Saudi Arabia

Structure of Higher Education System

Description

Higher education is provided by both public and private universities and a College of Public Administration. The Ministry of Higher Education supervises the execution of the Kingdom’s policy in the field of higher education. It supervises the universities. Each university has a University Council. Most universities accept both men and women. English is used as the medium of instruction in technological and science fields and all other subjects are taught in Arabic.

Stages of studies

University level first stage

Bachelor’s degree

The Bachelor’s degree is conferred after four years’ study, except in Pharmacy and Medicine (six years plus hospital training) and Engineering and Veterinary Medicine (five years).

University level second stage

Master’s degree

The Master’s degree is conferred after two years’ study following upon the first degree. It requires coursework and a dissertation.

University level third stage

PhD

The PhD is generally...