How It Works
How Study Destination Is Determined
For SPMC scholars, there is no question — you study at a top-10 national university in your own home country. No international component exists for this program. For IsDB-ISFD, M.Sc., and MSP scholars, the study destination depends on the program, the approved fields offered at partner universities, and sometimes IsDB's allocation decision. You may be able to express a preference, but the final placement is not entirely your choice.
M.Sc. scholars specifically: The university must be ranked in the Times Higher Education top 1,000. Most LDMC home universities don't make this list. As a result, most M.Sc. scholars end up at one of the three partner country hubs: Malaysia, Morocco, or Turkey. The choice often depends on your field and the language of instruction you prefer.
Most Popular Destination • English Medium
Malaysia
Malaysia is the most popular study destination for IsDB scholars from Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The combination of English-medium instruction, relatively affordable living costs, a Muslim-majority culture, and a strong technical university system makes it the most accessible option for most scholars. Kuala Lumpur in particular has a large international student community and is straightforward to navigate.
Primary instruction language
Cost of living
Cultural context
Key Universities for IsDB Scholars
Universiti Malaya (UM)
Kuala Lumpur • Malaysia's oldest and highest-ranked university • THE Top 200
Strong engineering, medical, and computer science faculties. Located in central KL. IsDB scholars have studied here for decades — there is an established community of past scholars who can offer informal support.
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Serdang, Selangor • Strong in agriculture, food science, engineering
UPM is particularly strong in agriculture and food technology — fields relevant to many IsDB scholars from LDMC backgrounds. Campus is outside KL in Serdang, which is more affordable than the city center.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Johor Bahru • Engineering and technology focus
One of Malaysia's top engineering universities. Johor Bahru is close to Singapore but significantly more affordable. Strong STEM programs across engineering disciplines.
International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
Gombak, Kuala Lumpur • Islamic environment, broad programs
IIUM is a common placement for IsDB scholars, partly because of its Islamic institutional ethos and established international student infrastructure. Programs in engineering, medicine, and IT. Note: IIUM's global ranking is lower than UM or UTM — verify it meets the top-1,000 threshold for M.Sc. requirements in the current cycle.
Practical notes on studying in Malaysia
- ● Halal food is widely available and affordable. University cafeterias in Malaysia are well-suited for Muslim dietary requirements.
- ● Student visa process is generally straightforward for IsDB scholars — universities often handle the bulk of the paperwork.
- ● University accommodation is usually available but fills up quickly — register for housing as soon as your admission is confirmed.
- ● Malaysia's heat and humidity is significant if you're coming from a temperate country. Factor this into how you set up your room (fan vs air conditioning costs).
Primary French/Arabic Medium • Affordable Living
Morocco
Morocco is a significant IsDB scholarship destination, particularly for French-speaking scholars from West Africa. Rabat and Casablanca have established universities with good engineering and science faculties, and living costs are among the lowest of the three main destinations. The study environment tends to be more academically traditional and research-focused than Malaysia.
Primary instruction languages
Cost of living
Cultural context
Mohammed V University — Rabat
Rabat • Morocco's flagship public university
The most prominent Moroccan university and a regular IsDB placement. Faculties of science, engineering, and medicine. Instruction in French and Arabic. Strong research infrastructure by African standards.
Hassane II University — Casablanca
Casablanca • Engineering and applied sciences
Located in Morocco's commercial capital. Good for engineering and applied technical fields. Casablanca is more expensive than Rabat but offers a larger expatriate community for international students.
Important: Language of instruction matters here
Most degree programs in Moroccan universities operate in French or Arabic — not English. If you don't speak French at B2 level or higher, you will struggle significantly. English-taught programs exist but are limited. If your only language is English and you're placed in Morocco, clarify the medium of instruction before accepting.
English and Turkish Medium • Inflation Context
Turkey
Turkey offers some of the most academically strong universities on the IsDB list, with Istanbul and Ankara hosting institutions ranked in the THE top 500. Turkey is also culturally accessible for scholars from the Middle East and Central Asia. The main practical challenge in recent years has been the rapid devaluation of the Turkish Lira — stipends are paid in local currency, which means real purchasing power has declined considerably since 2021.
The Inflation Reality in Turkey
Turkey's inflation rate hit triple digits in 2022–2023 and has remained elevated. Stipends paid in Turkish Lira have not kept pace with the currency's depreciation against the dollar and euro. A stipend that felt adequate in 2020 may cover significantly less in 2026. If you are placed in Turkey, build a contingency buffer and research current exchange rates before finalizing your budget.
Middle East Technical University (METU / ODTÜ)
Ankara • Engineering & Sciences • English medium • THE Top 500
METU is one of Turkey's most internationally recognized universities. Instruction is in English across science and engineering programs. Research quality is high. Living in Ankara is cheaper than Istanbul.
Istanbul Technical University (ITU)
Istanbul • Engineering & Technology
Turkey's oldest technical university, founded in 1773. Strong in civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering. Istanbul is more expensive than Ankara but offers a major international city experience. Some programs taught in English, others in Turkish — check carefully.
Hacettepe University
Ankara • Medicine & Health Sciences
Turkey's leading medical and health sciences university. For scholars in pharmaceutical sciences, nursing, or medical research, Hacettepe is a strong placement. Located in Ankara alongside METU, which creates a collegial scholar environment.
Home Country Study (SPMC)
SPMC scholars study at top-10 nationally ranked public universities in their own country. You do not leave home. The university is selected based on IsDB's assessment of national quality rankings — you may be able to express a preference but the final placement is IsDB's decision in coordination with local implementing agencies.
In India, for example, past scholars have studied at institutions such as Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and other high-ranking state universities with strong STEM programs. The specific institutions vary by country and available places in the approved fields.