Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali crest

Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Founded 2007

Updated Jun 2026

Overview

English Name: Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University
Local Name: جامعة السّلطان الشّريف عليّ الإسلاميّة
Acronyms: UNISSA
Founded: 2007
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Religious Affiliation: Islam
Motto: Observe your duty to God and it is God that teaches you
Colours: Green and white
Students at Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali
1 / 5

Founded in 2007, the Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Gadong (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Brunei-Muara.

Officially recognized by the Kementerian Pendidikan, Negara Brunei Darussalam (Ministry of Education of Brunei Darussalam), Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) is a very small-sized coeducational Bruneian higher education institution formally affiliated with the Islamic religion. Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 17-year-old Bruneian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 80-89% making this Bruneian higher education organization a least selective institution.

International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.

UNISSA also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali's coordinates, postal address, and the contact channels admissions teams respond on. Campus tour bookings often have their own page distinct from general contact channels.

Address: Simpang 347, Jalan Pasar Baharu
Postal Code: BE1310
Map:
Phone: +673 246 2000
Fax: +673 246 2233
Social Media:

Academic Details

These figures give a quick read on Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali's scale, staffing levels, and academic standing. Use them to ground decisions about programme fit and institutional capacity.

Recognition: Kementerian Pendidikan, Negara Brunei Darussalam
Student Enrollment: 1
Academic Staff Range: 100-199
Campus Setting: Urban
Memberships & Networks
Asian Islamic Universities Association (AIUA) Islamic Universities League (IUL) ASEAN University Network (AUN) Asia-Pacific University Community Engagement Network (APUCEN) Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP) Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) Afro-Asian Universitity Forum (AAUF) Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

Academic Structures

The colleges, schools, and faculties that house Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali's degrees are below. Clinical units and teaching hospitals are often part of medical schools, with separate governance arrangements.

Unit 10 items
  • Centre for Postgraduate Studies
  • Centre for Promotion of Knowledge and Language
  • Faculty of Arabic Language
  • Faculty of Islamic Development Management
  • Faculty of Islamic Economics and Finance
  • Faculty of Shariah and Law
  • Faculty of Usuluddin
  • Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre
  • Leadership and Lifelong Learning Centre
  • Mazhab Shafi'i Research Centre

Programs Offered

Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali's programmes, with filter and level-based grouping. The combination of search and tier view makes shortlisting faster across large catalogues.

74 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Brunei

Bachelor's Degree 21 programmes

BACHELOR OF LAWS (LLB) AND BACHELOR OF SHARIAH LAW (BSL)
Shariah & Islamic Law · English

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 21.

Master's Degree 28 programmes

Master Arabic Language and Translation (Research)
Translation & Interpreting · Arabic

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master in Islamic Manuscript (Research)
Islamic & Quranic Studies · English

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master of Arabic Language (Coursework & Dissertation)
Linguistics & Language Studies · Arabic

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master of Arabic Language (Research)
Linguistics & Language Studies · Arabic

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master of Arabic Language & Translation (Coursework & Dissertation)
Translation & Interpreting · Arabic

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master of Arabic Language and Translation (Coursework)
Translation & Interpreting · Arabic

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master of Development Management (Research)
Business & Management · English, Malay

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 28.

Doctorate 19 programmes

PhD in Arabic Language (By Research)
Linguistics & Language Studies · Arabic

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

PhD in Arabic Language and Translation
Translation & Interpreting · Arabic

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

PhD in Development Management
Business & Management · Arabic, English, Malay

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 19.

Certificate 4 programmes

Certificate in ISLAMIC LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT SERIES: NECESSITY AND THE COMPONENT OF LEADERSHIP
Business & Management · English

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Certificate in Mari Belajar Bahasa Al-Quran Sesi Januari 2021
Islamic & Quranic Studies · English

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Certificate in Program Talaqqi Tilawah Al-Quran Bersanad Sesi Januari 2021
Islamic & Quranic Studies · English

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Certificate in The Agriculture Bridging Programme (AgriBridge)
Agriculture · English

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Diploma 1 programme

HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA (HND) IN SYARIAH CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Criminal Law & Justice · English

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Diploma 1 programme

How to apply to Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali

Practical steps to apply to Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, suitable as a starting checklist before contacting the admissions team directly.

  1. 1
    Browse the programme catalogue

    Use the programme finder to browse Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali's 74 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.

  2. 2
    Check eligibility for your chosen programme

    Programme-level requirements at Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.

  3. 3
    Get your documents ready

    Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.

  4. 4
    Apply through the official channel

    Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali processes applications through unissa.edu.bn. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.

  5. 5
    Reach out and track your application

    Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +673 246 2000. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.

Frequently Asked Questions about Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali

The questions below summarise Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali's vital institutional details — useful as a quick reference before drilling into specific sections.

When did Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali open?

Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali traces its founding to 2007 (approximately 19 years ago).

What city is Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali in?

Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali operates from Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.

Is Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali public or private?

Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali operates as a public institution.

How big is Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali's student body?

Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali serves approximately 1,000-1,999 students.

Is Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali affiliated with a religion?

Yes, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali is affiliated with Islam.

How is Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali organised academically?

Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali is organised into 10 academic units across its disciplines.

Who recognises Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali?

Yes, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali is recognised by Kementerian Pendidikan, Negara Brunei Darussalam.

What is Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali's official website?

The institution's website is unissa.edu.bn.

Top-Ranked Universities in Brunei

A quick benchmark: here are the top-ranked universities in Brunei. Useful for understanding how Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali compares against the national reference points in higher education, and what alternatives exist if reach institutions are part of your strategy.

Members of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

Network-level rankings exist for some Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) groupings (e.g., U21, Universitas 21). These differ from country rankings and reflect coordinated members' shared performance.

Other Bruneian Universities Affiliated with Islam

Below: universities affiliated with Islam alongside Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, useful for faith-aware shortlisting. Faith-aware shortlists tend to weight community fit alongside programme content and academic prestige.

Universities Compared with Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali

Selectivity rates (acceptance percentage) cluster around Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali for the peer institutions below. Selectivity is one of the more stable signals of institutional positioning over time.

Browse all articles →

Spotted something outdated or missing?

Help us keep this page accurate — it takes about 30 seconds.

Explore More Universities in Brunei

Free calculators and converters to plan your study-abroad journey.

Latest Articles

Fresh guides and advice for studying abroad.

View all →

Compare Compare