Pharmacy
Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacy (Pharmacognosy)
- Pharmacognosy
Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry
Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutics
- Pharmaceutics
Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacy Practice
- Pharmaceutical Services, Outcomes, and Policies
- Precision Pharmacotherapy
14) College of Medicine
Doctor of Philosophy in Anatomy
- Anatomy
Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology
- Physiology
15) College of Dentistry
Doctor of Science in Dentistry
- Restorative Dentistry
- Endodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Periodontology
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Oral Medicine
- Dental Public Health
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
16) College of Nursing
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
- Nursing
17) College of Applied Medical Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy in Community Health Sciences: Clinical Nutrition
- Clinical Nutrition
Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- Medical Microbiology
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Medical Genetics
- Hematology and Blood Transfusion
- Clinical Immunology
Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences
- Rehabilitation Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy in Optometry and Vision Sciences
- Optometry and Vision Sciences
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Eligibility Criteria for the King Saud University PhD Scholarship
To apply for the scholarship, applicants must meet the conditions set by the Deanship of Graduate Studies, which include:
- Eligible nationalities: Open to candidates from all countries.
- Academic qualification: The applicant must hold a master’s degree from an accredited educational institution.
- English language proficiency:
- TOEFL iBT: minimum score of 61
- IELTS: minimum score of 6.0 (university code: 147080)
- STEP: minimum score of 85
- Exemption from the master’s requirement: Available for graduates of accredited institutions in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Additional requirements:
- Two recommendation letters
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Statement of Purpose
- Passing the personal interview
How to Apply for the King Saud University Scholarship 2025/2026
Applications are submitted through the scholarship’s electronic application portal, according to the following steps:
- Visit the application portal: Enter the official website of King Saud University or the online application platform.
- Create an account: Register a new account using a valid email address.
- Complete the application form: Fill out the application form with personal and academic information.
- Upload the required documents:
- Master’s degree certificate and academic transcript
- English language proficiency certificate (TOEFL, IELTS, STEP)
- Two recommendation letters
- CV
- Statement of Purpose
- Submit the application: Review all data and documents, then submit the application electronically.
- Track the application: Applicants can follow the status of their application through the application portal.
- Attend the personal interview: If shortlisted, you will be contacted to schedule the interview.
- Receive admission: Admission notifications will be sent to selected candidates via email.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the King Saud University PhD Scholarship?
It is a funding opportunity for Saudi and international students to join PhD programs at the university’s colleges. It includes tracks such as external/internal scholarships for non-Saudi students, in addition to the initiative for attracting outstanding PhD students.
Is the scholarship fully funded? What does it usually cover?
Coverage varies depending on the scholarship type and the program. The university provides scholarship students with stipends/allowances that are disbursed regularly during the official duration of the program, and these may be accompanied by exemptions, fees, and services according to the regulations of each scholarship. Review the scholarship offer and regulations when applying.
Who is eligible to apply?
Admission to a PhD program is required, along with meeting the university and college requirements. For non-Saudi students, there are external scholarship tracks (for students from outside the Kingdom) and internal scholarship tracks (for residents inside the Kingdom), according to the regulations of the ministry and the university.
What are the language and standardized test requirements for the PhD?
The admission requirements for the PhD state a minimum of TOEFL iBT (45), Academic IELTS (4), or STEP (60), with the department having the right to require a higher score, in addition to a General Aptitude Test for Graduate Students score of at least 70, except for external scholarship students. Departments may impose additional requirements.
How do I apply for the PhD scholarship?
Through the Deanship of Graduate Studies portal and the selected PhD program when admissions open, then by following the scholarship-specific instructions.
For non-Saudi students: applications for internal/external scholarships are submitted electronically through the university/ministry portals indicated on the International Students Affairs page.
Is there a special initiative to attract outstanding PhD students?
Yes, the university launched an initiative to attract talented PhD students locally and internationally in selected programs, as part of its plan to transform into a world-class research university. Details of cycles and deadlines are announced through the initiative’s website.
What PhD programs/specializations are available?
PhD programs are offered across many colleges (science, arts, and others). Review the list of announced programs and their departments through the deanship’s website.
When are the deadlines?
They vary each year according to the academic calendar, the program, and the track (internal scholarship / external scholarship / PhD initiative). Always check the deanship portal, the international students pages, and/or the initiative page before submitting.
Is the scholarship available for students from outside Saudi Arabia?
Yes, through external scholarships for international students who meet the requirements. Eligible applicants may also be considered for the master’s and PhD programs available at the university.
Are there additional general requirements (age / medical fitness / documents) for non-Saudis?
The Ministry of Education regulations apply to scholarships for non-Saudis (such as age suitability, medical fitness examination, and authenticated documents), and universities apply them during screening. It is recommended to review the ministry portal and the electronic service for internal scholarships for non-Saudis.
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Tips to Increase Your Chances of Admission
- Prepare a strong academic file (high GPA, quality recommendation letters, and a well-written statement of purpose) and aim for an English score higher than the minimum whenever possible.
- Adhere to the deadlines of the deanship portal, and regularly follow the internal/external scholarship pages and the PhD initiative updates.
official link for the King Saud University Scholarship
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