Umm Al-Qura Specializations: Top Specializations for Girls at

Umm Al-Qura University is one of the leading Saudi universities that has provided distinguished educational opportunities for female students across various academic disciplines, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to empower women and enhance their participation in national development. The university includes several colleges that receive female students at its main campus in Mecca as well as in its branches in Jumum, Al-Lith, and Al-Qunfudhah. With the diversity of available programs and specializations, this article highlights the importance of focusing on the specializations at Umm Al-Qura University for girls, including available tracks, admission requirements, and the most in-demand fields in the job market.

Overview of Umm Al-qura University

Umm Al-Qura University was established in Mecca in 1369 AH under the name “College of Sharia”, and is considered one of the oldestuniversitiesin the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With its academic expansion, the university has become home to more than 30 colleges, institutes, and specialized programs, distributed between its main campus in Mecca and its branches in Jumum, Al-Lith, Al-Qunfudhah, and Al-Shamaliyah.

The university places great emphasis on girls’ education, having allocated scientific, humanities, health, and technical tracks that accommodate thousands of female students annually, within an educational environment that respects privacy and meets global academic standards. Additionally, Umm Al-Qura University is one of the government universities accredited by the Ministry of Education, and is classified among the best Saudi universities in terms of the number of research papers, patents, and community service.

Colleges of Umm Al-qura University for Female Students

Umm Al-Qura University offers female students the opportunity to study in a large number of specialized colleges, whether within the main campus in Mecca or through its other branches in the governorates of Jummum, Al-Leith, Al-Qunfudhah, and Al-Orayqah. These colleges cover various fields including Sharia sciences, educational sciences, medical sciences, technical fields, and design.

Here Are the Prominent Colleges of Umm Al-qura University Available for Female Students:

1. College of Sharia and Islamic Studies
   It focuses on teaching Sharia sciences, jurisprudence and its principles, and graduating qualified professionals in judicial and educational fields.

2. College of Da’wah and Islamic Studies
   Specializes in creed, da’wah, Quranic exegesis and sciences, and Hadith.

3. College of Education
   Includes programs in early childhood, special education, teacher preparation, and educational technology.

4. College of Social Sciences
   Includes majors such as social work, geography, media, and psychology.

5. College of Design
   Offers programs in interior design, fashion design, and digital product design.

6. College of Computer Science and Information Systems
   Includes majors in programming, software engineering, cybersecurity, and data science.

7. College of Medicine
   Female students can study human medicine, along with supporting programs in public health and nursing.

8. College of Applied Sciences
   Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Mathematics are taught, with advanced laboratories provided.

9. College of Business Administration
   It includes specializations such as Accounting, Marketing, Human Resources Management, and Management Information Systems.

There Are Also Separate Colleges for Female Students in External Branches Such As:

1. Al Qunfudah University College for Girls

2. Al Lith University College for Girls

3. Al Jomoom University College for Girls

These colleges cover a wide spectrum of academic programs, enabling female students to choose the most suitable path for their ambitions and abilities.

Umm Al-qura University Programs for Girls by Field

It is characterized byUniversityUmm Al-Qura offering diverse academic programs that suit female students’ inclinations and labor market needs, with specializations divided into scientific, health, technical, humanities, and legal tracks. Here are the main programs available for girls according to the main fields:

First: Scientific and Technical Specializations

1. Mathematics

2. Physics

3. Chemistry

4. Biology

5. Computer Science

6. Artificial Intelligence

7. Cybersecurity

8. Information Systems

9. Data Analysis

These programs provide a supportive educational environment for research and innovation, while preparing female students for the labor market in advanced technical and professional fields.

Second: Health Specializations

1. Human Medicine (College of Medicine)

2. Nursing (College of Nursing)

3. Public Health

4. Clinical Nutrition

5. Medical Laboratories (Program affiliated with the College of Applied Medical Sciences)

Health programs are subject to special admission requirements and are partially taught in English, with emphasis on clinical and field training in Mecca hospitals.

Third: Sharia and Humanities

1. Islamic Sharia

2. Foundations of Religion (Creed – Tafsir – Hadith)

3. Arabic Language and Literature

4. Social Work

5. Media and Communication

6. Psychology

7. English Language

These specializations focus on refining linguistic, research, and communication skills, and are among the popular tracks for female students interested in education, advocacy, media, and community service.

Engineering and IT Programs for Girls at Umm Al-qura University

In response to technological developments and the increasing demand for female competencies in STEM fields, Umm Al-Qura University has offered several engineering and technology programs for female students, within its modern and academically accredited colleges. These programs have been exclusively designed for girls, providing a separate educational environment that supports practical training and innovation.

Prominent Engineering and Technology Programs Available for Girls:

1. Environmental Engineering

2. Software Engineering

3. Industrial Engineering (Under launch or experimental in some branches)

4. Computer Science

5. Information Technology

6. Cybersecurity

7. Artificial Intelligence

8. Data Science and System Analysis

Advantages of These Specializations:

1. Partially or fully taught in English.

2. Include practical graduation projects and training in technical institutions in Mecca.

3. Qualify graduates for jobs in communications, cybersecurity, technology companies, and banks.

Are Engineering Specializations Fully Available for Female Students at the University?

Currently, engineering programs for female students focus on software and information technology fields, and the university has launched some initiatives to expand industrial engineering and environmental engineering in specific branches. Over time, it is expected that engineering specializations available to female students will expand further.

