Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is study on the Islamic Online University really free?
Islamic Online University has two sections namely, the degree campus and the diploma campus. The diploma campus is completely free while the degree campus has a fixed registration fee for each semester which is calculated on a sliding scale (from $60 USD to $150 USD) depending on the student's country of residence.
2. What are the benefits of studying on the IOU?
IOU provides you with the authentic Islamic teachings that are based on the Qur'an and Sunnah. IOU also includes contemporary subjects like Economics, Psychology, Management etc. all taught from an Islamic perspective to provide students better understanding and enable them to practice their profession according to Islamic values and ethics.
3. Where is the Islamic Online University based?
Islamic Online University is an online university which means that it is accessible anywhere with a computer and an Internet connection. The IOU head office is based in The Gambia but the entire study is conducted only on the Internet.
4. What is the purpose for the establishment of Islamic Online University?
It has been established with a vision to change the nation through education; to impart Islamic knowledge to Muslims and non-Muslim alike, where it is readily accessible and affordable for all. In keeping that vision we are providing online intensive, diploma and degree courses in Islamic Studies completely tuition-free.
5. Which school of thought does the IOU follow?
IOU follows the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah according to the understanding of the first three generations of Muslim scholars. It recognizes and holds in high regard the contributions of the great Imams to the development of Fiqh and benefits from all of them. The IOU strives to follow the math'hab of Abu Haneefah as distinct from the Hanafi math'hab, the math'hab of Maalik as distinct from the Maliki math'hab, the Math'hab of ash-Shaafi'ee as distinct from the Shaa'fi'ee math'hab and the math'hab of Ahmad ibn Hambal as distinct from the Hambali math'hab. The math'hab of these great imams, as is known to all, was that of Rasoolullaah (ﷺ).
6. What programs does Islamic Online University offer?
Currently the Islamic Online University offers the following programs:
The IOU also has the Global Qur'an Memorization Center and a free diploma section where the students get a certificate after completing each course and a diploma after completing 24 courses or more.
| Program | Stream | Department |
| Master of Arts in Islamic Studies | Degree | Islamic Studies |
| Master of Arts in Islamic Studies with Concentration in Arabic | Degree | Islamic Studies |
| Bachelor of Arts in Islamic Studies | Degree | Islamic Studies |
| Bridge Diploma to MA in Islamic Studies | Higher Diploma | Islamic Studies |
| Advance Diploma in Islamic Studies | Advance Diploma | Islamic Studies |
| BA Islamic Studies Audit courses | Audit | Islamic Studies |
| Bachelor of Science in Psychology | Degree | Psychology |
| Associate Degree in Psychology | Associate Degree | Psychology |
| Certificate in Psychology | Certificate | Psychology |
| Advance Diploma in Psychology | Advance Diploma | Psychology |
| BSc Psychology Audit courses | Audit | Psychology |
| Bachelor in Education | Degree | Education |
| Associate Degree in Education | Associate Degree | Education |
| Certificate in Education | Certificate | Education |
| Advance Diploma in Education | Advance Diploma | Education |
| BEd Audit courses | Audit | Education |
| Bachelor of Science in Islamic Economics, Banking, and Finance | Degree | Islamic Economics, Banking, and Finance |
| Associate Degree in Islamic Economics, Banking, and Finance | Associate Degree | Islamic Economics, Banking, and Finance |
| Certificate in Islamic Economics, Banking, and Finance | Certificate | Islamic Economics, Banking, and Finance |
| Advance Diploma in Islamic Economics, Banking, and Finance | Advance Diploma | Islamic Economics, Banking, and Finance |
| BScIBE Audit courses | Audit | Islamic Economics, Banking, and Finance |
| Bachelor in Business Administration | Degree | Business Administration |
| Associate Degree in Business Administration | Associate Degree | Business Administration |
| Certificate in Business Administration | Certificate | Business Administration |
| Advance Diploma in Business Administration | Advance Diploma | Business Administration |
| BBA Audit courses | Audit | Business Administration |
| Bachelor of Science in Information Technology | Degree | Information Technology |
| Associate Degree in Information Technology | Associate Degree | Information Technology |
| Certificate in Information Technology | Certificate | Information Technology |
| Advance Diploma in Information Technology | Advance Diploma | Information Technology |
| BScIT Audit courses | Audit | Information Technology |
| Intensive Arabic Program | Diploma | Arabic Language and Linguistics |
| Associate's Degree in Islamic Studies (DC IS) | Youth Dual Credit Program | Islamic Studies |
| Associate's Degree in Education (DC ED) | Youth Dual Credit Program | Education |
| Associate's Degree in Islamic Economics, Banking and Finance (DC IBE) | Youth Dual Credit Program | Islamic Economics, Banking, and Finance |
| Associate's Degree in Psychology (DC PSY) | Youth Dual Credit Program | Psychology |
| Associate's Degree in Business Administration (DC BA) | Youth Dual Credit Program | Business Administration |
| Associate's Degree in Information Technology (DC IT) | Youth Dual Credit Program | Information Technology |
The IOU also has the Global Qur'an Memorization Center and a free diploma section where the students get a certificate after completing each course and a diploma after completing 24 courses or more.
7. Where does the study take place?
The Islamic Online University is an "online educational resource". The entire program is taught online via internet. Anybody from any part of the world can join easily and benefit from it if one has access to a computer and internet connection, Insha'Allah.
8. Who are the students of the Islamic Online University?
Anyone who has the desire to gain authentic Islamic knowledge correctly derived from the Qur'an and Sunnah as understood by the early generations of righteous scholars is a potential student of the IOU. The students represent a diverse group coming from both developing and developed countries.
9. Any prior education qualification before enrolling for the courses?
There are several streams of study at the IOU.
1. There is no prior educational qualification required for the free diploma courses here .
2. As for the accredited degree, diploma and certificate programs in the mainstream studies, the minimum requirement is a high school diploma.
3. The admission requirement of the graduate program of MA is mentioned here.
4. It is also possible for students who do not have a high school diploma to join the bachelor's or even the master's program and complete the entire study without getting a degree at the end. Such students will get an IOU Advanced Diploma upon successful completion of the program. This option is available under the IOU Open Education Program.
1. There is no prior educational qualification required for the free diploma courses here .
2. As for the accredited degree, diploma and certificate programs in the mainstream studies, the minimum requirement is a high school diploma.
3. The admission requirement of the graduate program of MA is mentioned here.
4. It is also possible for students who do not have a high school diploma to join the bachelor's or even the master's program and complete the entire study without getting a degree at the end. Such students will get an IOU Advanced Diploma upon successful completion of the program. This option is available under the IOU Open Education Program.
10. Do we have to complete the Diploma courses before enrolling into the Degree program?
No, you can enroll into the Degree program without doing any Diploma course first.
11. Is there any age limit to join the courses?
There is no age limit.
12. What is the language of instruction at the IOU?
All courses are taught in English with the exception of advanced Arabic classes.
The IOU also has a Russian campus where the language of instruction is Russian: IOU Russia
The IOU also has a Russian campus where the language of instruction is Russian: IOU Russia
