--- url: 'https://kdinternational.com.au/king-salman-scholarship-program-tracks-compared/' title: 'Saudi Scholarship Tracks Compared: Arruaad, Emdad, R&D and Waaid' author: name: هند العمري url: 'https://kdinternational.com.au/author/hind-alamri/' date: '2026-09-18T14:00:00+00:00' modified: '2026-09-18T14:06:43+00:00' type: post summary: 'King Salman Scholarship Program tracks compared: Arruaad, Emdad, Research and Development and Waaid, conditions, universities and which reach Australia.' categories: - Saudi scholarships tags: - Arruaad track - Emdad track - King Salman Scholarship Program - Research and Development track - Waaid track image: 'https://kdinternational.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/kd-13-en-art.png' published: true --- # Saudi Scholarship Tracks Compared: Arruaad, Emdad, R&D and Waaid *[اقرأ هذا المقال بالعربية](https://kdinternational.com.au/ar/?p=2411)* ### Key takeaways - Since the March 2022 strategy the program runs four tracks, Arruaad, Emdad, Research and Development and Waaid, targeting 70,000 scholars at the top 200 institutions by 2030. - Arruaad covers the world’s top 30 institutions in all majors with no age limit; its 2026–2027 list contains no Australian university. - Emdad covers the top 200 universities in 8 fields for bachelor’s and master’s degrees and is the widest track for studying in Australia. - Research and Development is doctorate-only in 5 fields; Waaid programs start with employment at partner companies and have program-specific conditions. - The three academic tracks require a final unconditional offer from the admissions office; multiple applications are allowed and one is accepted after comparison. ### In this article - [Where did these tracks come from?](#s-1) - [Saudi scholarship tracks compared in one table](#s-2) - [How do the conditions differ?](#s-3) - [Which track suits whom?](#s-4) - [How do you apply to any track?](#s-5) - [How KD International helps](#s-6) - [Summary](#s-7) The King Salman Scholarship Program (برنامج خادم الحرمين الشريفين للابتعاث) currently runs four tracks: Arruaad for the world’s top 30 institutions, Emdad for the top 200 in fields the labour market needs, Research and Development for doctorates in priority fields, and Waaid for training and reskilling, according to the [Saudi Ministry of Education](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/) as at 14 September 2026. The core differences are university ranking, degree level and field. Australia appears in Emdad and Research and Development, not in Arruaad. ## Where did these tracks come from? In March 2022 the Minister of Education announced a new strategy for the program after analysing 90 scholarship programs worldwide, targeting 70,000 Saudi men and women at the top 200 educational and training institutions by 2030 through four tracks, each with its own objectives, governance and fields, as reported by [Al Riyadh](https://www.alriyadh.com/1940191) on 15 March 2022 and [Okaz](https://www.okaz.com.sa/news/local/2099836) on 14 March 2022. In October 2023 the program launched a national awareness campaign about the tracks and admission mechanisms, referring to 17 scholarship countries, according to [Al Riyadh](https://www.alriyadh.com/2038567) on 18 October 2023. KD International posted a thread on the scholarship tracks in [September 2019](https://x.com/kdiaus/status/1173590203619000321) and returned to the topic in [February 2024](https://x.com/kdiaus/status/1754460684195168721). Much changed after March 2022, so the reference today is the Ministry’s pages and the 2026–2027 guidance document. ## Saudi scholarship tracks compared in one table | Aspect | Arruaad | Emdad | Research and Development | Waaid | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Goal | World’s top 30 institutions | Top 200 universities and institutes in labour-market fields | Developing research and development in priority fields | Scholarship and training for reskilling in promising sectors | | Degree | Bachelor’s and master’s | Bachelor’s and master’s | Doctorate | Diplomas, certificates, bachelor’s and master’s by program | | Fields | All specialisations | 8 fields | 5 fields | Specific programs with partner companies | | Universities and countries | 30 universities | 223 universities in 15 countries | 214 universities in 14 countries | By program | | Australia | No Australian university on the 2026–2027 list | Yes | Yes | By program | | Offer required | Final unconditional offer from the admissions office | Final unconditional offer from the admissions office | Final unconditional offer from the admissions office | Per program conditions | | Study mode | On campus | On campus | On campus | Full-time | | Bachelor’s age limit | None | 30 years | Not applicable | By program | Table sources: the [tracks page](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/), [Arruaad](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/path-arruaad/), [Emdad](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/path-emdad/), [Research and Development](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/path-albahthwaltatwir/), [Waaid](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/path-waaid/) and the [general conditions](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/conditions/) on the Saudi Ministry of Education site, plus the [2026–2027 guidance document](https://object.moe.gov.sa/nasaq/cm/files/aldlyl-alastrshady-ltrtyb-qwaaem-aljamaeat-hsb-almjalat-2027-2026.pdf), all as at 14 September 2026. ## How do the conditions differ? ### What every track shares - Saudi nationality, good conduct, an offer from an approved institution in a specialisation on the academic year’s list, and full-time on-campus study while residing in the host country, according to the [general conditions](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/conditions/). - No Qudurat or Tahsili test is required, and government and private-sector employees