Specializations of the College of Education for Girls at Umm Al-qura University

The College of Education is one of the oldest colleges atUmm Al-Qura University, and plays a pivotal role in preparing teachers and specialists in educational and psychological fields. The college has dedicated several academic programs targeting female students, which align with the requirements of the Saudi Ministry of Education and the needs of the public and private education sectors.

Top Specializations of the College of Education for Girls:

1. Early Childhood Education
   Focuses on preparing teachers to work in kindergartens and preparatory stages, with emphasis on the cognitive and behavioral development of the child.

2. Special Education
   Includes diverse tracks such as learning difficulties, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, and autism, and focuses on inclusive integration strategies.

3. Educational Counseling and Guidance
   Prepares female students to work as student counselors or specialists in psychological support within schools and universities.

4. Educational Technology
   Focuses on utilizing technology in education, designing educational media and interactive platforms.

5. Art Education
   Includes the study of fine arts, design, and employing creativity in the educational and pedagogical context.

Advantages of the College of Education Programs for Girls:

1. Focus on field training during the final years.

2. Preparing the student to work immediately after graduation in government or private schools.

3. Programs align with professional licensing tests for teachers in Saudi Arabia.

Admission Requirements for Female Students at Umm Al-qura University

Umm Al-Qura University sets clear admission requirements for female students in its academic programs, which vary depending on the track (scientific, health, Sharia, administrative, technical). These requirements aim to ensure a student’s ability to meet the academic demands of her chosen major.

Key General Admission Requirements:

1. The student must be a Saudi citizen or have a Saudi mother.

2. Obtain a high school certificate or its equivalent from within or outside the Kingdom.

3. Pass admission tests (General Aptitude + Achievement), depending on the type of specialization.

4. Pass personal interviews or specialized admission tests (for certain majors such as Sharia, Education, Medicine).

Weighted Percentage (estimated and May Vary Annually):

1. Science track (medicine, sciences, computer science):
   30% High School + 30% Achievement + 40% Aptitude
   (The required percentage for medicine may reach 90% or more)

2. Humanities track (Sharia, media, education):
   50% High School + 50% Aptitude

3. Administrative track:
   40% High School + 30% Aptitude + 30% Achievement

Additional Requirements for Certain Specializations:

1. Medicine and Health: Passing a preparatory year + English proficiency test.

2. Technical specializations: Preference is given to those who have completed STEM tracks or prior training programs.

3. Design and Arts: A drawing test or portfolio may be required.

Note: Admission is done electronically through the university’s unified admission portal. Selection is competitive based on the weighted percentage and available seats in each specialization.

Most In-demand Specializations for Female Students at Umm Al-qura University

Many female students focus on choosing specializations that offer high employment opportunities and increasing demand in the Saudi job market. Umm Al-Qura University is one of the universities that provides specialized programs for female students, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and its directions for localizing jobs and supporting women’s participation.

Key In-demand Specializations for Female Students:

• Human Medicine and Nursing
  These are among the most popular specializations due to the continuous need for female professionals in the health sector, especially in Mecca and surrounding areas.

• Computer Science and Cybersecurity
  This field keeps pace with the digital transformation in Saudi Arabia, with increasing demand for systems analysts, programmers, and cybersecurity experts.

• Interior Design and Fashion Design
  It is considered one of the thriving creative fields, especially in the startup sector and local markets.

• Early Childhood and Special Education
  These are required fields in private and government schools, especially with the growing interest in kindergarten programs and inclusive education.

• Clinical Nutrition and Public Health
  They are witnessing increasing interest with the expansion of health awareness programs and preventive centers.

• English Language and Digital Media
  Required in fields of translation, marketing, public relations, and digital content creation.

Tip: When choosing a specialization, it is preferable to combine personal interests, academic abilities, and expected job opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here is a set of common questions asked by students and parents about the specializations at Umm Al-Qura University for Girls, with brief and reliable answers:

What are the specializations at Umm Al-Qura University for Girls?
Umm Al-Qura University includes dozens of specializations for female students, the most prominent of which are: Medicine, Nursing, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Design, Early Childhood, Special Education, Sharia, Media, English Language, and Clinical Nutrition.

Are there engineering specializations for girls at Umm Al-Qura University?
Yes, the university offers technical and engineering specializations for girls such as Software Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence, within the faculties of Computer Science and Applied Sciences, with a tendency to expand these programs in the future.

What are the specializations of the College of Education for Girls at Umm Al-Qura?
They include: Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Educational Technology, Educational Counseling, and Art Education, and these programs focus on preparing teachers and educational specialists at a high professional level.

Can girls study medicine at Umm Al-Qura University?
Yes, the College of Medicine at the university accepts female students, and admission requires a high weighted average, in addition to passing the preparatory year and English language tests.

Are there Artificial Intelligence or Cybersecurity programs for girls?
Yes, the university offers programs in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Cybersecurity within the College of Computer Science, which are in-demand fields in the job market and are open to female students.

Are there differences in specializations for female students between Mecca and the branches?
Yes, some specializations are only available in Mecca, such as Medicine and Engineering, while the university colleges in Al-Lith and Al-Qunfudah offer specific programs such as Business Administration and Arabic Language, and it is recommended to consult the guide for each branch.