Top 10 Engineering Universities in Saudi Arabia

If you are planning your higher education in engineering, you may have come to this point where choosing a university is way more challenging than choosing a specific field.

Whether you are a Saudi Arabian or any student planning to study in Saudi Arabia, when you evaluate the universities based on the QS rankings, futuristic laboratories, and incredibly attractive campuses, you still end up wondering, ‘Which university will actually help prepare me for my engineering career?

With this question in mind, many students stress over making the right decision because selecting a university equally matters as other factors that contribute to career development apart from education.

But you don’t have to stress over this decision anymore. I have included everything you need to know, from the top 10 engineering universities in Saudi Arabia and the most popular engineering specialisations to admission requirements, degree costs, and much more.

Let’s get started!

Why Study Engineering in Saudi Arabia?

Undoubtedly, Saudi Arabia is among those countries that are rapidly expanding their focus on fields like engineering, research, technology, infrastructure, energy, and digital industries under its Vision 2030 initiatives.

This increased focus has contributed to creating a valuable learning environment for engineering students as more universities are being encouraged to connect their educational approach and research with national development priorities.

Additionally, with the availability of numerous public and private institutions covering a wide range of engineering fields, you can choose from traditional fields such as mechanical engineering or advanced fields such as robotics engineering.

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Top 10 Engineering Universities in Saudi Arabia

This is a list of the top 10 Engineering Universities in Saudi Arabia:

Note! Depending on the university, engineering program, class hours, student status, and scholarship eligibility, the fees and scholarship details shown above may change. For the most recent information on fees and scholarship criteria, students may visit the university’s official website..

1. King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM)

Located in Dhahran, this is one of the suitable options when you want to advance your career in engineering, technology, energy, and other industrial careers. With its more than 20 research centrers and academic reputation, it has a #63 ranking in the global rankings.

2. King Saud University (KSU)

Are you planning to study in Riyadh? Then, you can choose King Saud University. It is one of the oldest and most established universities in Saudi Arabia with a diversified portfolio. Moreover, KSU ranks 107 in global rankings, and its specialised research centres make it a preferred choice for students planning to study engineering in Saudi Arabia.

3. King Abdulaziz University (KAU)

The third university on this list is the King Abdulaziz University, which is one of the major public research universities located in Jeddah with a #200 global ranking.

What Are the Most Popular Engineering Specialisations in Saudi Arabia?

In 2026, the most popular engineering specialisations in Saudi Arabia include robotics and automation, renewable energy, civil, mechanical, and Artificial Intelligence engineering, alongside others.

Let’s explore these brief explanations.

Petroleum Engineering

It focuses on producing and managing oil and gas resources. Since Petroleum is an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s economy, the demand for petroleum engineers is high because the Kingdom has planned to expand its oil and gas production capacity while simultaneously managing petrochemical projects.

Reservoir engineering and drilling engineering are the most common subjects.

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Civil Engineering

This field focuses on physical infrastructure, including roads, buildings, water systems, and bridges. As you know, Saudi Arabia is becoming a hub for large-scale urban development, water management, construction, transport, and construction projects. That’s why civil engineering skills continue to be in demand.

Common subjects include Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, and Fluid Mechanics.

Robotics and Automation Engineering

Many people consider it a combination of electrical, mechanical, and software technologies to develop automated systems. The relevance of robotics and automation engineering in Saudi Arabia is increasing due to increased productivity, cost reduction, and maintaining quality standards.

Common subjects are PLC programming and Robot Kinematics.

Renewable Energy Engineering

This field of engineering generally covers technologies that help generate and manage solar and wind power. The demand for renewable energy engineering is increasing because the Kingdom has aimed to generate 50% of its electricity from renewable sources according to Vision 2030.

The common subjects include renewable energy technology, energy storage, and solar engineering.

Mechanical Engineering

It usually covers the design, analysis, and maintenance of machines, thermal equipment, and other mechanical systems. Most mechanical engineers in Saudi Arabia work across HVAC, manufacturing, construction, and other industrial sectors.

Common subjects include thermodynamics, machine design, and fluid mechanics.

Artificial Intelligence Engineering

This incredible field enables engineers to solve technical and industrial problems using AI and machine learning skills. The demand for AI engineering is increasing because the Kingdom is adapting to the latest AI developments and other technologies to support smart cities and autonomous systems.

