Al Qasimia University in Sharjah: Programs, Admission, Fees, and Campus Life

Al Qasimia University is one of Sharjah’s most distinctive higher education institutions — an Islamic-Arabic university established in 2013 by Royal Decree of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. Set on a purpose-built campus in University City, Muwailih, it draws students from more than 140 nationalities with programmes rooted in Islamic sciences, Arabic language, communication, and the humanities.

This guide covers everything prospective students and Sharjah residents need to know about Al Qasimia University Sharjah, from academic programmes and fees to scholarships, admission requirements, e-services, campus facilities, dining options, and how to get there.

• About Al Qasimia University
• Colleges and academic programmes at Al Qasimia University
• Admission and registration at Al Qasimia University
• Al Qasimia University scholarship
• Al Qasimia University fees structure
• Al Qasimia University e-services
• Campus life and facilities
• Dining at Al Qasimia University
• How to get to Al Qasimia University
• Key takeaways
• Frequently Asked Questions

About Al Qasimia University

Al Qasimia University (AQU) was founded under Royal Decree No. (2), 2013, issued by H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The decree established a distinctive Islamic-Arabic university in the emirate, one that would combine Islamic values with contemporary academic excellence and openness to the world.

The campus sits in University City, Muwailih, Sharjah, and spans over 1,036,049 square metres. The site includes an Administration Building, library, auditorium, mosque, five colleges, and separate residential halls for male and female students and faculty members, all built in a contemporary Islamic architectural style.

AQU holds institutional accreditation from the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) under the UAE Ministry of Education.

Explore the Available Apartments for Rent in Muwaileh

Colleges and academic programmes at Al Qasimia University

AQU organises its teaching across five colleges, each with separate buildings for male and female students. Every college building includes 17 classrooms equipped with modern teaching aids, 12 faculty offices, the dean’s and assistant dean’s offices, a cafeteria, a prayer room, and a rest hall. The five colleges are:

• College of the Holy Quran
• College of Sharia and Islamic Studies
• College of Arts and Humanities
• College of Communication
• College of Economics and Management

Bachelor’s programmes

Al Qasimia University programs at bachelor’s level currently include eight degrees:

• Bachelor in Exegesis and Quran Sciences
• Bachelor of Arts in Arabic Language and Literature
• Bachelor in Foundations of Religion
• Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication
• Bachelor of Arts in Economics
• Bachelor of Arts in Civilisation and Islamic History
• Bachelor of Quranic Readings
• Bachelor in Jurisprudence and its Foundations

Master’s programmes

Two master’s degrees are currently offered at Qasimia University:

• Master of Jurisprudence and its Foundations — College of Sharia and Islamic Studies
• Master of Arabic Language and Literature — College of Arts and Humanities

Both programmes are structured around 39 credit hours at the same tuition rate. The table below compares the two:

Admission and registration at Al Qasimia University

Bachelor’s admission

Al Qasimia University admission for bachelor’s programmes requires the submission of the following documents:

• Original secondary school certificate
• Original transcripts for Grades 10, 11, and 12
• Attestation of all certificates by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the issuing country, and the UAE Embassy there (or an Arab country’s embassy if no UAE embassy is present)
• Legal translation of foreign certificates into Arabic or English, attested by the relevant authorities
• Confirmation from the Ministry of Education in the issuing country that the awarding institution is recognised and that graduates may join public universities
• Legal translation of the passport into Arabic, attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Embassy
• Completed application form
• Copy of a valid passport (minimum two years’ remaining validity)
• Three recent colour passport photos (3×4, white background)
• Police clearance certificate for applicants from outside the UAE, with legal translation into Arabic and English
• Copy of birth certificate, with legal translation if not in Arabic or English
• Medical fitness certificate from a government hospital in the applicant’s country, confirming freedom from infectious diseases, issued within the last three months

Master’s admission

Al Qasimia University registration for master’s programmes follows a competitive, application-based process. General eligibility requirements include:

• A recognised bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 (a ‘Good’ classification) — applicants below this threshold may apply conditionally under the Graduate Studies Council regulations
• Two academic recommendation letters from faculty members, preferably from the applicant’s graduation department
• Satisfaction of any department-specific requirements, which may include an interview, an assessment test, or language conditions

Additional documents required for master’s applicants include:

• Official academic transcript (bachelor’s stage, showing grades and credit hours per course)
• Employer approval letter (for applicants currently employed inside the UAE, where applicable)
• Valid Emirates ID (for applicants inside the UAE)

Al Qasimia University scholarship

Bachelor’s scholarship

The Al Qasimia University scholarship for bachelor’s study is available exclusively to international students admitted from outside the UAE. The programme covers a comprehensive range of benefits:

• A monthly stipend determined by the university
• Housing on campus or in Sharjah (for single, non-dependent students)
• Health insurance in accordance with the university’s policies
• All visa, residency, and Emirates ID processing and expenses
• A return travel ticket between Sharjah and the student’s home country, issued upon completing 50% of the study plan
• A one-way return ticket to the student’s home country upon graduation

To maintain the scholarship, students must meet the following conditions:

• Remain enrolled each semester without interruption or dropout
• Maintain a semester and cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in each regular semester
• Dedicate themselves fully to study — no employment is permitted during the scholarship period
• Comply with all university regulations, behavioural guidelines, and community norms
• Not travel outside the country without prior university approval and acceptable justification

Students admitted to the Intensive Arabic Language Programme must complete it within one academic year (maximum) before being assigned to a degree specialisation.

