Introduction

Al Qasimia University’s main campus building in Sharjah, UAE. The Al Qasimia University (AQU) Scholarship 2026 offers secondary school graduates from around the world a chance to study in the UAE for free. This is a fully funded UAE scholarship for international students, covering tuition fees, a monthly stipend, accommodation, visa costs, and other benefits. Located in Sharjah, AQU provides an attractive, Islamic-architectural campus and a comprehensive scholarship program to support talented students academically and financially. In this guide, we detail the scholarship benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents (with important attestation requirements), the application steps, and key deadlines – everything you need to know to successfully start your AQU Sharjah scholarship application.

Scholarship Benefits: Study in UAE for Free

The AQU Scholarship 2026 is a full scholarship that lets you pursue undergraduate studies without financial burden. Key benefits include:

• Full Tuition and Fees: Complete waiver of tuition fees for the entire degree program, allowing you to pursue your bachelor’s degree at AQU without cost.

• Monthly Stipend: A monthly allowance (approximately AED 1,500) is provided to cover living expenses for international students. This stipend is also paid during summer if you are enrolled in summer courses and maintaining the required academic performance.

• Free Accommodation: The university provides free on-campus housing (or off-campus as arranged) in Sharjah for single students. This hostel accommodation is air-conditioned and segregated by gender, ensuring a safe living environment.

• Travel Expenses: AQU covers one round-trip airfare after you complete 50% of your study plan, usually provided during the summer break. Upon graduation, the scholarship also grants a one-way flight ticket back to your home country.

• Visa & Residency Support: All visa issuance, UAE residence permit fees, and ID card processing are handled and paid for by the university for the duration of your study. This means your student visa and Emirates ID arrangements are fully covered.

• Health Insurance: You will receive medical insurance as per university policy, ensuring your health needs are taken care of while in the UAE.

• On-Campus Transportation: The university offers free on-campus transport services for students, making it easy to commute between facilities.

These benefits make the AQU Scholarship a fully funded package, allowing you to focus on your education without worrying about tuition or living costs.

Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, make sure you meet the following eligibility requirements for the Al Qasimia University Scholarship 2026:

• International Applicant: The scholarship is open exclusively to international students from outside the UAE. UAE nationals or residents are generally not eligible for the full scholarship benefits (they may be considered for tuition waivers only).

• Secondary School Graduate: You must have completed 12 years of schooling (high school) with a secondary school certificate that is recognized by your country’s Ministry of Education. Your high school diploma should be equivalent to the UAE Grade 12 certificate. Applicants should have graduated high school within the last 2 years (no more than two years since obtaining the certificate).

• Age Requirement: Generally, applicants should be at least 16 years old and no older than 20 years at the time of application. This ensures the scholarship targets recent secondary graduates.

• Academic and Conduct: You must not have been dismissed from any university on disciplinary or academic grounds. Once enrolled at AQU, scholarship students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 (on a 4.0 scale) each semester to continue receiving the scholarship. Falling below the required GPA may result in stipend reduction or scholarship termination, so a strong academic record and commitment to studies are essential.

• Language Requirements: TOEFL/IELTS scores are optional – you do not need English proficiency test results to apply, unless you are targeting specific programs. For example, the College of Economics & Management requires an IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent), and the College of Communication requires IELTS 4.5. If you have a TOEFL or IELTS score available, it is recommended to include it, as it may strengthen your application or be necessary for those English-medium programs. Otherwise, admitted students who are non-native Arabic speakers will take an Arabic language placement test upon arrival; those who do not meet the required Arabic level will enroll in an Intensive Arabic Language Program (for up to one year) before starting their degree courses.

• Full-Time Study & No Work: Scholarship recipients must be committed to full-time study at AQU and are not allowed to work during their studies. The scholarship is intended for students who can dedicate their time to academics and university life. Students must also adhere to all university rules, ethical conduct codes, and remain unmarried (if you come single) during the study period, as the university housing is only for single students.

Required Documents (with Attestation)

One of the most critical parts of the application is preparing all the required documents. All educational documents must be officially attested by the relevant authorities, and many need to be translated. Here is the list of documents you will need to apply for AQU Scholarship 2026:

• High School Certificate and Transcripts: Your original secondary school graduation certificate and transcripts for grades 10, 11, and 12 are required. These must be attested by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country, as well as the UAE Embassy in your country. (If your country does not have a UAE embassy, you must get these documents attested by the embassy of any Arab country that has diplomatic relations with yours.) Attestation proves that your certificates are genuine and equivalent to a UAE high school qualification.

• Equivalency/Recognition Letter: A letter or certificate from your country’s Ministry of Education stating that your school is recognized and that your high school certificate allows you to enroll in public universities in your home country. This is often known as a “recognition” or equivalency letter and may be included with the attestation process.

• Passport (with Translation): A clear copy of your valid passport (with at least 2 years of validity remaining). If your passport is not in English or Arabic, you need to provide an official Arabic translation of the passport, attested by your Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Embassy.

• Completed Application Form: The official AQU application form (filled out online on the university’s portal) must be printed or saved after submission. Ensure all information is accurate. (You will fill this form during the online application process, but it’s listed here to remind you to complete every required field).

