Al Imam Mohamed Ibn Saud Islamic University Scholarship provides international students with an opportunity to study at a major Saudi public university through scholarship pathways for non-Saudi students.
The university offers external scholarships for students outside Saudi Arabia and internal scholarships for eligible non-Saudi residents.
Scholarship applicants must satisfy the university’s admission rules in addition to the specific regulations governing international scholarships.
Depending on the scholarship and academic level, benefits may include financial support, accommodation, healthcare, travel benefits, and a monthly stipend.
Brief Description of Imam Saud Scholarship
- Host university: Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU).
- Study location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Scholarship category: International student scholarship.
- Scholarship types: External scholarships and internal scholarships.
- External scholarships are intended for non-Saudi students living outside Saudi Arabia.
- Internal scholarships are intended for eligible non-Saudi residents of Saudi Arabia.
- Study opportunities cover a range of academic disciplines offered by the university, subject to scholarship and program availability.
- International students are subject to university admission requirements and scholarship regulations.
- Scholarship benefits can include financial allowances, healthcare, accommodation, and travel benefits.
- Applications for international scholarships are submitted through the designated Saudi international student admission platform when the university opens admission.
About Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University is a public university in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with academic programs covering Islamic studies, humanities, sciences, computing, business, engineering, communication, education, and other fields.
The university combines Islamic and Arabic academic traditions with programs in scientific, technological, administrative, and professional disciplines.
Its official academic materials list programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
The university also maintains dedicated admission procedures for international scholarship students.
Its admission administration is responsible for receiving scholarship applications, coordinating screening and nomination, checking required conditions, and communicating admission decisions.
About Al Imam Mohamed Ibn Saud Islamic University Scholarship
- The scholarship is available to eligible non-Saudi students according to the university’s international scholarship regulations.
- External scholarships are designed for students who are outside Saudi Arabia.
- Internal scholarships apply to eligible non-Saudi students legally residing in Saudi Arabia.
- Scholarships may be free, partial, or paid depending on the applicable regulations and university decision.
- International scholarship applicants must meet the admission requirements applicable to their intended academic level.
- The university may require authenticated academic and identification documents.
- Applicants may be required to provide a certificate of good conduct or an equivalent official document.
- Medical fitness is part of the general international scholarship requirements.
Fields of Study
The university’s published bachelor’s and diploma guide includes the following academic fields and majors:
- Islamic Law (Sharia)
- Arabic Language
- English Language and Literature
- Theology
- History and Civilization
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Social Work
- Geography
- Geographic Information Systems
- Information Systems
- Computer Science
- Applied Programming
- Information Studies
- Information Technology
- Information Management
- Applied Mathematics
- Physics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Economics
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Management Information Systems
- Marketing
- Human Resources
- Banking
- Finance and Investment
- Insurance and Risk Management
- Medicine and Surgery
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Journalism and Electronic Publishing
- Radio, Television and Film
- Public Relations
- Advertising and Marketing Communication
- Graphics and Multimedia
- Mental Retardation
- Early Intervention
The university’s official guide identifies these programs as bachelor’s and diploma offerings, while individual colleges maintain additional and updated program information.
Health programs can be subject to separate scholarship restrictions, so applicants should rely on the program availability shown in the international admission system.
Target Group
- International students living outside Saudi Arabia.
- Non-Saudi students legally residing in Saudi Arabia who qualify for internal scholarships.
- International applicants seeking undergraduate study.
- Eligible applicants to Arabic-language preparation programs.
- Eligible international applicants to postgraduate programs when scholarship admission is available.
- Students who meet the academic requirements of the selected program.
- Applicants who satisfy the applicable age requirements.
- Applicants who can provide authenticated educational and identification documents.
- Applicants who satisfy health and conduct requirements.
- Students whose intended field is available through the applicable scholarship route.
Scholarship Benefits
The exact benefits depend on the scholarship type and the regulations applicable to the admitted student.
For free external scholarships, the university’s regulations provide for several financial and student-support benefits.
- Monthly financial stipend according to the applicable regulations.
- Healthcare for the scholarship student, and potentially eligible family members when permitted by the regulations.
- Accommodation according to the applicable university arrangements.
- Financial allowance upon arrival for eligible external scholarship students.
- Additional financial support associated with books and academic references.
- A graduation allowance for eligible master’s and doctoral students.
- Annual travel-ticket benefits where applicable under the regulations.
- Financial incentives for eligible undergraduate students achieving excellent academic performance.
- Academic advising and student-support services.