Machine learning and modern generative AI are among the common subjects.

Admission Requirements for Engineering Degrees in Saudi Arabia

You should remember that you may be required to have specific academic qualifications, pass certain tests, meet English-language requirements, and provide other necessary documents.

Want to know the brief details for these? I’ve got you covered!

Academic Qualifications

As an applicant, you need a secondary school certificate (Grade 12 or equivalent) in science.

Tests and Eligibility Scores

As a local applicant, you may have to take the General Aptitude Test (Qudurat) and Tahsili, the Standard Achievement Test (SAAT).

However, as an international student, you may have to pass the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) or any other specific test set by your chosen university.

English Language Requirements

When you plan to apply to an English-taught programme, you may need to take the IELTS, TOEFL, or another recognised test based on the specific requirements of your university.

Required Documents

In general, you may have to submit these documents:

• Your secondary-school certificate.
• Character reference or certificate.
• National ID or passport.
• English proficiency test results if needed.
• Any recommendation documents where applicable.
• Medical documents and other academic transcripts.

What Are the Admission Requirements for International Students in Saudi Arabia?

If you plan to secure admission to an engineering university in Saudi Arabia as an international student, you will typically need a high school diploma with higher grades in math and physics, pass the SAT and other tests, meet language proficiency requirements, and meet specific age limits.

Important Note: Keep in mind that these can vary depending on the specific Saudi university you choose to study engineering.

Engineering Degree Costs in Saudi Arabia

Remember that these expenditures can vary depending on the specific university and discipline.

For bachelor’s engineering programmes,

• Studying engineering at public engineering universities is generally free for Saudi citizens and can range from SAR 15,000 to SAR 40,000 per year on average if you are an international student.
• Alternatively, the fee structures of private engineering universities go from around SAR 200,000 to SAR 360,000 on average for a complete engineering degree.

What are the Additional Costs of Studying in Saudi Arabia?

When you are calculating your budget, make sure to add the costs of these factors alongside tuition fees. It can help you plan a more accurate budget.

• You will be required to pay the one-time, non-refundable application & registration fees (around SAR 500 to SAR 1,500).
• Student visa expenses.
• Your accommodation costs.
• Food and transportation.
• Laptop, course books, engineering equipment, and important software.
• Your personal expenses.
• Travel expenses between your home country and Saudi Arabia.
• In some cases, students also have to bear the expenses of medical insurance.

I have also added a table to help you compare the fees at public vs private universities.

How Can You Get a Scholarship to Study Engineering in Saudi Arabia?

Check the Specific Requirements and Confirm Whether You’re Eligible

Before you apply to any engineering university in Saudi Arabia, carefully review the eligibility criteria and confirm that you meet the age limits and grades, health, and other requirements. Also, choose your programme wisely, because if you find it challenging afterwards, you may have to contact assignment helpers in Saudi Arabia to solve the complexities of your engineering assignments.

Prepare Your Documents

Once you confirm that you are eligible for the scholarship, you have to prepare,

• Your school transcripts.
• Letters of recommendation.
• Passport.
• Medical fitness certificate.

Remember that you may have to prepare other documents as well, based on the criteria of the specific university you select.

Submit Your Application

For the third step, you have to create an account on your chosen university’s website or any designated portal and proceed with submitting your application in the specific programme you plan to study.

Track Your Application

Once you are done, you have to monitor the dashboard to check the progress of your application.

Which Saudi University Is Best for International Students?

Based on the impressive academic reputation, research opportunities, and QS rankings, these are the four universities that most international students generally consider the ‘best.’

1. KFUPM in Dhahran.
2. KAU in Jeddah.
3. KSU in Riyadh.
4. KAUST in Thuwal.

These are among the key benefits for you as an international student:

• You can avail fully-funded scholarships

A majority of well-reputed engineering universities in Saudi Arabia offer generous scholarships to international students that commonly include accommodation, healthcare insurance, monthly stipends, and tuition fees.

• You get incredible internship and job opportunities to kickstart your career

As you already know, many respected universities have secured connections with some of the industry leaders, making it easier for their students to land internships and jobs at renowned companies.

