Finishing a bachelor’s in Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam and looking at France for your master’s? Here are the routes that match a Saudi degree, what they cost in riyals, how Saudi government and French scholarships work, and the Campus France and visa sequence from the Kingdom.
How does a French master’s follow a Saudi bachelor’s?
Two years after a bachelor’s, with shorter formats for advanced profiles.
France organises higher education in the European bachelor, master, doctorate system. Campus France describes the master’s as four semesters and 120 ECTS credits after a bachelor’s of 180 credits, usually split into a first year (M1) and a second year (M2). Admission is decided by each institution, programme by programme.
What matters before you compare programmes is the legal status of the diploma. Campus France explains that the French State guarantees its value when it is a national diploma, a diploma approved by the Ministry (“diplôme visé”) or a title registered in the RNCP, the national register of professional certifications, where level 7 is master’s level (EQF 7). Our RNCP level 7 explainer shows how to check any title on France Compétences.
Bachelor’s in computing, maths, engineering or science
Engineering degree or master’s
Diploma or two years of university
Public, private or RNCP-registered: which master’s route?
The same visa procedure, three very different programmes.
| Route | What you graduate with | Teaching language | Yearly fee, non-EU student | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National master’s at a public university | Diplôme national de master, 120 ECTS | French or English, depending on the programme | €3,950 in 2026-27, about SAR 16,490 | Students who can follow the university application calendar and, for French-taught courses, study in French |
| Programme at a private higher education institution | Diploma set by the institution; check its legal status | Often English | About €6,000 to €18,000 or more, about SAR 25,050 to 75,150 | Students who want English teaching and flexible start dates |
| Programme preparing an RNCP level 7 title, such as AI2’s MSc | School diploma plus a level 7 certification recognised by the French State | AI2: 100% English, B2 required, no French | AI2 MSc Year 1 €12,500, from €10,500 after scholarship | Applied, career-focused profiles who want a company internship in France |
Campus France Saudi Arabia states that applicants to a master’s follow the Études en France procedure through to the student visa, whichever type of institution admits them. The difference lies upstream: public programmes recruit on an annual application calendar, while schools such as AI2 admit directly and run several intakes a year.
Saudi government scholarships: what the Ministry of Education publishes
Four tracks, published lists and an unconditional admission letter at the centre.
The main government scheme is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program. According to the Ministry of Education, it was approved in 2005 to send students abroad for degrees that meet the needs of the labour market and the Kingdom’s development. In March 2022, the Minister of Education presented a new strategy that organises it into four tracks, each with its own goals, governance and fields, and that aims to send 70,000 students to the world’s top 200 educational and training institutions by 2030.
| Track | Levels | What the official sources say |
|---|---|---|
| Alrowad (Pioneers) | Bachelor’s and master’s | Open to all science and humanities disciplines; described by the Minister as essential for global competitiveness |
| Imdad or Emdad (Supply) | Bachelor’s and master’s | Specific fields set by the ministry |
| Wa’ed (Promising) | Bachelor’s and master’s | Specific fields set by the ministry |
| Research and Development | PhD | Specific research fields |
The ministry’s English pages also describe the conditions of its Track of Excellence, which give a clear idea of how government scholarships are awarded:
- the applicant must be a Saudi national with a direct, unconditional admission to one of the specified majors and institutions, at bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral level, in a programme that is not executive;
- study must take place in the country where the institution has its headquarters, and a previous qualification from abroad must be equated;
- applicants compete for seats on criteria that include the university’s level in international rankings and the applicant’s grade average;
- applications go through the ministry’s Safeer platform; the scholarship decision requires the unconditional admission letter, and a study visa is needed before travel.
French and school scholarships open to Saudi applicants
French government awards, the CampusBourses database and AI2’s automatic scholarship.
Campus France Saudi Arabia points applicants to two French resources. The first is CampusBourses, a search engine you filter by nationality, field and level of study. The second is the Eiffel Excellence programme of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, for master’s and PhD students; only applications submitted by French higher education institutions are accepted, and the page sets age and country criteria.
| Award | Who applies | Amount or effect |
|---|---|---|
| Eiffel Excellence programme | The French institution, on behalf of the student | French government scholarship; criteria on the Campus France page |
| CampusBourses listings | The student, award by award | Varies by award |
| AI2 international scholarship | Automatic assessment for every international applicant, no form | Up to three criteria (partner channel, merit, full payment); MSc Year 1 from €10,500 instead of €12,500; first year only, not combinable |
| AI2 Fast-Track scholarship | Fast-Track applicants before 15 November 2026 | €11,000 instead of €12,500 for the 11-month programme |
A wider list of awards, with eligibility and deadlines, is in our guide to scholarships in France for international students, and AI2’s own criteria are explained on AI2 scholarships.
