Introduction
Al Qasimia University in Sharjah is the UAE’s leading Islamic university, established under the patronage of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi (Ruler of Sharjah). Its College of Holy Quran — founded in 2017 as the first institution of its kind in the UAE — offers a Bachelor’s degree in Quran Sciences that covers memorisation, Tajweed, the canonical Qira’at modes, Tafsir, and the ruling sciences derived from the Quran. It represents the UAE’s most serious institutional commitment to training Quran scholars and educators at university level.
Al Qasimia University: Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Full name | Al Qasimia University (جامعة القاسمية) |
| Location | Sharjah, UAE |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Language | Arabic-medium instruction |
| Accreditation | UAE Ministry of Education accredited; pursuing Union of Arab Universities membership |
| Type | Private Islamic university under royal patronage |
| Website | alqasimia.ac.ae |
Al Qasimia University is not a general university with an Islamic studies department — it is a university whose core identity is Islamic and Quranic scholarship. Every college within the university operates in the context of an institution dedicated to the correct understanding of Islam.
College of Holy Quran: Background and Mission
The College of Holy Quran (كلية القرآن الكريم) was established in 2017 by decision of Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. Its founding rationale was explicit:
- The UAE lacked a degree-level institution specifically focused on Quran sciences
- No UAE university offered a full academic programme in the canonical Qira’at modes
- Sharjah’s Islamic identity — as the most Islamic of the UAE’s seven emirates — made it the natural home for this institution
The College’s mission is to:
| Mission Pillar | Detail |
| Hifz and recitation excellence | Produce graduates with verified, high-standard memorisation and recitation |
| Qira’at dissemination | Train graduates specifically to disseminate the canonical modes of Quranic recitation — both in knowledge and in Riwayah practice |
| Researcher training | Produce specialised researchers in Quran, Qira’at, Tafsir, and the sciences of the Quran |
| Community service | Provide consultative and educational services to society’s institutions in Quran and its sciences |
| Islamic values grounding | Ground all training in the values of goodness, virtue, tolerance, and cooperation |
Bachelor’s in Quran Sciences: Programme Structure
The Bachelor’s in Quran Sciences (بكالوريوس في علوم القرآن الكريم) is a 4-year degree with the following broad structure:
| Component | Content |
| Quran memorisation (Hifz) | Complete or near-complete memorisation verified and assessed to a rigorous standard |
| Tajweed — theoretical and applied | Rules of Quranic recitation at academic depth — not just application but derivation and justification |
| Qira’at sciences | Study of the seven and ten canonical modes — academic analysis using the classical texts (Shatibiyyah, Durrah, Nashr) |
| Tafsir (Quranic exegesis) | Systematic study of the interpretation of the Quran across major scholarly traditions |
| Quran sciences (‘Ulum al-Quran) | History of the Quran, compilation, preservation, Mushaf sciences |
| Ruling derivation from Quran | How legal and theological rulings are derived from Quranic text — usul-level study |
| Arabic language | Advanced Arabic studies — essential for all Quran sciences work |
| General university requirements | Humanities, research methods, academic writing |
Upon graduation, students receive both the Bachelor’s degree and an Ijazah from faculty scholars in the Riwayah they have mastered — making Al Qasimia graduates qualified to teach and certify students.
Qira’at and Tajweed: The Academic Focus
The College of Holy Quran’s distinctive contribution to UAE Islamic education is its academic-level Qira’at programme:
| Feature | Detail |
| Classical texts studied | Al-Shatibiyyah (seven Qira’at), Al-Durrah (three additional), Al-Tayyibah (all ten) |
| Practical Qira’at study | Students recite to faculty in multiple Qira’at — supervised Talaqqi |
| Ijazah pathway | Faculty scholars with documented Ijazah chains certify graduating students |
| Research depth | Students study the historical transmission of each Qira’ah and its scholarly chains |
| Makharij and Sifat | Phonological training in the articulation points and characteristics of Arabic letters |
This depth distinguishes Al Qasimia from institutions that teach only Hafs ‘an ‘Asim and offer a basic Hifz certificate. The College produces graduates who are genuine contributors to the Qira’at scholarly tradition.
Other Colleges at Al Qasimia University
| College | Focus |
| College of Shari’ah and Islamic Studies | Fiqh, usul al-fiqh, aqeedah, comparative Islamic law |
| College of Arts and Humanities | Arabic language, history, Islamic civilisation |
| College of Economics and Management | Business and management — in an Islamic context |
| College of Communication | Media and communication — with an Islamic ethics framework |
| College of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research | Master’s programmes across disciplines |
Students interested in a broader Islamic studies context while maintaining Quran science focus can combine the College of Holy Quran with Arabic studies from the College of Arts and Humanities.
