By the tiswa editorial team, from the official sources listed at the end of this guide. How we write our guides
The information technology major in Saudi Arabia deals with technology as organisations live it every day: networks, servers, systems and applications, and how they work together safely and without downtime. When an employee logs in to their organisation's system, a patient books an appointment in an app, or a student pays fees online, an IT team keeps everything running. This guide explains the major from official sources: where it is taught, how long it takes, the fields, admission, jobs, and how to prepare.
Where IT is taught in Saudi Arabia
King Saud University's College of Computer and Information Sciences has a separate Information Technology department offering a BS in Information Technology. The department lists its fields: AI, bioinformatics, cybersecurity, data science, human computer interaction, networking and robotics. At the same university, the College of Applied Studies offers a Bachelor of Applied Computing, including a cybersecurity track. Other universities offer IT as a standalone major or within computing colleges. Open each university's study plan, because programme content differs a lot between universities.
How many years is IT?
Most bachelor's programmes in IT and computing in Saudi Arabia are close to four years. For example, KSU's Bachelor of Applied Computing, cybersecurity track, takes four academic years with 131 credit hours, with a choice of summer internship or cooperative training. Credit hours and training formats differ between programmes, so check the study plan of the programme you want.
What you study in IT
This table is built on the fields KSU's IT department lists, with what each means for a student:
| Field | What you learn |
|---|---|
| Networking | How devices connect and data moves, and how to design and run a network |
| Cybersecurity | Protecting systems and data from attacks |
| Data science | Collecting and analysing data to support decisions |
| Artificial intelligence | Systems that learn from data and make decisions |
| Human computer interaction | Designing systems and interfaces that are easy to use |
| Robotics | Systems that combine programming with motion and sensors |
| Bioinformatics | Using computing on biological and medical data |
In almost every programme you start with a base in programming, databases and operating systems. If you are starting out, begin with how to learn programming from scratch.
IT vs computer science vs information systems
| Major | Focus | Example graduate work |
|---|---|---|
| Computer science | Computing theory and building software and algorithms | Developing a new system or algorithm |
| Information technology | Running, protecting and developing on the technical infrastructure | Managing networks, servers and cloud systems |
| Information systems | Linking technology to the organisation's needs and management | Business analysis and managing system projects |
The split is approximate, and the overlap is large. Read the computer science major and the information systems major guides to compare in detail.
Admission requirements
King Saud University's admissions office says the General Aptitude Test and the Achievement Test are required of all Saudi applicants, and that cut-offs are announced before admission opens. As an example, the page for the Bachelor of Applied Computing, cybersecurity track, lists for scientific-stream graduates a weighted score of 75%, made of 40% Achievement, 30% Aptitude and 30% secondary school grade. Each programme has its own cut-offs, and they change from year to year, so check the programme's own page. To prepare for the tests, see the exams guides.
Is the IT major right for you?
- Do you like setting up devices, adjusting settings and fixing tech problems for family and friends?
- Do you prefer hands-on work to deep mathematical theory?
- Can you patiently trace a problem until you find its cause?
- Do you enjoy learning new tools all the time?
- Can you work under pressure when a system many people rely on goes down?
If most answers are yes, the major likely suits you. If protection is what draws you, read the cybersecurity major guide.
IT jobs
- Network engineer: designs, runs and troubleshoots networks.
- Systems and server administrator: manages servers, accounts and backups.
- Cloud engineer: builds and runs systems on cloud platforms.
- Cybersecurity analyst: monitors systems and responds to incidents.
- Web and mobile application developer.
- Technical support and help desk specialist, a common starting point graduates grow from.
Summer or co-op training is the best time to learn a real organisation's infrastructure. Read the co-op training guide, prepare a student CV, and practise job interview questions.
Common mistakes IT students make
IT is a hands-on major, and grades alone are not enough. Watch out for these mistakes many students repeat:
- Memorising slides without setting anything up with your own hands.
- Neglecting programming because the major has less of it than computer science, though scripting automation is a core skill.
- Ignoring security when setting up any system, leaving default passwords and open ports.
- Learning one tool only without the concept behind it, so you are lost when the tool changes.
- Not documenting what you do, then forgetting the steps when you need them again.
Practical tips from home
- Build a home lab
Virtual machines on your laptop where you can try operating systems and networks freely.
- Learn the command line
Basic Linux commands save you a lot of time in every course.
- Try a cloud platform
Many cloud platforms have free tiers or student credit; use one to deploy a simple website.
- Document everything
Write the steps for every setup you do, because documentation is a valued skill and becomes your portfolio.
- Publish your projects
Put your scripts and configuration files on GitHub with an explanation.
- Pick a direction by your third year
Networking, security, cloud or data, and focus your projects and training on it.
I am an IT student studying [the difference between TCP and UDP]. Explain the idea with an everyday example, then a table comparing them, then two examples of applications that use each and why. At the end, ask me three questions to check I understood, and do not give the answers until I reply.
For more ways to use AI tools in your studies, read AI for computer science students and AI for cybersecurity students. Free development tools are in the GitHub Student Developer Pack.
