Umm Al-Qura University | Tuition Fees | Courses | Admission
General Information
Overview of Umm Al‑Qura University
Umm Al‑Qura University (UQU) is a public university located in Makkah (Mecca), Saudi Arabia. Its roots date back to 1949 with the founding of the College of Shariʿah, which later expanded into what is now UQU. In 1981 the institution was officially formalized as a full university by royal decree, marking a new phase of growth and diversification. Over the decades, UQU has transformed from an institution primarily dedicated to Islamic law and Arabic studies into a comprehensive university offering a wide array of disciplines — from Islamic studies and Arabic language through engineering, medicine, business, applied sciences, social sciences, and more.
The university aims to combine its traditional Islamic heritage with modern academic programs to meet the evolving educational and professional needs of Saudi society and beyond. UQU’s campuses have expanded significantly, including a new campus in Al‑Abdiyyah, which was developed to accommodate growing student populations and program offerings. The university plays a major role in providing higher education in the holy city of Makkah and preparing graduates for both national and global roles.
Contact Information of Umm Al‑Qura University
Address (Main / Administrative): PO Box 715, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Telephone (Exchange Offices): Al‑Abdiyyah campus: +966 12 527 0000; Al‑Aziziyyah campus: +966 12 550 1000; Al‑Zahir campus: +966 12 542 6222
Email / Call Center: Contact details vary by department (general call center used for inquiries)
School Facts of Umm Al‑Qura University
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Founding Year | 1949 (as College of Shariʿah), 1981 (as full University) |
| Type | Public University |
| Motto | “Honored Education, Honored Place” |
| Campuses / Locations | Al‑Aziziyyah, Al‑Zahir, Al‑Abdiyyah (main/new campus); plus affiliated colleges in other governorates |
| Student Population (approx.) | ~94,843 as of 2023 |
| Faculty / Staff | ~4,737 (as of 2023) |
| Range of Colleges & Institutes | 34 colleges/institutes, 119 departments, 402 educational programs (undergraduate, masters, PhD) |
Umm Al‑Qura University Rankings
| Ranking Body / Source | National / Regional Rank | Global / World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | — | #622 globally (2025) |
| Times Higher Education Ranking — Student Stats Report | — | Uses global classification; UQU appears in global listings |
Umm Al‑Qura University Academics
Umm Al‑Qura University Faculties / Departments
- College of Shariʿah (Law and Islamic Studies)
- College of Daʿwah and Usul‑ud‑Din (Fundamentals of Religion)
- College of Arabic Language
- College of Social Sciences
- College of Applied Sciences
- College of Engineering and Islamic Architecture
- College of Computers and Information Systems
- College of Medicine
- College of Dental Medicine
- College of Pharmacy
- College of Public Health and Health Informatics
- College of Nursing
- College of Applied Medical Sciences
- College of Education
- Numerous affiliated institutes and community‑based colleges (in other governorates)
Umm Al‑Qura University Courses and Programs / Majors
UQU offers a wide, multidisciplinary range of programs, including but not limited to:
- Islamic Studies, Shariʿah, Theology, Quranic and Hadith studies
- Arabic Language, Arabic Literature, Linguistics
- Social Sciences: Geography, Media Studies, Communication, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work
- Applied Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics
- Engineering: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering; Islamic Architecture; Computer Engineering; Information Systems; Computer Science
- Medicine and Health: Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Public Health, Applied Medical Sciences (e.g. Laboratory Medicine, Physiotherapy, Clinical Nutrition, Emergency/Anesthesia/Respiratory Care)
- Business and Economics (through relevant colleges and departments)
- Education and Teaching Training in various specializations
Online Learning at Umm Al‑Qura University
UQU provides modern educational infrastructure including libraries, labs, and research centers to support both teaching and research. While the core instruction is campus‑based, some auxiliary services (administration, student support, possibly blended learning resources) are offered digitally, aligning with modern university standards. However publicly available information does not highlight extensive fully online degree tracks; most academic programs remain in‑person given the university’s structure and regulatory environment.
