Important: This guide is for educational purposes. Scholarship rules, eligible courses, funding and application dates can change. Confirm every requirement with the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) before applying.
AlUla Scholarship Program: Key Facts
- The Royal Commission for AlUla runs a scholarship programme intended to develop the skills of young people from AlUla Governorate in disciplines relevant to local development.
- Available academic routes, universities and specialisations depend on the announcement for each intake.
- Applications are normally submitted online during an officially announced application window.
- English or French language preparation may be part of the pre-departure programme, depending on the destination.
If you live in AlUla and are considering studying abroad, this guide covers the programme’s purpose, previously published eligibility criteria, target fields, application steps, language preparation, funding and possible study destinations. Details below are historical or illustrative unless reconfirmed in the latest intake announcement.
What Is the AlUla Scholarship Program?
The AlUla Scholarship Program is an overseas education initiative launched by the Royal Commission for AlUla to develop local Saudi talent for industries central to AlUla’s future. It supports the development of professional and academic expertise aligned with sustainable regional development and Saudi Vision 2030.
The article’s historical programme account describes four intakes: 168 participants in the first phase in 2018, around 292 in 2019, around 300 in 2022 and the fourth phase in 2024. It also reports a cumulative 762 beneficiaries and 69 graduates by the end of the third phase. These are historical figures from the Arabic article, not independently confirmed current statistics.
What Can You Study Through the AlUla Scholarship?
Fields previously discussed for the programme reflect AlUla’s archaeological, environmental, cultural and visitor-economy priorities. Examples include:
- Tourism and hospitality management, including culinary arts
- History, archaeology and heritage conservation
- Arts, design and urban planning
- Agriculture and environmental sciences
- Facilities and services management
- Museums, visitor experience and communications
For example, culinary education could support the growth of AlUla’s restaurant, hospitality and heritage-food sectors. Do not assume that every listed discipline is open in the current intake; check the official application notice.
Academic Levels
| Programme | Typical prior qualification |
|---|---|
| Diploma | Secondary school certificate or equivalent |
| Bachelor’s degree | Secondary school certificate or equivalent |
| Master’s degree | Relevant bachelor’s degree |
Individual pathways may impose further conditions, including specific prerequisite subjects and institution approvals.
AlUla Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
Conditions can differ between intakes and degrees. The following criteria are reported in the Arabic source article and should be treated as previously stated requirements, not guaranteed rules for 2026.
General Eligibility Criteria
- Saudi nationality and a connection to AlUla Governorate, as defined by the current programme rules.
- Completion of secondary education in AlUla, where required by the intake.
- An intended field of study aligned with the programme’s approved specialisations.
- Admission to a designated recognised educational institution, which may need to be unconditional.
- Full-time availability for study; employment or social-insurance registration restrictions may apply.
- Equivalency documentation for qualifications issued abroad, if requested.
- Accurate, complete application information and supporting evidence.
Diploma and Bachelor’s Routes: Previously Listed Criteria
| Criterion | Previously reported requirement |
|---|---|
| Age | No older than 22 |
| Secondary-school average | At least 80% |
| General Aptitude Test | At least 60 |
| Time since graduation | Within two years for a diploma or three years for a bachelor’s degree |
These thresholds may be revised, removed or applied differently in the next intake.
Master’s Route: Previously Listed Criteria
- Age no greater than 27 at the specified eligibility date.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.75/5.
- Graduation within the preceding three years.
- A relevant undergraduate degree and an eligible proposed specialisation.
- An official degree certificate and academic transcript.
Check the official RCU programme announcement for current eligibility before taking any action concerning employment or university admission.
Does the AlUla Scholarship Require IELTS?
The scholarship programme’s language conditions are not necessarily the same as the admission conditions at the overseas institution. They may differ by destination, degree and intake. The Arabic article describes an intensive six- to eight-month preparatory programme in English or French before travel for certain previous intakes.
Universities in English-speaking countries may independently require proof of English proficiency, often through IELTS Academic or another accepted exam. The score and accepted test types are set by each institution and course. Do not assume the scholarship automatically waives those requirements.
How to Prepare for IELTS with GoIELTS
If IELTS is relevant to your intended university, begin with a diagnostic test, then work systematically on Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. GoIELTS offers practice opportunities and feedback to help identify strengths and gaps. Practice results are estimates and cannot guarantee admission or a specific official IELTS score.
How to Apply for the AlUla Scholarship
Applications are submitted online when RCU announces a new intake. The application period, eligibility requirements, required documents and selection stages are published in the official notice. The Arabic source notes that the fourth-phase application window began in January 2024 and lasted approximately two weeks; this is not a 2026 application date.
- Visit the Royal Commission for AlUla’s official website and locate the current scholarship announcement and application portal.
- Create an applicant account and enter personal and academic details accurately.
- Upload the documents specified for your programme and degree route.
- Review every entry carefully and submit before the published deadline.
- Check the official communication channels for assessment, interview and admission updates.
What Documents Are Required?
Exact documents differ between intakes. You may be asked for personal identification, secondary school or university qualifications, transcripts, acceptance letters, qualification equivalency documents, language results and other supporting documents. Follow the official checklist, not an older article’s list.
When Are Application Results Announced?
RCU announces application and selection timelines for each intake. Candidates may be invited to interviews to discuss motivation, academic goals and suitability for the chosen field. A pre-departure training programme may follow selection.
Contacting the Scholarship Team
For questions about eligibility, applications or selection decisions, use the contact channels published by the Royal Commission for AlUla. Avoid submitting personal documents to unofficial websites.
