ALQASIMIA University Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students

Overview

The United Arab Emirates has steadily grown into one of the world's most welcoming destinations for international students, combining world-class infrastructure, a cosmopolitan social environment, and a strategic location at the crossroads of East and West. Among the UAE's educational institutions, ALQASIMIA University in Sharjah stands out for its deep commitment to Islamic scholarship, Arabic language studies, and the humanities — and for offering one of the Gulf region's most comprehensive fully funded scholarship programs for international students.

ALQASIMIA University's scholarship is available exclusively to international students admitted from outside the UAE. It is a generous and holistic award that goes well beyond tuition — covering monthly stipends, housing, health insurance, travel tickets, visa costs, and more. For students passionate about Islamic studies, Arabic language, Shariah, law, or related humanities disciplines, this scholarship offers a rare opportunity to pursue world-class academic study in the heart of the Arab world, fully supported by the university.

Scholarship Details

The ALQASIMIA University Scholarship is one of the most comprehensive institutional awards available in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Recipients benefit from the following:

• Monthly stipend — a regular financial allowance determined by the university in accordance with its regulations, paid each month during the academic year; summer stipend is also available for students who choose to enroll in summer courses
• Round-trip travel ticket — the university covers the cost of a return flight between the student's home country and the UAE once the student has completed 50% of their study plan, subject to permitted timing and the university academic calendar
• One-way graduation ticket — upon completing their degree, the university provides a one-way airline ticket from Sharjah to the student's home country
• Visa, residency, and identity card expenses — all costs associated with obtaining and maintaining a UAE student visa and Emirates ID are covered
• Health insurance — comprehensive coverage in accordance with university health policies
• On-campus housing — accommodation in Sharjah is provided for single students from outside the UAE who do not have dependents in the country; students who marry during their studies are no longer entitled to university-provided housing
• On-campus transportation — the university provides a campus transport service; students who miss the scheduled transport are responsible for their own arrangements

For Master's degree scholarship recipients, there is an additional component: students are required and supported to serve as Research and Teaching Assistants within their academic department, providing both professional development and a formal institutional role.

The scholarship is maintained on the condition that students remain enrolled each semester, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 out of 4.00, do not engage in unauthorized employment, and adhere to university behavioral and ethical standards.

Eligibility Requirements

The ALQASIMIA University Scholarship has a clear and specific set of eligibility conditions that applicants must understand before applying.

Nationality and Residency: The scholarship is available exclusively to international students admitted from outside the UAE. UAE citizens and residents already living in the UAE are not eligible. This restriction ensures the scholarship supports genuine international mobility.

Academic Requirements for Undergraduate Students: Applicants must meet the standard admissions requirements for their chosen undergraduate specialization at ALQASIMIA University. Students who need to strengthen their Arabic language skills may be enrolled in the Intensive Arabic Language Program, which must be completed within a maximum of one academic year before progressing to a degree program.

Academic Requirements for Master's Students: Master's scholarship applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree — or an internationally recognized equivalent — with a minimum GPA of 3.30 out of 4.00. Degrees issued outside the UAE must be officially equivalenced through UAE regulatory bodies. Additionally, Master's students must:

• Commit to full-time study
• Serve as a Research and Teaching Assistant at the university
• Obtain approval from the relevant UAE government authority to work in this capacity
• Be nominated by their academic department and approved by the College of Graduate Studies

Scholarship Continuity Conditions: To maintain the scholarship, students must:

• Enroll in every semester without dropping out
• Maintain a semester and cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 in regular semesters
• Refrain from working in any capacity during their studies
• Not leave the university campus or the UAE without prior written permission
• Adhere to university regulations and community norms

Violation of any of these conditions may result in scholarship cancellation.

Fields of Study & Programs

ALQASIMIA University is a specialized academic institution with a focused mission — cultivating expertise in Islamic sciences, Arabic language, Shariah, and related humanities and social science disciplines. This makes it a uniquely valuable destination for students whose academic interests lie in this rich intellectual tradition.

Programs typically available at ALQASIMIA University include:

• Islamic Studies — Quran, Hadith, Islamic theology, and jurisprudence
• Shariah and Law — Islamic legal studies with practical and theoretical grounding
• Arabic Language and Literature — linguistics, classical and modern Arabic texts, translation
• Education — teacher preparation with an Islamic and Arabic academic foundation
• Arts and Humanities — history, cultural studies, and related disciplines rooted in the Arab and Islamic scholarly tradition

The scholarship covers programs at both the undergraduate and Master's degree levels. Students entering without sufficient Arabic language proficiency are placed in the Intensive Arabic Language Program before beginning their degree, ensuring they can engage fully with the curriculum.

Participating Universities

The ALQASIMIA University Scholarship is hosted exclusively at ALQASIMIA University (also known as Al Qasimia University), located in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Founded under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, ALQASIMIA University is dedicated to the revival and promotion of Islamic and Arabic academic heritage. The university's mission is closely tied to Sharjah's identity as the cultural capital of the UAE — a emirate known across the Arab world for its libraries, museums, publishing houses, and commitment to Arabic language preservation.

The university's campus is located in Sharjah, the third-largest emirate in the UAE and a city that offers a more traditional, culturally rich environment compared to neighboring Dubai. Sharjah is home to over 20 museums, the Sharjah International Book Fair (one of the largest in the world), and a thriving arts and culture scene. It is also conveniently connected to Dubai by a short commute.

