Working with Academic Credentials from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States
By WES Staff
What follows is a quick primer on the academic systems of three states in the Persian Gulf: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
While education authorities in these states are undertaking groundbreaking initiatives at the tertiary level to better train their workforces domestically, a significant and increasing number of students continue to travel to the United States and elsewhere to undertake higher studies. With this movement of Arab students to universities in the United States and beyond, familiarity with education systems in the Gulf is becoming increasingly important for international admissions departments.
Government scholarship programs are covering many of the costs associated with sending Arab students abroad. The hope is that overseas-educated graduates will return home to drive innovation and, perhaps more importantly, train future generations at domestic institutions such as the recently inaugurated King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, which currently is staffed mainly by expatriate academics.
In absolute numbers, the most significant cohort of Arab students in the United States is arriving from Saudi Arabia. The recent explosion in the numbers of Saudi students attending U.S. universities is a direct result of the Saudi Ministry of Higher Education’s King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP), which has been sending students to universities in Europe, Asia and North America since its inauguration in 2006. Approximately 17,000 Saudi nationals are joining the program annually, with numbers likely to grow further in the next few years. Since its launch, the number of Saudi students at U.S. universities increased to 12,661 in 2008/09 from 3,448 in 2005/06.
Saudi Cultural Attache to the US, Dr. Mohammad Aleissa, said in 2006 when the scholarship initiative was launched that the program was part of a Saudi initiative in partnership with the then administration of President George W. Bush’s to counter ‘some misunderstandings’ between the United States and Saudi Arabia in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Considering the geopolitical importance of this region to the United States, the need for cross-cultural understanding is paramount. One of the most significant ways to achieve this understating is through educational exchange.
In the December issue we will publish an overview of the Iraqi education system to help international admissions departments prepare for a likely increase in the numbers of applicants arriving from Iraq over the next few years. These students will be funded through the government’s recently launched Iraq Scholars and Leaders Program.
For more in-depth opportunities to learn about the education systems of the Gulf region and other countries please see the WES workshop and webinar calendar.
Saudi Arabia
Quick Facts
- Secondary Enrollment: 4.293.300 (2005-2006)
- Tertiary Enrollment: 944,460 (2007-2008)
- Compulsory Education: To Grade 6
- Education Administration and Finance:
- Language of Instruction: Arabic
- Academic Year: September to June
- Number of Saudi Students in the US: 9,783 (2007-2008: Open Doors)
- 5,772 at the undergraduate level (25.2% increase from 2006-2007)
- 2,307 at the graduate level
- University and College Listings
Structure of Education
Secondary Education
Upper secondary education is divided into four three-year branches:
- General Academic,
- Religious,
- Vocationa l and Commercial.
The General Academic branch is divided into Scientific and Literary streams.
At the end of their third year, students take the General Secondary Examination administered by the regional Directorates of Education.
Students follow national curricula and examinations are administered and supervised by secondary schools.
Completion of the General Academic branch leads to the General Secondary Education Certificate
Recommended Secondary Grade Conversion
| Saudi Grading Scale |
US Equivalent |
| 85-100 (Very Good) |
A |
| 65-84 (Good) |
B |
| 50-64 (Pass) |
C |
| 0-49 (Fail) |
F |
Higher Education
Policy decisions, funding, administration and regulation are guided by the Ministry of Higher Education and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation.
Types of Institution
- Public universities (18)
- Junior colleges
- Girls’ colleges
- TVTC technical institutes
- Private colleges (supervised by the General Commission for Licensing and Accreditation)
Requirements for Admission to Higher Education
- General Secondary Education Certificate
- Entry to specific programs is based on the secondary stream and the scores acquired in the General Secondary Education Certificate
- Girls’ colleges and junior colleges have less competitive entrance requirements
Degree Framework
- Stage I
- Associate degree (two years)
- Junior College Diploma (two years)
- Technical Institute Diploma (two years)
- Bachelor’s degree (four years)
- Bachelor or Engineering (five years)
- Stage II
- Master’s degree (two years)
- Stage III
- Doctor of Philosophy (three years minimum)
Degree Structure and Grading
Public universities and private colleges award qualifications that must comply with the National Qualifications Framework.
Undergraduate curricula offer a wide range of general education and elective courses along with courses specific to the degree specialization.
Periods of study are quantified in credits, and the academic year is based on semesters. A non-credit foundation, or preparatory, year is offered by most universities.
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