Average Test Scores
| Test / Indicator | Typical / Reported Score / Note |
|---|---|
| International standardized tests (SAT / ACT / GRE) | Not applicable / Not publicly reported — admissions follow local/regional criteria rather than international normative tests |
| Local admissions / entrance evaluation | Admission based on Saudi national admission systems and specific program criteria; no public aggregated average scores available |
Retention and Graduation Rates
There is no publicly available, reliable data specifying retention rates or graduation completion percentages for UQU. Given the university’s long history, extensive infrastructure, and large student population, it is reasonable to expect that UQU supports progression and completion across its programs, but exact metrics are not published.
Umm Al‑Qura University Admissions
GPA Range and SAT / ACT Range
Admissions to UQU do not rely on international standardized tests (e.g. SAT, ACT). Prospective students typically apply through the national admission systems of Saudi Arabia, with requirements varying by college and program. Admission is based on high school credentials, national criteria, and program-specific prerequisites (e.g. for medicine, engineering, etc.). Thus there is no public data on GPA ranges comparable to American systems.
Umm Al‑Qura University Acceptance Rate
| Admission Cycle / Note | Acceptance Rate / Data |
|---|---|
| General admissions | Not publicly disclosed; annual intake depends on quotas per college and application volume |
| International students / special admissions | Not publicly documented; enrollment includes international and non‑local students but rates vary based on demand and program capacities |
Umm Al‑Qura University Application Requirements
Prospective applicants must submit valid high‑school completion credentials recognized by Saudi authorities. Depending on the program, additional prerequisites may apply (e.g. science background for engineering or medicine). Applicants may need to satisfy national admission standards and may undergo program-specific evaluation. For certain medical or technical programs, there may be entrance examinations or preparatory requirements. The university’s application framework aims to balance academic merit, compliance with national educational regulations, and program prerequisites.
Application Process
- Prepare and submit high‑school credentials and national admission application according to Saudi admissions cycle
- For certain colleges: satisfy prerequisites (e.g. science background), possibly take entrance exams or assessments
- Wait for admissions committee review based on quotas and program demand
- If accepted: complete registration and enrollment with required documentation
Umm Al‑Qura University Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Program / Admission Cycle | Typical Intake / Notes |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate general admissions | Annual admissions aligned with Saudi Ministry scheduling — varies year to year |
| Medical, Engineering, Health Sciences faculties | Enrollment periods follow additional program-specific scheduling based on capacity and national regulations |
| Graduate / Postgraduate admissions | Admit cycles vary depending on department and program — prospective applicants must check announcements each year |
Essay Prompt
There is no publicly standardized essay prompt for UQU admissions across all programs. Admission is largely governed by national criteria and program prerequisites rather than essay-based applications. Selected programs may require additional evaluation or assessments, but no universal essay requirement is publicly documented.
Umm Al‑Qura University Scholarships
As a public university in Saudi Arabia, UQU often benefits from state funding for Saudi nationals. For non-Saudi or international students, scholarship availability depends on country of origin, sponsorship, and national scholarship schemes. Saudi government scholarship programs and external funding arrangements may apply for eligible foreign students; however, specific scholarship details vary and are not uniformly published.
Tuition Fee (Costs) at Umm Al‑Qura University
- 500 – 3000 $
As a public institution, tuition fees for Saudi students are typically subsidized or free under national higher‑education policies. For international or non‑subsidized students, fees may vary depending on program, college, and national regulations. There is no publicly available consolidated tuition‑fee table applicable to all categories of students.
Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics
UQU serves a large and diverse student body. As of mid‑2023, approximately 94,843 students were enrolled across its various colleges and institutes. The student population includes both male and female students, with programs often segregated by gender in line with national norms. Students come from different regions of Saudi Arabia and abroad, contributing to a mix of backgrounds, educational aims, and fields of study. The age distribution normally aligns with undergraduate and graduate cohorts — younger students for bachelor’s programs and older for graduate and professional tracks.
Low‑Income Students / Students with Disabilities
Publicly available data does not provide a clear breakdown of socio‑economic status or disability representation among UQU students. As a public university, UQU is expected to be accessible to a broad population, including those from modest-income families. Support services and accommodations for students with disabilities may be available under national education and social support frameworks, but specific statistics or program descriptions are not widely published.
