Information on restrictions to access to university studies for non-Saudi residents, particularly Palestinians [SAU11490]

According to the Consulate of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Ottawa, university studies in Saudi Arabia are free, for nationals and foreigners alike (17 Aug. 1992). Nevertheless, foreign residents of Saudi Arabia have no guaranteed access to university studies, since the priority for admission to universities is given to Saudi nationals (Ibid.). Foreigners are admitted to the universities only if there are openings left after the Saudi nationals have applied; in such cases, foreigners are admitted according to their grades in high school, with no particular consideration or restrictions based on nationality (Ibid.).

According to a staff member of the Palestinian Information Office in Ottawa, Palestinians face no particular restrictions for pursuing studies in Saudi Arabia (17 Aug. 1992). The staff member stated that access to universities in Saudi Arabia is based on the academic achievement of a person, such as the grades obtained in the last years of school (Ibid.). Additional and/or corroborating information could not be found among the sources currently available to the IRBDC.

References


Consulate of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ottawa. 17 August 1992. Telephone Interview with Consul.

Palestinian Information Office, Ottawa. 17 August 1992. Telephone Interview with Staff Member.