Master’s scholarship

Master’s scholarships are offered in the form of a Research and Teaching Assistant (RTA) position. Key conditions include:

• A bachelor’s cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0
• Full-time dedication to both study and RTA duties for the duration of the programme
• Prior UAE employment approvals must be obtained before commencing study
• Nomination by the relevant academic department council based on competitive selection criteria and ranking
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be maintained throughout the programme

Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee an award. Applications are assessed competitively, and the university reserves the right to amend or suspend the scholarship scheme in line with approved regulations and institutional needs.

Al Qasimia University fees structure

The university’s published Al Qasimia University fees apply to its master’s programmes. Bachelor’s programmes are covered under the scholarship scheme for eligible international students.

Scholarship recipients follow the fee terms set by their sponsor, rather than the standard schedule above.

Al Qasimia University e-services

AQU provides a digital portal through its official website, giving students and staff online access to academic and administrative services. The Al Qasimia University e-services portal is divided into two categories:

• E-Services for Students: access to academic records, registration tools, and student support functions
• E-Services for Faculty and Administrative Staff: digital tools and resources for university employees

Students log in to the portal using their university credentials. The e-services system is part of the university’s broader commitment to a modern, student-centred academic environment.

Campus life and facilities

The AQU campus is designed to support both academic development and daily student life. Key facilities include the following.

Main Building: The three-floor Main Building covers 6,692 square metres and houses the chancellor’s and vice chancellors’ offices, 80 administrative offices, 24 lecture halls, computer labs, self-study areas, meeting rooms, an art studio, stationery shops, prayer rooms, and two branches of the Sharjah Cooperative Society.

University Mosque: One of the campus’s most prominent landmarks, the mosque accommodates 3,120 men on the ground floor and 784 women on the upper floor. It features five domes, two 89-metre minarets, and blends contemporary Islamic and Fatimid architectural styles. The total area, including annexes, is 3,955.4 square metres.

University Library: Spanning 5,684 square metres across two floors, the library holds over 150,000 titles across a range of disciplines. It includes 20 offices, a 100-seat theatre, and modern information management systems to support research and independent study.

University Auditorium: With a capacity of more than 550 people, the auditorium hosts the university’s annual international conference and the Al Qasimia University International Award for the Quran and Sunnah. Facilities include simultaneous interpretation halls, workshops, a theatre performance hall, and separate VIP lounges for men and women.

Student accommodation: Separate dormitory buildings are provided for male and female students on campus. Rooms are furnished with a bed, desk, and wardrobe. Shared facilities include study halls, computer rooms, dining halls, a communal kitchen, prayer rooms, a television and rest lounge, an emergency medical centre, laundry rooms, and an entertainment hall.

Dining at Al Qasimia University

On-campus restaurants

The university operates five restaurants on campus, with a combined capacity of approximately 2,000 people. Each provides a range of food and drinks throughout the day.

Restaurants near Al Qasimia University

For students and visitors looking to dine off campus, several options are available within a short drive in the Muwailih area:

• Paper Fig: An all-day dining spot in Muwailih Commercial serving international cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Around five to six minutes from the university by car.
• The Bosporus Restaurant: A Turkish restaurant in Al Jada specialising in Ottoman cuisine, approximately six minutes away.
• On The Wood: A multi-branch Italian-Lebanese restaurant in Muwailih Commercial known for its stone wood-cooked dishes. Around six to seven minutes from campus.
• Berenjak: A Michelin-recognised Iranian restaurant at Misk 4, Al Jada, for a more refined dining experience. Approximately seven minutes away.

How to get to Al Qasimia University

By car: The university is accessible via Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), taking the exit towards University City Road, Muwailih. Parking is available on campus.

By public transport: Sharjah’s public bus network covers the University City area. Routes and timetables are available through the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA).

Al Qasimia University contact details for directions and enquiries:

• Phone: +971 6 518 1111
• Working hours: Monday to Thursday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm

Enquiries regarding admission, registration, and scholarships can be submitted through the contact form on the university’s official website, alongside general and HR-related queries.

Residents looking to live near Al Qasimia University can search for properties for rent in Sharjah or properties for sale in Sharjah through Property Finder.

Key takeaways

• Al Qasimia University was established in 2013 under Royal Decree in University City, Muwailih, Sharjah, and holds CAA institutional accreditation valid until March 2029.
• The university offers eight bachelor’s degrees and two master’s programmes across five colleges, all rooted in Islamic sciences, Arabic language, communication, and the humanities.
• Bachelor’s scholarships are exclusively for international students from outside the UAE and cover housing, health insurance, and visa and residency support; master’s scholarships are competitive Research and Teaching Assistant positions requiring a bachelor’s GPA of at least 3.0.
• Master’s tuition is AED 3,000 per credit hour — AED 99,000 total per programme; the campus includes five on-campus restaurants, a library with over 150,000 titles, a 550-seat auditorium, and separate dormitories for male and female students.

Frequently Asked Questions

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