Best countries to study abroad for Saudi students in 2026 (and where France fits)

Before you choose France, it helps to see the whole map. Every year thousands of Saudi students weigh the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and France. Each destination has real strengths and real trade-offs. This 2026 guide compares the five most popular options on the criteria that matter most to Saudi families, then explains where France quietly outperforms the rest.

How Saudi students choose a destination

Six factors decide where most Saudi students end up studying:

• Cost: tuition plus living expenses over the full degree.
• Language: whether you can study in English, or need to learn the local language.
• Degree recognition: whether the Saudi Ministry of Education and Safeer recognise the institution.
• Muslim life: access to halal food, mosques, and an established Muslim community.
• Career and Vision 2030 fit: how well the degree positions you for the Saudi job market.
• Safety and lifestyle: day to day comfort for you and, often, your family.

No single country wins on every factor. The right choice depends on which of these matters most to you.

The five most popular destinations in 2026

United States

The US offers unmatched range and research prestige, especially in technology, business, and the sciences. The trade-off is cost: private university tuition runs from 30 000 to 60 000 USD per year, and living costs in major cities are high. Visa rules have also tightened in recent years. Best for students with strong funding (or full Safeer coverage) targeting research or Silicon Valley careers.

United Kingdom

The UK is popular for its one year Master's degrees and English instruction. Universities like Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, and LSE carry global prestige. But tuition for international students ranges from 20 000 to 38 000 GBP per year, and London living costs are among the highest in Europe. Best for students who want a fast, English-taught degree and can absorb the cost.

Canada

Canada attracts Saudi families with its welcoming environment, post-study work permits, and bilingual (English and French) options. Tuition is more moderate than the US or UK, typically 20 000 to 35 000 CAD per year. Winters are long, and some programs are very competitive. Best for students prioritising a calm lifestyle and a path to work experience after graduation.

Australia

Australia is known for quality of life, English instruction, and strong post-study work rights. Universities rank well globally. The downsides are distance from home (a long flight) and high living costs in Sydney and Melbourne. Best for students who value lifestyle and do not mind being far from the Gulf.

France

France is the quiet outperformer on this list, and the reason is simple: public university tuition is nearly free, at 175 to 380 euros per year, even for non-EU students. France sits in the centre of Europe, has a Muslim community of more than 5 million, and hosts world-renowned grandes écoles (HEC, Polytechnique, Sciences Po). All major French institutions are recognised by the Saudi Ministry of Education and covered by Safeer. We cover the full picture in our complete guide to studying in France.

Side by side: the five compared

A simplified 2026 comparison. Figures are typical ranges for international students, not guarantees.

The pattern is clear: France is by far the most affordable on tuition, while remaining competitive on living costs and Muslim community size.

Where France stands out for Saudi students

Beyond the near-free public tuition, France offers several specific advantages for Saudi students:

• Cost efficiency: even self-funded students spend a fraction of what the US or UK demands. See our monthly budget breakdown.
• Muslim life made easy: halal food and mosques are available in every major university city. Read our guide to Muslim life in France.
• Prestige through grandes écoles: France's selective schools rival any in the world for engineering, business, and public affairs.
• Post-study work: the APS permit lets graduates gain experience before returning home with Vision 2030 ready skills. See the post-study work visa guide.
• English-taught options: you do not always need French. Many Master's programs and grandes écoles teach in English, as we explain in do you need French to study in France.

Safeer scholarship and your destination choice

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (Safeer) scholarship supports Saudi students in several countries, including France. Within the program, France is attractive because its low public tuition means the scholarship budget stretches further, and because the Saudi Cultural Bureau in Paris has long managed students there.

If you are considering Safeer, start with our guides on Safeer eligibility for 2026 and the month by month application timeline.

How to make your decision

Ask yourself four questions:

1. What is my real budget? If cost matters, France is hard to beat. If funding is unlimited or fully covered, the US and UK open up.
2. Do I want to study in English or am I open to learning a language? France offers both, which keeps your options wide.
3. How important is Muslim community and proximity to home? France and the UK lead here, with large communities and shorter flights to the Gulf.
4. What career am I building? Match the destination's strengths (US for tech and research, France for engineering and business through grandes écoles) to your goals.

For most Saudi students who weigh cost, Muslim life, proximity, and prestige together, France ends up on the shortlist, and often at the top of it.

How Al Qantara helps Saudi students

Al Qantara Institute is a Franco-Saudi institute founded by alumni of HEC Paris, Polytechnique, the Sorbonne, and Dauphine-PSL. We guide Saudi students through every step of choosing and moving to France: orientation, admission, visa, and settling in.