STUDYING AT ISTAC-IIUM

An introduction to study, inquiry, and the rhythms of life within the Institute,
alongside the wider experience of being a student in Kuala Lumpur.

THE PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE
Doctor of Philosophy in Islamic Thought and Civilisation
RESEARCH ONLY
The aim of the Doctor of Philosophy in Islamic Thought and Civilisation (Research) programme is to produce graduates with advanced, comprehensive and integrated knowledge, and who are highly critical, with skills and attitudes suited to becoming researchers, teachers, and practitioners in Islamic Thought and Civilisational studies within both local and international contexts.
Course Period 3 Years
Start Date October 2026
EXPLORE
Master of Arts in Islamic Thought and Civilisation
RESEARCH / MIXED MODE
The aim of the Master of Arts in Islamic Thought and Civilisation programme is to produce graduates with scientific, comprehensive and integrated knowledge, skills and attitudes suited to becoming researchers, teachers, and practitioners in Islamic Thought and Civilisational studies within both local and international contexts.
Course Period 2–4 Years
Start Date October 2026
EXPLORE
The Path to Admission
Applications remain open throughout the year, inviting prospective students to begin their academic journey at ISTAC–IIUM at a time most suited to their circumstances.
Next Intake October 2026
Application Deadline 21 August 2026
Successful applicants will be enrolled in the next available semester. All applications to postgraduate programmes at IIUM, including ISTAC, are to be submitted through the official online admissions portal.
Application Steps
A GUIDED PROCESS
1. Submit Your Application
Access the IIUM E-Admission Portal:
eadmission.iium.edu.my
2. Consult the Application Guide
Refer to the E-Admission Manual Guide for step-by-step assistance.
3. Enquiries & Assistance

International Admissions
pgint_admissions@iium.edu.my

Local Admissions
pgadmissions@iium.edu.my
Revisions to Your Offer
A considered pathway for applicants seeking to refine their academic direction
A candidate may submit a request for a revision of their offer prior to enrolment, subject to the following provisions:
  1. Recommendation from the Centre of Studies
    The Centre for Postgraduate Studies (CPS) will obtain the necessary academic recommendation.
  2. Processing Fee
    A prescribed fee is required upon submission.
  3. Committee Deliberation
    The application will be reviewed and endorsed accordingly.
  4. Single Revision Policy
    A revision may be granted only once.
  5. Submission Timeline
    Requests must be made prior to the issuance of the Visa Approval Letter (VAL).
Source: Postgraduate Regulations (Revised 2022)
POSTGRADUATE-ADMISSION-POSTER
Doctor of Philosophy in Islamic Thought and Civilisation

(Research)
Course Period 3 Years
Start Date N/A
Average Fee (per semester)
Malaysian RM 2,737.50
International RM 5,185.00
Master of Arts in Islamic Thought
and Civilisation

(Research / Mixed Mode)
Course Period 2 – 4 Years
Start Date N/A
Average Fee (per semester)
Malaysian RM 1,587.50
International RM 4,185.00
ISTAC Scholarship Fund for Excellent Students (I-SET)
  1. Excellent students are instrumental in building an excellent postgraduate research environment. IIUM produces many excellent students who were listed in the Dean’s list and won subject awards every year.
  2. Scholarship opportunities meant for excellent local students are very limited and most of the local talents end up enrolling in other universities pursuing their postgraduate studies. As a result, IIUM lost best and talented students to other institutions.
  3. ISTAC is planning to attract these top performers, from IIUM as well as from other universities, to continue their PG programmes in ISTAC. This could be made possible by offering attractive scholarships to these excellent students.

How to apply?
Please email pgistac@iium.edu.my to apply for the I-Set.
  1. Graduates of an undergraduate programme with a first class or with a minimum CGPA of 3.5
  2. Master holders of CGPA 3.7 or a First Class or its equivalent.
  3. Citizen of Malaysia.
  4. Applying for a Ph.D. or Master program in ISTAC.
  5. Non-recipients of any other scholarships or grant, with a contractual obligation on the part of the applicant.
  6. Not more than 30 years (Master) and 35 years (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)) of age during application.
  7. In excellent health condition and certified by a Certified Doctor/Medical Professional. The cost of medical examination is to be borne by the applicants.
  8. Has written a research proposal that is relevant to the field of ISTAC niche areas.
  9. Has applied for and gained admission to an IIUM postgraduate and post-doctoral studies.
  1. The scholarship holder must undertake a full-time study for postgraduate in IIUM. It is the responsibility of the scholarship holders to obtain an admission into IIUM.
  2. The scholarship holders must not change their programme during the tenure of the scholarship except with written permission from IIUM.
  3. The scholarship holder must follow the approved programmes and abide by IIUM’s rules, regulations and codes of conduct.
  4. Any suspension from IIUM will results in immediate suspension of award. Monthly allowances are not payable during suspension, including suspension due to illness.
  5. The scholarship holder must maintain satisfactory progress and good standing in their study as stipulated by IIUM, otherwise their scholarship will be withdrawn.
  6. The scholarships are tenable in IIUM only.
Duration:
The period of sponsorship is 2 years for a Master Degree and 3 years for a Doctoral Degree.

