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Tuition-free study
Full external scholarships allow eligible international students to undertake full-time undergraduate study without tuition fees.
University guide
Study at the University of Madinah
A detailed and accessible guide to courses, Arabic preparation, international scholarships, entry requirements, student life and the full route from arrival to graduation.
4-year degreesMost Arabic and humanities programmes
5-year degreesEngineering and computing routes
Arabic preparationPlacement depends on assessed ability
Full scholarshipsFor eligible students living outside Saudi Arabia
Main benefits
A complete university experience
Eligible international students can receive tuition-free study, accommodation, financial support and a wide range of campus services.
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University housing
Accommodation is included for full external scholarship students.
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Monthly stipend
A monthly living allowance helps scholarship students cover everyday personal expenses.
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Annual travel support
Eligible scholarship students receive support for an economy journey home at the end of the academic year.
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Free medical services
Student healthcare is included among the services described in.
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Free transport
Free university transport connects the campus with Masjid an-Nabawi.
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Subsidised meals
Meals are offered at reduced student prices rather than ordinary commercial rates.
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Library and academic support
Central library access, counselling, guidance, cultural activities and student service centres are listed.
The university in numbers
A large, international university community
Thousands of students study alongside a substantial academic and professional workforce, with nationalities represented from across the world.
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Global alumni network
Alumni since 1964
Graduates form a worldwide network and contribute through education, research, charity, public service and community leadership in countries across the world.
Arabic and study route
How the journey actually works
Students applying to Arabic-taught faculties may be assessed and placed either directly into a degree or into preparatory Arabic. Students are placed according to their Arabic ability; some begin the degree directly, while others complete language preparation first.
Arabic already strongA student with sufficient proficiency may be placed directly into the chosen Arabic-taught faculty.
Arabic not yet sufficientThe university may place the student in its Arabic-language pathway before entry into the main faculty.
Length of preparationThe length depends on assessed ability. A student who needs full preparation may spend up to two years building the reading, writing, listening and speaking skills required for the degree.
After ArabicOnce the required level is completed, the student progresses into the degree to which he has been admitted.
Typical expectation: students educated outside an Arabic-medium school should be prepared for an Arabic assessment. Strong students may enter directly, while others may complete one or two years of preparation.
Example pathways
How long could the full journey take?
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Direct Arabic-faculty route
Four-year Bachelor’s degree if the student enters directly and the programme follows the standard theoretical-course duration.
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Two-year Arabic scenario
Up to two years of Arabic preparation followed by a four-year degree: approximately six years in total.
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Engineering or computing
lists five years for engineering and computing programmes.
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Science subjects
lists four years for science programmes such as physics, chemistry and mathematics.
Courses and duration
What can students study?
The university offers both scientific and humanities-based routes, with programme length depending on the subject.
Engineering
Electrical, mechanical, civil, industrial and chemical engineering.
Science and mathematics
Physics, chemistry, mathematics, financial and actuarial mathematics, and environmental sciences.
Computing and information systems
Computer science, data science, information technology and information systems.
Law and judicial systems
Modern legal study, courts, institutions and legal systems.
Islamic law and ethics
Rules and ethical principles relating to worship, family life, finance, society and personal conduct, together with the methods scholars use to interpret evidence.
Arabic and human studies
Arabic language, literature, media and related humanities subjects.
Faith and community education
Core beliefs, religions, education, communication and community service.
Qur’an studies
Recitation, interpretation, language and the academic study of the Qur’an. Full memorisation is required for admission to this faculty.
Prophetic teachings
Recorded teachings, historical transmission and methods used to evaluate reliability.
Money and everyday costs
Scholarship support and everyday value
Tuition, accommodation and major student services are supported, while everyday costs in Madinah are generally far lower than in the UK.
840 SARMonthly living allowance for day-to-day personal expenses, paid by the university.
Two extra monthly paymentsA one-off arrival payment helps new students buy essentials and settle into university life.
Three extra monthly paymentsA graduation payment helps students ship books and personal belongings home.
Breakfast: 1 SARApproximately 20p for a subsidised campus breakfast.
Lunch: 2 SARApproximately 40p for a subsidised campus lunch.
Dinner: 3 SARApproximately 60p for a subsidised campus dinner.
Lower living costs: three campus meals can cost around 6 SAR in total — roughly £1.20. With tuition and accommodation supported, the overall cost of student life can be dramatically lower than studying and living independently in the UK.
Campus tour
See student life in practice
The video visits faculties, the Arabic institute, library, medical centre, sports facilities, accommodation and dining.
Entry requirements
What external scholarship applicants need
Applicants for a full international scholarship generally need to meet the following conditions.
General conditions
- Secondary-school certificate or equivalent
- Certificate normally obtained within the last five years
- Usually aged between 17 and 25
- Living outside Saudi Arabia for the full external scholarship route
- Good conduct and no disciplinary dismissal from another university
- No other scholarship from a Saudi educational institution
- Medical fitness
- Passing any required university examinations
Required documents
- High-school certificate
- Academic transcript
- Passport copy
- Birth certificate or age-verification document
- Criminal-record clearance
- Medical report
- Two academic recommendations
- Recent personal photograph
- English-language evidence for relevant scientific programmes
Important: admission to the Qur’an faculty requires complete memorisation of the Qur’an and a successful oral examination. Scholarship students are also told that their admitted faculty and programme are final after acceptance.
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers
Does every international student complete two years of Arabic?
No. Students are placed according to proficiency. Some may begin the degree directly, while others complete one or two years of language preparation first.
How much financial support is available?
Scholarship students receive a monthly living allowance, an additional arrival payment equal to two monthly allowances, and a graduation payment equal to three monthly allowances for shipping books and belongings.
How long is the Islamic law degree?
The Islamic law degree is four years. Any required Arabic preparation comes before the degree and adds to the total study period.
What is included in a full external scholarship?
A full scholarship includes tuition-free study, university housing, a monthly living allowance, arrival and graduation payments, annual travel support, subsidised meals, medical services, transport, library access and student support.
Is Arabic or English used for teaching?
Humanities and Islamic studies are taught mainly in Arabic, while scientific and technical programmes are taught mainly in English.
Where are applications submitted?
Applications are submitted through the Study in Saudi platform. Applicants should apply directly rather than using unofficial admissions agents.
Official information
Always verify the latest guide before applying
Admission dates, scholarship amounts, programme availability and regulations can change. The university admissions information and the Study in Saudi platform should be treated as the final authority.
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