AlUla Scholarship Benefits
The Arabic article describes support both before departure and during study abroad. Funding rules and benefit amounts are subject to the conditions in the relevant scholarship agreement.
Before Departure
Earlier versions of the programme provided around six to eight months of preparatory language and skills training, including English or French, communication skills, creativity and critical thinking. The source article mentions the AlUla Language Institute, launched in 2021, and activities such as meetings with representatives of destination countries and visits introducing the commission’s development strategy.
While Studying Overseas
- Monthly financial allowances for scholars and, where eligible, accompanying dependants, based on applicable regulations and destination country.
- Potential performance incentives for students who meet the required academic standards.
- Support for books and learning materials, subject to programme rules. The Arabic article mentions a historical indicative amount around SAR 1,650 annually; this is not a verified current payment.
- Academic advice, guidance and monitoring.
- Possible summer placements or internships with relevant organisations.
- Potential practical experience following graduation, including a previously reported six-month placement period.
- Participation in cultural, social and sports activities where provided.
The amount and availability of each benefit must be confirmed in your specific scholarship offer. The programme’s development objectives do not amount to a universal guarantee of employment.
Countries and Universities for AlUla Scholars
Destination institutions depend on the current approved list, field of study, admissions requirements and partnerships. The Arabic article describes collaborations spanning the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia, and mentions 117 institutions historically. That number is not verified as a current 2026 total.
United States: Institutions Mentioned in the Source
- Harvard University
- Stanford University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Yale University
- Princeton University
- Columbia University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Cornell University
- University of Chicago
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
United Kingdom
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- Imperial College London
- University College London (UCL)
- London Business School
- University of Manchester
For a broader comparison, see our guide to UK universities for Saudi scholarships.
Continental Europe
- FERRANDI Paris, France — culinary arts
- Université PSL, France
- Sorbonne University, France
- Glion Institute of Higher Education, Switzerland — hospitality
- EHL Hospitality Business School, Switzerland
- Politecnico di Milano, Italy — design and engineering
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
Australia and Asia
- University of Melbourne
- Australian National University
- University of Sydney
- University of Queensland
- Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- University of Hong Kong
- University of Tokyo
Important: These are institutions cited in the Arabic article, not a verified list of institutions approved for the current AlUla Scholarship intake. Never treat their inclusion here as proof of eligibility or guaranteed admission.
How Is the Study Destination Determined?
The location of study may depend on the institution list designated by RCU, your specialisation, the university’s strengths, admission results, language readiness and programme partnerships. The commission may direct candidates to institutions aligned with AlUla’s priorities. For example, hospitality or culinary pathways may involve specialist education providers with whom the programme has worked.
Conclusion
The AlUla Scholarship Program is an opportunity for eligible residents of AlUla to gain internationally relevant expertise in fields important to the governorate’s future. Prepare your academic records, review the latest Royal Commission for AlUla announcement and check language and university entry requirements early. Historical eligibility thresholds, institutions and benefits are not substitutes for the rules of the intake to which you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for the AlUla Scholarship?
Apply through the online portal specified in the Royal Commission for AlUla’s official intake announcement. Complete the form accurately and upload all required documents before the deadline.
When will the AlUla Scholarship results be announced?
Results follow the assessment and selection stages. RCU communicates the dates and notification method for each intake.
Is the programme open to every Saudi citizen?
The programme has historically targeted Saudi applicants from AlUla Governorate, with additional local education and residency conditions. Check the exact current criteria.
Does the AlUla Scholarship guarantee a job?
The programme aims to develop specialist talent for AlUla’s development sectors. That objective does not by itself establish a guaranteed employment offer for each graduate.
How is it different from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program?
The AlUla programme is a specialised local development initiative administered by RCU. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program is a broader national programme with its own pathways and admission rules.
When will the next application round open?
RCU announces dates through its official website and communication channels. No upcoming opening date should be assumed from a previous intake’s timetable.
Can I apply if I am currently employed?
Earlier criteria in the Arabic source included restrictions involving social insurance registration and required full-time study. Do not resign or change your employment status based on an old requirement; confirm current conditions directly with the commission first.
Educational disclaimer: This is an independent GoIELTS article, not an official RCU announcement. Scholarship terms and IELTS admission requirements can change without notice.
About the Content Team at GoIELTS
GoIELTS creates specialized content for IELTS with contributions from writers experienced in education and test preparation.
We follow clear editorial standards for accuracy and quality — read our Editorial Policy
Related Posts
IELTS Writing Task 2: Essay Types, Structure & Tips 2026
October 15, 2025
IELTS Speaking Questions: Parts 1, 2 & 3 + Answers 2026
November 11, 2025
King Faisal Air Academy Scholarships: Eligibility, Study Routes and English Requirements (2026)
May 13, 2026
South Korea Scholarships for Saudi Students 2026: GKS, Requirements & Universities
June 10, 2026
How to Prepare for IELTS in 2026: 7 Steps to Success
March 9, 2026
Saudi Overseas Scholarship Requirements 2026: Programs, Eligibility and How to Apply
January 24, 2026
GoIELTS is an independent training platform specializing in IELTS preparation and is not affiliated with any official organization that owns or administers the IELTS test. The content is provided for educational and informational purposes only and reflects our team’s experience and the latest information available at the time of publication. Information may change without notice. Any use of the information is at the reader’s own responsibility, and results vary depending on each learner’s level and effort. For the latest official requirements, we recommend checking the official IELTS website and the relevant scholarship or sponsoring authority. — Full Disclaimer