Masters in Arabic is a 2 year degree program and it is particularly helpful for researchers, academics and journalists who want to traverse written documents and the literature of the Arab foreland. The Arabic language is divided into three different forms such as:
Classical Arabic is also known as Quranic Arabic. It is the language used in the Quran and in various literary texts from Umayyad and Abbasid times (7th to 9th centuries). Most of Muslims study Classical Arabic to read the Quran in its original language.
MS Arabic is an advanced humanities and language degree in Pakistan for students interested in Arabic linguistics, classical and modern literature, translation studies, and Islamic scholarship. A university-wise admission comparison helps students understand differences in curriculum depth, research orientation, and teaching approaches across institutions. The table highlights faculty expertise, access to classical manuscripts, research libraries, language labs, and opportunities for advanced linguistic and literary studies. By comparing admission criteria, merit requirements, program structure, and fee details, students can make informed academic decisions. It also shows which universities offer stronger research supervision, translation training, and pathways to careers in education, research, diplomacy, and religious scholarship. This comparison ensures students select programs aligned with academic standards and advanced language proficiency goals. Overall, it serves as a practical guide for choosing the best university to pursue MS Arabic in Pakistan.
| University | Duration | Credit Hours | Fee (Per Year) | Admission Months | Eligibility Criteria | Specializations | Scholarship Options | Entry Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Islamic University, Islamabad | 2 years | 30 | 110,000 - 180,000 | • February-March (Spring) • August-September (Fall) |
BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Classical Arabic Literature • Modern Arabic Literature • Arabic Linguistics & Grammar • Translation & Interpretation |
Merit, Need, & IIUI scholarships | IIUI Test / GAT (Subject) |
| University of the Punjab, Lahore | 2 years | 30 | 80,000 - 140,000 | • September-October (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Arabic Literature • Arabic Linguistics • Quranic Sciences • Comparative Literature |
Merit, Need, & HEC schemes | PU GAT (Subject) |
| Federal Urdu University, Islamabad/Karachi | 2 years | 30 | 60,000 - 110,000 | • September-October (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Urdu/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Arabic Language & Literature • Translation Studies • Classical Prose & Poetry • Research Methodology |
Merit-based | University Test |
| University of Karachi, Karachi | 2 years | 30 | 65,000 - 120,000 | • November-December (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Classical Arabic Literature • Modern Arabic Criticism • Arabic Philology • Islamic Texts Studies |
Merit & Need-based | University Test |
| University of Peshawar, Peshawar | 2 years | 30 | 55,000 - 100,000 | • October-November (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Arabic Studies | Merit & Need-based | University Test |
| University of Sindh, Jamshoro | 2 years | 30 | 50,000 - 95,000 | • November-December (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Arabic Studies | Merit & Need-based | University Test |
| Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan | 2 years | 30 | 70,000 - 130,000 | • October-November (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Arabic Studies | Merit & Need-based | University Test |
| Islamia University of Bahawalpur | 2 years | 30 | 65,000 - 120,000 | • September-October (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Arabic Studies | Merit scholarships | University Test |
| University of Sargodha, Sargodha | 2 years | 30 | 60,000 - 115,000 | • September-October (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Arabic Studies | Merit scholarships | University Test |
| University of Gujrat, Gujrat | 2 years | 30 | 75,000 - 135,000 | • September-October (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Arabic Literature • Linguistics • Translation • Islamic Texts Analysis |
Merit & Need-based | University Test |
| Government College University, Lahore | 2 years | 30 | 85,000 - 150,000 | • August-September (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Classical Arabic Poetry • Modern Arabic Novel • Arabic Rhetoric & Criticism • Quranic Exegesis |
Merit scholarships & GCU Endowments | GCU Test / GAT Subject |
| Government College University, Faisalabad | 2 years | 30 | 70,000 - 130,000 | • September-October (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Arabic Studies | Merit scholarships | University Test |
| Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad | 2 years | 30 | 90,000 - 160,000 | • August-September (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Arabic Literary Criticism • Comparative Arabic-Persian Literature • Arabic Linguistics • Andalusian Literature |
Merit & HEC scholarships | QAU GAT (Subject) |
| National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad | 2 years | 30 | 120,000 - 200,000 | • February (Spring) • September (Fall) |
BA/BS Arabic/Languages (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Applied Linguistics (Arabic) • Translation & Interpretation • Arabic for Diplomacy • Media Arabic |
Merit & Need-based | NUML Test |
