Free and Subsidised Coding Courses in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf (2026 Guide)
Free and subsidised ways to learn coding in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf: Tuwaiq Academy, Doroob, SDAIA Academy, Misk, 42 Abu Dhabi and free global courses.
Published 6 min read
In this article
In Saudi Arabia and the Gulf you can learn to code for free or at a subsidised cost through official, well-known providers. The main ones are Tuwaiq Academy, Doroob from the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF), and SDAIA Academy in Saudi Arabia, and 42 Abu Dhabi in the UAE. Start with free global resources, then apply to a local bootcamp that fits your level, and always check conditions and fees on each programme's official site.
In short: learn the basics free online, then use local subsidised bootcamps and programmes, and build real projects you can show employers. Rules and dates change, so the official website is always the final word.
How to choose the right programme
Before you sign up for anything, answer three questions:
- What's your level right now? If you're a complete beginner, start with a free self-paced course before an intensive bootcamp.
- How many hours a week do you have? Some bootcamps are in person or full time; others are remote and flexible.
- What's your goal? A tech job, a skill to add to your current role, or a hobby?
If you haven't picked a first language yet, read our plan for learning programming from scratch.
Tuwaiq Academy
Tuwaiq Academy is one of Saudi Arabia's best-known tech training providers; it was announced in August 2019. Its official site offers several kinds of activity:
- Bootcamps: intensive training built around job-market needs, lasting one to nine months, with professional certificates. The academy describes them as ending in employment for top performers.
- Programmes: shorter courses of one to three weeks focused on a specific skill.
- Satr platform: online courses and learning tracks you can follow at your own pace.
- Affiliated academies and partnerships: such as the Apple Developer Academy and Holberton.
Bootcamps run in Riyadh or remotely, and conditions differ from one to the next. Many are advertised without fees, but some do carry a fee, and each programme's page shows this. Read the full bootcamp page before you apply.
Doroob (Human Resources Development Fund)
Doroob is the e-training programme of the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF, known in Arabic as Hadaf). According to the fund's official page:
- Any Saudi citizen can register and join its training programmes.
- Registration is free, and the fund covers training costs, fully or partly, depending on the type of training and the group you're in.
- Support targets job seekers and private-sector employees, with extra groups such as people with disabilities and residents of remote areas.
- You get a completion certificate once you meet the course requirements.
Doroob covers many fields, not just programming, so search it for digital and technical tracks. It works well for building a foundation before moving on to a hands-on bootcamp.
SDAIA Academy
SDAIA Academy is an initiative of the Saudi Data and AI Authority. It aims to build national skills in data and artificial intelligence, and runs programmes and bootcamps with universities and academic institutions. Its advertised programmes cover areas such as:
- Data science and analysis with Python.
- Data engineering and databases.
- AI, deep learning and generative AI.
- Programmes for young learners covering programming basics.
Most of these aren't aimed at total beginners; some expect programming basics or an admission test. Check the admission conditions, fees and registration dates on the academy's page on the official SDAIA website.
Misk Skills bootcamps with Tuwaiq
Misk Skills and Tuwaiq Academy run an intensive programme for recent university graduates. It covers several emerging-tech fields, includes an applied challenge, and is presented as ending in employment for top performers. You register through the programme's page on the Tuwaiq Academy website, and you'll need your ID details. Intakes open at set times, so watch the official page for dates.
Options elsewhere in the Gulf
- 42 Abu Dhabi (UAE): a tuition-free coding academy built on peer-to-peer learning and real projects. It says no previous coding experience is needed, but you must be at least 18. It has campuses in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, and admission goes through several stages and tests.
- Other Gulf countries: Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman have government and university programmes, but they change from year to year. Look for them on your country's official government portal or university websites, and avoid ads that charge a fee to "reserve a seat" on a programme that is supposedly free.
Free global resources you can start today
Don't wait for a bootcamp to open. These are open to everyone and you can start right now:
- Harvard's CS50: a strong introduction to computer science, free through Harvard's OpenCourseWare. Verified or accredited certificates are a separate paid option.
- freeCodeCamp: a free curriculum for web development, Python and data analysis, with free completion certifications.
- The Odin Project: a free, open-source full-stack web development curriculum.
- Arabic YouTube channels: there are excellent Arabic channels that teach coding from zero. Pick one channel and follow a complete playlist rather than jumping between videos.
If you choose Python, work through our guide to your first Python program alongside any course.
Quick comparison
| Programme | Provider | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuwaiq Academy | Saudi tech training provider | Beginners to intermediate, depending on the bootcamp | Many without fees, some paid |
| Doroob | Human Resources Development Fund | Saudi citizens, foundations | Free registration, subsidised training |
| SDAIA Academy | Saudi Data and AI Authority | Data and AI, usually after the basics | Check the programme page |
| Misk Skills × Tuwaiq | Misk and Tuwaiq Academy | Recent university graduates | Check the programme page |
| 42 Abu Dhabi | Academy in the UAE | Anyone 18+, no experience needed | Tuition-free |
| CS50 and freeCodeCamp | Global providers | Everyone | Free content |
Tips to get the most out of it and improve your chances
- Start before you're accepted. Finish a free fundamentals course first; it makes admission tests easier.
- Build small projects and put them on GitHub. Our Git and GitHub guide walks you through it.
- Follow the official accounts of these providers so you know when registration opens; places fill quickly.
- Watch out for middleman sites that ask for fees or your data in exchange for a "registration link". Always register on the official site.
- Finish what you start. Completing one programme beats starting five.
Official sources: Tuwaiq Academy, Doroob on the HRDF website, SDAIA Academy.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need coding experience to join a bootcamp?
It depends on the programme. Some are open to complete beginners, such as 42 Abu Dhabi, which says no coding experience is required, while advanced bootcamps expect the basics or an admission test. Learning the fundamentals for free before you apply improves your chances.
Can non-Saudi residents use these programmes?
Some programmes are for citizens only; Doroob, for example, states that registration is open to Saudi citizens. Others have their own conditions. Global resources like freeCodeCamp and CS50 are open to everyone.
Is a certificate from a free course enough to get a job?
A certificate helps, but on its own it usually isn't enough. Employers care more about what you can actually build, so collect your projects on GitHub and take part in hands-on challenges and bootcamps.
What should I do if I'm not accepted into a bootcamp?
That's common, because places are limited. Keep learning from free resources, build one or two projects, then apply to the next intake or to another bootcamp that matches your level.
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