Study in the UK from Saudi Arabia | Entry Requirements, Fees & Process

Entry Requirements for Saudi Students

Academic Entry Requirements for Saudi Students

Academic entry requirements for Saudi students vary by university, course, and level of study. UK universities assess applications based on previous qualifications, grades, subject relevance, and overall academic profile.

Undergraduate Study

Direct entry to Year 1

Saudi students may be considered for direct entry to the first year of a Bachelor’s degree if they have completed:

• UK A levels, or

• The International Baccalaureate (IB)

For highly competitive courses such as Medicine or Dentistry, A levels or IB qualifications are generally required.

In some cases, students with strong performance in alternative international qualifications may also be considered, depending on the course and university.

Foundation programmes

Due to differences between the UK and Saudi education systems, students who have completed the Thanaweyyah A’ama / Tawjihi / General Secondary Education Certificate are usually required to complete an approved international foundation programme before progressing to undergraduate study.

• Strong secondary school results may allow access to integrated foundation programmes, particularly in Science, Engineering, Technology, or related subjects

• Very high grades in relevant subjects such as Mathematics and Physics are often required for technical pathways

• Subject-specific requirements apply and vary by course

Foundation programmes may be delivered directly by universities or through associated international colleges.

Advanced or transfer entry

Some universities may consider alternative entry routes, including:

• Completion of a Higher Technical Institute Diploma

• Associate degrees or recognised technical or vocational diplomas

• One or more years of study at a recognised Saudi institution

These routes are typically assessed on a case-by-case basis for entry into Year 1 or Year 2, depending on academic performance and subject alignment.

Postgraduate (Master’s) Study

To apply for a taught Master’s degree, Saudi students are generally required to have:

• A Bachelor’s degree from a recognised Saudi university

• A minimum percentage or GPA, which varies by course and institution

Some postgraduate courses may also require:

• Relevant academic background

• Prior subject knowledge

• Work experience (for professionally focused programmes)

If standard entry requirements are not met, a pre-Master’s programme may be offered as an alternative pathway.

Doctoral (PhD) and Research Degrees

For PhD or research-based programmes, universities typically require:

• A strong Master’s degree from a recognised institution

• A research proposal aligned with the university’s academic expertise

Postgraduate research degrees are individually supervised, and applicants are often encouraged to contact a potential supervisor or academic department before submitting a formal application.

Important to Note

• Entry requirements vary significantly by course, university, and intake

• Meeting minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission

• Applications are assessed individually, taking subject relevance and overall academic profile into account

English Language Requirements

UK universities require international students, including those from Saudi Arabia, to meet course-specific English language requirements as part of the application process. English ability is assessed and confirmed by the university at the course level.

Minimum English Level for a UK Student Visa

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) sets a minimum English level (commonly referred to as B2) for student visa purposes. In practice, most UK universities require a higher level of English, depending on the course and subject area.

The English requirement you need to meet is therefore determined primarily by the university and the specific course, rather than by nationality.

Accepted English Language Qualifications

UK universities commonly accept a range of English language qualifications, including:

• IELTS
• TOEFL
• PTE Academic
• IGCSE or O-level English (at specified grades)
• International Baccalaureate English (Language or Language and Literature)

The exact score or grade required varies by university and course.

Course-Specific Requirements

English language requirements vary by subject and level of study. For example:

• Courses in Medicine, Health, Law, or Education often require higher English scores
• Some postgraduate courses may accept slightly lower scores if supported by academic background or work experience

Universities assess English ability at the course level, not just at the country level.

Conditional Offers and English Preparation

Many UK universities issue conditional offers, allowing Saudi students to meet the English language requirement before the course starts. If a student does not meet the required English level at the time of application, some universities may offer

• A pre-sessional English course

• An integrated English and academic pathway programme

These options allow students to improve their English while preparing for academic study in the UK.

Required Documents, Financial Evidence & Medical Requirements

In addition to academic and English language requirements, Saudi students must prepare a set of documents that will be used by both the university and, eventually, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as part of the visa application.

Key Documents Needed for University Applications

Most UK universities ask for:

• Academic transcripts and certificates
• Proof of English language proficiency
• A current passport or national ID
• A personal statement
• References or letters of recommendation (where required)

These documents help universities assess your application and issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) once you meet their requirements.

For a complete and up-to-date list of required documents, refer to our UK Student Visa Documents Checklist

Financial Evidence for Visa Purposes

To apply for a UK student visa, you must demonstrate that you have enough funds to cover:

• Tuition fees
• Living costs for your first year of study

The exact amount required depends on your university location (e.g., London vs outside London) and term dates. You may need to provide:

• Bank statements
• Sponsorship letters (if applicable)
• Scholarship confirmation (if applicable)

Medical Requirements

Some UK visa applicants must take a tuberculosis (TB) test before their application if they have lived in certain countries for six months or more. The UK Government publishes a list of these countries on the official UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.

Saudi Arabia is currently not on the list of countries that require a TB test certificate for a UK student visa. This means that most Saudi students will not need to provide a TB test as part of their student visa application. However, healthcare requirements and public health screening may still apply once you arrive in the UK as part of the university’s enrolment or NHS guidelines.

If you have lived in another country that is on the UKVI TB list for six months or more within the 12 months before applying, you may need to provide a TB certificate from an approved clinic. In that case, you should check the official UK Government guidance for the latest requirements.