Taibah University Scholarship for International Student

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If you have ever thought about studying in Saudi Arabia on a fully funded scholarship, Taibah University in the holy city of Medina might just be the opportunity you have been waiting for. Every year, Taibah University opens its doors to international students from all over the world, offering them a chance to earn a bachelor’s degree completely free of charge, with tuition, accommodation, a monthly allowance, and even travel expenses covered by the scholarship.

For many students, especially those from African, Asian, and Middle Eastern countries, this scholarship represents one of the most accessible and generous fully funded opportunities available today. There is no application fee. You do not need an IELTS or TOEFL certificate to apply. And the application process goes through an official Saudi government platform, which makes it transparent and legitimate.

In this article, you will find everything you need to know about the Taibah University scholarship, including what the scholarship covers, who can apply, what documents you need, the available degree programs, and a clear step-by-step guide on how to submit your application.

About Taibah University

Before we get into the scholarship details, it helps to understand the kind of institution you would be studying at. Taibah University is a public research university located in Medina, Saudi Arabia. It was established in 2003 through a royal decree that transformed branches of King Abdulaziz University and the Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University into an independent institution. The university takes its name from one of the historical names of the city of Medina itself.

Since its founding, Taibah University has grown rapidly. It now has more than 20,000 students enrolled across its programs, with a total of over 50,000 students registered across all its branches and campuses. The university offers 156 academic programs in total, of which 94 are graduate programs. Teaching is spread across 28 different colleges covering fields as varied as medicine, engineering, computer science, law, Islamic studies, business administration, and arts and humanities.

The main campus is located in Medina, and the university also has six branch campuses in the governorates of Yanbu, Al-Ula, Al-Hanakiyah, Khaybar, Al-Mahd, and Badr. Medina itself is one of the holiest cities in Islam, home to the Prophet’s Mosque, the second holiest site in the Islamic world. For Muslim students in particular, studying in this city carries a significance that goes well beyond academics.

Taibah University is ranked among the top universities in Saudi Arabia and is recognized internationally. According to the QS World University Rankings 2026, the university is positioned in the 1201-1400 range globally. It also ranks number one among all universities in Medina and 17th among universities in Saudi Arabia in meta rankings that track over 100 international ranking systems. The university is also notable for being the first in Saudi Arabia where Computer Science and Engineering was established as a standalone college, separate from general engineering or applied sciences programs.

The university is accredited and recognized by the Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia, and it actively supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 through its academic programs, research initiatives, and community engagement efforts.

What Is the Taibah University Scholarship?

The Taibah University scholarship is a fully funded opportunity available to non-Saudi international students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree at the university. The scholarship is part of the Study in Saudi Arabia external scholarship program, which is operated by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education. Through this program, Saudi universities offer funded places to qualified international students from around the world each year.

This is not a partial grant or a small bursary. It is a comprehensive scholarship that takes care of the most significant costs associated with studying abroad. Students who are selected do not need to worry about tuition fees, finding a place to live, or how to manage their monthly expenses. All of this is handled through the scholarship package.

The scholarship is available to both male and female applicants, although female applicants are required to have a Mahram, meaning a male guardian, who can accompany them during their time in Saudi Arabia. This is a requirement in line with Saudi cultural and legal norms, and it applies to all female international students at the university.

There is no application fee involved. Taibah University does not charge anything to apply, and it does not work with agents or intermediaries. All applications must be submitted directly by the student through the official platform.

Taibah University Scholarship Benefits

This is one of the most important sections to read carefully because the scholarship package at Taibah University is genuinely comprehensive. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to receive as a scholarship student:

Full tuition coverage is the most significant part of the award. Once you are accepted as a scholarship student, all academic fees for your degree program are waived entirely. You will not receive a bill for tuition at the start of each semester. Your studies are fully paid for by the university and the Saudi government for the duration of your program.

Free university accommodation is provided to scholarship students. You will be housed on or near the university campus, which means you do not need to worry about searching for housing in a new city or paying rent out of your own pocket. This is a huge relief for students arriving from abroad with limited financial resources.

A monthly living stipend is given to students upon their arrival in Medina. This allowance is intended to help cover day-to-day living expenses such as food, transportation, and personal costs. It is not a large sum, but it is enough to support a student’s basic needs throughout the academic year.

A travel ticket is provided for the student’s first trip to Saudi Arabia. The scholarship covers the cost of getting to Medina when you first arrive, so you do not have to fund your own international flight to begin your studies. Some sources also indicate that round-trip travel costs may be covered for that initial journey.

Health insurance and medical care are available to scholarship students and, in some cases, their immediate family members. The university provides access to healthcare services, which is particularly important for students who may be living in Saudi Arabia for the first time and need reliable medical support.

Meals at subsidized prices are available on campus for scholarship students. While meals may not be entirely free, they are offered at reduced rates that make eating on campus very affordable.

Taken together, this package means that a student can arrive in Medina and study for a full bachelor’s degree with their basic needs covered throughout their time at the university. That is a genuinely life-changing opportunity for students who would otherwise not be able to access higher education abroad.