| University of Malakand, Chakdara | 2 years | 30 | 50,000 - 100,000 | • October-November (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Arabic Studies | Merit scholarships | University Test |
| Hazara University, Mansehra | 2 years | 30 | 60,000 - 115,000 | • October-November (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Arabic Studies | Merit scholarships | University Test |
| University of Swat, Swat | 2 years | 30 | 55,000 - 105,000 | • October-November (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Arabic Studies | Merit scholarships | University Test |
| University of Balochistan, Quetta | 2 years | 30 | 45,000 - 90,000 | • October-November (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Arabic Studies | Merit & Provincial scholarships | University Test |
| Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad | 2 years | 30 | 35,000 - 70,000 | • Rolling Admissions (Spring & Fall) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years). | • General Arabic Studies | Fee concession schemes | No Entry Test |
| University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Muzaffarabad | 2 years | 30 | 65,000 - 125,000 | • October-November (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Arabic Literature • Translation Studies • Islamic Civilization • Research Methods |
Merit & AJK Govt. scholarships | University Test |
| Kohat University of Science & Technology | 2 years | 30 | 70,000 - 130,000 | • October-November (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Arabic Studies | Merit & Need-based | University Test |
| University of Haripur, Haripur | 2 years | 30 | 60,000 - 115,000 | • October-November (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Arabic Studies | Merit scholarships | University Test |
| Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur | 2 years | 30 | 50,000 - 100,000 | • November-December (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Arabic Studies | Merit & Need-based | University Test |
| University of Loralai | 2 years | 30 | 40,000 - 85,000 | • October-November (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Arabic Studies | Merit scholarships | University Test |
| Women University Multan | 2 years | 30 | 75,000 - 135,000 | • September-October (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. For female candidates only. | • General Arabic Studies | Merit scholarships | University Test |
| Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi | 2 years | 30 | 95,000 - 165,000 | • August-September (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. For female candidates only. | • Arabic Literature • Linguistics • Translation • Islamic Texts |
Merit & Need-based | University Test |
| Government Sadiq College Women University, Bahawalpur | 2 years | 30 | 70,000 - 130,000 | • September-October (Fall only) | BA/BS Arabic/Islamic Studies (16 years) with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. For female candidates only. | • General Arabic Studies | Merit scholarships | University Test |
The student can choose one of the following areas of specialization in this degree:
The duration of the MS Arabic degree program is 2 years and consists of 4 semesters. The total credit hours to complete this degree are minimum 24.
| Year | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| 1st year | 12 |
| 2nd year | 12 |
There is a wide scope of masters in Arabic in Pakistan. After completing the Arabic degree, students can get a job in any Arabic speaking country on the basis of Arabic language proficiency. Arabic language is taught from class 8th in Pakistan so students can find a job as a subject specialist teacher in school and lecturer in any college or university after getting MS Arabic language degree.
Students will be able to intimate scholars with research methodology and Advance research methods.
| Courses | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| Research Methodology (Compulsory ) | 3 |
| Modern Arabic Literature (Compulsory ) | 3 |
| Arabic Literature – Prose (Pre-Islamic-Modern Literature) (Optional) | 3 |
| Arabic Literature in sub-continent (Optional) | 3 |
| Lexicology in Arabic Literature (Optional) | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
| Courses | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Philology | 3 |
| Arabic Literary Poetry (Abbasid – Modern Literature | 3 |
| Introduction to Linguistics | 3 |
| Literary Criticism and its Principles (Old) | 3 |
| Islamic Literature | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
Most universities in Pakistan cover these common subjects, syllabus and topics in a master degree of Arabic.
Fee structure of University of Punjab for MS Arabic
| Semester | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1st semester | 19,925 |
| 2nd semester | 16,575 |
| 3rd semester | 19,675 |
| 4th semester | 17,825 |
A: The MS Arabic program is a two-year postgraduate degree focusing on advanced Arabic language, literature, grammar, and linguistic studies.
A: Candidates must have a 16-year education (MA or BS in Arabic or Islamic Studies) with at least 2.5 CGPA or 60% marks from an HEC-recognized university.
A: Leading universities include the University of Karachi, International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), Punjab University, and University of Peshawar.
A: The duration is typically two years, including coursework and a research thesis.
A: Graduates can work as Arabic lecturers, translators, researchers, diplomats, or Islamic scholars in educational and cultural institutions.