Custodian Scholarship & studying in France, your questions answered

Al Qantara Institute (al qantara meaning "the bridge" in Arabic) is an independent advisory firm specialising in helping Saudi students access French higher education. We guide students from orientation through admission, visa procedures, and arrival in France.

We are not a recruitment agency. We work for the student, not for universities.

No. Al Qantara Institute is a private consultancy registered in the UAE under Meridian Bridge Consultancy - FZCO. We operate independently and have no formal affiliation with the Saudi Ministry of Education, Campus France, or any specific French university.

This independence allows us to give you objective advice based solely on your goals and profile.

Our registered office is in Dubai (IFZA - Dubai Silicon Oasis, UAE). We operate between Riyadh and Paris, with advisors who know both the Saudi student journey and the French academic system inside out.

We work in Arabic, English, and French. You can reach out in the language you are most comfortable with, calls are adapted to your preference.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Foreign Scholarship Program, also known as Safeer or Visa, is a fully funded scholarship from the Saudi Ministry of Education for Saudi nationals who want to study abroad at recognised universities.

It typically covers:

• Full tuition fees
• Monthly stipend (for student and eligible dependents)
• Health insurance
• Annual round-trip flights to Saudi Arabia
• Preparatory language training when required

Eligibility criteria are reviewed each cycle but generally include:

• Saudi nationality
• Minimum GPA (varies by program level)
• Age limits depending on the degree sought
• Good health and behavioural record
• A field of study aligned with the Kingdom's priorities

Take our free orientation test to assess your profile and identify the tracks most likely to match.

Read more: Custodian Scholarship eligibility for 2026 →

Yes. Female Saudi students are fully eligible and encouraged to apply. The scholarship supports both men and women pursuing all degree levels.

France is one of the eligible destinations when applying to a university or grande école that meets the program's quality criteria. Not all French institutions are automatically approved, we help you choose programs that maximise your chances.

Read more: Scholarships for Saudi students in France →

A full application cycle typically spans 8 to 12 months from profile assessment to scholarship confirmation and visa issuance. Planning early is essential, some programs close admissions as early as December for the following academic year.

Read more: Safeer month-by-month timeline for 2026 →

Not necessarily. Many Bachelor, Master, and Grande École programs are taught entirely in English, especially in engineering, business, and international relations.

For French-taught programs, a DELF B2 or DALF C1 certificate is usually required. We help you choose programs aligned with your current language level and, when needed, plan a preparatory French year in France.

Read more: Do I need French to study in France? →

France has two parallel systems:

• Universities (public), offer a broad range of Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programs at very low tuition. Highly ranked in research.
• Grandes Écoles (selective schools), elite institutions specialised in engineering, business, political science, and public administration. Competitive admission, strong career outcomes, and often world-class.

Both routes can lead to excellent careers, the right choice depends on your profile and goals.

Read more: Grandes Écoles vs universities compared →

France follows the European LMD system:

• Licence (Bachelor), 3 years
• Master, 2 years
• Doctorat (PhD), typically 3 years after Master

Grande École engineering cycles run 5 years including 2 years of preparatory classes.

France is a welcoming destination for thousands of international students every year. Major university cities have dedicated international student services, halal food options, and active Saudi student communities. We provide a practical pre-departure and arrival guide as part of our support package.

Read more: Living in France as a Saudi student → · Student visa guide →

A 15-minute psychometric questionnaire based on the validated RIASEC model (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional). It helps identify your dominant professional interests and suggests compatible study fields and career tracks.

Yes, completely free and without any obligation. You receive a detailed personal report, suggested fields of study, and recommended next steps at the end.

About 10 to 15 minutes. You can complete it in one session, no account required, just a few details so we can personalise your profile.

No. Your results are stored locally in your browser and are used only to generate your report. We do not sell or share your data with third parties. See our Legal Notice for full details.

Our support covers the full student journey:

• Diagnostic & orientation, profile assessment, field selection, and target school shortlist
• Admission support, application files, motivation letters, interview prep
• Scholarship application, Safeer/Visa file preparation and follow-up
• Visa & logistics, Campus France procedure, visa application, pre-departure checklist
• Installation in France, housing, administrative setup, bank account, CAF, health insurance

See the full Services page for details.

Our packages are tailored to each student's goals and profile. The first consultation is always free, during this call we discuss your situation and propose a transparent fixed-fee package. No hidden costs, no surprises.

Yes. A 30-minute discovery call with a senior advisor is free and without obligation. You can book one from the Contact page.

Yes. Our Turnkey France package includes full settling support: housing search, university registration, opening a bank account, applying for CAF housing aid, health insurance setup, and orientation in your city. You are not alone once you land.

No serious advisor can guarantee admission, any claim of the kind should be treated with caution. What we guarantee is rigorous, personalised support at every stage and transparent guidance on your realistic chances.