Madrassa admissions
How to choose and apply to a madrassa (deeni madrasa) in Pakistan, check it is registered, and get madrassa certificates recognised for further study.
Last reviewed 12 October 2026
Madrassas (deeni madaris) teach Quran, Islamic studies and Arabic, and many also teach subjects such as English, maths and science. There is no central admission system: you apply to the madrassa directly.
Choose a madrassa
Before you apply, check that the madrassa:
- is registered with the government
- is affiliated with a recognised madrassa board, so that its certificates (sanads) can be recognised later
The Directorate General of Religious Education (DGRE) (opens in new tab), part of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, registers madrassas through its regional offices. In Islamabad, since 2025 a madrassa can register either with the DGRE or under the Societies Registration Act 1860. Provinces have their own rules, so ask the madrassa how it is registered.
Madrassa boards
Madrassa exams and certificates are run by boards (wafaqs). The 5 long-established boards work together as Ittehad-e-Tanzeemat-e-Madaris Pakistan:
- Wifaq-ul-Madaris al-Arabia Pakistan
- Tanzeem-ul-Madaris Ahl-e-Sunnat
- Wifaq-ul-Madaris al-Salafia
- Wifaq-ul-Madaris al-Shia
- Rabita-ul-Madaris al-Islamia
The government has recognised more boards since 2019.
Levels of study
Names vary between boards, but the main levels and their usual equivalents are:
| Level | Equivalent to |
|---|---|
| Sanviya Aama | Matric |
| Sanviya Khasa | Intermediate |
| Shahadat-ul-Aalia | BA (14 years of education) |
| Shahadat-ul-Aalamia | MA (16 years of education) |
Many students also study for Hifz (memorising the Quran) or Nazra (reading the Quran).
Equivalence with other qualifications
To use a madrassa certificate for further study or a job, you may need it recognised:
- Sanviya Aama: the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) (opens in new tab) treats it as equal to Matric if you have also passed Urdu, English and Pakistan Studies at Matric level from a board or the Allama Iqbal Open University
- Sanviya Khasa: the IBCC treats it as equal to intermediate if you have also passed Urdu, English and 2 elective subjects at intermediate level
- Shahadat-ul-Aalamia: the HEC treats it as equal to an MA in Arabic or Islamic Studies, for teaching these subjects and for further study
- Shahadat-ul-Aalia: the HEC treats it as equal to a BA only if you have also passed English and Pakistan Studies at BA level from an HEC recognised university
Apply for equivalence through the HEC. Read the HEC procedure for deeni asnad (opens in new tab) for the documents you need.
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