Abstract
This study aims to analyze the current status of distance higher education in Saudi Arabia in order to identify a justification for the recourse to a virtual university, the appropriateness of the Saudi learning environment for this type of education, and the requirements of a virtual university. It employs a descriptive approach, collecting statistical data from reliable local and international sources, in addition to conducting personal interviews with admissions deans and other university agents who have a direct link to the subject matter. There are two primary reasons for the lack of appropriateness of a virtual university in the Saudi learning environment: the lack of faculty members and technical staff qualified to deal with the technology required for distance education, and the fact that universities are not technically qualified to activate distance learning. This kind of education has a number of requirements incompatible with the Saudi environment, including: a strong Internet technology infrastructure, including maintenance and technical support around the clock, a trained and qualified human infrastructure to manage this type of learning and develop electronic courses, and faculty that have a positive attitudes towards this way of learning and teaching, are able to develop and remotely manage e-learning courses, and respect electronic communication schedules with students.