If you are an international student who has always desired to study in the UAE, did you know that Sharjah has a scholarship scheme that will not only allow you to study in the UAE for free, but will also cover your basic expenses such as lodging, food, and visa?
The Al Qasimia University Sharjah scholarship scheme is open to international students; however, you should be aware of the language requirements, as some programmes require Arabic as a language of instruction. If you are not fluent in Arabic, you can first enlist in the Arabic Language Centre at the university before enrolling in one of the institution’s programmes.
Who does the scholarship programme apply to?
These are the criteria for the scholarship programme, as per the university’s website:
- The scholarship programme is exclusively available to international students (those accepted from countries other than the UAE).
- Only international students are eligible for a monthly stipend set by the university.
- Only enrolled overseas students receive a monthly stipend during the Summer Semester. Summer semester enrollment is optional.
- Scholarship students are eligible for one round-trip ticket after completing 50% of the total credit hours of their specialism and maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 throughout the study year.
- The institution is liable for all costs associated with student residence visas and Emirates ID cards.
- Only international students are covered by the university’s health insurance.
- The university provides student housing; however, the university solely provides on-campus transportation.
- If overseas students do not arrive in the UAE on time after being accepted as students, their visas will be canceled.
- After graduation, students are given return tickets to their home countries.
Which courses can I take?
These are the programmes you can apply to:
- • Bachelor of Arts in Media
• Bachelor of Arts in Economics
• Bachelor of Arts in Arabic Language and Literature
• Bachelor of Science in the Holy Quran
• Bachelor of Arts in Sharia and Islamic Studies
Language of Instructions
Arabic is the language of instruction at the Colleges of Sharia and Islamic Studies, Arts and Humanities, and the Holy Quran.
Arabic and English are the languages of instruction at the Colleges of Economics and Management and Communication.
If they are accepted at the Language Centre, new non-Arabic speaking students are placed in the Intensive Arabic Programme for a maximum of one or two semesters. Source: alqasimia.ac.ae
Which documents do I need to prepare?
According to the university website, students must obtain a high school diploma with a minimum average of 70% or 75%, depending on which institution they choose to attend. When applying to the institution, the candidate must be at least 16 years old and no older than 20 years old, and all admitted applicants must take the Arabic Language Placement Test in order to register for freshman-level college courses. The test assesses students’ language ability, which determines whether or not they may enrol straight in college programmes.
Here is a list of the documents that are required:
- Original Secondary School (High School) certificate • Original Grades 10, 11, and 12 transcripts
- Attestation of the necessary documents from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the countries where the certificate was granted, and the UAE Embassy in that country.
- Foreign certifications are translated into Arabic or English by a qualified translation company and attestation from the aforementioned agencies.
- Show proof of the school or institute that granted the Secondary School (High School) Certificate.
- If the passport is not in English, it must be translated into Arabic.
- Submitted an application for admission.
- If you are applying for courses in the College of Economics and Management or the College of Communication, you must have an English proficiency certificate such as IELTS, TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), or EmSAT (Emirates Standardised Test).
- Copy of a passport that is valid for at least two years.
- 12 contemporary color pictures on white backgrounds.
- A certificate of good conduct or a police clearance provided by your native country. If the certificate is in another language, it must be translated into Arabic or English by a qualified translation company.
- A certified copy of your birth certificate.
- A certificate of health fitness is given by a government hospital in your own country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of that country should testify to this paper. This certificate should be no more than three months old as of the date of application to the university.
How To Apply
- Every year, Al Qasimia University accepts applications in April, May, June, and July.
- The application is completed online using their official website, www.alqasimia.ac.ae.
- It entails filling out an online form and providing the required documents.
- The process, according to a student quoted by Gulf News, is entirely online.
- Although the application process for this year has expired, the portal will reopen for applications for the next year.
- Applicants will be notified whether they are shortlisted for an interview after completing the form and sending preliminary documents.
