The Islamic University of Madinah (IUM) Scholarship is a fully funded award for international students at a Saudi public university in Madinah. Most people know IUM for Islamic sciences, but the scholarship programs listed here are technical: engineering and science at Bachelor's level, plus three applied Master's programs. If you are a Pakistani student with a strong FSc or BS record in maths and physics and you would like to study in Madinah without paying for it, this one deserves a serious look. You can see the full scholarship details on our scholarship page.
It does not suit everyone. Married students should read the housing section carefully, Master's applicants need GRE and TOEFL scores, and every certificate has to go into Arabic. None of this is hard, but each step takes time, and people tend to underestimate it.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Fully funded: flights, monthly allowance, housing for unmarried students, healthcare |
| Levels | Bachelor's and Master's |
| Country | Saudi Arabia (Madinah) |
| Minimum age | 17 years |
| Deadline | Two intakes a year; check the portal for current dates |
| Apply through | Study in Saudi portal |
| University site | Islamic University of Madinah website |
What the IUM package actually pays for
The funding is broad. Here is what the university lists:
- A return air ticket when you are admitted, and again every year after that
- A monthly financial allowance for living expenses
- An extra allowance for students with excellent academic grades
- Free furnished accommodation for unmarried students
- Healthcare at the university hospital
- Access to social, training and sports facilities
The exact monthly allowance amount is not published in the information we have, so do not build a budget around a figure you saw on a forum. Ask the university or check the Islamic University of Madinah website for the current rate. What is clear is that the allowance rises if you keep excellent grades, so your marks after admission have a direct effect on your money.
The annual ticket matters more than it looks. Many scholarships pay one flight at the start and one at the end. A yearly return ticket means you can come home to Pakistan once a year without dipping into your allowance.
The housing catch for married students
Free furnished accommodation is stated for unmarried students only. If you are married, or plan to marry during your studies, do not assume family housing exists. Contact the university directly about housing before you accept an offer. This is the single most common misunderstanding with this scholarship.
Programs you can choose under the scholarship
At Bachelor's level the listed programs are:
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
At Master's level there are three programs: Renewable Energy, Engineering and Technology Management, and Mechatronics and Robotics. These are tied to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 priorities, which tells you the university wants graduates who can work on energy and technology projects. If your BS is in electrical, mechanical or a related engineering field, these are a natural fit. If your background is in commerce or the humanities, the Master's options here probably are not for you.
Eligibility, and the gender question to settle early
The scholarship is listed as open to all nationalities, which includes Pakistan. The basic conditions are:
- You must be at least 17 years old
- Master's applicants need a Bachelor's degree
- Master's applicants need a GPA of at least 3.75 out of 5.0
- Master's applicants need a GRE Quantitative score of at least 130
- Master's applicants need a TOEFL PBT score of at least 450
One guidance note for students from other countries describes the scholarship as open to Muslim male students from around the world. If you are a female applicant or not Muslim, email the Deanship of Admission and Registration (contact details are on the Islamic University of Madinah website) and get a written answer about your eligibility before you pay for translations or tests.
On the GPA: the threshold is written on a 5.0 scale. If your transcript uses a different scale, do not convert it yourself and assume you pass. Ask the university how they will read your grades.
Why the GRE and TOEFL PBT scores need early planning
Master's applicants need both a GRE Quantitative score and a TOEFL PBT score. Many Pakistani students have IELTS and no GRE at all. Booking, preparing and receiving scores takes weeks, so start this before the intake opens, not after. Check the exact form of TOEFL the university will accept, because the requirement is written as PBT.
Documents, and why Arabic translation slows people down
You will need:
- Educational certificates, with Arabic translation
- National ID card (CNIC) or birth certificate
- Valid passport
- CV
- Police Character Certificate, with Arabic translation
- Medical fitness report
- Recommendation letter
The educational certificates and the police character certificate must be translated into Arabic by a certified translator. Google Translate will not do. Your ID or birth certificate and passport do not need translation. Allow 1-2 weeks for translation and budget for a per-document fee.
Get the police certificate early too, since it then has to go to a translator. If you want a single list to work from, our documents checklist for international scholarships helps, and the IBCC and MOFA attestation guide covers the Pakistani side of certifying your papers.
Applying through the Study in Saudi portal
- Go to the Study in Saudi portal.
- Create an account and enter your personal and academic information.
- Upload all required documents.
- Select the Islamic University of Madinah and your program.
- Submit and wait for the admission decision.
Upload translated documents, not just the originals. A missing Arabic translation is an easy reason for a file to stall. Keep scanned copies clear and named sensibly so you can find them again if the portal asks for re-uploads.
Two intakes a year, and how to use that
IUM takes students twice a year. There is no fixed published deadline in the information we have, so check the portal for the current open period. If you miss one cycle, the next is typically about 6 months away.
That second chance is useful, but it is also a trap. Students relax, thinking they can always apply next time, and then the same gaps (no GRE, untranslated certificates) are still there six months later. Treat the gap between intakes as preparation time. If one window has just closed, spend it on your test scores and translations so you are ready on day one of the next.
Contacts for Pakistani applicants
For Saudi student visa requirements and scholarship coordination, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Islamabad is in the Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 4, Islamabad (phone +92-51-9216800). Its Cultural Attache handles scholarship nominations and student files.
Once you are in Madinah, consular help comes from the Pakistani Consulate in Jeddah (+966-12-6824250) or the Embassy in Riyadh. Details are on the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Saudi Arabia page.
Life in Madinah as a student
Madinah is Islam's second-holiest city. For a Muslim student, living near Masjid al-Nabawi is a big part of the appeal, and halal food is everywhere. Living costs are described as manageable, and the city is clean and safe. The weather is the hard part: summers reach 40-45 degrees Celsius, though campus facilities are air-conditioned.
Be realistic about language. Your documents go into Arabic, and daily life in Madinah runs in Arabic. Some basic Arabic before you arrive will make shops, offices and the hospital much easier.
If you are comparing options in the region, see our guide to all Saudi Arabia scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the IUM scholarship?
Yes. The scholarship is listed as open to all nationalities. Because one guidance note mentions Muslim male students, female and non-Muslim applicants should confirm their eligibility with the university first.
How often does the scholarship open?
Twice a year. Check the Study in Saudi portal for the current open period, since dates are not fixed in advance.
What scores do Master's applicants need?
A GPA of at least 3.75 out of 5.0, a GRE Quantitative score of at least 130, and a TOEFL PBT score of at least 450, along with a Bachelor's degree.
Which documents need Arabic translation?
All educational certificates and the Police Character Certificate. Use a certified translator. Your passport and ID or birth certificate do not need translation.
Is accommodation provided for married students?
Free furnished accommodation is stated for unmarried students. Married students should ask the university directly about housing.
How much is the monthly allowance?
The amount is not stated in the information available to us. There is an extra allowance for excellent grades. Confirm the current figure with the university.
Before you start, check the current intake on the Study in Saudi portal and the Islamic University of Madinah website, and keep the full scholarship page handy for the details.