IELTS for Saudi Arabia: Work and Study Requirements

Quick Answer: For studying in Saudi Arabia, most universities require an IELTS Academic score of 5.0–6.5, with top institutions like King Saud University often asking for 6.0+. For working, the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development typically requires an IELTS General score of 4.0–5.5 for professional roles, though medical and engineering fields may demand 6.0+. The Saudi Cultural Mission (SACM) for scholarship students usually requires a minimum 5.0–6.0.

Table of Contents

Why IELTS Matters in Saudi Arabia

IELTS Requirements for Studying in Saudi Arabia

IELTS Requirements for Work in Saudi Arabia

IELTS for Saudi Scholarship Programs

Band Score Comparison Table

Sample Answers for Common IELTS Topics

Common Mistakes Saudi Test Takers Make

Top Tips for Saudi IELTS Candidates

FAQ

Key Takeaways

Why IELTS Matters in Saudi Arabia

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is increasingly important in Saudi Arabia for both academic and professional purposes. Whether you’re a Saudi national aiming to study abroad, an expatriate seeking employment in the Kingdom, or a student applying to a local university, your IELTS score can open—or close—doors.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 emphasizes international collaboration, English-language education, and foreign investment. As a result, English proficiency has become a key requirement for many roles and programs. The IELTS test is the most widely accepted English language exam for these purposes.

IELTS Requirements for Studying in Saudi Arabia

Undergraduate Programs

Most Saudi universities require IELTS Academic for admission to English-taught programs. The typical minimum score is:

Public universities (e.g., King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University): 5.5–6.0

Private universities (e.g., Prince Sultan University, Alfaisal University): 5.0–6.0

Medical and engineering programs: Often 6.0–6.5

Example: King Saud University’s College of Medicine requires IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5.

Postgraduate Programs

Master’s and PhD programs generally demand higher scores:

Master’s: 6.0–6.5

PhD: 6.5–7.0

Note: Some universities accept TOEFL or PTE as alternatives, but IELTS remains the most common.

Foundation and Preparatory Programs

If your English is below the required level, many universities offer foundation years. These usually require a lower IELTS score, such as 4.5–5.0.

IELTS Requirements for Work in Saudi Arabia

Professional Roles

For expatriates and Saudi nationals seeking employment, employers often specify IELTS General Training scores:

General administrative jobs: 4.0–5.0

Technical and supervisory roles: 5.0–5.5

Management and senior positions: 5.5–6.0

Medical professionals (doctors, nurses): 6.0–6.5 (some require 7.0)

Engineers: 5.5–6.0

Example: The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) requires nurses to have IELTS Academic 6.0 for registration.

Visa and Residency

While IELTS is not mandatory for all work visas, many employers use it as a benchmark for hiring. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) may request proof of English proficiency for certain job categories under the Nitaqat program.

Saudi Nationals Working Abroad

If you are a Saudi citizen applying for a job overseas (e.g., in the UAE, UK, or USA), you will likely need IELTS General Training. Minimum scores vary by country and profession.

IELTS for Saudi Scholarship Programs

The Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM) and other scholarship bodies require IELTS for students studying abroad:

SACM Undergraduate Scholarship: Minimum 5.0 (some programs require 5.5–6.0)

SACM Graduate Scholarship: Minimum 6.0–6.5

King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP): Typically 5.5–6.5 depending on the university and program

Important: These scores are minimums. Competitive programs often require higher scores.

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Wants (Academic)	What Examiner Wants (General)
6	Competent user: Can communicate effectively but with some inaccuracies. Suitable for most undergraduate programs.	Competent user: Can handle everyday work and social situations. Acceptable for many jobs.
7	Good user: Handles complex language well. Required for competitive postgraduate programs.	Good user: Suitable for professional roles and management positions.
8	Very good user: Full operational command. Rarely required but beneficial for top-tier universities.	Very good user: Excellent for senior roles and international assignments.
9	Expert user: Fully operational. Extremely rare requirement.	Expert user: Exceeds all work and study requirements.

