Military Industries Scholarship Programme 2026: Requirements and Majors

Military industries scholarship programmes offer an exceptional opportunity to study at some of the world’s leading universities and work in a strategic sector that supports Saudi Vision 2030.

The main opportunities include the Scholarships and Study Assignment Programme for Military Industries Sector Establishments, launched by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), the scholarship and study assignment programme offered by Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), and the Wa’ed Scholarship Path.

These programmes target secondary-school graduates, bachelor’s degree holders, and employees of companies operating in the sector, offering fully funded scholarships linked to employment in specialised engineering and technical fields.

What Are the General Authority for Military Industries Scholarship Programmes?

Saudi Arabia’s military industries sector operates three main scholarship programmes that complement one another by developing Saudi talent and localising the industry.

First: GAMI’s Scholarships and Study Assignment Programme for Military Industries Sector Establishments

The General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) launched this programme in October 2022, in cooperation with leading universities in Saudi Arabia and abroad, as a strategic initiative under the sector’s workforce strategy.

It targets three main groups seeking to study engineering and defence-related majors:

• Secondary-school graduates seeking a bachelor’s degree in defence and security-related fields.
• Higher-education graduates (bachelor’s degree holders) seeking postgraduate qualifications (master’s or doctorate).
• Employees of establishments operating in the Kingdom’s military and security industries sector.

More than 11 sector establishments participate, including Saudi Arabian Military Industries, SAMI Navantia Naval Industries, Advanced Electronics Company, and other specialist companies.

Second: The SAMI Scholarship and Study Assignment Programme

Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) manages a separate scholarship programme focused directly on majors that support its operations and subsidiaries.

The programme offers opportunities to study specialised disciplines aligned with SAMI’s strategic requirements in aerospace, land, naval and defence industries.

Third: The Wa’ed Scholarship Path for the Military Industries Sector

This path is part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Programme and includes a dedicated opportunity for the military industries sector.

The path provides employment-linked scholarships in partnership with companies operating in the sector, covering engineering and technology majors selected according to participating companies’ needs.

Shared Objectives of Military Industries Scholarship Programmes

All three programmes seek to achieve the following goals:

• Increase the number of people joining the military industries sector.
• Ensure the availability of the education and training specialisations the sector needs.
• Enable scholarship students to access high-quality programmes at leading universities.
• Support sector establishments with qualified Saudi professionals.
• Localise military industries in line with Saudi Vision 2030 targets.

What Are the Admission Requirements for Military Industries Scholarships in Saudi Arabia?

GAMI has set clear admission criteria. Before applying, make sure you meet all the relevant conditions.

Shared Basic Requirements

• Saudi nationality: A mandatory condition for all programmes, which are restricted to Saudi citizens.

• Accredited qualifications: Applicants must hold a recognised graduation certificate and complete academic transcript. Certificates awarded outside Saudi Arabia require equivalency from the Ministry of Education.

• Cumulative grade: Candidates are ranked competitively, with priority given to applicants with the highest cumulative GPAs and strongest academic results, subject to the available seats. A secondary-school average of at least 90% is therefore preferable.

• Personal interview: Pass an interview with one of the participating establishments to assess suitability for the chosen major and sector.

For additional information, see the comprehensive National Guard scholarship guide.

Aptitude Test and Language Requirements

• English-language test: A minimum IELTS band of 5.0, or its equivalent, is required. Some programmes and majors may demand higher bands (6.0 or 6.5), depending on the destination university.
• Aptitude and achievement tests: Required for secondary-school graduates, with a score of at least 80%. The tests must also fall within the permitted validity period, usually 3–5 years.

Learn about the IELTS score required for overseas scholarships, depending on your major and university.

How Can You Achieve the IELTS Band Required for Military Industries Scholarships?

Achieving an IELTS band of 5.0 (or higher, depending on your major) is not just an administrative requirement: it is your first investment in academic success abroad.

Many applicants struggle to obtain the necessary band on their first attempt, particularly in Writing and Speaking, which demand structured practice rather than theoretical revision alone.

GoIELTS.ai is a specialised platform for helping Arabic-speaking students prepare for IELTS through practical exercises that simulate the actual exam. It offers:

• Official Cambridge tests that provide an experience closely matching the real exam.
• AI-powered scoring with accuracy of ±0.5 bands, analysing your performance in each skill and identifying weaknesses precisely.
• Flexible practice: you can complete full tests or focus on a single skill to fit your schedule, using a digital interface that resembles the official test system so test day does not come as a surprise.

