I want to know if a Muslim can attain the rank of the pious if he didn't memorize the full Quran and didn't study in an Islamic university. Can they still get the highest place of Jannah based on their deeds and character?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

A person may reach the status of the pious people even if he does not memorize the whole Quran, or study religious studies in the university and the like. Having the qualities of pious people is encompassed in fulfilling Allaah’s orders and refraining from His prohibitions. Talq Ibn Habeeb was asked about the reality of At-Taqwa (piety) and he replied: 'It is to act upon the obedience of Allaah according to what Allaah required from us while seeking His Reward, and refraining from the disobedience of Allaah according to what Allaah wanted from us while fearing His Punishment.' Therefore, with beneficial knowledge and acts of righteousness, truthfulness and sincerity, a person could reach the status of pious people. Indeed Allaah stated the characteristics of the pious people in many verses. For instance Allaah Says (what means): {This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allaah. Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them. And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad ], and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith].}[Quran 2:1-4]. Allaah further Says (what means): {And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden [i.e. Paradise] as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous. Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people- and Allaah loves the doers of good. And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember Allaah and seek forgiveness for their sins- and who can forgive sins except Allaah? – And [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know.}[Quran 133-135]. In another verse Allaah Says (what means): {Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs. Accepting what their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that doers of good. They used to sleep but little of the night. And in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness.}[Quran 51:15-18]. Besides, Allaah described the characteristics of the pious people in many other verses.

Therefore, whoever wants to reach this status has to endeavour to have those qualities; it might be that Allaah will enable him to achieve what he aspires for.

Finally, it should be noted that memorizing the Quran is one of the greatest acts of worship by which one gets closer to Allaah and which a Muslim should endeavour to have. Furthermore, enrolling in an Islamic university is one of the important reasons for obtaining religious knowledge.

Allaah Knows best.