may apply on their own responsibility, according to the [general conditions](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/conditions/). - You may lodge more than one application in the same track or in a different track, university or major; one application is accepted after the comparison process, according to the [FAQ](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/faqs/). - Maximum study duration: 5 years for a bachelor’s, 2 for a master’s and 3 for a doctorate, according to the [FAQ](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/faqs/). - The offer must be final and unconditional and issued by the admissions office in Arruaad, Emdad and Research and Development; the only exception is an offer conditional on language study in a non-English-speaking country, according to the [Arruaad page](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/path-arruaad/). ### What differs by track **Arruaad:** admission from the top 30 institutions on the program’s list, in any specialisation, according to the [Ministry of Education](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/path-arruaad/). The bachelor’s age limit of 30 does not apply to it, according to the [general conditions](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/conditions/). Applications opened through the Qabul platform on 30 August 2026 and run until 15 November 2026; the 30 universities are in the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, Canada and France, as reported by [Okaz](https://www.okaz.com.sa/local/na/2263508) on 30 August 2026. No specific age, no language year and no prior visa are required, according to [Okaz](https://www.okaz.com.sa/local/na/2263783) on 1 September 2026. The 2026–2027 Arruaad list contains no Australian university, according to the [guidance document](https://object.moe.gov.sa/nasaq/cm/files/aldlyl-alastrshady-ltrtyb-qwaaem-aljamaeat-hsb-almjalat-2027-2026.pdf). **Emdad:** admission from the top 200 institutions on the track’s list, in 8 fields: business, administration and law; engineering, manufacturing and construction; arts and humanities; natural sciences, mathematics and statistics; agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary; social sciences, journalism and information; information and communication technologies; and services, according to the [guidance document](https://object.moe.gov.sa/nasaq/cm/files/aldlyl-alastrshady-ltrtyb-qwaaem-aljamaeat-hsb-almjalat-2027-2026.pdf). Its lists include Australian universities in every one of these fields. **Research and Development:** doctorate only, from the top 200 institutions on the track’s list, in 5 fields: natural sciences, mathematics and statistics; engineering, manufacturing and construction; agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary; information and communication technologies; and social sciences, journalism and information, according to the [Ministry of Education](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/path-albahthwaltatwir/) and the [guidance document](https://object.moe.gov.sa/nasaq/cm/files/aldlyl-alastrshady-ltrtyb-qwaaem-aljamaeat-hsb-almjalat-2027-2026.pdf). Its lists include Australian universities in all five fields. **Waaid:** scholarship programs that begin with employment at partner companies, lasting from 8 months to 5 years depending on the program, according to the [Ministry of Education](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/path-waaid/). Conditions vary by program; one program, for example, requires IELTS 7 or TOEFL 100 and a GPA of at least 4 out of 5, according to the [Ministry of Education](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/path-waaid/mbc-02/). Check the conditions of the program you are targeting on its own page. ### What about the Excellence track? The Excellence track (مسار التميز) was launched in October 2020 in partnership with government bodies for specialised majors at top universities, as reported by [Okaz](https://www.okaz.com.sa/news/local/2045907) on 25 October 2020. Its third edition for 2023/2024 offered 1,000 seats in 21 specialisations with applications open until 5 May 2023, according to [Al Riyadh](https://www.alriyadh.com/1983815) on 22 November 2022, and its fourth edition for 2024–2025 opened on 3 December 2023 with 23 specialisations, according to [Sabq](https://sabq.org/saudia/mhlwee5wmy) on 3 December 2023. The program’s tracks page today shows the four tracks above, while the Ministry’s online application service still lists Excellence among its tracks, according to the [Ministry of Education](https://www.moe.gov.sa/ar/knowledgecenter/eservices/Pages/ksp.aspx). Check the track’s current status when you apply. ## Which track suits whom? - **A high-school graduate or bachelor’s holder with an offer from a top-30 university:** Arruaad, in any major. If Australia is your destination, this is not your track for 2026–2027. - **Anyone wanting a bachelor’s or master’s in Australia in one of Emdad’s eight fields:** Emdad. It is the widest track for Saudi students in Australia; the condition is that the university appears on the list for your field. - **A master’s holder wanting a research doctorate:** Research and Development, provided the specialisation falls within the five fields and the university is on the list. - **Anyone wanting a job linked to their study from day one:** Waaid, where the program starts with employment at a partner company and conditions vary by program. - **An employee studying on their own responsibility:** any track whose conditions they meet; the Ministry allows employees of both sectors to apply. ## How do you apply to any track? - Choose the track from the table above or from [our guide to all scholarship tracks](https://kdinternational.com.au/ar/?p=2318), then open the university list for your field in the [guidance document](https://object.moe.gov.sa/nasaq/cm/files/aldlyl-alastrshady-ltrtyb-qwaaem-aljamaeat-hsb-almjalat-2027-2026.pdf) or