Career Opportunities After Engineering in Saudi Arabia

When you are in the middle of choosing your degree subject, you should never forget to consider the potential career opportunities. Being aware of the possible opportunities can help you make an informed decision.

If you are wondering, ‘What actually is the average salary of an engineer in Saudi Arabia?’ You should understand that there is not a specific ‘average salary’ because exact pay scales vary depending on the individual disciplines, position, prior experience, employer, and location.

You can expect the average salary to be around SAR 6,000 to SAR 17,000 as an engineer in Saudi Arabia.

Some career options you can choose after an engineering degree include:

1. Mechanical engineer
2. Civil engineer
3. Systems engineer
4. Research engineer
5. Design engineer
6. Engineering consultant
7. Automation engineer
8. Project engineer
9. Industrial engineer
10. Petroleum engineer

What Skills Do Employers Look for in Engineers in Saudi Arabia?

In general, most employers look for SBC knowledge, SCE registration, proficiency in software and industry-specific tools, skills aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives, the ability to adapt to new AI technology advancements, and proficiency in English and Arabic.

You can review these brief explanations for a better understanding:

• You are required to have the mandatory Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) Registration.
• Acquiring Saudi Building Code (SBC) knowledge is important for you, especially if you are planning your education and career goals in civil, MEP, and architectural engineering.
• Familiarity with Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and STAAD.Pro and other industry software.
• Your skills must align with the initiatives of Vision 2030, such as smart city IoT systems, cybersecurity engineering, and renewable energy integration.
• Mastery in Oracle Primavera P6, Microsoft Project (MS Project), and other project control tools that Saudi engineering companies typically operate with.
• Ability to use AI and other newly introduced digital engineering tools.
• Many multinational companies generally prefer employees who have high proficiency in English alongside Arabic.
• Capability to troubleshoot and manage rapid changes.

Tip for Choosing the Best Engineering University in Saudi Arabia

To ensure you select the best engineering university in Saudi Arabia, you should carefully confirm that it facilitates the engineering programme you want to study, check accreditation, compare overall expenses, consider the university’s reputation, research opportunities, location, and scholarships.

I have provided detailed explanations to help you understand better.

Check the Engineering Programme You Plan to Study

Remember, you should not select a university for your educational goals by just getting fascinated by its impressive rankings. Also, since the education standards are high and assignments can be tough, you may find it challenging to cope with stressful situations and need assignment writing help to complete your assignments without mistakes.

Instead, you should compare the curriculum you will be studying throughout the course, specialisations, advanced laboratories, internship and research opportunities.

It can aid you in making an informed decision that contributes to your future career and higher education goals.

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Consider University Reputation and Rankings

Don’t know why university rankings matter when you select a university?

I can help you answer that. When you consider university rankings on renowned platforms like the higher education analytics firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), it can help you shortlist your options based on reputation.

However, you should not make your decision solely relying on these rankings and consider other important factors.

Evaluate the Industry Partnership and Career Opportunities

This is an important factor.

You should carefully review and try to select the university that has strong ties with the industry leaders. This way, you may increase your chances of getting more facilitated internships and job placement possibilities.

For instance, you study petroleum engineering at KFUPM in Dhahran. Since the university has connections with leading companies like Saudi Aramco, you can avail better opportunities for internships and job placements as a petroleum engineer.

Check Accreditation and Recognition

Rather than selecting a university only because it has a higher QS ranking, you should review whether it has the National Center for Academic Accreditation and Evaluation (NCAAA) and Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) certifications for international students.

With that, you can be confident that your degree complies with the Saudi and international education standards.

Review the Support for International Students

Are you planning to study engineering in Saudi Arabia as an international student? Then, you should consider more factors rather than simply choosing a university based on generic facilities.

What I mean is, you should look into fully funded scholarships, medical insurance, monthly stipends, and accommodation facilities that many universities offer.

Compare Tuition Fees and Overall Costs

This is the factor that you should not miss.

When you plan to study in Saudi Arabia, instead of just comparing the costs by comparing only the tuition fees, you should calculate and compare accommodation, food, medical insurance, transport, travel, and other expenses and then finalise your decision.

Plus, also explore the scholarship opportunities that can help you study in a well-reputed institution without having to bear the expensive study costs.

