Key takeaways
- QUT, RMIT, and Adelaide are among the Australian universities verified via the government Study Australia portal offering Master’s programmes in AI and machine learning.
- Language requirements vary by university; RMIT, for example, requires a minimum of 79 in TOEFL iBT or 58 in PTE Academic as an indicative benchmark.
- Australia is a destination country under the King Salman Scholarship Program, and Emdad Track targets high-demand specialisations at the top 200 universities worldwide.
- There is no official text explicitly naming ‘Artificial Intelligence’ within the published scholarship specialisation lists, so direct verification with the Ministry is advised.
- The cost of living in Australia is relatively high, estimated by the Saudi Cultural Attaché at around AUD 2,500 per month, excluding tuition fees.
- An unconditional offer is a core requirement for a scholarship application to be accepted by the Saudi Ministry of Education.
In this article
If you’re looking for a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence in Australia, the short answer is that several Australian universities recognised by the Saudi Ministry of Education offer specialised postgraduate programmes in this field. These include Queensland University of Technology (QUT), RMIT University, and the University of Adelaide. Admission typically requires an academic background in computer science or engineering, an English language test, plus general Saudi scholarship conditions and Australian student visa requirements.
Where to Study AI in Australia
The official Study Australia government portal provides an official database of postgraduate programmes in artificial intelligence, robotics, and machine learning. It’s the best place to verify any programme before applying.
Some of the most well-documented programmes include:
| University | Programme Name | Verified Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Queensland University of Technology (QUT) | Master of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence | 1.5 years full-time, designed for engineering backgrounds — Study Australia |
| Queensland University of Technology (QUT) | Master of Artificial Intelligence | Prepares graduates for roles such as AI engineer and machine learning specialist — QUT website |
| RMIT University | Master of Artificial Intelligence | Ranked among the top 120 worldwide for computer science, per QS 2026 rankings |
| University of Adelaide | Graduate Diploma in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning | Delivered through the AIML machine learning institute — Study Australia |
According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, RMIT ranks 10th in Australia and among the top 120 universities worldwide for computer science and information systems — a useful benchmark when comparing programmes.
If you’re interested in a university not listed here, check whether its programme appears in the Study Australia database directly, and confirm it is recognised by the Saudi Ministry of Education via the list of accredited universities.
What Are the Admission Requirements?
Admission requirements for a Master’s in AI combine university academic criteria with English language requirements. If you’re applying under the Saudi scholarship programme, Ministry conditions apply as well.
Academic and Language Requirements
Most Master’s programmes in this field require an undergraduate background in computer science, engineering, or a related quantitative field, since coursework builds on programming and mathematical foundations. As an example of indicative language requirements, RMIT University requires international students to score at least 79 in TOEFL iBT, 58 in PTE Academic, or 176 in Cambridge Advanced (CAE). Each university sets its own score, so check the specific programme page before booking any test.
General Saudi Scholarship Requirements
If you’re planning to study through the King Salman Scholarship Program (برنامج خادم الحرمين الشريفين للابتعاث), the Ministry of Education requires applicants to be Saudi nationals, medically fit, and hold a direct, unconditional offer — not conditional on a language course or foundation programme. Applicants must not already hold the same qualification. You must also obtain Ministry approval to study abroad before leaving Saudi Arabia; the Saudi Cultural Attaché in Australia will not open a file for any self-funded student without this prior approval.
Australian Student Visa Requirements
The Australian Student Visa (subclass 500) requires proof of financial capacity, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and meeting the Genuine Student requirement. Updated financial capacity figures and the visa’s minimum English requirements change periodically, so check the current figures directly via the Australian Department of Home Affairs website before applying.
Is AI Covered Under the Saudi Scholarship Programme?
Australia is officially listed among the countries covered by the King Salman Scholarship Program (برنامج خادم الحرمين الشريفين للابتعاث) for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, alongside the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, and France. The Saudi Ministry of Education explicitly lists "Artificial Intelligence" among approved scholarship specialisations, classified as a branch of computer science, via the official specialisation page. Among its pathways, Emdad Track targets scholarships for bachelor’s or master’s degrees at top 200 universities and institutes worldwide, in fields with high labour market demand. Since each pathway of the programme (Excellence, Emdad, Pioneers, Research and Development) has its own conditions, university lists, and degree levels, it’s best to verify that your specific specialisation and university are listed under the pathway you intend to apply for via the Emdad Track page or by contacting the Ministry directly.
