Umm Al-Qura University

Umm Al-Qura University is a public university in Makkah that traces its origins to a college of Sharia founded in 1949 and later grew into a full university. It is known for Islamic law, Islamic studies and Arabic language, and also has colleges of medicine, engineering, computing and applied sciences. Religious and Arabic subjects are taught in Arabic, and an Arabic language institute prepares non-native speakers. Scholarship places for international students are listed on the government's Study in Saudi Arabia platform.

• A completed secondary school certificate for bachelor's, a relevant bachelor's degree for master's, and usually a master's for a PhD
• English-taught programs: IELTS or TOEFL; Arabic-taught programs: Arabic proficiency
• Official transcripts and certificates, with certified translations if they are not in English or Arabic
• Foreign school certificates usually need attestation and an equivalency from the ministry of education
• The main campus is in Makkah, a city that only Muslims may enter.
• For master's and PhD: a CV, statement of purpose and academic references; PhD applicants usually also need a research proposal and an agreed supervisor
• A valid passport and proof that you can pay tuition and living costs for the student visa

• Choose your program and check its entry requirements, language of instruction and deadline on the university website
• Apply through the university's admission portal; scholarship applicants use the Study in Saudi Arabia platform, where scholarships usually cover tuition, housing and a stipend
• Upload transcripts, language scores, your passport and, for postgraduate programs, CV, statement of purpose and references
• Pay the application fee if the university charges one, and apply before the program deadline
• The university sponsors your student visa and residence permit

12 scholarships, 10 universities, 4 programs and 2 internships in Saudi Arabia. All of the scholarships are fully funded, and the next deadline is 31 December 2026 (KAUST Fellowship (Saudi Arabia)).

Language

Arabic/English

Currency

SAR

Living costs

$600–1,000/mo

Typical tuition

Government scholarships for international students cover tuition, housing and a stipend; self-funded fees vary widely by university

• KAUST Fellowship (Saudi Arabia)Fully Funded · Deadline 31 Dec 2026
• KAUST Discovery Scholarship 2027Fully Funded · Deadline 15 Jan 2027
• KAUST Discovery ScholarshipFully Funded · Deadline 15 Jan 2027
• Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) ScholarshipFully Funded · Deadline 31 Jan 2027