7 Reasons to Study Abroad in Saudi Arabia

With many institutions offering generous scholarships to international students (in some cases even full tuition waivers), and most courses taught in English, many Saudi Arabian universities have large numbers of international students already enrolled – as well as catering to the many expat families living in the country. If you study abroad in Saudi Arabia, you’ll have the chance to make friends with both locals and students from all over the world. And, if you decide to work in Saudi Arabia after your studies, you’ll most likely cross paths with young professionals from a host of different cultural backgrounds.

Keen to become more international, many universities in Saudi Arabia are keen to attract international students, and offer various funding incentives and scholarships. In addition, the costs of living in Saudi Arabia are relatively low compared to many parts of the world (around 37% lower than in the US as of June 2016, according to Numbeo.com). Renting a one-bedroom apartment in a city center will cost you around US$400 per month, a liter of gasoline roughly US$0.16 and a cappuccino about US$2.57.

Developments in the Saudi economy have opened up opportunities for international graduates to work for a fixed number of years in finance and manufacturing, particularly the oil, IT, healthcare, banking, teaching, telecommunications and construction industries. Major companies based in Saudi Arabia include AE Systems, Cisco Systems, Procter & Gamble, Schlumburger, Nestlé and Siemens. Note that you will need a sponsor to help you secure your employment Visa, though this will typically be your employer.

If you decide to return home after your degree, the experience of studying abroad in Saudi Arabia – perhaps with a short period of work experience – will help you gain a global outlook both broadly speaking and within your field, which will in turn add value to your CV. The broad range of soft skills gained from studying abroad, along with specific understanding of Saudi Arabian professional and cultural contexts, will help you to impress recruiters in all kinds of roles and sectors. 

Have you factored national cuisine into your decision about where to study abroad? Basically thin slices of meat rolled up into a pita with tahini, a generous dose of hummus, pickles, vegetables, and usually served with fries, shawarmas are Saudi Arabia’s national sandwich. Not to be missed!