For students interested in Islamic scholarship and Arabic language studies, studying in Sharjah provides an immersive academic and cultural environment that is difficult to replicate anywhere else in the world. The proximity to leading Islamic libraries, scholars, and cultural institutions creates research and learning opportunities beyond what is available in most Western or Asian universities.

How to Apply

Applying for the ALQASIMIA University Scholarship requires careful preparation and an understanding of the multi-step process involved.

Step 1 – Visit the Official Scholarship Page Begin by visiting the official ALQASIMIA University scholarship information page at alqasimia.ac.ae. Review all current scholarship terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements for your desired degree level before proceeding.

Step 2 – Apply for Admission Submit your application for admission to ALQASIMIA University through the official admissions process. Scholarship consideration is tied to the admissions process, so this is the foundational step.

Step 3 – Prepare Your Documents Gather the required academic documents:

• Certified copies of all academic degree certificates (equivalenced if issued outside the UAE)
• Official academic transcripts showing your GPA
• Valid passport copy
• Any additional documents specified by the university's admissions office

Step 4 – Arabic Language Preparation (if needed) If your Arabic language proficiency is insufficient for direct degree enrollment, be prepared to enter the Intensive Arabic Language Program. This is a supported pathway — not a barrier — and the scholarship remains active during the language program.

Step 5 – Master's Scholarship Additional Steps If applying for a Master's scholarship, you must additionally:

• Secure departmental nomination based on the academic department's selection criteria
• Obtain approval from the College of Graduate Studies
• Arrange for UAE authority approval to serve as a Research and Teaching Assistant

Step 6 – Submit and Follow Up Complete the admissions application and submit all documents. Contact the university's international admissions office for specific deadlines and any additional requirements relevant to the current academic cycle.

Tips for a Strong Application:

• Demonstrate a genuine commitment to Islamic studies or Arabic language research
• Provide strong academic transcripts showing consistent performance
• For Master's applicants, articulate a clear and focused research interest aligned with available faculty expertise

Deadlines & Important Dates

The ALQASIMIA University Scholarship does not publish a fixed annual application deadline in the available information. Deadlines and intake periods are managed directly through the university's admissions office and may vary by academic year, program, and available scholarship seats.

Prospective applicants should:

• Visit the official university website regularly for updated admission and scholarship announcements
• Contact the international admissions office directly to inquire about the current application window
• Plan to submit applications at least several months before the intended enrollment semester to allow time for document verification, visa processing, and housing arrangements

For Master's applicants, the additional steps of departmental nomination and Research and Teaching Assistant approval may extend the preparation timeline. Beginning this process six months in advance of the intended intake is strongly recommended.

Life as a Scholar

Life as an ALQASIMIA University scholar in Sharjah is a rich and culturally immersive experience. Sharjah is widely regarded as the cultural and educational heart of the UAE — a city that balances modernity with a deep respect for Arabic language, Islamic heritage, and the arts.

The university provides on-campus housing for qualifying international scholarship students, ensuring a safe and structured living environment close to academic facilities. On-campus transportation is provided, making it easy to navigate between residences, lecture halls, libraries, and student services without needing personal transportation.

Beyond the campus, Sharjah offers an extraordinary range of cultural attractions. The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, the Sharjah Art Museum, and the extensive Sharjah Heritage Area all offer students — particularly those in Islamic studies and Arabic language programs — access to primary historical and artistic sources of immense scholarly value.

The UAE's safety, world-class infrastructure, and multicultural population create a comfortable and welcoming environment for international students. Dubai's international airport, shopping, and recreational amenities are easily accessible from Sharjah. Monthly stipends and full provision of living costs mean scholars can focus entirely on their academic and cultural development without financial distraction.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the scholarship open to all nationalities? Yes, with one important condition: the scholarship is exclusively for students admitted from outside the UAE. UAE citizens and residents already in the country are not eligible.

2. Can scholarship students work part-time in the UAE? No. Scholarship students are not permitted to engage in any work during their studies. The scholarship is conditional on full dedication to academic study. The exception is Master's students who serve as Research and Teaching Assistants — this is an official university role, not outside employment.

3. What happens if a student's GPA falls below 2.00? If the semester or cumulative GPA falls below 2.00 in a regular semester, the university's scholarship controls and instructions are applied. This may include a warning period or suspension of scholarship benefits, depending on the specific circumstances.

4. Is Arabic language proficiency required before applying? Not necessarily. Students who need to develop their Arabic language skills can be enrolled in the Intensive Arabic Language Program, which must be completed within one academic year. After successfully completing the program, students are assigned to a degree specialization.

5. Does the scholarship cover housing for married students? Housing is provided for single students without UAE-based dependents. Students who marry during their studies at ALQASIMIA University are no longer entitled to university-provided housing.

6. Is health insurance included in the scholarship? Yes. The university provides health insurance for scholarship students from outside the UAE in accordance with university health policies and UAE regulations.

Final Thoughts

The ALQASIMIA University Fully Funded Scholarship is a distinctive and generous opportunity for international students who are drawn to Islamic scholarship, Arabic language studies, and the humanities in the heart of the Arab world. With comprehensive financial support that covers virtually every aspect of student life — from housing and healthcare to travel and stipends — the scholarship removes all major financial barriers to study in the UAE. For students who approach this opportunity with genuine academic purpose, full commitment, and respect for the university's values and regulations, studying at ALQASIMIA University in Sharjah can be a profoundly enriching and career-defining experience. Visit the official university website to confirm current application periods and begin your journey.