Studying abroad from Saudi Arabia

For students in Saudi Arabia, on the national curriculum or at an international school, applying to universities in the UK, the US and Canada for September 2027.

Checked against universities’ own admissions pages and official sources in October 2026.

Your school certificate

How universities treat the Saudi General Secondary Education Certificate. Every university sets its own rules, so these are examples, not a promise of entry.

United Kingdom: Usually not straight onto a bachelor’s. The University of Manchester and the University of Edinburgh ask students on the Saudi national curriculum (the General Secondary Education Certificate, or Tawjihiyah) to complete an international foundation programme first, and the University of Liverpool advises it. At Edinburgh the foundation programme is one year, full time. Manchester asks for an overall average of 85% for its INTO Manchester foundation programmes, and 90%, with 90% in maths and physics, for its Science and Engineering foundation year.
United States: US universities we checked consider the certificate for first-year entry and look at your record over several years. Texas State University asks for your school transcripts and the certificate, with an average of B or better (a recalculated GPA of at least 2.74 out of 4) over your last three years. Ohio University generally looks for 75% or better. Some universities also require the SAT or ACT (see below).
Canada: Canadian universities we checked also consider it for first-year entry. Memorial University of Newfoundland asks for an average of at least 75% in English, mathematics, a lab science, social studies or a language, and one elective, and accepts an interim transcript while you are still at school. The University of New Brunswick lists a minimum of 60%.

Sources: University of Manchester, University of Edinburgh and University of Liverpool, entry requirements for Saudi Arabia; Texas State University and Ohio University, international requirements by country; Memorial University of Newfoundland and University of New Brunswick, country requirements. Checked October 2026.

Qudurat and Tahsili, the SAT, A levels and the IB

Which tests and qualifications count depends on where you apply and which school you are at.

Qudurat and Tahsili

Qudurat (the General Aptitude Test) and Tahsili (the achievement test) are Saudi university admission tests, run by the National Center for Assessment (Qiyas). The aptitude test covers verbal and mathematical reasoning; the achievement test for the science track covers biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics. Universities in Saudi Arabia use them: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, for example, asks applicants on its secondary-school track for both scores.

For universities abroad they matter much less. None of the UK, US and Canadian admissions pages we checked for this guide mentions them. Those universities look at your school results, and some at the SAT or ACT.

The SAT and ACT

Each US university sets its own testing policy, so check it for the year you apply. MIT, for example, requires the SAT or the ACT from every first-year applicant. KFUPM also has a separate admission track for applicants with an SAT score of 1350 or above.

A levels, the IB and the American diploma

If you are at an international school in Saudi Arabia, you apply with your school’s qualifications. The University of Liverpool, for example, considers A levels, the IB Diploma and SATs for direct entry to year one of a bachelor’s, while it advises students on the national curriculum to take a foundation certificate first.

Sources: Saudipedia (Saudi Ministry of Media), university admission tests in Saudi Arabia; King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, admission tracks; MIT Admissions, tests and scores; University of Liverpool, information for students from Saudi Arabia. Checked October 2026.

English tests

You will almost always need to show your English, for the university and, in the UK, for your visa.

UK Student visa: For a degree-level course you need English at CEFR level B2, and B1 for a course below degree level. Saudi Arabia is not on the list of countries whose nationals are exempt. For degree-level study your university can assess your English itself, so it may accept a test other than a Secure English Language Test (SELT).
University minimums: Each university sets its own score. The University of Toronto Mississauga asks for IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0, or 120 in the Duolingo English Test. MIT recommends a test if you have used English for fewer than five years, with a minimum of 7 in IELTS or 120 in the Duolingo English Test.
TOEFL: TOEFL iBT moved to a new score scale of 1 to 6 for tests taken from 21 January 2026. MIT asks for at least 5 on the new scale (90 on the old one) and the University of Toronto Mississauga for 4.5 overall, so check which scale a university quotes.
School results instead of a test: Some universities accept English results from school. The University of Toronto Mississauga, for example, accepts a score of 4 or more in IB English A at Higher or Standard Level.