Available Degree Programs and Fields of Study

Taibah University offers a wide range of programs to international scholarship students. The available majors for non-Saudi students span several colleges and cover both scientific and humanities disciplines. However, it is important to note that some health-related majors are excluded from the scholarship for international applicants. Here is an overview of the fields available:

Under the College of Arts and Humanities, students can study Islamic Studies, Arabic Language, English Literature, Geography, Linguistics, and History. These programs are particularly relevant for students with a strong background in humanities and those interested in Islamic and Arabic scholarship.

Under the College of Science, programs include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Geology. These are foundational science programs for students interested in research and academic careers in the natural sciences.

Engineering programs are available at Taibah University and cover several branches of engineering. The university has recently introduced new courses in areas like data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, making it an increasingly relevant institution for students interested in technology.

Computer Science programs are available through the College of Computer Science and Engineering. This college holds a special distinction as it was the first standalone computer science and engineering college in any Saudi Arabian university.

Business Administration programs are offered through the College of Business Administration, covering management, finance, economics, and related fields. These programs prepare students for careers in both the private and public sectors.

The College of Sharia and Law offers programs in Islamic jurisprudence, legal studies, and related disciplines, drawing heavily on Medina’s deep roots in Islamic scholarship and legal tradition.

The College of Education prepares future teachers and educational professionals for careers in teaching and curriculum development.

Applicants should always check the official Taibah University admissions guide for the most current list of majors available to non-Saudi students, as available programs can change from one academic year to the next. The university determines the college and major for each accepted student before their arrival, and students must confirm their acceptance before coming to Saudi Arabia.

Taibah University Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

Before you begin your application, you need to confirm that you actually meet the eligibility criteria. Applying without meeting the requirements is a waste of your time and could delay your scholarship journey. Here is a clear list of what is required:

You must be a non-Saudi national. The Taibah University scholarship for international students is specifically for students who are not Saudi citizens. Saudi students have separate admission procedures and financial support pathways.

You must have completed secondary school education and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. In some cases, graduates from Al-Azhar institutions or other recognized religious secondary schools may also be eligible. Your certificate must be authenticated by the Saudi embassy in your country. If there is no Saudi embassy in your country, authentication can be done at the nearest Saudi embassy in an adjacent country.

You must not have obtained any other scholarship from an educational institution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. If you are already on a funded program at another Saudi university, you cannot apply for this scholarship simultaneously.

You must not have been dismissed from any Saudi educational institution. Students who were previously expelled or removed from a Saudi university for disciplinary or academic reasons are not eligible to apply.

You must be physically and medically fit. A basic medical fitness requirement is part of the scholarship conditions, and you may need to provide documentation confirming your health status.

You must be familiar with the Arabic language, as many programs at Taibah University are taught in Arabic. Some programs may be offered in English, but Arabic proficiency is generally an advantage and in some cases a requirement depending on the major you choose.

You must have valid and accurate contact information registered in your application, including a working mobile phone number, a fixed phone number if available, and an active email address. Interestingly, the university also checks the validity of applicants’ social media accounts, specifically Twitter and Facebook, as part of its verification process.

You must be willing to confirm your desire to study at Taibah University before your arrival in Saudi Arabia. Some specializations may also require a personal interview conducted via video call as part of the selection process.

You must agree to abide by all rules, regulations, and instructions in force at the university throughout your time as a student.

Required Documents for the Taibah University Scholarship

Getting your paperwork ready in advance is one of the smartest things you can do when preparing to apply. Here is a detailed list of the documents you will need to submit:

A copy of your secondary school certificate or high school diploma. This document must also be translated into Arabic, and both the original and the translation must be authenticated by the Saudi embassy in your country or the nearest available Saudi embassy.

A copy of your valid passport with a minimum of six months of remaining validity. Make sure your passport is not expiring soon, as a passport that is close to its expiry date may cause your application to be rejected.

A recent color photograph in a 4 by 6 inch format. This is the standard passport-style photo used for official applications.

All documents must be uploaded in PDF format as part of the electronic application. The university will not process applications that are missing documents or that contain documents in incorrect formats.

Depending on your country and chosen field of study, you may be asked to provide additional supporting documents. Always review the university’s latest admissions guide to make sure you are not missing anything specific to your situation.

How to Apply for the Taibah University Scholarship: Step by Step

The application process for the Taibah University scholarship is fully online and goes through Saudi Arabia’s official Study in Saudi Arabia platform, which is operated by the Ministry of Education. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of what you need to do:

Step one: Visit the official Study in Saudi Arabia portal. This is the government-operated platform through which all international scholarship applications for Saudi universities are submitted. Note that applicants from some countries may need to use a VPN to access the portal, depending on their location. You can access the platform through the Study in Saudi Arabia official scholarship portal.

Step two: Create an account on the platform. You will need to register with a valid email address and create a personal profile. This account will be used throughout the entire application and tracking process, so keep your login details safe.

Step three: Complete your profile with accurate personal information. Fill in all the required fields carefully. The university cross-checks the information you provide with your supporting documents, so any discrepancies can result in disqualification. Take your time here and make sure everything matches your official documents exactly.