Campus France in Saudi Arabia tells applicants that anyone resident in the Kingdom follows the Études en France procedure, whatever passport they hold. That makes the route the same for Saudi nationals and for residents of other nationalities, although the second group often holds certificates issued in another country. Below is what is particular to applying from Riyadh, Jeddah or the Eastern Province.
AI2 – Applied Institute of Artificial Intelligence is an applied AI school on the Écouen campus, 22 minutes from Paris Gare du Nord. Its programmes are taught in English and prepare qualifications registered by the French State with France Compétences (RNCP) at level 6 (bachelor’s level) and level 7 (master’s level).
Applying from Saudi Arabia: what is specific to you
Your qualifications and the AI2 programme they lead to
Saudi school leavers hold the General Secondary School Certificate, and Saudi universities also use the national aptitude and achievement tests run by the National Center for Assessment (Qiyas), part of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission. For the Bachelor in Applied AI, AI2 asks for the secondary certificate with mathematics and English at B2; Qiyas results are not among its published requirements.
- A diploma or two years of university study: the BSc final year (top-up).
- A bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics or a related field: the MSc Applied AI in Data Science, Cybersecurity or IoT.
- An engineering degree, a master’s or four years of related higher education: the 11-month Fast-Track, which starts in January, subject to the academic team’s review.
The Campus France step, office by office
Campus France Saudi Arabia sets out the order of events after admission. You register on Études en France, upload your documents and submit the file; Campus France processes it and requests a payment to finalise validation. You then attend a Campus France interview, held either at the French Embassy in Riyadh or at the Consulate General in Jeddah. A complete file earns you an authorisation to lodge your visa application. Campus France lists contacts in Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar if you need help along the way.
Choosing a visa centre
France-Visas lets every resident of Saudi Arabia, of any nationality, choose any VFS Global centre. The centres are in Riyadh (Al Hada district), Jeddah (TasHeel Commercial Center, Al Mohammadiya) and the Eastern Province, at Lulu Mall in Dammam, which the VFS site calls Al Khobar. If you prefer not to use VFS, the visa services of the Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah accept files by appointment. The VFS service fee of SAR 118 must be prepaid online before an appointment can be booked, and France-Visas advises allowing one month between lodging a long-stay application and departure.
Documents issued in Saudi Arabia or elsewhere
Saudi Arabia’s accession to the Hague Apostille Convention took effect on 7 December 2022, according to the HCCH status table, so Saudi public documents can carry an apostille if a certified copy is requested. Residents whose diplomas come from their home country should follow that country’s authentication rules. Your France-Visas document list shows exactly what to bring.
IELTS and flights
British Council Saudi Arabia lists 17 IELTS locations, with computer-delivered tests in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. Without a test, see our guide to studying in France without IELTS. For the journey, Paris Aéroport shows Saudia, Air France and Riyadh Air serving Riyadh from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, while Jeddah is linked by Saudia to CDG and by Transavia to Orly.
| Item | EUR | SAR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Applied AI, per year after scholarship | from €9,000 | about SAR 37,900 |
| BSc final year (top-up) | from €9,900 | about SAR 41,600 |
| MSc Applied AI, per year after scholarship | from €10,500 | about SAR 44,200 |
| 11-month Fast-Track | €11,000 | about SAR 46,300 |
| Long-stay student visa fee | €50 | about SAR 210 |
| VFS Global service fee (France-Visas) | SAR 118 |
For housing, see student accommodation near Paris.
Sources checked in October 2026: France-Visas: Saudi Arabia · Campus France Saudi Arabia: Applying for a student visa · Campus France Saudi Arabia: Études en France platform · HCCH: Apostille Convention status table · British Council Saudi Arabia: IELTS dates, fees and locations · Saudipedia: University admission tests in Saudi Arabia
AI and data science programmes for students from Saudi Arabia
Bachelor in Applied AI
Three years after secondary school. RNCP level 6, from €9,000 a year after the AI2 scholarship.
BSc final year
AI-Powered Application Development or Data Analytics & Applied AI. Entry with an HND, a BTS or two years of higher education. RNCP level 6, from €9,900.
MSc Applied AI
Data Science, Cybersecurity or IoT. RNCP level 7 (master’s level), from €10,500 a year after the AI2 scholarship.
11-month Fast-Track
The level-7 qualification in under a year, €11,000. Starts in January.
All programmes and current fees: all programmes, scholarships and our guide to the cost of studying AI in France.
Entry requirements for students from Saudi Arabia
- Bachelor Year 1: the secondary school certificate, with mathematics. English at B2 level: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 72 or equivalent, or schooling in English.
- MSc: a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics or a related field. English at B2 level: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 72 or equivalent, or schooling in English.
Why study AI in France rather than the UK or Australia?
- Tuition from €10,500 a year for an MSc, far below typical UK fees.
- Programmes taught in English, in the Paris region, at the heart of Europe.
- The right to work up to 964 hours a year during your studies, and a post-study permit for master’s-level graduates.
- Applied projects with companies, from the first semester.
Careers after an AI degree
Graduates are well positioned for AI and data roles in Saudi giga-projects, banks, telecoms and the public sector. Typical roles include data scientist, machine learning engineer, AI developer, data analyst and AI security specialist.
How to come to France from Saudi Arabia: step by step
Apply to AI2 online and attend an online interview with the academic team.
Receive your admission letter.
Complete the Études en France procedure with Campus France in Saudi Arabia: online academic file and interview.
Apply for the long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) on France-Visas, with proof of at least €877.50 a month of resources.
Arrive on the Écouen campus near Paris and validate your visa online on the ANEF portal within three months.
Start 6 to 8 months before your intake (January, May or September). The full timeline is in our visa guidance, and daily life is covered in life in France.
Time difference for your online interview
Arabia Standard Time (UTC+3): two hours ahead of Paris in winter, one in summer.
No IELTS? AI2 accepts English-medium education as an alternative: see study in France without IELTS. Missed September? Start in January or May 2027.
Campus France interview? Prepare with our guide to Campus France interview questions and the Études en France procedure.
Frequently asked questions
I live in the Eastern Province. Must I travel to Riyadh to lodge my visa?
No. France-Visas lets all residents use any VFS Global centre, and there is one at Lulu Mall in Dammam, alongside the centres in Riyadh and Jeddah.
I am an expatriate working in Saudi Arabia. Does the Saudi Campus France office handle my file?
Yes. Campus France Saudi Arabia states that residents of the Kingdom follow the Études en France procedure there, so your nationality does not send you back to your home country’s office.
Where does the Campus France interview take place?
At the French Embassy in Riyadh or the Consulate General of France in Jeddah, after your file has been submitted and the fee paid.
Do I need Qiyas results to apply to AI2’s Bachelor?
AI2’s published entry requirements for the Bachelor are the secondary school certificate with mathematics and English at B2; Qiyas results are not on that list.
Apply online: the academic team reviews your file and invites you to an online interview.
