Umm Al-Qura University

Umm Al-Qura University

Frequently Asked Questions about Academic Advising


  • What is the academic advising service?
    This service enables the academic advisor to obtain the student's record and his study plan and to communicate with him with the objective of improving his academic performance and addressing all obstacles facing the student during his university study.
  • Who is the academic advisor?
    The academic advisor is the one responsible for providing academic advising services for all students throughout the academic year. He introduces the students to the college, its deanship, and its supporting departments, and helps them obtain the college services, in cooperation and coordination with the concerned department in the college. The academic advisor also educates the students on the academic difficulties that they may face and on how study plans and schedules are prepared. An academic advisor is assigned to each student from the department to which the student is affiliated. The academic advisor attaches significant concern to student's academic career, and follows up his advancement and his level of performance in the academic subjects as well as their requirements. This is carried out via the student's electronic data within the academic advising system, which contain all the student data needed by the advisor..
  • What are the duties of the academic advisor?
    - Preparing new students, welcoming them on the first study day at the college, and introducing them to the university's rules and regulations and the university environment. - Helping students choose the appropriate academic majors according to their scientific potential, interests, and the labor market needs. - Explaining the university's regulations and laws to the students, and introducing them to their rights and duties and the graduation requirements. - Preparing students and guiding them in selecting suitable courses according to the academic plan and in order to achieve the best academic outcomes. - Supporting the student in preparing the study schedule to complete the graduation requirements within the maximum number years permitted. - Following up on students who have experienced academic failure, assisting them to overcome their academic difficulties and to achieve success. - Supporting students in facing difficulties, in coordination with the relevant bodies in the college, and proposing appropriate solutions.
  • What are the student's duties towards the academic advisor?
    - Asking for advice from the academic advisor during the addition and deletion period to assist the student in preparing the schedules and in selecting appropriate courses according to the academic plan. - Reading the university handbook and learning the academic regulations and all the requirements of the academic program. - Applying the study plan prepared by the college, which is the best way to ensure that all requirements are completed on time. - Consulting the academic advisor and developing an alternative study plan, should new circumstances arise (such as withdrawal, failure, change of specialization), to ensure successful completion of all graduation requirements. - Referring to the academic advisor and reviewing the rules and regulations in all matters related to the academic career path, especially in the following cases: registration and addition of courses; withdrawal from the university; and taking academic decisions. The academic advisor will then refer the student to the relevant office. - The student must have the needed academic awareness that qualifies him to assume his responsibilities and respect university norms.
  • How can I contact the academic advisor?
    First: Log in to the appointment booking system of the advisor to learn about his available advising hours; set the appropriate day and time; and confirm the booking process. The advisor will receive a confirmation message in this regard. Second: Email or visit him during the office hours.
  • What is meant by an academic warning?
    It is a notice that a student receives because his GPA is less than the minimum limit set in the Study and Exams Bylaw (2 out of 5).
  • What is meant by the semester work mark?
    It is the mark given for the work carried out by the student in one semester. It represents the student’s accomplishments during the semester, including exams, research, and educational activities.
  • What does the grade (IP) mean?
    An "Incomplete" grade is temporarily recorded for each course in which the student is unable to complete the requirements on time. It is indicated in the transcript by the letter "ل"..
  • What is the university's semester system?
    The university's academic year is divided into two main semesters. There may also be a summer semester, the duration of which shall be half the duration of the main semesters. The graduation requirements are distributed into levels according to the educational plan.
  • When can I register courses for the coming semester?
    The university's academic year is divided into two main semesters. There may also be a summer semester, the duration of which shall be half the duration of the main semesters. The graduation requirements are distributed into levels according to the educational plan.
  • Is it possible for the student to make any deletion or addition in his study schedule?
    Yes, the student has the right to delete courses which he does not want to study or add courses which he wants to study within the period allowed by the university calendar, not later than the end of the first study week.
  • I want to ask about the percentage of absenteeism allowed, according to the university regulations.
    A regular student must attend lectures and practical classes, and he is not allowed to take the final exam if the attendance rate is less than the percentage determined by the University Council, which is at least (75%) of the lectures and practical lessons specified for each course in the semester. Moreover, the student who has not been allowed to take the exam due to their low attendance is considered to have failed in the course, and will receive a deprived grade.
  • I missed the final exam without an excuse. What should I do?
    A student who misses the final exam without an excuse shall receive a zero grade in that exam. His grade in that course is calculated on the basis of the semester classwork grades he obtained.
  • I missed the final exam due to a compelling excuse which was out of my control. What should I do?
    If the student is unable to attend the final exam in any of the semester's courses due to a compelling excuse, the College Council may, in extreme circumstances, accept his excuse and allow him to be given an alternative exam that shall be held no later than the end of the next semester. The student will be given a grade after taking the alternative exam.
  • Is it permissible to withdraw from one course in the semester without receiving a fail grade in it?
    The student can withdraw from one or more courses during the specified period provided that the academic load will not be less than the minimum level and the apology is submitted before the deadline set for the apology for the academic semester.
  • During this semester, I am studying as a visiting student in another university. Will I be considered as interrupting the study?
    The student will not be considered as interrupting the study during the semester in which he is studying as a visiting student in another university.
  • When is a student considered a graduate of the university?
    A student graduates after having successfully completed all the graduation requirements according to the study plan, provided that his grade is not less than (good) and his GPA is not less than 2.00 out of 5.00.
  • Is it permissible to take more than one final exam in one day?
    The student may be tested in more than one course in one day. However, a student may not be tested in more than two courses on one day. The University Council is entitled to waive this condition for some students.
  • What is meant by an academic transcript?
    The academic transcript is a detailed report explaining the academic progress of the student, including the courses he passed and marks he received in addition to the remaining courses and the GPA for each semester..
  • What is the university's academic calendar? How can students benefit from it?
    It is calendar showing the timeline of the academic year, beginning from the first semester, through the second semester, and ending with the summer semester. By referring to the academic calendar, the student can learn the dates for transfer from and to the university, the beginning of the study for each semester, and the deferment for the semester. Moreover, he can learn the dates for deletion and addition, re-enrollment, and withdrawal from the university, along with the dates for apology for not attending a semester, apology for not attending a course, the start of the exams for general preparation courses and also the final exams, and other academic matters that are of interest to students through their educational journey at the university.
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