Loading...
College
الكليّة (al-kulliyyah) is the Arabic word for 'college' or 'faculty,' referring to an academic institution or a division within a university that specializes in a particular field of study. It is commonly used in educational contexts throughout the Arabic-speaking world to describe tertiary educational institutions and their constituent departments. The word carries formal academic connotations and is standard in both spoken and written Arabic.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
Get a new Arabic word delivered to your inbox every day — with pronunciation, meaning, and cultural context.
أنا أدرس في كليّة الهندسة بالجامعة.
Anā adrisu fī kulliyyat al-handasa bi-l-jāmi'a.
I study in the Faculty of Engineering at the university.
كليّة الطب تتطلب معدلات عالية جداً للقبول.
Kulliyyat al-ṭibb tataṭallaba mu'addilāt 'āliya jiddan li-l-qabūl.
The Faculty of Medicine requires very high grades for admission.
تخرجت أختي من كليّة الآداب في العام الماضي.
Takharrajat ukhtī min kulliyyat al-'ādāb fī al-'ām al-māḍī.
My sister graduated from the Faculty of Arts last year.
عدد الطلاب في هذه الكليّة يزيد عن ثلاثة آلاف.
Adadd al-ṭullāb fī hādhihi al-kulliyyah yazīdu 'an talāthat ālāf.
The number of students in this college exceeds three thousand.
تقدمت للالتحاق بكليّة العلوم هذا العام.
Taqaddamt li-l-iltihāq bi-kulliyyat al-'ulūm hādhā al-'ām.
I applied to enroll in the Faculty of Science this year.
In the Arab world, الكليّة is a fundamental part of the education system and represents an important step in academic progression. The word is used consistently across different Arabic-speaking countries to refer to university faculties and colleges, making it essential vocabulary for anyone discussing education in Arabic. Educational achievement and attending university, particularly prestigious colleges for fields like medicine, engineering, and law, carries significant cultural importance in Arab societies.
Remember that الكليّة typically refers to a division or faculty within a university rather than an independent institution. When mentioning a specific college, use the phrase 'كليّة + field of study' (e.g., كليّة الحقوق for Law College). Note that the word is feminine in Arabic, so adjectives and verbs must agree with feminine gender rules. Be precise about whether you're referring to the college, the university, or the specific department.
The Arabic word الكليّة (al-kulliyyah) is the standard term used throughout the Arabic-speaking world to refer to a college or faculty within a university. This noun is essential vocabulary for anyone studying Arabic or seeking to understand the educational systems in Arab countries.
الكليّة literally refers to a major division or faculty of a university that organizes instruction around a particular field of study. It is distinct from الجامعة (the university as a whole institution) and القسم (specific departments within a college). The word carries formal academic weight and is used consistently in educational documentation, admission processes, and academic discussions.
الكليّة is a feminine noun in Arabic, derived from the root ك-ل-ل. When using this word, remember that:
The word الكليّة is frequently paired with specific fields of study:
When discussing higher education in Arabic, الكليّة appears in various contexts:
Admission and Enrollment: Students use this word when discussing which college they wish to attend or have enrolled in: "تقدمت للالتحاق بكليّة الهندسة" (I applied to the Faculty of Engineering)
Academic Achievement: Discussing grades and academic standing: "معدلي في الكليّة عالي جداً" (My GPA in college is very high)
Career Planning: When discussing future specializations: "أريد أن أدخل كليّة الطب" (I want to attend medical school)
To use الكليّة effectively, you should know:
In Arab societies, educational attainment is highly valued, and admission to prestigious colleges, particularly those for medicine and engineering, represents significant accomplishment. The choice of college and field of study carries substantial weight in family and social contexts. University education and the prestige associated with particular colleges can influence career prospects and social standing.
While English speakers might use "college" and "university" somewhat interchangeably depending on context and country, Arabic makes clearer distinctions. الكليّة specifically refers to the faculty or college division, while الجامعة refers to the entire university. This precision is important when discussing the Arabic educational system.
When learning this word, practice using it with the names of specific fields of study in Arabic. Create sentences about your own educational experience or goals using the structure "أدرس في كليّة + [field]". Listen to Arabic news and educational broadcasts to hear how native speakers use this term naturally in context.
Remember that the feminine grammatical gender of this word affects how adjectives and past tense verbs are formed around it, so practice these agreements as part of mastering the word's usage.