Diploma Certificate in Arabic as a Foreign Language (DCAFL) Scholarship

EXTERNAL (Non-resident Applicants)

 This full scholarship is available to international students, based on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s relation with their countries. The DCAFL by the Arabic Language Institute at King Abdulaziz University is a two-year full time study program consisting of 60-credit hours. The program is designed to develop the students’ linguistic competence in Arabic in all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. It also focuses on using Arabic in real life situations. The program mainly employs  Al-Arabiyatu Bayna Yadayk  series “Arabic between your hands,” published by “Arabic for All,” a non-profit organization. Upon completion of the program requirements, students receive a Diploma Certificate in Arabic as a Foreign Language (DCAFL) and OUTSTANDING students have the opportunity to UPGRADE their scholarship and continue their Bachelor studies in any undergraduate program accept those offered in the following faculties: Medicine, Dentistry, Applied Medical Sciences, and Pharmacy.   

External Scholarship Admission Requirements:

1- Applicants to the DCAFL scholarship must:

a.   hold a secondary school certificate with a grade not lower than "Good". The certificate and transcript must be in Arabic or English, or translated to either language by a certified translator.

b.   be between 17 and 25 years old.

c.   not have received a scholarship from any other educational institution in the Kingdom.

d.   not have been dismissed from any educational institution in the Kingdom.

e.   provide proof of medical fitness.

f.   have a passport valid for at least two years.

g.  obtain their government approval to receive a scholarship to study in the Kingdom; this applies to citizens of countries that require Saudi students to provide the same approval.

h.  submit two letters of recommendation.

i.  (only for female applicants) be accompanied by a male guardian (mahram) who, according to the regulations, must either have received a scholarship or have a residence permit (Iqamah), or will be employed by a Saudi employer in need of his services.

2- All certificates and documents must be attested by authorities in the applicant’s country.

3- The electronic application must be submitted within the announced deadline with all required documents.

4- Once admitted, applicants must continue the registration procedures and plan their arrival as instructed by email.

5- Upon their arrival to the Kingdom, applicants must pass the medical examination determined by the rules and regulations of the Kingdom and the University.

 External Scholarship Application Procedure:

1-  Online application forms are submitted within the application period announced on the Arabic Language Institute website (http://ali.kau.edu.sa).

2-   All incomplete or inaccurate applications are rejected.

3-   Applications are then reviewed by the Admission Committee who decides which applicants are nominated for the scholarship.

4-   Nominated applications will be submitted to the Ministry of Education for approval and final admission.

5-   Admitted applicants will be contacted via email to verify at which Embassy of the Kingdom they prefer to receive their entry visa.

6-   After the visa is issued, applicants must visit the Saudi Embassy for attestation of documents and to complete the necessary formalities for traveling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

 Benefits of the Scholarship:

1-    In general, scholarship students enjoy all benefits that other university students have.

2-    Additionally, scholarship students are offered the following:

a.   Suitable accommodation and appropriate educational, social, and cultural care and guidance.                  

b.   A monthly stipend.

c.   A two-months stipend upon arrival for settling down.

d.   A three-months stipend after graduation for shipment.

e.   Subsidized meals.

f.    An annual two-way ticket from and to their country.

e.   Health care through University and governmental health facilities.

3-    Finally, OUTSTANDING students have the opportunity to UPGRADE their scholarship and continue their Bachelor studies in any undergraduate program except those offered in the following faculties: Medicine, Dentistry, Applied Medical Sciences, and Pharmacy.

General Scholarship Rules:

1-  Students must pledge to abide by the rules and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Residency (Iqamah) laws apply to scholarship students and therefore they must adhere to it. The existing regulations in the Kingdom denounce extremism and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

2-  Students must also maintain good conduct and behavior according to the University's regulations.

3-  Students must be committed to full time study and working for companies, institutions or individuals during the course of study is prohibited for student on scholarships.

4-  Students will be under the University sponsorship during the scholarship period and it will be responsible for them throughout their stay.

5-  Students can apply for family visa according to the applicable rules and regulations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

6-  It is mandatory that the travel documents/passport that the students hold allow them to return back to the country from where these documents are obtained without any terms or conditions.

7-  Students on scholarship do not have the right to transfer from one university to another.

End of Scholarship:

1-    External scholarship students should leave the Kingdom after completing their studies within a period not exceeding three months from the completion date. 

2-    If a student does not complete the degree requirements during the actual duration of the program (four semesters), it is not permissible to extend his scholarship duration for more than half the period required to complete the program (two semesters).

For more information:

For more information regarding the scholarship, please visit our website at http://ali.kau.edu.sa .