Whether your target is 5.0 or 6.5, regular practice with realistic tests and accurate performance analysis is the shortest path toward your required band.

Register for free on GoIELTS to find out your current level and identify the practical steps for achieving your scholarship programme’s required score.

Documents Required to Apply for Military Industries Scholarships

• Required documents include:
• A copy of your national identity card.
• Your academic transcript.
• A copy of the achievement test results.
• A copy of the family identity card.
• A graduation certificate.
• Copies of accompanying family members’ passports, if applicable.
• A copy of your passport.
• Copies of the General Aptitude Test and achievement test results (for secondary-school graduates).
• Certificate equivalency from the appropriate authority if your qualification was awarded outside Saudi Arabia.
• A copy of the Graduate Aptitude Test result (for applicants seeking a master’s or doctoral degree).

Important note:

• All submitted documents must be accurate, valid and officially verified.
• Any applicant found to have entered inaccurate information will be disqualified immediately.

Read more about King Faisal Air Academy scholarships.

Which Majors Are Available in the Military Industries Scholarship Programme?

Saudi military industries scholarships focus on engineering, technical and defence disciplines directly supporting the sector.

Main Engineering Majors

• Mechanical engineering: Includes aircraft maintenance, precision machinery, control systems and industrial engineering.
• Electronics and communications engineering: Covers wireless communication systems, advanced networks and defence electronics.
• Naval engineering: Includes ship design and construction, ocean engineering, naval logistics and maritime business administration.
• Aerospace engineering: Includes aircraft maintenance (Aerospace Engineering), avionics engineering and advanced aviation systems.

Technology and Defence Majors

• Cybersecurity: Includes digital defence, system protection, cybersecurity engineering and applied cybersecurity.
• Geospatial intelligence: Focuses on spatial analysis, remote sensing, image processing and geographical data analysis.
• Artificial intelligence and data science: Covers applications of AI in defence and security, as well as big-data analysis.
• Robotics and mechatronics: Includes intelligent robotic systems, industrial automation and advanced control technologies.

Supporting Management and Technology Majors

• Supply chain management and logistics: Focuses on defence operations management and military supply chains.
• Business information systems and business analytics: Supports administrative and technical operations at defence establishments.

Available Academic Levels

The three programmes cover multiple educational and training levels:

• Preparatory English-language study.
• A bachelor’s degree in a targeted major (4–5 years).
• A higher diploma in a technical specialisation (9–24 months).
• A master’s degree for more advanced specialisation (1–2 years).
• A doctorate for advanced research (3–4 years).
• Short specialist training programmes (3–9 months).

For related opportunities, consult the comprehensive National Guard scholarship guide.

How Do the Military Industries Scholarship Programmes Differ?

The Wa’ed Scholarship Path is one of the sector’s three principal programmes, but it differs from GAMI and SAMI in several ways.

Read our full guide to the Aramco Scholarship Programme in 2026.

A Detailed Comparison of Military Industries Scholarship Programmes

• Overall Structure and Supervision

1. GAMI/MISP: A direct initiative of the General Authority for Military Industries, fully managed by the authority, which oversees every stage.
2. SAMI: An employment-first programme operated specifically by Saudi Arabian Military Industries.
3. Wa’ed (Ministry of Education): Falls under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Programme, administered by the Ministry of Education, and is based on partnership with the private sector.

• Majors and Universities

1. GAMI/MISP: Covers a broad range of engineering and defence specialisations at various international universities. It connects education outcomes to the requirements of the whole military industries sector, not just one company.
2. SAMI: Focuses on selected majors that directly serve the company’s operations in aerospace, land and naval industries.
3. Wa’ed (Ministry of Education): Concentrates on very specific majors and universities selected by the partner company according to its production plan for the coming years.

Study destinations include the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and Russia.

• Employment Scope After the Scholarship

1. GAMI/MISP: Aims to address workforce gaps across the entire ecosystem, serving more than 11 national public- and private-sector establishments and supporting the goal of localising 50% of military industries by 2030.
2. SAMI: The scholarship student is an employee or candidate to work for SAMI or its subsidiaries upon graduation. This programme focuses exclusively on building talent for the company’s major land, aerospace and naval systems projects.
3. Wa’ed (Ministry of Education): Involves partnerships with particular companies for each intake and announcement, and participating companies may change from year to year.