Admission Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
| Academic qualification | UAE Tawjihi (secondary school certificate) or equivalent — meeting minimum grade requirements |
| Quran requirement | Significant Hifz completion preferred — the degree builds on existing memorisation |
| Arabic proficiency | Strong Arabic language skills — the programme is Arabic-medium throughout |
| Interview/assessment | Applicants may be assessed on Quran recitation quality and Tajweed standard |
| Gender | Al Qasimia accepts both male and female students — in separate academic environments |
| Nationality | Open to UAE nationals and international students |
Scholarships and Fees
Al Qasimia University offers scholarships for both Bachelor’s and Master’s level study:
| Category | Details |
| Bachelor’s scholarships | Available — check current availability at alqasimia.ac.ae |
| Master’s fees | Published on the admissions page — partial scholarships available |
| Government support | As a Sharjah-patronised institution, Al Qasimia receives emirate-level support that keeps costs lower than fully private universities |
For current fee and scholarship information, prospective students should check alqasimia.ac.ae/en/AdmissionRegistration directly as figures are updated each academic year.
What Al Qasimia Graduates Do
| Career Path | Description |
| Quran teacher / Mu’allim | Teaching at Quran schools, Dar al-Quran centres, and mosque Halaqat — with certification to teach multiple Qira’at |
| Researcher | Academic research in Quran sciences, Qira’at studies, Tafsir — at the university or institute level |
| Islamic educator | Working in UAE government school Islamic studies departments, IACAD-affiliated roles |
| Da’wah and propagation | Community Islamic education and propagation roles — in UAE and internationally |
| Online Quran teacher | Teaching internationally via online platforms — leveraging Ijazah credentials |
| Al-Azhar-equivalent pathway | For students seeking to continue to Egypt or other centres for further Qira’at Ijazah |
Al Qasimia vs Other Islamic Universities in the Region
| Feature | Al Qasimia (Sharjah) | Jami’at al-Islamiyyah (Madinah) | Al-Azhar (Cairo) |
| Quran Sciences degree | Yes — first in UAE | Yes | Yes — Kulliyyah al-Quran |
| Qira’at focus | Yes — core of the College | Yes | Yes — most comprehensive globally |
| Location | UAE — accessible, modern | Saudi Arabia | Egypt |
| Language | Arabic | Arabic | Arabic |
| International access | Open — modern UAE campus | Scholarship-based, competitive | Open but Egypt residency needed |
| Ijazah from faculty | Yes | Yes | Yes — most authoritative |
| Research depth | Growing | Deep | Deepest globally |
Al Qasimia is the most accessible entry point to university-level Quran Sciences in the Gulf — for students who want the academic rigour of a degree with Ijazah components without the complexity of studying in Saudi Arabia or Egypt.
Key Statistics
| Statistic | Figure |
| Year established | 2010 (University), 2017 (College of Holy Quran) |
| Location | Sharjah, UAE |
| Degree offered | Bachelor’s in Quran Sciences |
| Also offers | Master’s programmes across colleges |
| First Quran degree in UAE | Yes — confirmed on College website |
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can international students apply to Al Qasimia University?
Yes — Al Qasimia University is open to international students. Check alqasimia.ac.ae for current admission and scholarship details, as requirements for international applicants may differ from UAE nationals.
Q: Does the College of Holy Quran teach only Hafs ‘an ‘Asim?
No — the programme explicitly covers the canonical Qira’at modes, including the seven and ten. This is the institution’s distinguishing feature and primary contribution to UAE Islamic scholarship.
Q: Is an Al Qasimia Ijazah recognised internationally?
The Ijazah itself is as valid as the scholar’s own chain — Ijazah validity is not institutional but chain-based. Faculty scholars with documented, credible Sanad chains grant Ijazah that is recognised wherever their own chain is respected. Al Qasimia’s faculty credentials should be verified by prospective students.
Q: Can women study at the College of Holy Quran?
Yes — Al Qasimia University accepts female students in separate academic environments.
Q: Is Al Qasimia affiliated with Al-Azhar?
Al Qasimia is an independent UAE institution — not formally affiliated with Al-Azhar. However, scholarly connections exist and the university is pursuing broader Arab university federation membership.
Conclusion
Al Qasimia University’s College of Holy Quran fills a gap that no other UAE institution had addressed before 2017 — providing a rigorous, degree-level academic context for Quran Sciences study within the UAE itself. For Emirati students and for international students based in or relocating to the UAE, Al Qasimia offers the most complete Quran scholarship programme available in the Gulf outside Saudi Arabia. Its graduates are among the most qualified Quran educators in the region — combining Ijazah credentials with academic depth in Qira’at, Tafsir, and Quran sciences.
Ilmify supports UAE Islamic education institutions — including Dar al-Quran centres, IACAD-licensed facilities, and university-affiliated Quran programmes — with Arabic-interface Hifz tracking, Muraja’ah management, and Ijazah workflow tools. Explore Ilmify →
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