on the Safeer platform. - Obtain a final unconditional offer from the admissions office of a university on the list before paying any deposit. - Log in to the Qabul platform via Nafath, verify your details, enter your language tests, then start the application, according to the [Ministry of Education](https://www.moe.gov.sa/ar/knowledgecenter/eservices/Pages/ksp.aspx). - Attach your national ID, a passport valid for at least one year, your certified graduation document, transcript and national address, according to the [Ministry of Education](https://www.moe.gov.sa/ar/knowledgecenter/eservices/Pages/ksp.aspx). - Lodge more than one application if you wish, remembering that one is accepted after the comparison process. ## How KD International helps We are a Saudi-Australian education consultancy and university admissions company with offices in Riyadh and Sydney, working since 2015 across the Excellence, Emdad, Research and Development and Arruaad tracks and other Saudi scholarship programs. Our admission service is free for students applying to scholarship-program majors at universities approved by the Saudi Ministry of Education. We help you match your major to the right field and list, obtain the unconditional offer, and arrange English programs, accommodation and NAATI-accredited translation. Arruaad details are in [our Arruaad track article](https://kdinternational.com.au/ar/arruaad-track-scholarship-australia/), and the working sequence is in [our step-by-step guide](https://kdinternational.com.au/ar/%d8%ae%d8%b7%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%b9%d9%85%d9%84%d9%8a%d8%a9/). ## Summary The four tracks differ in university ranking, degree and field, and agree on the unconditional-offer condition. For Australia, your tracks are Emdad for bachelor’s and master’s degrees and Research and Development for doctorates. Your next step: tell us your major and degree through the [application form](https://kdinternational.com.au/applynow/) or [contact us](https://kdinternational.com.au/ar/%d8%aa%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%b5%d9%84-%d9%85%d8%b9%d9%86%d8%a7/), and we will identify the track and universities that apply to you. ## Frequently asked questions What are the King Salman Scholarship Program tracks? Four tracks: Arruaad for the world’s top 30 institutions, Emdad for the top 200 in labour-market fields, Research and Development for doctorates in priority fields, and Waaid for scholarship and training in promising sectors. What is the difference between the Arruaad and Emdad tracks? Arruaad requires an offer from a top-30 institution in any major and has no age limit. Emdad requires an offer from a top-200 institution on its list within 8 defined fields, with a bachelor’s age limit of 30. Both cover bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Which Saudi scholarship track suits studying in Australia? Emdad for bachelor’s and master’s degrees and Research and Development for doctorates, because their 2026–2027 lists include Australian universities. This year’s Arruaad list contains no Australian university. Is an unconditional offer required in every track? Yes for Arruaad, Emdad and Research and Development: a final unconditional offer issued by the admissions office. The only exception is an offer conditional on language study in a non-English-speaking country. Waaid conditions depend on each program. Can I apply to more than one track? Yes. You can lodge more than one application in the same track or in a different track, university or major, and one application is accepted per applicant after the comparison process. When does the Arruaad 2026 application close? Applications opened on the Qabul platform on 30 August 2026 and run until 15 November 2026, as reported by Okaz citing the platform. Does the Excellence track still exist? It launched in October 2020 and its fourth edition opened in December 2023. The program’s tracks page today shows four tracks without it, while the Ministry’s online application service still lists it. Check its current status when applying. What is the maximum scholarship duration? According to the program’s FAQ: 5 years for a bachelor’s, 2 years for a master’s and 3 years for a doctorate. ## Official sources - [المسارات – برنامج خادم الحرمين الشريفين للابتعاث](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/) — وزارة التعليم - [مسار الرواد](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/path-arruaad/) — وزارة التعليم - [مسار إمداد](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/path-emdad/) — وزارة التعليم - [مسار البحث والتطوير](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/path-albahthwaltatwir/) — وزارة التعليم - [مسار واعد](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/path-waaid/) — وزارة التعليم - [الشروط العامة للبرنامج](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/conditions/) — وزارة التعليم - [الأسئلة الأكثر شيوعاً](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/faqs/) — وزارة التعليم - [الدليل الاسترشادي لترتيب قوائم الجامعات حسب المجالات 2026–2027](https://object.moe.gov.sa/nasaq/cm/files/aldlyl-alastrshady-ltrtyb-qwaaem-aljamaeat-hsb-almjalat-2027-2026.pdf) — وزارة التعليم - [«قبول» تغلق التقديم لخريجي الثانوية وتفتح باب الابتعاث إلى 30 جامعة عالمية](https://www.okaz.com.sa/local/na/2263508) — صحيفة عكاظ - [لا سن محددة ولا اشتراط لـ«القدرات والتحصيلي» في الابتعاث الخارجي](https://www.okaz.com.sa/local/na/2263783) — صحيفة عكاظ - [ابتعاث 70 ألف مواطن لأفضل 200 جامعة بالعالم](https://www.alriyadh.com/1940191) — جريدة الرياض - [1000 مقعد في مسار التميز للابتعاث في 21 تخصصاً](https://www.alriyadh.com/1983815) — جريدة الرياض ### 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](https://kdinternational.com.au/applynow/) or [message us on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/966582357717). *Last updated: 14 September 2026. Fees and requirements change; always confirm with the official source before deciding.*