Review Facilities and Research Opportunities

Do you want to avail advanced research opportunities during your engineering journey? In that case, you should carefully evaluate your options and choose a university that offers fruitful facilities to help you fulfill your research goals.

Consider Location

It does not matter if you are a local or an international student. You should keep in mind that Dhahran, Makkah, Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah, and Riyadh all offer somewhat different marketing ecosystems and lifestyles.

Therefore, before choosing just any campus location, make sure you consider the climate situations you can settle in, transportation and living costs, along with other factors.

Bringing It All Together

That brings you to the end of this post!

Among the top 10 universities on this list are Taibah University, KAU, and Alfaisal University. I hope this post helps you evaluate your university choices.

You should understand that choosing a university to begin your undergraduate or postgraduate journey in engineering is not just about picking an option based on an attractive campus location or QS rankings.

Instead, you should make an informed decision by considering your overall expenditure, global recognition, accreditation, and many other factors.

Good luck with choosing your engineering university and studying in Saudi Arabia!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best engineering universities in Saudi Arabia?

Among the top-ranked universities that many students consider ‘best’ are the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), King Abdulaziz University, King Saud University, and other private and specialist institutions.

How much does it cost to study engineering in Saudi Arabia?

If you want to get an idea of average costs, let me tell you that the costs can range from SAR 40,000 to SAR 150,000+ per year if you plan to study at a private university. On the other hand, public engineering universities can cost anywhere from SAR 0 to SAR 30,000+ per year. To get an accurate budget, you should check your preferred university’s portal or contact the admission committee.

What are the admission requirements for engineering universities in Saudi Arabia?

You should keep in mind that these requirements can vary depending on the specific engineering university you choose to study in Saudi Arabia. Generally, you will need a science diploma from a recognised high school. In fact, many universities require aptitude and other standardised tests, along with additional documents.

Can I study engineering in Saudi Arabia as an international student?

Yes, as an international student, you can apply to various private and public universities in Saudi Arabia. You can find many platforms that offer insights into scholarships and study opportunities for international students.

Which engineering fields are in demand in Saudi Arabia?

With the recent developments and ongoing mega projects in Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030, many engineering fields, such as mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering, are in high demand compared to others.

Which engineering university is best for international students in Saudi Arabia?

Among the top choices for foreign students interested in engineering in Saudi Arabia are King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University, and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). The program, tuition costs, scholarships, and admittance requirements all influence the best option.

Can international students study engineering in Saudi Arabia for free?

Yes, some foreign students might receive fully supported scholarships to study engineering in Saudi Arabia. Depending on the university and program, these scholarships may include housing, medical care, and a monthly stipend in addition to tuition.

Are engineering programmes in Saudi Arabia taught in English?

Yes, many engineering programmes in Saudi Arabia are taught in English, particularly at universities that attract international students. However, the language of instruction varies by university and programme, so students should check the specific course requirements before applying.

What are the most popular engineering degrees in Saudi Arabia?

Mechanical, civil, electrical, chemical, industrial, and petroleum engineering are among the most popular engineering degrees in Saudi Arabia. The best option depends on your career interests and the demand for specific engineering skills in the Saudi job market.

Which university is best for mechanical engineering in Saudi Arabia?

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), King Abdulaziz University, and King Saud University are well-known choices for mechanical engineering in Saudi Arabia. Students should compare programme quality, facilities, rankings, fees, and career opportunities before choosing a university.

What are the top 5 universities in Saudi Arabia?

Some of the leading universities in Saudi Arabia include King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and King Khalid University. Rankings can vary depending on the ranking organisation and criteria used.

Which engineers are in demand in Saudi Arabia?

Civil, mechanical, electrical, industrial, petroleum, and chemical engineers are among the engineering professionals in demand in Saudi Arabia. Demand is supported by infrastructure development, energy projects, manufacturing, and Vision 2030 initiatives.

What are the big 5 types of engineering?

Civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering are the five main engineering specialties known as the “Big 5.” Nevertheless, there isn’t a single, widely accepted official “Big 5” classification, and different sources may have different lists.

Which Is the Most Affordable Engineering University in Saudi Arabia?

Scholarships for international students are one way that King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University, and other public universities may provide reasonably priced engineering education choices. Before applying, find out the most recent tuition costs and scholarship opportunities as they differ depending on the university, program, and student status.