Studying in Saudi Arabia
The home of Islamic studies, fully funded — plus STEM (KAUST)
Saudi Arabia is the premier destination for Islamic studies (Sharia, Quran, Arabic, Hadith) with fully funded scholarships covering everything — hugely popular with pesantren graduates. It's now also growing in STEM via research campuses like KAUST and KFUPM.
Updated: September 2026 · Figures are indicative and subject to change — always verify with official sources/partners before making financial decisions.
1Major Scholarships
Beasiswa Universitas Islam Madinah
Full: tuition + housing + stipend + annual airfare + healthcare
🗓 Undergrad application ± June (via the university portal)
KAUST Fellowship & beasiswa kampus
Full for research/STEM (English-taught)
🗓 Rolling / follows admission
2Strong Subjects
3Indicative Tuition & Living Costs
For scholarship recipients: fully free. Islamic universities cover tuition, housing, and allowances.
Covered by the scholarship (free housing + monthly stipend); self-funded indicatively USD 500–800/month.
Figures are indicative and subject to change — always verify with official sources/partners before making financial decisions.
4Language Requirements
Islamic studies: Arabic (universities provide a language prep year). STEM (KAUST/KFUPM): English, IELTS/TOEFL.
5Documents to Prepare
- Passport & photos per format
- Diploma & transcript + certified English translation
- Language score (IELTS/TOEFL or a local test per program)
- Motivation letter / study-plan essay + recommendation letters
- University acceptance (LoA/offer letter)
- Proof of funds / sponsorship per visa rules
- Health certificate + insurance
6Intakes & Preparation Timeline
🗓 Varies by university; Madinah undergrad deadline ± June
- 1
Research countries/campuses + start language prep
12–18 months before intake
- 2
Language score in hand + build documents (CV, essays, references)
9–12 months before
- 3
Submit university & scholarship applications
6–9 months before
- 4
Results, student visa & departure prep
2–5 months before
7Common Questions
Good for pesantren graduates?
Very — the Islamic University of Madinah, Umm Al-Qura, and Imam Muhammad ibn Saud are favorite destinations for Indonesian santri, with full scholarships and a supportive environment.
Do I need Arabic first?
You don't need fluency upfront — Islamic universities usually provide an Arabic prep year before the main program.
Beyond Islamic studies, is there STEM?
Yes. KAUST (English-taught graduate research) and KFUPM offer world-class, fully funded STEM, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Notify me about scholarships & intakes for Arab Saudi
Free, straight from licensed agencies & partners — unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing you agree to be contacted via email/WhatsApp about jobs/scholarships. We never charge candidates. Unsubscribe anytime via the link in each email.