King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh, the first university in Saudi Arabia (established 1957), is accepting applications for its fully funded PhD Initiative for the 2025/26 academic year. This initiative seeks talented students, both domestic and international, to undertake PhD studies across various academic fields. There is no application fee. Successful applicants will begin their studies in either August 2025 or January 2026. Further information regarding eligibility criteria, financial support, and the application procedure is provided below.

Details About King Saud University Initiative 2025/26 in Saudi Arabia

• Host Country: Saudi Arabia
• University Name: King Saud University
• Location: Riyadh
• Level: PhD
• Scholarship Duration: 3 Years
• Financial Benefits: Fully Funded
• Deadline: 15th May 2025

Financial Benefits

The Scholarship Covers:

• Full Tuition Support
• Monthly Living Allowance ($14,400 annually)
• On-campus Housing
• Health Coverage
• Relocation Support for students from outside Riyadh
• Potential part-time work opportunities
• Eligibility to work in Saudi Arabia for up to one year post-graduation

Available Fields

• Computer Sciences
• Engineering
• Basic and Applied Sciences
• Health and Medical Sciences

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the general requirements set by the Deanship of Graduate Studies:

• Candidates from all the countries are eligible.
• Master’s Degree: Must be from an accredited institution.
• English Proficiency:
  • Official TOEFL (minimum 61 IBT), IELTS (minimum 6), or STEP (minimum 85) scores are required.
  • KSU IELTS code: 147080
  • KSU TOEFL code: 7498
  • Waiver possible for Master’s degrees from accredited institutions in:
    • United States
    • Canada
    • United Kingdom
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • New Zealand
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Statement of Purpose
• Personal Interview

How to Apply for the King Saud University Initiative 2025/26?

Applications are submitted through the initiative’s online application portal. Visit the ‘Apply Online’ link for more information and registration. The Link to the official website is below.