Madinah University Scholarship can make study in Saudi Arabia genuinely affordable, with a full package that covers tuition, furnished accommodation, healthcare, a monthly allowance, and travel support for selected international students.
It is mainly aimed at non-Saudi applicants living outside the Kingdom who meet the required academic standard, are medically fit, have good conduct, and at undergraduate level are usually aged 17 to 25; the 2026 external-scholarship application window runs from 19 April to 21 May 2026. The catch: places are limited, applicants cannot hold another Saudi scholarship, and admission rules differ by programme, so meeting the basic criteria does not guarantee a place. Before you apply to Madinah University, it helps to know what financial support is available. This guide walks you through it.
Here is the official website link for Madinah University Scholarship.
Madinah University Scholarship
1. Benefits of the Madinah University Scholarship
2. Eligibility Criteria of the Madinah University Scholarship
3. Documents required for Madinah University Scholarship
4. How to Apply for Madinah University Scholarship
5. Deadlines for Madinah University Scholarship
6. FAQs about the Madinah University Scholarship
1. Benefits of the Madinah University Scholarship
The University of Madinah offers a fully funded scholarship with a comprehensive support system designed to promote students’ academic success while ensuring their comfort, stability, and general well-being throughout their studies in Saudi Arabia. This program includes a range of financial, educational, and lifestyle benefits, outlined below:
Airfare Assistance:
Students receive a free airline ticket upon first enrolling at the university. They may also be eligible for a return ticket at the end of each academic year, subject to the university’s specific rules and policies.
Monthly Financial Support:
A fixed monthly stipend is provided to help cover basic living costs, allowing students to focus entirely on their studies without financial worries.
Academic Merit Reward:
Students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance may receive extra financial rewards in recognition of their excellence and continued dedication.
Housing Facilities:
The university provides free, fully furnished accommodation for unmarried students, ensuring a safe and comfortable living environment either on or near campus.
Meal Services:
Affordable dining options are available at the university’s food facilities, where students can obtain meals for a low monthly fee.
Medical Services:
Students have access to high-quality healthcare at the university hospital, ensuring ongoing medical support throughout their time at the institution.
Transport and Religious Activities:
The scholarship includes free daily transportation to and from the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. Additionally, the university organizes regular Umrah trips, allowing students to take part in important religious pilgrimages.
Campus Amenities:
Students have full access to various university facilities, including social, training, and sports resources, which support their personal development and enrich their overall university experience.
Overall, this scholarship aims to create a nurturing and intellectually stimulating environment that enables students to achieve both their academic and spiritual goals with ease and stability.
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2. Eligibility Criteria of the Madinah University Scholarship
To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must meet several academic, personal, and health-related conditions. These requirements ensure that candidates are well-prepared for academic life and aligned with the university’s values and expectations.
Language Requirement:
Applicants should have a sufficient level of English proficiency, as it is required for communication and coursework in many programs.
Nationality Eligibility:
The scholarship is open to applicants from all countries, reflecting the university’s commitment to global inclusivity and diversity.
Applicant Profile:
Only international Muslim male students with strong moral character and good conduct are eligible, in line with the university’s admission policies.
Undergraduate Academic Requirements:
Applicants must have completed secondary education (12 years of schooling) or an equivalent qualification recognized by the university.
Postgraduate Academic Requirements:
For master’s degree applicants, a bachelor’s degree or at least 16 years of formal education is required. A minimum academic achievement of 3.75 out of 5 (or equivalent) is generally expected.
Health Condition:
Applicants must be medically and physically fit. A health certificate may be required to confirm suitability for international study.
Age Limit:
For undergraduate admission, applicants are generally required to be between 17 and 25 years old at the time of application.
Academic Commitment:
Students must show a strong commitment to completing their studies and agree to comply with all academic rules and regulations of the university.
Standardized Test Requirements for Master’s Programs:
Additional testing requirements may apply depending on the applicant’s country:
- Applicants from Gulf countries must score at least 65 on the Postgraduate General Aptitude Test (QIYAS), valid for up to five years.
2. Applicants from outside Saudi Arabia must obtain a minimum GRE quantitative score of 130, with results no older than two years.