- Access to the same general university benefits available to comparable students, subject to the regulations.
- Arabic-language preparation may be available where required by the relevant study pathway.
The official regulations specify, among other benefits, a monthly stipend for external scholarship students, an annual books-and-references allowance, and specified thesis-printing allowances for eligible master’s and doctoral students.
Al Imam Mohamed Ibn Saud Islamic University Scholarship Duration
- Arabic Language Preparation: The duration depends on the approved language-preparation program and the student’s academic pathway.
- Bachelor’s Degree: The duration depends on the selected academic program and its approved study plan.
- Higher Diploma: The duration is program-specific; the university’s postgraduate regulations generally provide for two to four semesters for higher diploma study.
- Master’s Degree: The standard regulatory period is at least four semesters, with the maximum period depending on the study format and applicable regulations.
- Doctoral Degree: The standard regulatory period is at least six semesters and may extend to ten semesters under the university’s postgraduate study regulations.
The actual scholarship period follows the approved academic program.
Scholarship regulations define the regular scholarship period as the original duration of the relevant program, with the possibility of an additional period according to the applicable rules.
Al Imam Mohamed Ibn Saud Islamic University Scholarship Requirements
International scholarship applicants must satisfy both the general admission requirements for their academic level and the additional regulations governing non-Saudi scholarship students.
Requirements can differ according to the degree, academic program, applicant’s residence status, and scholarship category.
- Be a non-Saudi applicant eligible for the applicable scholarship category.
- Meet the admission requirements for the selected academic program.
- Be between 17 and 25 years old for undergraduate study and Arabic-language preparation, subject to permitted exceptions.
- Be no older than 30 for master’s admission under the general international scholarship rules.
- Be no older than 35 for doctoral admission under the general international scholarship rules.
- Have the required educational qualification for the selected degree.
- Provide authenticated certificates and supporting documents.
- Provide a certificate of good conduct when required.
- Be medically fit according to the applicable requirements.
- Not have previously received another scholarship from an educational institution in Saudi Arabia.
- Not have been dismissed from an educational institution in Saudi Arabia.
- Obtain approval from the government of the applicant’s country where such approval is required.
- Satisfy any additional university, college, department, examination, or interview requirements.
- Female applicants must comply with the applicable rules concerning a mahram.
- Follow the document translation and authentication requirements specified by the university or relevant authorities.
Admission Requirements by Degree
Bachelor’s Degree
- Secondary school certificate or an equivalent qualification.
- Certificate and academic transcript meeting the university’s admission requirements.
- Compliance with the applicable undergraduate admission conditions.
- Age between 17 and 25 under the general international scholarship regulations, subject to authorized exceptions.
- Good conduct.
- Medical fitness.
- Successful completion of any examination, interview, or assessment required by the university or program.
- Authenticated academic documents.
- Compliance with any additional requirements of the selected major.
Higher Diploma
- A recognized qualification appropriate for the selected postgraduate diploma.
- Satisfaction of the specific program’s academic conditions.
- Authenticated academic certificates.
- Compliance with applicable international scholarship requirements.
- Medical fitness and good conduct where required.
- Any additional department-specific requirements.
Master’s Degree
- A recognized bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- Compliance with the academic requirements of the selected master’s program.
- The general international scholarship age limit is 30 years, subject to permitted exceptions.
- Good conduct and medical fitness.
- Authenticated academic documents.
- Any required academic examinations, interviews, language tests, or supplementary courses.
- Compliance with additional requirements established by the relevant department.
Doctoral Degree
- A recognized master’s degree or equivalent in the relevant academic field.
- Compliance with the requirements of the selected doctoral program.
- The general international scholarship age limit is 35 years, subject to permitted exceptions.
- Good conduct and medical fitness.
- Authenticated academic certificates.
- Any required examination, interview, research, language, or departmental requirements.
- Completion of the academic and research requirements established by the doctoral program.
Application Instructions
Step 1: Check the Scholarship Category
- Determine whether you are applying as an external or internal international student.
- External scholarships are intended for non-Saudi students outside Saudi Arabia.
- Internal scholarships apply to eligible non-Saudi residents of Saudi Arabia.
- Confirm that the selected degree and major are available through the international scholarship route.
Step 2: Select the Academic Program
- Review the university’s available academic programs.
- Choose a degree appropriate to your previous qualification.
- Check the specific requirements of your intended college or department.
- Confirm that your preferred field is available to international scholarship applicants.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
- Prepare your passport or approved identification document.
- Prepare your academic certificates.
- Prepare academic transcripts.
