The program offers Saudi students an opportunity to acquire college diplomas in a range of majors.
The program is available to all Saudi students who earn a high school average of 90% or higher. Women must have a Saudi male guardian with them during their studies abroad.
Countries that students are sent to include the USA, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Japan and Singapore. The USA has 30,000 studying there, served by 140 student clubs.
The Ministry of Higher Education’s website offers information to students, such as legal advice and details on particular laws in foreign countries, such as prohibition of drugs, driving while drunk, child abuse or pornography, and restrictions on smoking in specific areas.
The website also give guidance on self-protection against robbery or attacks. Basic information regarding visas, currency exchange and public holidays are also provided. The government provides access to lawyers for students abroad who need them.
Students are encouraged to behave themselves while abroad as they are seen as ambassadors of the Kingdom. This includes demonstrating a good attitude and punctuality. They are also advised not to talk to the media, as they might be misquoted.
The program is available in 20 different fields, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, computer science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, economics, marketing and law. The scholarship is not available for those studying liberal arts.
Saudi children going with their parents who are on the program are sent to schools on the government’s expense if they are above the age of six. The money is transferred to students as soon as they arrive in the country.
Students seeking a scholarship for their bachelor’s degrees have to be Saudis under the age of 23. If the application is for a master’s degree, the student has to be under the age of 28. To apply for a doctorate, the student has to be 30 years of age or younger.
Applicants should not be working in the government sector. It is also compulsory for students to live abroad where their university is. Students are to register on the ministry’s website and approval is announced on the website and in the media.
Students who are selected will be asked to attend the compulsory student orientation sessions held in six cities, including Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, Abha, Alkhobar, and Qassim.
The students are also asked to provide exactly the same data in all official documents or get them changed in order to eliminate all discrepancies, even small spelling differences.
The ministry does not allow a change of university or language institute unless a detailed letter is sent and discussed by a committee. No scholarships are also given for countries not included in the program’s list of approved countries.
The legal guardian can obtain a letter from the ministry in order to be allowed to travel with the student he is supervising. The embassies are already cooperating with specific clinics that students and their families can consult in case of emergencies.