3. A minimum TOEFL-PBT score of 450 (or equivalent) is also required, with validity not exceeding two years.
4. In certain cases, the university’s Faculty Council may grant exemptions from these requirements.
3. Documents required for Madinah University Scholarship
3.2. Passport & National ID card
3.3. English Proficiency Proof (IELTS/TOEFL)
3.6. Hope certificate (If applicable)
3.7. Statement of Purpose or Motivational Letter
3.8. Proof of Previous Work Experience (Optional)
3.1. Academic documents
This includes all your certificates & academic record like
A: Bachelor’s transcript & certificate
B: Master’s transcript & certificate (if the student is applying for 2nd Master’s or fellowship)
C: Metric & FSC transcripts (10-12th Grade) (A level) (DMCs) and certificates (Supporting academic documents)
D: Course summary (to explain your courses & how your previous courses & studies resemble your future studies to which you are applying)
NOTE:
All of the above documents should be attested by respective boards.
Also, attest them from issuing authority of home countries. The respective university must attest university documents.
In the case of Pakistan, The above-mentioned documents must be attested by IBCC, HEC, and MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
IBCC authority is only responsible for the attestation of metric and inter documents.
Dear offices are present in Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and also in other cities of Pakistan.
HEC office attests to bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. documents.
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3.2. Valid passport, Birth certificate & NIC
The passport of the applicant must contain at least one full blank page on both sides.
The passport must be valid at the time of visa application and on arrival in Saudi Arabia.
A birth certificate or national ID card is also important to attach.
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3.3. English Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
Meeting the English language requirements set by the Master’s course is an important step toward achieving your bigger goal.
Generally speaking, Students with IELTS 6.5 overall or TOEFL above 100 are considered good. Nevertheless, these requirements may vary from course to course and degree to degree.
3.4. Recommendation letters / Letters of Reference
The applicants must provide up to 2letters of recommendation. from the previous university, depending upon courses.
It is advised to provide a letter of recommendation from the HOD (Head of the department or Relevant course head) who should be a PhD.
The referees need to write their contact details (Email, phone number) at the end of the letter.
The letter must include an official letterhead, signature, and official stamp and must be of the current date.
Ask your Referees to write about your academic achievements & discuss their confidence in you that you are fully compatible with the project or course you wish to pursue.
The referees must also mention how long they know the applicant & when was the last time they came in contact with the applicant.
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3.5.CV
Europass CV can be easily made here.
The Cv must contain all the latest & relevant information about your occupation & interests.
A perfect CV must be hand signed.
3.6. Hope certificate (If applicable)
If the final transcript isn’t ready then students can apply with a Hope certificate from their university.
However, they must be graduated before their arrival in Saudi Arabia.
(Please make sure you contact your university in this regard )
What is Hope’s certificate?
In simple words, It is a certificate based on the previous semester’s performance, that indicates that the candidate will pass the final exams with excellent results.
3.7. Statement of Purpose or Letter of Motivation
Technically SOP (Statement of purpose) and LOM (Letter of Motivation) are the same things.
It’s a Short biography to tell the panelist about yourself:
A letter of motivation or SOP could be a tricky part while applying for the DAAD Helmut Schmidt scholarship
In this letter, you are asked to write about your personal and professional reasons why are you applying for a course & scholarship.
The maximum length of this letter is three pages, But it is advised to make it short & concise to one page.
How to write a perfect letter of Motivation
If you are interested in writing your LOM on one page concisely, then follow this exact method.
LOM consists of three parts.
3.7.1.Introduction (one paragraph)
3.7.2.Body (3 paragraphs)
3.7.3. Conclusion (1 paragraph)
Let’s explain these three things one by one.
3.7.1. Introduction:
The introduction is the gateway to the rest of the letter. Try to capture their interest in the first few sentences. Be original & creative.
Make it personal & full of enthusiasm.
TIP: Try to initiate a story about yourself relevant to the scholarship you are applying for & then expand it to the first paragraph of the body.
3.7.2.Body:
In the first paragraph of the body, try to tell about your relevant academic & experienced background to the course.
And your professional goals attached to the Saudi Arabia & university. Share your expectations of the scholarship.
