As an expat, applying and enrolling in a university in Saudi Arabia can seem stressful. Don't fret though, fulfilling the requirements is not that difficult, even if it seems rigid. There are 28 public and 10 private universities in Saudi Arabia, with public universities receiving the majority of research money. Some universities are completely gender-segregated, while others provide gender-segregated classrooms for both men and women. The majority of university programs are four-year, degree-granting programs.

Top universities in Saudi Arabia

Here are some of the top universities in the Kingdom:

• King Abdulaziz University
• King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
• King Saud University

Entry requirements

Admission to a higher education institution is quite simple. You must submit your high school diploma and transcripts together with the needed application. If you graduated from secondary school outside of Saudi Arabia, check with your selected university to see what you'll need to prove your aptitude.

Visa requirements

If you want to study in Saudi Arabia, you'll need to apply for a Student Visa first. One of the prerequisites for obtaining a study visa is not just acceptance to a Saudi university, but also the receipt of either a partial or full scholarship. Most colleges provide some form of financial assistance to international students. It's important to remember that a student visa does not grant you the right to work in the Kingdom.

Language requirements

Depending on the university and the program you are interested in, the language of instruction may be English or Arabic, so be sure to do your research on your preferred institution. If you would like to brush up on your Arabic before studying, check out one of the following language institutes in the Kingdom:

• I Can Talk Arabic
• King Abdulaziz University
• Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University