International Admissions

Ribāṭ University complies with all federal and state statutes pertaining to the admission of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, including Registration Statute, 136A.61 – 136A.71 regarding admissions policies for undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

The program fee is calculated in USD; Ribāṭ University is not responsible for additional fees resulting from conversion rates. Refer to the Registration and Fees found in the Registration and Fee Policies section of this catalog.

Ribāṭ University is not able to provide justification for obtaining a visa to the United States. The university is online with no physical campus. Therefore, if students wish to move to the United States for personal and/or academic reasons, they are responsible for obtaining their own visa through due process.

International applicants must submit proof of compliance with the English Language Proficiency Requirement. The requirement may be satisfied with official results from the TOEFL, IELTS, or the Duolingo English Test.

If admitted, international applicants must also provide additional documentation that may include, but is not limited to:

• Letter of financial backing to pay for the program
• International address
• Converted transcripts verified by a credential evaluation service

All transcripts or academic records submitted in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation and may require notarization in addition to credential evaluation. This is at the cost of the applicant.

Applicants must submit a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID (such as a passport) to verify identity.

Ribāṭ University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities, within the limits of an online learning environment. International students requesting accommodations are able to notify the admissions office about these if they wish at any time.

Ribāṭ University is not currently accredited. It is the responsibility of the student to verify recognition of Ribāṭ University’s programs in their home country for employment, further studies, or visa purposes.

Students are required to have access to a computer or laptop with a camera and microphone, as well as a reliable internet connection (preferably high speed). Students must be able to access Zoom, Canvas, and a writing platform in order to participate. If a VPN is required to access these platforms in their country, students are responsible for obtaining and paying for it.

Students are responsible for completing payments on time through credit card or wire transfer. Ribāṭ University is not responsible for bank transfer fees, conversion fees, or delays in payments. Refunds, where applicable, will be issued only in USD in accordance with the university’s refund policy.

Student data is handled in compliance with United States FERPA regulations.

All Ribāṭ University classes are scheduled in Central Standard Time (CST/UTC-6). Students are responsible for adjusting to their local time zones.

Official communication will be conducted through university email accounts, the student portal, and approved course platforms. Students are responsible for obtaining access to and checking these communication channels regularly.

Ribāṭ University is committed to providing a respectful learning environment for all students, faculty, and staff. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic is strictly prohibited. The university promotes equitable access to educational opportunities and expects all members of the community to uphold this standard of equity and respect.

Ribāṭ University is a faith-based institution grounded in Islamic values. Students enrolling in programs should be aware that all courses, policies, and student conduct expectations reflect this religious foundation.

All international students are held to the same academic integrity and student conduct standards as domestic students, as outlined in the Ribāṭ University Student Handbook.

Ribāṭ University operates under United States law, and any disputes will be handled accordingly under the jurisdiction of the State of Minnesota.

Lost or Destroyed Records Policy will be available starting in 2027-2028 academic school year.

In situations where official academic records are unavailable due to circumstances such as school closures, fire, war, natural disaster, or political unrest, Ribāṭ University provides an alternative pathway. Students may demonstrate their academic readiness by taking and passing a placement exam at the level directly below the program they wish to pursue.

• Applicants to a BA or AA program must pass an exam from the Bridge Program.
• Applicants to the MTS program must pass an exam from the BA in Islamic Teachings and Traditions program.
• Applicants to the ThD program must pass an exam from the MTS program. This process ensures fairness while maintaining academic integrity for all students.

Ribāṭ University takes document authenticity very seriously. All transcripts must be official, signed, and notarized by school officials. Unofficial transcripts are not accepted except in extraordinary circumstances. In such cases, students must also take a placement exam (as outlined above) to verify academic preparedness.

We recognize that contacting schools for verification may be challenging due to time zone differences, unreliable communication systems, or closed institutions. However, it remains the responsibility of the student to obtain pre-verified documents. Ribāṭ University does not directly verify academic records with schools on behalf of applicants.

If an applicant’s transcript is incomplete (for example, only covering certain academic years), the application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the extent of missing information, the applicant may be required to take a placement exam to demonstrate academic readiness. In some cases, schools or countries may not provide detailed course-by-course transcripts. When this occurs, students may be required to supplement their records with additional information, such as course descriptions, syllabi, or letters from their school. It is the responsibility of the applicant to contact their school and obtain the necessary documentation to support their application.

Conditional admission may be granted to applicants who demonstrate strong potential but have not yet completed the required exam or submitted full documentation. Once the exam is passed or the necessary records are provided, the applicant’s admission will be converted to full status.

All transcripts and official records must be submitted in English. Students are responsible for obtaining certified English translations of their academic documents. If a student is unable to arrange this, they may contact the Ribāṭ University Admissions Office for guidance. Please note that assistance is limited and not guaranteed, so students are encouraged to plan ahead and secure certified translations independently whenever possible.

Because grading systems, curricula, and academic structures vary widely across countries (e.g., “A-levels” vs. a U.S. high school diploma), Ribāṭ University requires that transcripts be accompanied by grade conversions into the U.S. grading system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to arrange for this conversion, either through their school or a recognized credential evaluation service. If this is not possible, applicants may contact the Admissions Office for limited assistance, though support cannot always be guaranteed.

At Ribāṭ University, we understand that international applicants may face unique challenges in accessing, translating, or supplementing their academic records. While certain requirements must be met to ensure academic integrity, our Admissions Team is committed to working with applicants, within our available resources, to help them overcome these barriers wherever possible.

We understand that challenges with documentation are often beyond a student’s control, particularly in cases of displacement, conflict, or hardship. Ribāṭ University is committed to offering fair pathways to admission wherever possible, ensuring that deserving students have the opportunity to pursue their studies and continue their educational journey.