For Saudi Students
Your complete guide to Saudi government scholarships.
Everything you need to understand the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program (برنامج خادم الحرمين الشريفين للابتعاث) — its four pathways, eligibility, English requirements, documents and how to apply through the official Safeer platform — plus how Student Map can guide you toward studying in Australia.
Every detail on this page is drawn from the Saudi Ministry of Education's official scholarship program site, its published FAQs, and the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM). Rules, eligible institutions and application windows are set and updated by the Ministry — always confirm current details on the official portals linked throughout this page and in the "Official Sources" section below before you apply.
Program Overview
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program.
First launched in 2005, the program sends qualified Saudi male and female students to study at leading institutions worldwide — including Australia. In March 2022, the Ministry of Education launched an updated strategy built around four distinct scholarship pathways, each with its own institution list, degree levels and eligible fields.
Applications are submitted exclusively through the Ministry's official Safeer electronic platform — no email or paper applications are accepted.
Choose Your Pathway
Four official scholarship tracks.
Select a track below for full eligibility details, requirements, documents and a step-by-step application guide.
Al-Rowad (Pioneers)
مسار الرواد
Sends students to the top 30 educational institutions worldwide, across all fields of study.
- Top 30 institutions globally
- All specializations supported
Emdad (Providers)
مسار إمداد
Targets the top 200 institutions worldwide, in fields with high labour-market demand.
- Top 200 institutions globally
- High-demand specializations
Wa'ed (Promising)
مسار واعد
Scholarship and training in specialised, emerging and technical sectors — including several programs in Australia.
- Specialised & technical fields
- Includes Australia as a destination
Research & Development
مسار البحث والتطوير
Doctoral scholarships in priority research fields at top 200 institutions worldwide.
- Top 200 institutions globally
- Priority research fields
General Eligibility
Conditions that apply across all tracks.
Each track has its own specific institution list and fields — but the Ministry's general conditions apply to every applicant.
- Saudi nationality.
- Good conduct and character.
- A direct, final, unconditional offer of admission from an institution on your chosen track's approved list, issued by the university's official admissions office. (Exception: conditional offers for a language-preparation year are accepted for non-English-speaking destination countries.)
- Full-time study and residency in the country where you're scholarshipped.
- Your field of study must be on the approved list for your track and application year.
- You must not be an active scholarship holder at the same degree level without having completed it, except under specific cases the Ministry permits.
Some Ministry pages reference an age limit of 30 for bachelor's applicants (with an exception for the Al-Rowad/Pioneers track), while the Ministry's official FAQ states there is currently no specific age requirement for applying. The FAQ also confirms there is no fixed GPA requirement — you must simply meet the general and track-specific conditions and secure unconditional admission. Because these details can change between application rounds, always confirm the current rules on the official conditions page before applying.
English language requirements
English requirements are set primarily by the university that admits you, as part of your unconditional offer. Where the Ministry publishes its own reference threshold (for example, for preparatory-year bachelor's applicants), it commonly cites a minimum of IELTS 5.5 or equivalent — but exact scores vary by track, university and course.
Required Documents
What you'll typically need to apply.
The exact document checklist is confirmed inside the Safeer portal at the time you apply and can vary by track — but applicants generally need to have the following ready.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valid Saudi passport | Should remain valid well beyond your intended travel date. |
| National ID | Linked to your Absher account for identity verification. |
| Unconditional university offer letter | Issued directly by the admissions office of an institution on your track's approved list. |
| Academic certificates & transcripts | High school certificate and/or previous degree transcripts, depending on the level you're applying for. |
| English test certificate | IELTS/TOEFL (or equivalent) where required by your university or track. |
| Track-specific documents | Any additional documents requested within the Safeer application form for your chosen track. |
How to Apply via Safeer
A step-by-step guide to the official application process.
Secure your university offer
Apply directly to an institution on the approved list for your chosen track, and obtain a direct, final, unconditional offer of admission.
Confirm your eligibility
Check the general conditions plus your track's specific conditions on the official Ministry pages.
Register on Safeer
Create or log into your account on the official Safeer platform. Registration is electronic and available worldwide — you don't need to be inside Saudi Arabia.
Submit during an open window
The Ministry opens application windows periodically and announces exact dates through its official news channels and the Safeer portal — always check for the current round.
Await the merit-based result
You may apply across multiple tracks, universities or majors, but only one application is ultimately accepted, based on the Ministry's competitive evaluation.
Receive your embassy letter
Once approved, you'll receive a letter to support your own visa application — visa applications are submitted by you directly; a visa is not required at the time you apply for the scholarship.
Manage your scholarship abroad
Once in Australia, ongoing scholarship affairs (allowances, extensions, support) are managed through Safeer and your Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM).
Good to know
- Applications must be submitted exclusively through Safeer — email applications are not accepted.
- No aptitude or achievement test scores are required to apply for the scholarship itself.
- Study duration limits are generally up to 5 years for bachelor's, 2 years for master's and 3 years for doctorate, per institution standards.
- Eligible dependents may accompany scholars and receive allowances under the Ministry's regulations.
Where Student Map fits in
The scholarship application itself is submitted by you, directly through Safeer — Student Map is not part of the Ministry of Education or SACM. What we do is help you get to the starting line: shortlisting Australian institutions and courses, helping you understand entry and English requirements, and supporting your university application so you can secure the unconditional offer your Safeer application needs.
Speak to a ConsultantFAQs
Common questions, official answers.
Answers below are drawn directly from the Ministry of Education's published scholarship FAQ.
No. The official FAQ states there is no specific GPA requirement — you must meet the general and track-specific conditions and secure unconditional admission from an accredited institution.
Yes. You can submit applications across different tracks, universities or majors — but only one will be accepted, based on the Ministry's merit-based evaluation.
No. You can select "no visa required" to complete your Safeer application. If your scholarship is approved, you'll receive an embassy letter and submit your own visa application afterward.
No — per the official FAQ, English-language preparation years are not covered for English-speaking destination countries such as America, Britain or Australia. You'll need to meet your university's English requirement independently before your offer can be unconditional.
No. Registration on Safeer is electronic and available worldwide.
Through the Ministry's official support channel at tawasul.moe.gov.sa, or the password-recovery / support links inside the Safeer portal itself.
Official Sources
Always confirm details directly with the Ministry.
Requirements, approved institution lists and application dates are set and updated by the Saudi Ministry of Education. Bookmark these official links.