Items Covered:
  1. Tuition fees per semester
  2. Recurrent Fees
  3. Hostel Fees
  4. Allowance
  5. Entrance Fees (one off)
  6. Evaluation Fees (one off)
No. Items Covered Ph.D (RM) Master (RM)
1 Tuition Fees per semester 1,750.00 650
2 Recurrent Fees 302.50 302.50
3 Hostel Fees 1212.50 1212.50
4 Estimated Scholarship Value per Semester 3,265.00 2,165.00
5 Estimated Total Scholarship Value 3,265.00 x 6 semesters = 19,590.00 2,165.00 x 4 semesters = 8,660.00
6 Estimated Allowance per Semester 2,000.00 1,000.00
7 Estimated Total Allowance Value 2,000.00 x 36 months = 72,000.00 1,000.00 x 24 months = 24,000.00
8 Entrance fee (one-off) 710.00 710.00
9 Evaluation Fee (one-off) 1,000.00 1,000.00
10 Estimated Overall Scholarship Value 93,300.00 34,370.00
Accommodation Services
A range of on-campus residential options is available to support both short- and long-term stays within the ISTAC environment:
  • Two-bedroom apartments for students and staff, designed for comfortable shared living
  • Three-bedroom duplex apartments for staff, offering more spacious residential arrangements
  • Two duplex apartments and one simplex apartment are available for daily rental, suited for short-term stays
  • One three-room VIP suite is reserved for guests, providing a private and refined accommodation setting

For residential accommodation at the IIUM Gombak Campus, please consult the IIUM Student Residential Services portal .

For accommodation within the ISTAC campus, applications and enquiries may be directed to: istac_residential@iium.edu.my .

Transportation Services
Vehicle Management Department (VMD)
VMD is dedicated to providing safe, comfortable, and reliable transportation services for the university community.
Transportation Booking
The VMD provides a convenient transportation booking service for the IIUM community, enabling students and staff to arrange reliable transport for academic and institutional activities.
Shuttle Bus Service
VMD provides a regular shuttle bus service, ensuring safe and timely transport across the IIUM campus and making daily commuting hassle-free.
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University transportation is provided for official use by students and staff.
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Application forms must be certified by the Head of Department or Officer-in-Charge. Supporting documents such as approval letters and invitation letters must be attached.
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Transportation services are provided only for programmes approved by the relevant authorities.
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Applications must be submitted at least three (3) working days in advance for Klang Valley trips and seven (7) working days for outstation travel.
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Incomplete applications will be returned.
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Bookings must be reconfirmed in advance according to the specified timelines.
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Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours prior to departure.
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Passengers are required to verify and submit any relevant forms upon request.

Requests for transportation services may be submitted via the official form: Click Here

For further information on VMD services, please refer to the official portal: Click Here .

RESTAURANTS & CAFÉS
  • Convivencia Café — Located within the ISTAC compound, offering Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine in a quiet, study-friendly setting.
  • Taman Duta Bus Station — Hawker stalls with affordable local food options.
  • Jalan Langgak Tunku — Several high-end dining establishments.
  • Sunway Putra Mall — The nearest mall with a wide variety of food choices.
  • Online Delivery — Available via foodpanda and Grab.
SHOPPING AREAS
  • Publika — Nearby lifestyle mall (limited train access).
  • NU Sentral — Connected to KTM, LRT, and MRT lines.
  • Pavilion Damansara Heights — Premium retail and dining destination.
  • Sunway Putra Mall — Family-friendly mall with retail and dining options.
CLINICS
  • Qualitas Health Klinik Catterall, Khoo & Raja Malek — GP clinic and student screening services near KL Sentral.
  • Klinik Sai Cares — Community clinic in Brickfields.
  • Klinik Inter Med — General clinic in central KL.
  • Government Clinics — More affordable option, with longer waiting times.
    • - Segambut Health Clinic
    - Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya Health Department
    - Klinik Komuniti Hang Tuah
HOSPITALS
  • Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur — Major private hospital with specialist services.
  • Prince Court Medical Centre — Premium healthcare facility.
  • KPJ Sentosa KL Specialist Hospital — 24-hour specialist services.
  • Government Hospitals — More affordable option, with longer waiting times.
    • - Kuala Lumpur Hospital
    - Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya Health Department
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
  • Nearest train station: Semantan MRT Station, 8 to 12 minutes by car.
  • Nearest bus stop: KL1036 Stadium Hoki, 4 minutes by car (Bus networks are widely available across Kuala Lumpur).
  • Nearest bus station: Hentian Duta Bus Station, 4 minutes by car.
  • E-Hailing options: Grab, Bolt, inDrive, Maxim, etc.
ATTRACTIONS IN KUALA LUMPUR
Must-See Landmarks
  • Petronas Twin Towers — The world’s tallest twin towers.
  • Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad — Historic Moorish-style building at Merdeka Square.
  • Seri Negara — Heritage gallery showcasing Malaysia’s independence journey.
  • Batu Caves — Iconic limestone caves (~20–40 minutes from KL).
Islamic Heritage & Architecture
  • Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan — Free guided mosque tours available.
  • Masjid Negara — National mosque with modern Islamic design.
  • Blue Mosque — Located slightly outside KL.
  • Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia — World-class Islamic artefacts.
  • Putra Mosque (Pink Mosque) — Located in Putrajaya.
TIPS FOR EXPLORING KUALA LUMPUR
  • Plan Around Traffic — Peak hours: 7:30–9:30 AM and 5:00–7:30 PM.
  • Use Public Transport — Consider a Touch ’n Go card.
  • Dress for the Weather — Hot and humid year-round.
  • Respect Cultural Etiquette — Be mindful at places of worship of all religions.
  • Cash & Payments — QR widely used; small cash is useful.
  • Stay Aware — Be cautious in crowded areas.
  • Best Time — Evenings for cooler weather and city views.
  • Morning Visits — Ideal for outdoor attractions.