Also read about the NEOM Scholarship Programme 2026.

How to Apply for Military Industries Scholarships

The application process differs slightly across the three military industries scholarship programmes, but all applications are submitted online.

Applying to the GAMI Military Industries Sector Programme and the Wa’ed Path

• Open the application portal: Visit GAMI’s Military Industries Unified Portal or the Safeer scholarship portal.

• Sign in: Use your national identity number through the Unified National Access service.

• Complete your details: Enter personal and academic information, along with any relevant professional experience.

• Choose the establishment and major: You may apply to several majors, depending on the establishments participating in the programmes.

• Upload supporting documents: Attach clear, readable PDF copies of all required certificates and documents.

• Complete the applicant questionnaire: After entering your details, answer the questionnaire covering your motivations and career goals. Be truthful: your answers reflect your personality and help determine the most suitable specialisation.

• Confirm and submit: Review all details carefully before submitting. Once you have checked them, acknowledge that the information is accurate and select Submit.

You will receive a confirmation text message on your registered mobile number, including your application number for follow-up.

Applying to the SAMI Programme

The SAMI scholarship programme may have a dedicated application portal or accept applications directly through the Saudi Arabian Military Industries website.

Follow the company’s announcements on its official social media accounts for the applicable application procedure.

For another scholarship opportunity, explore the guide to teacher scholarship programmes, conditions and applications.

When Are Military Industries Scholarship Admission Results Announced, and What Happens Next?

After the application deadline, the competitive review and evaluation process begins and can take several weeks.

Stages of Application Assessment

• Stage One — Initial Review: Verify that applicants meet the basic conditions and have submitted all required documents.
• Stage Two — Competitive Ranking: Compare candidates based on academic averages, aptitude and language test scores, and priorities established by participating establishments.
• Stage Three — Personal Interviews: Shortlisted applicants are invited for interviews with representatives of the participating establishments.

Announcement of Final Results

• Results are generally announced within 4–6 weeks after applications close. You will receive an SMS and an email using the contact details provided during registration.
• You can check your application status through the online portal using your national ID number and application number.

Steps After Acceptance

• Administrative procedures: Sign the scholarship agreement with the relevant establishment, setting out your rights and obligations.
• Academic preparation: Secure admission from the designated university and complete visa and travel requirements.
• Beginning the scholarship: Travel to the country of study, attend an English-language course if required, and then begin the main academic programme.

Learn more about cybersecurity scholarships, including their requirements, universities and application steps.

What Questions Are Asked in Military Industries Scholarship Interviews?

The personal interview is an important part of admission. Participating establishments use it to assess how well you fit the chosen major and the military industries sector.

Types of Interview Questions You May Be Asked

• Motivation questions: Focus on why you chose this major and sector, such as “Why do you want to join the military industries programme?” or “What attracts you to working in this strategic sector?”
• Career-goal questions: Explore your plans, such as “Where do you see yourself five years after graduation?” or “How will you contribute to localising the sector?”
• Skills and capability questions: Assess your readiness, such as “What technical skills do you currently have?” or “Do you have any previous engineering experience?”

Tips for Preparing Well

• Research the establishment you applied to. Understand its work, achievements and role in the sector.
• Prepare clear, concise answers about your strengths and weaknesses. Be honest when assessing yourself.
• Support your answers with practical examples from your studies or personal experience to make them more credible.

Professional Conduct During the Interview

• Be punctual. Arriving ten minutes early creates a positive impression.
• Wear appropriate formal clothing to show respect for the interview and assessment committee.
• Maintain eye contact and speak confidently, without pretension or arrogance.

You can also read the comprehensive Ministry of Defence scholarship guide.

Conclusion

Military industries scholarship programmes provide an exceptional opportunity to build a promising career in a rapidly growing strategic sector. These programmes offer world-class education with guaranteed employment and support Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of localising military industries.

Prepare thoroughly for your personal interview and make sure all documents are complete and accurate. Choose a major that matches your genuine interests and abilities to support your success in both study and future employment.

If you want to improve your English for the IELTS exam before applying for a scholarship, try a free IELTS mock test on GoIELTS to identify your current level and a suitable improvement plan.