Scholarship for International PhD Students

Elevate your academic journey with a prestigious scholarship designed to empower high-achieving international PhD candidates —all while being supported by world-class funding and academic mentorship at IIUM.

The IIUM Ummatic Scholarship empowers outstanding international PhD candidates whose education aligns with the pursuit of academic excellence and global impact. Designed to support financially capable yet underprivileged scholars, this initiative—backed by IIUM’s Endowment Fund—provides full coverage for tuition and living essentials, enabling recipients to focus fully on scholarly research and contributions in their fields.

The IIUM Academy Scholarship supports motivated international PhD candidates seeking to enhance their professional knowledge in Islamic Banking and Finance. Offered by the IIUM Academy—an institution renowned for blending educational opportunity with modern professionalism—this scholarship nurtures career growth, research innovation, and lifelong learning through tailored support and strategic opportunity.

IIUM Ummatic Scholarship for International PhD Students

Objective

The IIUM UMMATIC SCHOLARSHIP FOR INTERNATIONAL PHD STUDENTS serves as a high-impact initiative toward:

Strategic Recruitment of Top International PhD Talent

Attract high-performing international PhD students to IIUM.

Positioning IIUM as a Global Leader in Ethical Postgraduate Research

Enhance the global visibility and reputation of IIUM as a hub for impactful and ethical postgraduate research.

Advancing IIUM’s Appeal Through Robust Funding and Academic Excellence

Strengthen IIUM’s position as a preferred institution for postgraduate studies through competitive funding and academic support. 

What is the Criteria?

Eligibility Criteria

The following criteria shall be used to assess applications for the IIUM UMMATIC SCHOLARSHIP FOR INTERNATIONAL PHD STUDENTS:

  • The applicant must be enrolled in a full-time PhD programme at IIUM.

  • The applicant should demonstrate high commitment to Islamic values and manifest leadership potential.

  • The applicant must possess an excellent academic track record (Bachelor’s degree with CGPA > 3.70/4.00 AND Master’s degree (by research/mixed mode with CGPA > 3.70/4.00 or equivalent).

  • The applicant must be under 30 years old at the time of application.

  • The applicant must produce evidence of IELTS score of at least 6.5 OR TOEFL 73-93 (internet based).

  • The applicant must not be receiving any other scholarship or financial award.

What's in the Package?

IIUM Ummatic Scholarship for International PhD Students Package

A recipient of this scholarship will receive:

  • Full tuition fee waiver worth up to RM81,400.00 for up to six (6) semesters, inclusive of Takaful coverage, Recurrent fees, Evaluation fees and Bench fees (if any).

  • Monthly stipend up to RM36,000.00 for a duration of 36 months (6 semesters) or RM1,000.00 per month for all except three (3) CoS, i.e.:

    • International Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance (IIIBF)

    • Kulliyyah of Dentistry (KOD)

    • Kulliyyah of Pharmacy (KOP)

  • Accommodation or Mahallah rental, visa, flight, medical exam and documentation are not included in the package.

Important Notes:

  • The recipients distribution is as follows: one (1) postgraduate (PhD) student for each Centre of Studies (CoS) per year. See below for the list of eligible CoS.

  • The continuation of this scholarship is subject to semesterly evaluation based on satisfactory research progress and academic performance.

  • Recipients of the IIUM UMMATIC SCHOLARSHIP FOR INTERNATIONAL PHD STUDENTS are required to:

    • Graduate within the specified Graduation on Time (GOT) period, as defined by the Centre for Postgraduate Studies (CPS), IIUM . Any delay beyond the 9 semester may result in a penalty upon the recipient.

    • Demonstrate commitment to research by publishing in high impact journals (minimum of four (4) indexed journals

    • Contribute actively to university programs and community engagement initiatives.

    • Participate in the annual Postgraduate Colloquium and 3MT organized by CPS IIUM.

