The National Unified Admission Platform “Qabool” has announced the approved timeline for admission procedures at public universities and technical colleges, as well as for overseas scholarship programs for the upcoming academic year 1448 AH. This step represents a crucial stage for the future of thousands of high school graduates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as their academic and professional journey begins through this integrated electronic portal.
General context: A qualitative shift in university admission procedures
The “Qubool” platform is part of the comprehensive digital transformation underway in the Kingdom, in line with Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of government services for citizens. Prior to the launch of the unified admissions system, students had to apply separately to each university, placing a significant burden on them and their families and increasing their anxiety and stress. Now, the platform has consolidated the application process under one umbrella, ensuring fairness, transparency, and equal opportunities for all applicants based on clear criteria, including a weighted average based on the high school diploma and scores on the General Aptitude Test and the Achievement Test.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
Announcing the application timeline early is of paramount strategic importance. Locally, it gives students and their parents ample time to prepare and plan for the various stages of the application process, from selecting their preferred fields of study and specializations to preparing for standardized tests and interviews. This structured approach also contributes to aligning the outcomes of general education with the demands of the labor market and the needs of national development. Internationally, the organized scholarship program, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program, ensures the development of qualified national talent at top international universities, enabling them to return and contribute to building a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.
Details of the academic calendar for the year 1448 AH
The platform revealed a detailed timeline spanning 11 consecutive stages, designed to guide the student step by step through the application process:
- Phase 1 (November 5 – June 24): Begins with adding preferences and reviewing available majors, allowing students to explore academic options early.
- Phase Two (January 10 – May 7): Dedicated to applying for overseas scholarships within the “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program” and reviewing recommended universities.
- Phase Three (April 1 – July 5): Includes conducting personal interviews and the necessary tests for some specific specializations.
- Phase Four (until June 1): Deadline for updating academic data and submitting special exceptions.
- Phase Five (June 9): The deadline for taking the achievement test, which is a prerequisite for competing in scientific and health disciplines.
- Phase Six (June 12-14): Announcing the results of admission to scholarship programs and confirming acceptance for candidates.
- Phase Seven (June 14): Deadline for adding specializations with special requirements.
- Phase Eight (June 26-27): Automated monitoring of high school results from official sources.
- Phase Nine (June 30): The deadline for taking the General Aptitude Test.
- Phase 10 (June 28 – July 9): Showing the opportunities available to students based on their grades and preferences.
- Eleventh stage (July 14-16): Announcement of final admission results and confirmation of final seat selection.