This approach aligns with the goals of the scholarship programme strategy launched by the Crown Prince in March 2022 to build human capital in new and emerging sectors in line with Vision 2030 — sectors where emerging technologies are typically at the forefront.
To review all available pathways and their conditions, see Saudi Scholarship Programmes: A Complete Guide to All Pathways from King Salman to Cultural Scholarships, or the comprehensive list in Fully Funded Scholarship Programmes for Saudis.
How Much Does It Cost to Live There While Studying?
The Saudi Cultural Attaché warns that Australia is among the countries with a very high cost of living. Students need approximately AUD 2,500 per month (roughly SAR 10,000, per the Attaché’s estimate) for accommodation and living expenses, in addition to tuition fees. This figure is useful for estimating a monthly budget, but tuition fees for each Master’s programme vary by university and should be checked directly on the university’s programme page.
How to Start the Application Process
- Identify the programme that matches your academic background from those listed on Study Australia, and confirm exact admission requirements on the university’s page.
- Pass the required English language test (TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE) at the score specified by that particular university.
- Confirm that the offer you receive is "unconditional" if you plan to apply for the Saudi scholarship, as this is a core requirement for the Ministry of Education.
- Apply through the appropriate scholarship pathway (such as Emdad Track) and secure Ministry approval before leaving Saudi Arabia.
- Apply for the Australian Student Visa (subclass 500) after meeting financial capacity and health cover requirements.
If you’d rather not navigate all these steps alone, the KD team helps students seeking admission to specialisations under scholarship programmes at accredited universities. The company states this admissions service is free for this category of students. You can review the more detailed guide in University Admission in Australia for Saudi Students: The Complete Guide to understand the admission process step by step, or check out KD’s Australian Universities Fair, which connects university representatives directly with students.
Your Next Step
If AI is the specialisation you want to pursue in Australia, start by reviewing QUT, RMIT, and Adelaide’s programmes on the Study Australia portal, and check the conditions of the scholarship pathway that suits you with the Ministry of Education. You can also register through KD to discuss the admission options available for your specific specialisation.
Frequently asked questions
Universities verified via the government Study Australia portal include Queensland University of Technology (QUT), RMIT University, and the University of Adelaide, each with different programmes and requirements that should be checked on the university’s website.
Typically an academic background in computer science or engineering, plus an English language test score set by each university, in addition to general Saudi scholarship requirements if you’re applying through a scholarship programme.
Australia is listed among the countries covered by the King Salman Scholarship Program, and Emdad Track targets high-demand specialisations in the labour market. However, there’s no official text naming the specialisation explicitly, so verify directly with the Ministry.
The Saudi Cultural Attaché estimates the cost at around AUD 2,500 per month for accommodation and living expenses, excluding tuition fees, which vary by university.
Yes, the KD team helps students seeking admission to specialisations under scholarship programmes at accredited universities, and the company states this admissions service is free for this category of students.
Official sources
- برنامج الابتعاث الخارجي — وزارة التعليم السعودية
- مسار إمداد — وزارة التعليم السعودية
- الملحقية الثقافية السعودية في أستراليا — الملحقية الثقافية السعودية
- Master of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence – QUT — Study Australia
- Graduate Diploma in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – Adelaide — Study Australia
- Master of Artificial Intelligence – AI in Australia — جامعة RMIT
- Master of Artificial Intelligence — جامعة كوينزلاند للتقنية (QUT)
- استراتيجية برنامج الابتعاث — الملحقية الثقافية السعودية / وزارة التعليم
- الجامعة الوطنية الأسترالية (ANU) في كانبرا مدرجة رسمياً ضمن قائمة جامعات الابتعاث المعتمدة — وزارة التعليم السعودية
- جامعة RMIT تقدم برنامج ماجستير الذكاء الاصطناعي في مرافق حديثة ويربط الطلاب ببرامج عالمية — جامعة RMIT
Ready to start?
KD International helps you choose a university, prepare your admission and visa file, and answers your questions about Saudi scholarships and studying in Australia. Apply now or message us on WhatsApp.
Last updated: 18 September 2026. Fees and requirements change; always confirm with the official source before deciding.
