Publication Requirements for PhD Graduation in Saudi Arabia

Earning a PhD is one of the most prestigious academic milestones, and in Saudi Arabia, this achievement is closely tied to research publication. Over the last decade, Saudi universities have increasingly emphasized the importance of publishing in peer-reviewed journals as a graduation requirement. The rationale is clear: publication not only validates the quality of a student’s research but also contributes to the country’s growing scientific visibility on the international stage.

In this article, we’ll explore how publication has become a requirement for PhD graduation in Saudi Arabia, what types of publications are acceptable, and how different universities implement this rule.

Globally, the demand for research publication is rising, and Saudi Arabia is no exception. The Ministry of Education and the University Council have issued unified regulations stating that a doctoral candidate must publish—or have accepted for publication—at least one research paper in a refereed outlet before the defense of their dissertation.

While the national regulation sets the minimum standard, implementation differs across institutions. Here’s a closer look at how leading Saudi universities enforce this requirement.

At King Saud University, publication is not optional—it is a mandatory requirement for all PhD candidates. The Graduate Studies regulations clearly state that a PhD student must publish at least one paper derived from their dissertation before the thesis defense.

Some departments impose stricter standards:

• Mass Communication PhD: Requires at least one published or accepted paper in a peer-reviewed journal.

• Dentistry (DScD program): Requires two publications—one accepted in an ISI/PubMed journal and another submitted.

This highlights how requirements can vary by faculty, with medical and scientific fields often expecting more.

KAU also enforces a publication requirement. The Graduate Studies Handbook specifies that PhD candidates must publish—or have accepted—at least one paper in a refereed journal.

However, individual departments add extra layers:

• Mathematics: Requires two papers in well-respected journals derived from the dissertation.

• Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE): Students must publish at least two peer-reviewed journal papers.

So while the university-wide rule requires one publication, some faculties expect two.

KFUPM is somewhat different. Its official graduate guidelines do not explicitly state a publication requirement for PhD completion. Instead, the emphasis is on coursework, thesis preparation, and defense procedures.

In practice, however, students are strongly encouraged to publish, and many supervisors expect their candidates to submit at least one article. While not a formal regulation, publishing is an informal standard for academic credibility.

At King Khalid University, the requirement is formalized. Graduate regulations state that a PhD student must publish or obtain acceptance for at least one refereed article before the dissertation defense.

The regulation is universal, applying across all faculties and disciplines. Students typically fulfill this by publishing in peer-reviewed journals indexed in Scopus or Web of Science.

At IAU, publication requirements vary by program, but the minimum is typically one paper. For instance:

• Chemistry PhD: Requires at least one publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

• Public Health PhD: Requires two published articles in refereed journals.

This shows that while the baseline is one publication, some faculties raise the bar.

PNU follows the national standard but states it very explicitly: doctoral students must publish at least one article in a refereed scientific journal, and the paper must be derived from their dissertation. Proof of acceptance is also accepted.

KAUST stands out as the exception. Its official PhD requirements do not include a publication mandate. Instead, the focus is on coursework, qualifying exams, proposal defense, and dissertation defense.

That said, KAUST is a highly research-intensive university, and publication is strongly encouraged and often expected informally. Most PhD graduates from KAUST do have publications, even though it is not technically required for graduation.

UQU enforces publication very strictly. To submit a dissertation, students must provide proof of at least one paper published or accepted in a refereed and classified journal, derived from the thesis, and published under the university’s name.

This aligns with the broader national regulation and ensures that UQU maintains international publication standards.

Conclusion

For PhD candidates in Saudi Arabia, publishing a research article is not just an academic achievement—it is a graduation requirement. While the exact number of required publications varies between universities and disciplines, the trend is clear: research publication is central to doctoral education in the Kingdom.

This policy aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader vision to boost its international research profile and ensure that graduates leave with not only a doctoral degree but also tangible contributions to their fields.

For students, this means planning for publication early in the PhD journey—working closely with supervisors, targeting the right journals, and ensuring manuscripts meet international standards. Whether one paper or two, in Scopus or other indexed journals, publication is the gateway to completing a PhD in Saudi Arabia.