• Personal Photographs: Passport-size recent color photos, size 3×4 cm with a white background. AQU typically asks for multiple copies (around 12 photos) for your student ID and records. Make sure the photos are professional (no caps or glasses, clear face).

• Good Conduct Certificate: A police clearance or certificate of good conduct from the relevant authority in your home country. This document should state that you have no criminal record. It must be translated into Arabic and English (if originally in another language) and should be officially attested as well.

• Birth Certificate: A copy of your birth certificate (or an official document indicating your birth details). If the original is not in English or Arabic, provide a legal translation into English or Arabic. Attestation of the translation may be required by authorities.

• Medical Fitness Certificate: A recent health fitness certificate issued by a government hospital or health ministry in your country, confirming that you are free from all infectious or dangerous diseases. This medical report must be dated no more than three (3) months before your application, and it should be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your country (and possibly by the UAE Embassy). Common tests include HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, etc., as required for UAE residence visas.

Apply Also

• Abu Dhabi University Scholarship 2026 | Fully Funded Study in the UAE
• Islamic University of Madinah Scholarship 2026–2027 | Fully Funded Study in Saudi Arabia

Application Process: AQU Sharjah Scholarship Application Step-by-Step

Applying for the Al Qasimia University Scholarship is done online through the official AQU admissions portal. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth application:

1. Create an Account on AQU Admissions Portal: Visit the official Al Qasimia University admission website and access the online application system. You may need to register an account with your email and create a password. Once logged in, select the option to apply for a Bachelor’s degree program (Fall 2026 intake). The scholarship is integrated with the admission application – all international applicants from outside UAE are automatically considered for the full scholarship if admitted.

2. Fill in the Online Application Form: Complete the digital application form with your personal details, academic history, and program preferences. Be thorough and truthful. Select your desired college/major (you can list multiple preferences in order, e.g., Sharia, Arts, Economics, etc.) as required. Double-check that all fields marked with an asterisk (*) are filled – incomplete applications will not be considered.

3. Upload All Required Documents: Scan or prepare electronic copies of all the required documents listed above. Upload them in the specified format (PDF format for documents, and JPG/JPEG format for the photo). Ensure each scan is clear and readable. This includes your attested certificates, transcripts, passport, photo, etc. If any document is multiple pages, combine them into one PDF file. Make sure translations and attestations are visible in the scans. Poor quality or missing documents could lead to rejection during the verification stage.

4. Provide Language Test Scores (if applicable): When prompted, input your TOEFL/IELTS score if you have one, especially if you are applying to a program that requires it. For instance, if applying to the College of Economics & Management, upload proof of IELTS 5.0 or equivalent; for the College of Communication, IELTS 4.5. If you don’t have these, you can skip, as they are optional for other programs – the university will arrange language placement later if needed.

5. Review and Submit Application: Before final submission, review all entries and attachments. Ensure that all your documents meet the criteria and that you have included everything (attestations, translations, etc.). Once satisfied, submit your application through the portal. After submitting, you should receive a confirmation email from AQU indicating that your application was received successfully. Take note of any application reference number provided.

6. Application Deadline – June 30, 2026: Submit your completed application on or before June 30, 2026. This is the official deadline for the Fall 2026 intake. Late submissions will not be considered, so aim to finish your application well in advance. (If you encounter any issues, contact the admissions office or your nearest UAE embassy’s cultural attaché for guidance before the deadline.)

7. Track Your Application: After the deadline, the AQU admissions team will begin reviewing applications. You can log in to the portal to track your application status. The review process includes verifying your documents and academic qualifications. Ensure your contact email is active and check it regularly, as the university may send updates or ask for any clarification.

8. Selection & Next Steps: The selection committee will evaluate all complete applications based on academic performance, document authenticity, and program capacity. Meeting the minimum requirements (eligibility and documents) moves you to the next stage of academic competition. If you are shortlisted, you might be asked for a brief online interview (in some cases) or additional information. Final admission decisions are usually released a few weeks after the deadline (this can vary). If you are accepted, you will receive an official admission letter via email, and your status on the portal will update. AQU will then guide you through visa processing and travel arrangements. (They handle your student visa issuance as part of the scholarship, so be ready to send your passport for visa stamping through the embassy if required).

Application Deadline and Timeline

Mark your calendar: The application deadline for Al Qasimia University Scholarship 2026 is June 30, 2026. All online applications along with uploaded documents must be submitted by this date. It’s wise to finish your application well ahead of the deadline to avoid last-minute issues. After submission, initial screening will occur in July 2026, where AQU will verify eligibility and documents. Admissions decisions are typically announced by late July or August, allowing time for accepted students to arrange travel to Sharjah for the new academic year starting in the fall.

Conclusion – Your Opportunity to Study in the UAE for Free

The Al Qasimia University Scholarship is an incredible opportunity for talented international students to study in the UAE for free under a fully funded program. From monthly stipends and free housing to covered tuition and travel costs, AQU in Sharjah is investing in students who will excel in its Islamic and academic environment. If you meet the eligibility criteria, ensure your documents are in order (with those all-important attestations!) and apply with confidence.

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