- Prepare required authentication or equivalency documents.
- Prepare a certificate of good conduct when required.
- Prepare medical documentation when required.
- Translate documents when the university requires an Arabic or other approved-language version.
Step 4: Create Your Application
- Enter the designated international student admission platform.
- Create your applicant account.
- Enter your personal information accurately.
- Select the appropriate scholarship category.
- Enter your educational information.
- Select your preferred academic program.
- Review every field before saving the application.
Step 5: Upload the Documents
- Upload clear copies of the required documents.
- Ensure that names and dates are consistent across documents.
- Upload authenticated documents when authentication is required.
- Make sure every uploaded file is readable.
- Do not submit incomplete or altered documents.
Step 6: Submit the Application
- Review all application information.
- Confirm that the selected degree and major are correct.
- Confirm that all required documents have been uploaded.
- Submit the application through the official admission system.
- Keep your application information and reference details for future communication.
Step 7: Follow the Admission Process
- Monitor the admission platform for application updates.
- Respond to requests for additional documents when applicable.
- Complete any required examination or interview.
- Follow instructions issued by the university or relevant Saudi authorities.
- Wait for the official admission decision before making travel arrangements.
International scholarship admission is handled through the university’s designated international scholarship admission route, and the university states that international scholarship applications are submitted electronically through the Saudi international student platform.
Documents Required for Registration
- Valid passport.
- Secondary school certificate or equivalent.
- Academic transcript.
- Bachelor’s degree certificate for master’s applicants.
- Master’s degree certificate for doctoral applicants.
- Certified academic documents.
- Certificate of good conduct.
- Medical report or health certificate.
- Passport-size photographs if requested.
- Government approval where required.
- Official translations where required.
- Recommendation letters where required.
- Research proposal where required by the doctoral or master’s program.
- Additional college or department documents where required.
Important Tips
- Choose a program that matches your previous qualification.
- Check the scholarship category before starting the application.
- Use the same personal information across all documents.
- Make sure academic certificates are properly authenticated.
- Prepare translations before submitting documents when required.
- Scan documents clearly and keep the original copies.
- Review the selected major carefully before submission.
- Check the application portal regularly after submission.
- Prepare for an interview or examination if your program requires one.
- Do not travel or make major financial arrangements until official admission instructions are issued.
Conclusion
The Al Imam Mohamed Ibn Saud Islamic University Scholarship offers eligible international students a structured route to study in Saudi Arabia through external and internal scholarship pathways.
Its academic offerings span Islamic studies, languages, humanities, sciences, computing, business, engineering, communication, education, and other disciplines, while scholarship benefits can include financial and student-support provisions under the applicable regulations.
Students should focus on selecting an eligible program, meeting the academic and scholarship requirements, preparing properly authenticated documents, and completing the official electronic application accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Al Imam Mohamed Ibn Saud Islamic University Scholarship?
Eligible non-Saudi students can apply through the applicable international scholarship route.
External scholarships are intended for eligible students outside Saudi Arabia, while internal scholarships are available to qualifying non-Saudi residents of Saudi Arabia.
Is the scholarship available for international students?
Yes.
The university has specific scholarship provisions for non-Saudi students, including external scholarships for students outside Saudi Arabia and internal scholarships for eligible residents.
What is the maximum age for undergraduate applicants?
The general international scholarship regulations state that undergraduate and Arabic-language preparation applicants should be between 17 and 25 years old, although authorized exceptions may apply.
What is the maximum age for master’s applicants?
The general international scholarship rules set the age limit at 30 years for master’s applicants, subject to permitted exceptions.
What is the maximum age for doctoral applicants?
The general international scholarship rules set the age limit at 35 years for doctoral applicants, subject to permitted exceptions.
Does the scholarship provide a monthly stipend?
The university’s regulations provide a monthly stipend for external scholarship students according to the applicable financial rules.
Does the scholarship include healthcare?
Healthcare is among the benefits available to eligible scholarship students under the applicable regulations.
The regulations also address healthcare for eligible family members when the student brings them to Saudi Arabia and the relevant rules require it.
Does the scholarship provide accommodation?
Accommodation is listed among the potential benefits of international scholarships.
The exact accommodation arrangements depend on the applicable scholarship and university regulations.
How long does a master’s degree take?
Under the university’s postgraduate regulations, the master’s degree has a minimum period of four semesters, while the maximum period depends on the study format and applicable regulations.
How long does a doctoral degree take?
The university’s postgraduate regulations specify a minimum of six semesters and a maximum of ten semesters for doctoral study.