How much does a master’s in France cost in riyals?
One stated rate, tuition and living costs side by side.
Conversions use the European Central Bank’s euro reference rate of USD 1.1133 on 28 October 2026 and the official rate of SAR 3.75 per US dollar to which the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) pegs the riyal: about SAR 4.175 per euro. Because the riyal is pegged to the dollar, riyal amounts move with the euro-dollar rate.
| Item | EUR | SAR (approx.) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public university master’s, per year (non-EU student) | €3,950 | SAR 16,490 | Campus France, updated 25 June 2026 |
| Private institutions, per year | €6,000 to €18,000 or more | SAR 25,050 to 75,150 or more | Campus France |
| AI2 MSc Year 1 | €12,500, from €10,500 after scholarship | SAR 52,190, from SAR 43,840 | AI2 tuition fees |
| AI2 MSc Year 2 or 18-month direct entry | €13,000, from €11,300 (IoT from €11,800) | SAR 54,270, from SAR 47,180 (IoT from SAR 49,260) | AI2 tuition fees |
| AI2 Fast-Track, 11 months, February 2027 | €12,500, or €11,000 before 15 November 2026 | SAR 52,190, or SAR 45,920 | AI2 tuition fees |
| Visa resources | €877.50 a month, €10,530 for 12 months | SAR 3,663 a month, SAR 43,960 for 12 months | Service-Public F2231, verified 1 August 2026 |
| Living costs in the Paris region, rent included | About €900 to €1,700 a month | About SAR 3,760 to 7,100 a month | AI2 estimate, tuition fees page |
First-year budget: tuition plus twelve months of visa resources
| Plan | EUR | SAR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Public university master’s, Year 1 | €14,480 | SAR 60,450 |
| AI2 MSc Year 1 after scholarship | from €21,030 | from SAR 87,800 |
| AI2 18-month direct entry after scholarship | from €21,830 | from SAR 91,140 |
| AI2 Fast-Track, application before 15 November 2026 | €21,530 | SAR 89,890 |
The AI2 scholarship applies to the first year of enrolment, and the following year’s amount is stated in the admission letter. The full grid, payment schedule and deposit rules are on AI2 tuition fees 2027.
Campus France Saudi Arabia and the visa: the sequence
Admission first, then Campus France, then VFS Global.
- 1Get your admission letterCampus France Saudi Arabia names it as the main document of the visa file.
- 2Open your Études en France fileRegister, upload the requested documents and submit. Campus France processes the file and asks for a payment to finalise validation.
- 3Attend the Campus France interviewIt takes place at the French Embassy in Riyadh or the Consulate General of France in Jeddah. With a complete file, you receive the authorisation to lodge your visa application.
- 4Book VFS Global and complete France-VisasBook an appointment, then create the visa application on France-Visas, print the PDF and sign it.
- 5Lodge in Riyadh, Jeddah or Al KhobarVFS Global handles the file with the French Embassy; Campus France Saudi Arabia indicates an answer within 15 days.
The long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) lets you stay in France for four months to one year and must be validated on arrival. Campus France lists offices in Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar if you need help. Documents, funds and timing are detailed in our France student visa guide for Saudi Arabia.
When to apply for a 2027 start
Three intakes, with the first deadlines already close.
| AI2 date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 15 November 2026 | Last day of the Fast-Track scholarship (€11,000 instead of €12,500) |
| 30 November 2026 | Priority application deadline and complete visa file expected for February |
| 15 December 2026 | Enrolment and deposit for the February 2027 intake |
| February 2027 | Start of the February intake, including the Fast-Track |
| May and September 2027 | Further MSc intakes; dates sent on request by AI2 admissions |
Work backwards from your start date. The admission letter comes first, because both Campus France and, if you apply for one, a ministry scholarship track rely on it. Then allow time for the Études en France interview and the visa answer. AI2 recommends starting 6 to 8 months before your intake.
Can you work during and after your master’s in France?
Part-time work while you study, a one-year permit to find a job afterwards.
Campus France Saudi Arabia lists what the student visa allows: travel in the Schengen area, work of 964 hours a year, about 20 hours a week, the free VISALE rental guarantee and a housing subsidy from the CAF. Service-Public confirms the 964-hour limit, with no separate work authorisation needed.