List of Eligible Centre of Studies (CoS)

for 2025/2026

Group 1:

Funding from IIUM Endowment Fund

  • AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (AHAS KIRKHS)

  • Kulliyyah of Education (KOED)

  • Kulliyyah of Information and Communication Technology (KICT)

  • Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design (KAED)

  • Kulliyyah of Sustainability Tourism and Contemporary Languages (KSTCL)

  • Kulliyyah of Nursing (KON)

  • Kulliyyah of Engineering (KOE)

  • Kulliyyah of Sciences (KOS)

  • Kulliyyah of Medicine (KOM)

  • Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences (KAHS)

  • Kulliyyah of Pharmacy (KOP)

  • International Institute of Halal Research and Training (INHART)

Group 2:

Funding from IIUM Endowment Fund and specific Centres of Studies

  • International Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance (IIIBF)

  • Kulliyyah of Dentistry (KOD)

    • Except for Paediatric and Orthopaedic & Prosthodontic programmes

Group 3:

Funding from specific Centres of Studies

  • International Institute of Islamic Thoughts and Civilization (ISTAC)

  • Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws (AIKOL)

  • Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences (KENMS)

How to Apply?

If you are eligible to apply the IIUM Ummatic Scholarship for International PhD Student

click this "Apply Now" button

Steps for application

IIUM Academy Scholarship for PhD by Research in Islamic Banking and Finance

Objective

The IIUM ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP FOR PHD BY RESEARCH IN ISLAMIC BANKING AND FINANCE will serve as a high-impact initiative to:

Support Excellence in Postgraduate Islamic Finance Research

To fund and support high-performing international PhD students in pursuing impactful research in Islamic Banking and Finance, contributing innovative solutions to contemporary challenges.

Enhance Global Recognition of IIUM in Islamic Finance

To strengthen IIUM's reputation as a global hub for ethical, research-driven postgraduate studies in Islamic Banking and Finance.

Promote Academic Integrity and Research Productivity

To ensure high standards in academic performance, research output, and scholarly contribution through structured monitoring and publication requirements.

What is the Criteria?

Eligibility Criteria

The following criteria shall be used to assess IIUM ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP FOR PHD BY RESEARCH IN ISLAMIC BANKING AND FINANCE candidates:

  • Applicants must have secured admission or be in the process of enrolling in a Doctoral Degree by Research in Islamic Banking and Finance at IIUM.

  • Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Islamic Banking, Finance, Economics, or a related field with a minimum CGPA of 3.50 or equivalent.

  • Applicants must not be recipients of any other scholarship or financial aid under IIUM.

  • Applicants should be under the age of 40 at the time of application.

  • Applicants must be international students.

Selection Criteria

  • Applicant has a convincing research problem to work on in the area of Islamic banking and finance.

  • Applicant has a Masters degree with CGPA of 3.50 or equivalent.

  • Applicant passes the interview session by the selection committee.

What's in the Package?

IIUM Academy Scholarship for PhD by Research in Islamic Banking and Finance Package

The package for this scholarship are:

  • Three (3) postgraduate (PhD) student to be selected.

  • Each recipient will receive RM40,000 to cover tuition fees for a maximum duration of three years.

  • The scholarship amount will be released in 6 installments in relation to 6 regular semesters in which the recipient maintains an active registration in the programme of study.

  • The scholarship is strictly for tuition fees and is non-transferable.

  • Living expenses, research materials, or any other incidental costs are not covered under this scholarship.

Please Note:

  • The continuation of this scholarship is subject to semesterly evaluation based on satisfactory research progress and academic performance.

  • Recipients of the IIUM ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP FOR PHD BY RESEARCH IN ISLAMIC BANKING AND FINANCE are required to:

    • Maintain excellent academic progress in every semester throughout their study period.

    • Progress reports must be submitted at the end of each semester for review.

    • Failure to meet academic performance requirements may result in the suspension or termination of the scholarship.

    • Recipients must pay a commitment fee of up to RM5,000.

    • Must focus their research on topics related to Islamic Banking and Finance, addressing current challenges and proposing innovative solutions.

    • Recipients are expected to publish at least two (2) papers in indexed journals.

    • Recipients are required to present at least once at an academic conference during their study period.

    • To provide a video testimonial and a written testimonial for each of IIUM Academy and IIiBF, and FWD Takaful scholarship should be mentioned.

    • Scholarship recipients must adhere to the university’s rules, regulations, and academic integrity standards.

    • The scholarship will be revoked if a recipient withdraws from the programme, breaches any scholarship terms or receives a guilty verdict following a disciplinary hearing for an offence under the university’s disciplinary rule.

    • Any unused portion of the scholarship must be returned to IIUM.

    • The commitment fee will not be refundable pursuant to the above.

How to Apply?

If you are eligible to apply the IIUM Academy Scholarship for PhD by Research in Islamic Banking and Finance

click this "Apply Now" button

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