In the 2nd paragraph be more precise & focus on the specific achievement related to the scholarship & course.
In the 3rd paragraph expand on what you are currently doing & the interesting things you look forward to.
3.7.3. Conclusion:
Tell them why you are the best candidate for the DAAD Helmut Schmidt scholarship. Don’t sound needy or use pompous language instead focus on why you deserve it.
Tell them how this scholarship will help you or the future of your community.
3.8. Experience letter
Applicant must provide an Experience letter of the previous jobs & Internships.
Try to customize the work experience letter with future studies.
Mention your job descriptions, work projects & the skills you learned through time.
The letter must be signed & verified by the Head or CEO of the company.
The work experience could be Paid,
Unpaid,
full-time,
part-time, or voluntary.
It could be done before, during, or after graduation.
3.9. Portfolios or workshop
It’s optional. But students can attach portfolios or workshops to support their cases for university admission or scholarship.
4. How to Apply for Madinah University Scholarship
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Applicants wishing to apply for the Islamic University of Madinah scholarship must strictly follow the official application guidelines.
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The process is designed to ensure that all submissions are complete, accurate, and properly verified for fair assessment.
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The application procedure is described below:
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Online Application Process: Candidates must submit their applications through the university’s official online portal.
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Separate sections are typically available for undergraduate and postgraduate programs, and applicants should carefully select the correct category and fill out all required fields accurately.
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Submission of Required Documents: Applicants must upload a complete set of supporting documents as part of their application.
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These documents are essential for verifying academic background, identity, and eligibility.
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Required documents include:
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Academic certificates and transcripts, including result sheets and degree certificates.
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Birth certificate or national ID card.
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Valid passport, if available.
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Certificate of good conduct or character reference.
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Medical examination report confirming fitness to study.
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At least one letter of recommendation from a school, Islamic institution, or a qualified individual familiar with the applicant.
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Language Requirements for Documents: All submitted documents must be in either Arabic or English.
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If any documents are originally issued in another language, they must be officially translated into Arabic or English before submission.
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Attestation of Documents: Applicants should ensure that all original documents are officially verified.
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If a Saudi embassy exists in the applicant’s country, document authentication should be completed there.
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If no Saudi embassy is available, documents must be certified by a recognized authority approved by the university.
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Submission of Original Documents: Candidates who are accepted into the program will be required to present their original, properly attested documents upon admission or arrival.
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Failure to provide verified originals may result in cancellation of admission.
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Carefully following these steps and ensuring that all documents are complete and properly authenticated will greatly improve an applicant’s chances of being successfully admitted to the scholarship program.
5. Deadlines for Madinah University Scholarship
For the 2026–2027 academic session, application deadlines may vary by program and scholarship category.
Generally, application portals open between December and January each year, giving applicants sufficient time to prepare and submit their documents.
However, some external or affiliated scholarship programs may have earlier deadlines, with certain applications closing around October 1, 2026.
Due to these variations, applicants are strongly advised to begin preparing early and submit their applications as soon as possible. Early submission helps avoid last-minute issues and improves the chances of selection in highly competitive programs.
6. FAQs about the Madinah University Scholarship
To help applicants better understand the scholarship, the following FAQs address common concerns about eligibility, benefits, and the application process:
Q. What benefits does the scholarship provide?
The scholarship is fully funded and covers all major expenses, including tuition fees, monthly financial support, furnished accommodation, healthcare services, and prepaid academic materials such as textbooks.
Q. Is an English proficiency test required?
Yes, in most cases applicants must provide IELTS or TOEFL scores, especially for programs taught in English. Specific requirements may vary by academic program.
Q. Is there an application fee?
Yes, applicants are typically required to pay a non-refundable application fee of approximately 100 Saudi Riyals before submitting their application. The exact amount may vary by program.
Q. How do I apply?
Applicants must register on the official portal, choose their desired program, and complete the application form. Supporting documents such as a CV, transcripts, and recommendation letters must also be uploaded.
Q. Can I apply for a PhD program?
Yes, the scholarship is available for both master’s and PhD level studies.
Q. Is the scholarship open internationally?
Yes, students from all nationalities are eligible to apply, making it a globally accessible opportunity.