Sources: UK Visas and Immigration on GOV.UK, Student visa: knowledge of English; MIT Admissions, tests and scores; University of Toronto Mississauga, English language requirements. Checked October 2026.

Timeline for September 2027

Key dates at the universities in this guide. Others set their own, so check every university on your list.

Now: Shortlist universities and choose your route: direct entry or a foundation year. Book your English test, and the SAT or ACT if your US universities need it. The UCAS deadline of 15 October 2026 for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses has passed.
1 November 2026: Early Action deadline at MIT, an example of the early US deadlines. MIT releases Early Action decisions in mid-December.
7 November 2026: Recommended date to apply to many University of Toronto programmes, including Arts & Science, Applied Science & Engineering, Mississauga and Scarborough.
4 January 2027: Regular Action deadline at MIT, with decisions in mid-March.
13 January 2027: UCAS deadline for most UK courses, by 18:00 UK time, to be guaranteed equal consideration.
15 January 2027: Application deadline for most University of Toronto programmes. Decisions come from January to late May.
5 May or 2 June 2027: UCAS deadline to reply to your offers: 5 May if your last decision arrived by 31 March, 2 June if it arrived by 12 May.

Sources: University of Bath, important dates for undergraduate applicants starting in 2027 (UCAS dates); MIT Admissions, deadlines and requirements; University of Toronto, applying dates and deadlines for 2027 admissions. Checked October 2026.

Scholarships

Most scholarships for international students come from the universities themselves, often with the offer or by a separate application soon after.

Use our free scholarship checker to see which open university scholarships list grades you already meet, or browse the open scholarships in the UK, the US and Canada. The UniPal scholarship index shows how many are open in each country and when they close.

Government scholarships have their own rules and application process, which this guide does not cover. Real scholarships never ask you to pay to apply or to receive them.

How UniPal helps

UniPal has helped students win 6,000+ university offers since 2018. We work with students in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf online, from the first plan to the visa.

01
Your route
We meet online and look at your school, your grades and your plans, then tell you honestly where you can apply directly and where a foundation year is the better route.
02
Tests and timeline
Which English test to take, whether you need the SAT or ACT, and a written timeline with every deadline on your shortlist.
03
Applications
Feedback on your personal statement and essays (we never write them for you), then we prepare and submit your applications through UCAS, the Common App or each university’s own portal.
04
Scholarships and offers
A list of the university scholarships you are eligible for, help applying on time, and a side-by-side comparison of your offers. Then help with your student visa.

Message us on WhatsApp Book a free consultation

Study in the UK Study in the US Study in Canada

Common questions

Can I apply to UK universities with the Saudi secondary school certificate?

Usually not straight onto a bachelor’s. The University of Manchester and the University of Edinburgh ask students on the Saudi national curriculum to complete an international foundation programme first, and the University of Liverpool advises it. Liverpool considers A levels, the IB Diploma and SATs for direct entry to year one.

Do universities abroad ask for Qudurat or Tahsili?

None of the UK, US or Canadian admissions pages we checked for this guide mentions them. They are Saudi university admission tests run by the National Center for Assessment (Qiyas). Universities abroad look at your school results, and some, such as MIT, require the SAT or ACT.

Which English test should I take?

Check what each university on your list accepts. MIT and the University of Toronto Mississauga, for example, both accept IELTS, TOEFL and the Duolingo English Test, and each sets its own minimum score. For a UK Student visa, degree-level study needs English at CEFR level B2.

When do I need to apply for September 2027?

For the universities in this guide, the main deadlines fall between November 2026 and January 2027: MIT’s Early Action deadline is 1 November 2026, the UCAS deadline for most UK courses is 13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time, and the University of Toronto’s is 15 January 2027 for most programmes.

How does UniPal help students in Saudi Arabia?

We meet online, help you choose universities and a route, plan your tests, give feedback on your statements and essays, prepare and submit your applications, find the university scholarships you are eligible for and help with your visa. Your first consultation is free.

Plan your applications with a counsellor

Your first consultation is free and online. Bring your school reports and your list of universities.

We reply within 24 hours.

Book a consultation WhatsApp +20 103 443 8590