Why Bangladeshi Students Choose Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia draws Bangladeshi students primarily through the Islamic University of Madinah, one of the most prestigious Islamic universities in the world, which offers a generous fully-funded scholarship specifically welcoming international Muslim students for Sharia, Quran, Hadith and Arabic studies.
সৌদি আরব বাংলাদেশি শিক্ষার্থীদের আকৃষ্ট করে মূলত মদিনা ইসলামিক বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়-এর মাধ্যমে — বিশ্বের অন্যতম মর্যাদাপূর্ণ ইসলামি বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়, যা আন্তর্জাতিক মুসলিম শিক্ষার্থীদের জন্য একটি উদার সম্পূর্ণ অর্থায়িত স্কলারশিপ দেয়।
The scholarship covers everything: tuition, free housing, a monthly stipend, and even annual round-trip airfare for Islamic University of Madinah scholarship students — one of the most complete funding packages available to Bangladeshi students anywhere.
স্কলারশিপে সবকিছু কভার হয়: টিউশন, বিনামূল্যে থাকার ব্যবস্থা, মাসিক ভাতা এবং বার্ষিক বিমান টিকিট।
Universities & Popular Programs
Islamic University of Madinah
The flagship destination — Sharia, Quran interpretation (Tafsir), Hadith sciences, Arabic language and Dawah (Islamic outreach), with dedicated faculties and preparatory programs for international students.
Umm Al-Qura University (Mecca)
Islamic studies alongside broader academic programs, located in the holy city of Mecca.
King Saud University (Riyadh)
A large, research-focused university offering Medicine, Engineering and Science programs beyond religious studies.
King Abdulaziz University (Jeddah)
Broad program range including Engineering, Medicine and Business.
Popular Fields
জনপ্রিয় বিষয়সমূহ: Islamic Sharia, Quranic Studies & Tafsir, Hadith Sciences, Arabic Language, and (at secular universities) Medicine and Engineering.
Tuition & Living Costs
| Route | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Islamic University of Madinah (scholarship) | Free — tuition, housing and stipend covered |
| Public university (self-funded, Medicine/Engineering) | Fees vary by program and sponsoring institution — confirm directly |
Living Costs
For scholarship students, most living costs (housing, and often meals) are already covered by the university; the monthly stipend (typically SAR 800-1,000) is intended to cover personal expenses.
স্কলারশিপ শিক্ষার্থীদের জন্য থাকা-খাওয়ার খরচ বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় বহন করে; মাসিক ভাতা (SAR ৮০০-১,০০০) ব্যক্তিগত খরচের জন্য।
Scholarships & Funding
Islamic University of Madinah Scholarship — a fully-funded scholarship covering tuition, free dormitory housing, a monthly stipend, and annual round-trip airfare, specifically designed to welcome Muslim students from around the world, including a large number from Bangladesh each year, for Islamic studies programs.
King Saud University international scholarships — a smaller number of funded places for select academic and research programs, typically more competitive and requiring stronger prior academic qualifications.
Applications go through the sponsoring institution — the university itself initiates the visa and scholarship process once you're selected, so the first step is always submitting your academic records directly to the university's international admissions office.
Visa & Work Rights — Full Step-by-Step Guide
Required Documents
- Valid passport and a photocopy.
- Recent passport-size photographs with a white background.
- An acceptance letter or certificate of admission from the Saudi educational institution.
- Original academic transcripts and certificates, attested by the Saudi Cultural Attaché.
- A medical report from a clinic approved by the Saudi Embassy.
- Police Clearance Certificate.
- A letter of authorisation from the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Get selected for admission/scholarship by your sponsoring institution (e.g. the Islamic University of Madinah).
- The institution applies for visa authorisation from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on your behalf.
- Once a visa number is issued, complete your application through the "Enjaz" online platform.
- Get your academic documents attested by the Saudi Cultural Attaché and complete your medical examination at an Embassy-approved clinic.
- Submit your passport and documents to the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka through an approved visa agency.
- Collect your passport with the visa stamp once processing and stamping are complete.
Fees Summary
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Student visa | Set by the sponsoring institution/agency — confirm directly, as this varies |
Embassy in Bangladesh
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia
House 5 (NE) L, Road 83, Gulshan-2, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Telephone: (+880) 2 985 8882
Application Tips
- Keep in regular contact with your sponsoring institution — much of the visa process (authorisation, visa number) happens on their end, not yours.
- Complete your medical exam at an Embassy-approved clinic only, since results from other clinics may not be accepted.
- Use only a visa agency approved by the Saudi Embassy for document submission.
Work Rights
Work rights are very limited. Student visas are intended for full-time study, and outside employment is generally not permitted — scholarship students in particular are expected to focus solely on their religious or academic studies.
Language Requirements
Arabic is the medium of instruction at the Islamic University of Madinah. Most scholarship programs include a preparatory Arabic language year for non-native speakers before formal degree study begins — no IELTS/PTE is required for this route.
Secular universities (e.g. King Saud University for Medicine or Engineering) may require Arabic proficiency, English proficiency, or a university-specific entrance exam depending on the program — requirements vary significantly, so confirm directly with the department.
Application Timeline (September Intake)
Scholarship Application
Apply for the Islamic University of Madinah scholarship or another sponsoring institution.
Document Attestation & Medical Exam
Get transcripts attested by the Saudi Cultural Attaché and complete your medical exam.
Enjaz & Visa Submission
Complete the Enjaz application and submit documents via an approved visa agency.
Arrival
Arrive in time for orientation before the academic year begins.
FAQ
How competitive is the Madinah scholarship? It is competitive but has a long, well-established track record of accepting Bangladeshi students — strong madrasa academic results and, where relevant, Arabic proficiency are the key factors.
Do I need IELTS? No, not for the Arabic-medium Islamic studies track — only secular programs at other universities may require it.
Can I work part-time? Generally no — the student visa and scholarship terms expect full-time dedication to study.