Student Body
| Category | Approximate / Reported Number |
|---|---|
| Total Students (all campuses) | ~94,843 (2023) |
| Faculty / Teaching Staff | ~4,737 (2023) |
| International / Non‑local Students | International student proportion ranges (some sources report ~12%) but exact number varies |
University Diversity
UQU combines its deep-rooted Islamic and Arabic heritage with modern academic offerings across sciences, engineering, medicine, business, and social sciences. This dual nature attracts students with varied interests: those seeking traditional Islamic scholarship and those pursuing contemporary professional disciplines. The presence of students from different regions in Saudi Arabia and abroad, along with diverse academic backgrounds, fosters a multi‑faceted educational community. Gender‑segregated classes in some programs reflect national cultural norms, yet both men and women have access to a broad array of fields. The variety of colleges — from Shariʿah and Arabic language to engineering and medicine — encourages cross-disciplinary awareness among the student body. While detailed data on socio‑economic or disability diversity is not publicly available, the public‑university status of UQU implies a mission to serve a broad population base, making higher education accessible to various segments of society.
Average Earnings
There are no publicly available, systematic data on average earnings of UQU graduates. Given the university’s wide program portfolio — including medicine, engineering, health sciences, business, and law — graduates likely enter into professions with relatively high demand in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region. For graduates of medicine, engineering, or health-related fields, starting salaries and career trajectories often reflect the needs of the region’s labor market. The absence of tuition burden for Saudi students reduces financial pressure, which may facilitate smoother transition into the workforce. However, actual income levels for alumni vary considerably depending on specialization, further education, location of work, and experience, making any precise estimation speculative without concrete longitudinal data.
Umm Al‑Qura University Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
UQU maintains a large academic and administrative staff to support its extensive range of colleges and departments. As of 2023, there are approximately 4,737 faculty members across the university. These include lecturers, professors, researchers, and administrative personnel managing student services, research centers, facilities, and academic governance. The breadth of academic offerings necessitates a diverse and qualified teaching staff, covering Islamic law, humanities, sciences, engineering, medicine, and allied health disciplines.
Faculty Profiles
Faculty at UQU represent a mix of traditional Islamic scholarship and modern academic expertise. In the colleges related to Islamic studies, Arabic language, and theology, instructors often have deep grounding in classical Islamic sciences, contributing to UQU’s status as a center for religious scholarship. In scientific, medical, engineering, and technical departments, faculty are engaged in contemporary research, applied sciences, and professional training to meet modern standards. The diversity in disciplines permits cross-disciplinary research and collaboration. UQU’s infrastructure — including laboratories, research centers, and applied medical sciences departments — supports faculty in delivering both theoretical and practical education. This combination of heritage and modernity in faculty expertise positions UQU as a comprehensive institution bridging tradition and contemporary academic demands.
Umm Al‑Qura University Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
UQU operates multiple campuses within Makkah: Al‑Aziziyyah, Al‑Zahir, and the newer Al‑Abdiyyah campus which was developed to accommodate the university’s expansion. The Al‑Abdiyyah campus, located southeast of Makkah and near the plain of Arafat, hosts many of the modern faculties and facilities. The university provides academic infrastructure — classrooms, laboratories, libraries, research centers — to support learning and scholarship. As a large public institution in a major city, student housing is often arranged off‑campus: many students reside in private accommodation or shared housing in Makkah or surrounding areas. Student life includes academic study, religious scholarship, and presumably extracurricular, social, and cultural activities — though detailed publicly available descriptions of clubs or student organizations are limited.
Transportation
Given its multiple campuses within Makkah, UQU is accessible via the city’s transportation network. Students commuting to campus likely rely on public transportation, taxis, or private vehicles, depending on residence location relative to campus. The spread of campuses across different districts helps accommodate students living in various parts of Makkah or nearby regions. For students coming from outside Makkah (other provinces or international), commuting and housing logistics are typically managed independently, given the lack of publicly listed dormitories. As a major public university, UQU’s urban location and distribution of campuses make it integrated into the urban setting of Makkah, facilitating accessibility for commuting students.