Sample Answers for Common IELTS Topics

Topic: Education (IELTS Writing Task 2)

Band 7 Answer: "In my opinion, education should be accessible to all individuals regardless of their financial background. While some argue that private schools provide better quality, I believe that governments should invest in public education to ensure equal opportunities. For example, in Saudi Arabia, the government has introduced free university education for citizens, which has significantly increased literacy rates." Band 8 Answer: "I firmly believe that equitable access to education is a fundamental right that should not be contingent on socioeconomic status. Although private institutions may offer specialized curricula, public education systems, when adequately funded, can deliver comparable outcomes. The Saudi Vision 2030 initiative exemplifies this by allocating substantial resources to modernize public schools and universities." Band 9 Answer: "Unequivocally, education must be democratized to transcend financial barriers. While private educational entities may indeed offer niche advantages, a robustly funded public system can achieve parity. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 serves as a paradigm, channeling significant investment into public education infrastructure, thereby fostering social mobility and economic diversification."

Topic: Work (IELTS Speaking Part 2)

Band 7 Answer: "My ideal job would be in the field of engineering because I enjoy solving problems. I would like to work for a company that values innovation and teamwork. For example, Saudi Aramco offers great opportunities for engineers to develop their skills." Band 8 Answer: "I aspire to work as a project manager in the renewable energy sector, as I am passionate about sustainable development. An ideal employer would be one that fosters a collaborative environment and invests in employee growth, such as ACWA Power in Saudi Arabia." Band 9 Answer: "Professionally, I envision myself as a senior consultant in the renewable energy industry, specializing in large-scale solar projects. The ideal organization would prioritize cross-functional collaboration, continuous learning, and tangible environmental impact. Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project, for instance, represents the pinnacle of such opportunities."

Common Mistakes Saudi Test Takers Make

❌Over-relying on Arabic sentence structure: This leads to awkward English sentences. Practice thinking in English.

❌Ignoring the word count in Writing Task 1: Many Saudi students write too few words (under 150) and lose marks.

❌Not practicing with a timer: Time management is crucial. Many candidates run out of time in the Reading section.

Top Tips for Saudi IELTS Candidates

Tip 1: Use Saudi-specific examples in your Writing and Speaking tasks. Mentioning Vision 2030, NEOM, or local universities can impress examiners.

Tip 2: Practice listening to different English accents (British, American, Australian) as the IELTS listening test includes various accents.

Tip 3: For the Speaking test, speak clearly and confidently. Don’t rush—examiners value fluency over speed.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials tailored to Saudi students. They offer free sample tests and tips.

FAQ

Q: Can I take IELTS in Saudi Arabia? A: Yes, IELTS is available at test centers in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and other cities. Both Academic and General Training are offered. Q: What is the minimum IELTS score for Saudi universities? A: Most universities require 5.0–6.5 for undergraduate programs and 6.0–7.0 for postgraduate programs. Q: Do I need IELTS for a Saudi work visa? A: Not always, but many employers require it. Check with your prospective employer. Q: How long is my IELTS score valid? A: IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. Q: Can I retake IELTS if I don’t get the required score? A: Yes, you can retake the test as many times as you want. Focus on improving your weak areas. Q: Is IELTS harder than TOEFL? A: This depends on your strengths. IELTS has a speaking interview with a person, while TOEFL is computer-based. Many find IELTS more natural.

Key Takeaways

✅For studying in Saudi Arabia, aim for IELTS Academic 5.0–6.5 depending on your program.

✅For working in Saudi Arabia, IELTS General 4.0–6.0 is typical, with higher scores for medical and engineering roles.

✅Saudi scholarship programs like SACM require 5.0–6.5.

✅Practice with Saudi-specific examples to boost your score.

✅Use resources like IELTS Active for targeted preparation.

Related Posts:

[How to Prepare for IELTS in 30 Days]

[Top 10 IELTS Speaking Topics for Saudi Students]

[IELTS vs TOEFL: Which is Better for Saudi Students?]