King Saud University was established by Royal Decree No. 17, dated 21/4/1377H. Studies at the University commenced with the establishment of the College of Arts in 1377/1378 AH. The administrative organization of the University received great attention, as its basic rules were established through the issuance of 3 Royal Decrees related to its Charter.

The establishment of colleges at the university continued, with the College of Science being established on 7/8/1379H.

In 1380H, Royal Decree No. 112, dated 26/12/1380H, was issued, approving the King Saud University Charter.

The most prominent provisions of the Charter were that the University has a legal personality and a special budget approved by the Minister of Education and presented to the competent authorities for approval. The University specializes in all matters related to higher education undertaken by its colleges and institutes, and in encouraging scientific research and working for the advancement of literature and sciences in the country. The Minister of Education was the Supreme President of the University by virtue of his position. The charter also stipulated that the University shall have a Vice-Rector and a Secretary-General, and each college should have a Dean and a Vice-Dean, provided that a council is formed for each college or institute affiliated with the University. On 7/9/1380H, the Colleges of Commerce (currently Administrative Sciences) and Pharmacy were established.

In 1385/1386H, the College of Agriculture was established.

In 1387H, Royal Decree No. M/11, dated 8/5/1387H, was issued, approving the charter of Riyadh University (currently King Saud University) and repealing previous regulations, orders, and instructions related to the University.

Among the most prominent provisions of the Charter was the establishment of the Supreme Council of the University as one of its administrative authorities, with the membership of two university directors or faculty members who previously held these positions outside the Kingdom or intellectuals in the country. The Supreme Council is the dominant authority over the University's affairs and has the power to set its policy, and to take appropriate decisions to achieve the purpose for which the University was established, especially in the field of establishing new colleges and departments and proposing the University's budget and the salaries and incentives system for faculty members.

In 1387/1388H, the Colleges of Engineering and Education were integrated into the university after they were under the supervision of the Ministry of Education in cooperation with UNESCO.

On 8/9/1390H, the College of Medicine for Boys was established, and in the academic year 1394/1395H, female students began to be admitted. In the same year, the Arabic Language Institute was established due to the University's keenness to spread the Arabic language and teach it to non-native speakers. Deaneries of Admission and Registration Affairs, Student Affairs, and Library Affairs were also established.

Approving the Charter of Riyadh University (currently King Saud University) and repealing the University Charter issued in 1387H and all previous regulations, orders, and instructions that conflicting therewith.

Among the most prominent provisions of the Charter was the inclusion of five University directors or professors, or those who previously held these positions, or intellectuals in the country, as members of the Supreme Council of the University. In addition to the inclusion of the University's Secretary-General as a member of the University Council and benefiting from the presence of two members from outside the University. The Charter also stipulated the establishment of a Scientific Council responsible for scientific research and studies, with its members, competencies, and powers defined according to a regulation issued by the Supreme Council of the University.

In 1396H, the University Studies Center for Girls was established to supervise the organization of female students' studies.

In the same year, the University branch in Abha was established, and a College of Education was established there. The College of Dentistry for Boys and the College of Applied Medical Sciences in Riyadh were also established, which was later renamed the College of Applied Medical Sciences.

In 1398H, the College of Graduate Studies was established to organize and supervise all matters related to graduate programs offered by the scientific departments of the University's colleges. Female students were also admitted to the College of Dentistry.

In 1400H, the College of Medicine in Abha was established by Royal Order No. 3/M/380, dated 29/2/1400H, and was integrated into the University by High Directive No. 15128, dated 29/6/1400H. Studies began there in 1401/1402H.

In 1401H, another university branch was established in Al-Qassim region, and the College of Agriculture and Veterinary and the College of Economics and Administration were opened there. Studies began there at the beginning of the academic year 1402/1403H.

In 1411H, the Institute of Languages and Translation was established as an embodiment of the Kingdom's interest in teaching foreign languages and translation, and in 1415H, it was converted into the College of Languages and Translation.

In 1414H, the Royal Approval of the Law of the Higher Education Council and Universities was issued, which stipulated the establishment of a council for each university to manage scientific, administrative, and financial affairs and implement the university's general policy.

In 1417H, Resolution No. 1282/A was issued by the Higher Education Council approving the establishment of an Institute for Research and Consulting Studies at King Saud University, which was later renamed King Abdullah Institute for Research and Consulting Studies.

In 1418H, Royal Decree No. 33, was issued establishing Jazan Community College affiliated with King Saud University. Approval was also granted for the establishment of a College of Science at the University branch in Al-Qassim.

In 1419H, Royal Order No. 7/78/M, dated 11/3/1419H, was issued, establishing King Khalid University in the South and merging the branches of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University and King Saud University to become an independent university named King Khalid University. In the same year, after the issuance of the unified regulations for graduate studies in universities, the name of the College of Graduate Studies at King Saud University was changed to the Deanship of Graduate Studies starting from the first semester of the academic year 1419/1420H, and a Deanship of Scientific Research was also established in accordance with the scientific research law issued in the same year.

In 1421H, a College of Medicine was established at the University branch in Al-Qassim. Approval was also granted to change the name of (Community Service and Continuing Education Center) at King Saud University to the College of Applied Studies and Community Service.

In 1422H, the Community College in Riyadh was established by the esteemed Council of Ministers, Resolution No. 73, dated 5/3/1422H. In the academic year 1423/1424H, the College of Science in Al-Jouf was established. In the academic year 1424/1425H, the College of Engineering in Al-Qassim was opened. Approval was also granted for the establishment of community colleges in Al-Majma'ah, Al-Aflaj, and Al-Qurayyat.

Starting from the academic year 1424/1425H, Al-Qassim branch became an independent university. On 26/11/1424H, the Higher Education Council approved the conversion of the Nursing Department at the College of Applied Medical Sciences into an independent college named College of Nursing.

Approval was issued for the establishment of the College of Arts with its performing, visual, and design departments (Theater, Cinema, Arabic Calligraphy...), which represents a qualitative leap in teaching artistic specializations that serve the nation, develop job opportunities, and encourage creativity and excellence.

Charter of King Saud University (an independent non-profit academic institution)
ِArticle 1:
In this Charter, the following words shall have the meanings assigned thereto: University: King Saud University (Independent, Non-Profit Academic Institution). RCRC: Royal Commission for Riyadh City.
Board: Board of Directors of the University.
Charter: Charter of the University.
Regulations: Regulations issued under this Charter.
Article 2:
The University, as a non-profit academic institution, shall, under this Charter, have a legal personality and independent financial liability, including financial, administrative, and academic independence.
The University shall be owned by the RCRC and shall be headquartered in the city of Riyadh. It may, as needed, establish branches, colleges, institutes, departments, research centers, and programs at locations other than its headquarters.