Saudi Scholarship Tracks Explained: Arruaad, Emdad, Waad, and Research & Development

According to the official program website, the program includes four tracks and aims to develop human capital, support sustainable development, and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s capabilities in research, development, innovation, entrepreneurship, and priority fields.

The target groups include:

·         High school graduates.

·         University graduates.

·         Students who have admission from top global universities.

·         Students who want to study abroad under one of the official scholarship tracks.

Arruaad is for students targeting the top 30 global education institutions. It supports bachelor’s and master’s degrees and includes all majors according to the program list.

Emdad is for students targeting fields needed by the labor market. It supports bachelor’s and master’s degrees at top 200 global universities and institutes according to the program list.

Waad is for students or graduates applying to specific programs linked to promising sectors, training, or employment-linked scholarship opportunities. Requirements differ by each announced program and partner entity.

Research & Development is for PhD students only. It supports priority research fields at top 200 institutions according to the track list.

This track may fit students who:

·         Want to study a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

·         Want a major linked to labor market needs.

·         Have admission from a university listed under Emdad.

·         Choose a major included in the scholarship year list.

·         Want a practical pathway connected to future employment demand.

Examples from the uploaded 2026/2027 major and university files include fields such as business, administration and law, social sciences and media, information and communication technologies, natural sciences, engineering, agriculture, veterinary fields, and services.

This track is different from Arruaad and Emdad because it is often linked to specific announced programs. Some opportunities may be connected to employment-linked scholarship programs or partner organizations.

Waad may fit students or graduates who:

·         Want a specific program in a promising sector.

·         Are looking for specialized training or reskilling.

·         Can meet program-specific requirements and deadlines.

·         Want a pathway linked to a particular sector or partner entity.

Examples from the official Waad page include programs in AI for business, data science, applied cybersecurity, hotel management, sports management, software engineering, and sports law, with requirements that differ by program.

This track may fit students or researchers who:

·         Are applying for a PhD.

·         Have a clear research direction.

·         Want to study at one of the top 200 institutions listed for the track.

·         Are interested in research, innovation, and priority fields.

·         Want to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s research and development goals.

According to the official website, the Research & Development Track supports in-person study and requires PhD admission from one of the top 200 institutions listed under the track.

For Arruaad, admission must be final and unconditional, issued by the admissions office of an approved university on the track list. An exception may apply if the country is non-English-speaking, where admission can be conditional on studying the local language.

For Emdad, admission must be from one of the top 200 institutions listed under the track and must be final and unconditional.

For Research & Development, PhD admission must be from one of the top 200 institutions listed under the track and must be final and unconditional.

This makes preparing the correct university admission an important step before applying.

Choose Arruaad if you are targeting one of the top 30 global education institutions, want more flexibility in major choice, and are applying for a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Choose Emdad if you want a labor-market-linked major and are applying for a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a specific field included in the program list.

Choose Waad if you are applying to a specific announced program, training opportunity, or sector-linked pathway with special requirements.

Choose Research & Development if you are applying for a PhD and want a research-focused pathway linked to priority fields.

The best starting question is: What is your goal after studying abroad? Then choose the track based on the university, major, degree level, and admission requirements.

Through Acceptix, students can get support with:

·         Understanding the differences between scholarship tracks.

·         Choosing the most suitable track based on study goals.

·         Comparing universities and majors.

·         Preparing for university admission.

·         Checking whether the major fits the student’s plan.

·         Understanding language and admission requirements.

·         Organizing study abroad steps before applying.

Before applying, students should confirm:

·         The most suitable track.

·         The required degree level.

·         The university is listed under the selected track.

·         The major is included for the scholarship year.

·         Admission is final and unconditional if required.

·         The study mode matches the track.

·         General and track-specific requirements are met.

·         Information is updated through the official website and Safeer platform.