After graduation, Service-Public (F17319, verified 1 June 2026) describes a one-year job-search or business-creation permit for student permit holders who obtained, within the last 12 months, a diploma at least equivalent to a master’s, among others. You apply at the prefecture in the two months before your student permit expires; it costs €150 in tax stamps, about SAR 626, and the 964-hour limit no longer applies. Our guide to working in France after graduation covers the next permits.
AI2’s MSc in applied AI for Saudi students
English-taught, three intakes a year, a level 7 title.
AI2, the Applied Institute of Artificial Intelligence, teaches its MSc 100% in English on the Écouen campus, 22 minutes from Paris Gare du Nord by Transilien line H. English is required at B2 (IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 72 or equivalent), and no French is needed. The final year awards the AI2 MSc diploma and prepares a professional certification recognised by the French State, registered in the RNCP at level 7, master’s level (EQF 7), with DATAKOO, AI2’s parent company, as certifier.
| MSc | Certification prepared | Formats | Intakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Applied AI and Data Science | RNCP39978 « Architecte des systèmes d’information dans les processus industriels », level 7 | 2 years; 18-month direct entry; 11-month Fast-Track | February, May, September 2027; Fast-Track February only |
| MSc Applied AI & Cybersecurity | RNCP39978, level 7, cybersecurity specialisation | 2 years; 18-month direct entry | February, May, September 2027 |
| MSc Applied AI & IoT | RNCP40554 « Architecte Internet des objets (IoT) », level 7 | 2 years; 18-month direct entry | February, May, September 2027 |
Every format ends with a six-month internship in a company in France, and work-study is possible from Year 2, subject to eligibility and an employer contract. Admission is an online file review and interview; GRE and GMAT are not required. See the curriculum on the MSc Applied AI and Data Science page.
📘 Related guides: Study in France in English for Saudi students · Cost of studying in France for Saudi students (SAR budget) · Scholarships in France for Saudi students.
Looking for a short course rather than a degree? See AI courses and training in Paris, including the ten-day Paris AI Summer School, taught in English.
Frequently asked questions
Can Saudi students do a master’s in France in English?
Yes. English-taught master’s exist in France, and schools such as AI2 teach their MSc entirely in English, with B2 English required and no French.
How much does a master’s in France cost in Saudi riyals?
A public university master’s costs €3,950 a year for non-EU students in 2026-27, about SAR 16,490. AI2’s MSc Year 1 is €12,500, from €10,500 (about SAR 43,840) after scholarship. Add at least €877.50 a month for the visa, about SAR 3,663.
Can a Saudi government scholarship fund a master’s in France?
Government tracks of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program fund institutions and majors on lists published by the Ministry of Education, and require a direct, unconditional admission. Check the current list on the ministry’s portal before applying.
Where is the Campus France interview held in Saudi Arabia?
At the French Embassy in Riyadh or the Consulate General of France in Jeddah, after you submit your Études en France file and pay the requested fee.
Which VFS Global centres handle French student visas in Saudi Arabia?
Campus France Saudi Arabia lists VFS Global in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. You book an appointment, lodge your file with the Campus France authorisation and receive an answer within about 15 days.
Can I work while studying for a master’s in France?
Yes. The student visa allows up to 964 hours of paid work a year, about 20 hours a week. After a diploma at least equivalent to a master’s, you can apply for a one-year job-search permit.
Which AI2 programme suits a Saudi bachelor’s in computer science?
Usually the two-year MSc, starting with the shared applied AI Year 1. A related four- or five-year degree can lead to the 18-month direct entry, and an accredited engineering degree or a master’s to the 11-month Fast-Track, after academic review.
Sources consulted on 29 October 2026: Campus France Saudi Arabia: Applying for a student visa · Campus France Saudi Arabia: Études en France platform · Campus France Saudi Arabia: Scholarship programs · Campus France: tuition fees 2026-27 (updated 25 June 2026) · Campus France: French degrees, LMD and equivalences · Ministry of Education: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for External Scholarships · Ministry of Education: scholarship strategy press conference (13 March 2022) · Ministry of Education: applications for 2023/2024 · Saudipedia: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program · SAMA: commitment to the exchange rate of 3.75 riyals per dollar · European Central Bank: euro reference rates (28 October 2026) · Service-Public: student visa and resources, F2231 (verified 1 August 2026) · Service-Public: work for foreign students, F2713 (verified 7 October 2025) · Service-Public: job-search or business-creation permit, F17319 (verified 1 June 2026) · AI2: tuition fees 2027 · AI2: MSc Applied AI and Data Science
Campus France, the visa and any scholarship file start from it. Apply online: AI2’s academic team reviews your transcripts, holds an online interview and confirms your MSc format, intake, tuition and scholarship in writing. Priority deadline for February 2027: 30 November 2026.
