This page provides details of the following two programmes:
- The BA Islamic Studies
- The BA Islamic Studies with Arabic (pathway)
The BA Islamic Studies programme provides students with an in-depth and critical understanding of Islam in a contemporary context, based on both historical sources and contemporary theoretical perspectives and discourses of Islam. It examines the influence of religion on culture, history and tradition enabling exploration of the plurality of beliefs within the UK and Europe. This understanding will enable students to engage with and respond to contemporary issues and challenges facing Muslim communities arising from a multicultural and multi-faith society.
Students can opt for either the BA Islamic Studies programme or the BA Islamic Studies with Arabic pathway. The BA Islamic Studies with Arabic (pathway) programme offers an opportunity to develop a high level of competence in the Arabic language combined with an in-depth and critical understanding of Islam.
For those students graduating from recognised Islamic seminaries (Darul Ulum) may be awarded exemptions from Level 4 of the programme through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and can enter the programme at Level 5, shortening the degree duration to two years.
Students benefit from small class sizes, individual attention, personalised teaching support and access to an extensive range of both English and Arabic texts housed within our well-resourced Islamic library, which is one of the largest in Europe. The course employs a range of teaching and learning methods both in and outside the classroom. As students’ progress in their studies, they will be encouraged to specialise and pursue their own areas of interest.
Entry Requirements
A minimum of 3 ‘A’ levels (or equivalent) are normally required plus 5 GCSE's (which includes a pass in English) or equivalent. Qualifications from established Dar al-‘ulum (Islamic seminaries) are also acceptable.
The course opens a pathway for those with an Islamic Studies background, especially those graduating from Dar al-‘ulum, who may gain exemptions from year one of the programme through recognition of prior learning (RPL), thereby shortening the length of time spent on the degree programme from three to two years.
International applicants who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK will need to ensure that they also have an IELTS test from a UKVI approved test centre. Applicants will need to have achieved an average score of 5.5 in their IELTS test (with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four sub-components of language learning (reading, writing, speaking and listening). For a list of UKVI approved test centres, please use the following link: UKVI approved test centre
Programme Structure
This is a three year full-time course which offers the options of completion at three levels:
- 120 credits Certificate in Higher Education
- 240 credits Diploma in Higher Education
- 360 credits BA (Hons) in Islamic Studies OR BA (Hons) in Islamic Studies with Arabic (pathway)
Level 4 (Year 1) Modules (Year 1 is common to both pathways):
|
Module Code |
Title |
Credits |
Core /Option |
Assessment |
|
BISA 400 |
Classical Arabic |
40 |
Core |
80% examination 20% coursework |
|
BISA 401 |
Introduction to the Qur’an and its Sciences |
20 |
Core |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 402 |
Introduction to Hadith and its Sciences |
20 |
Core |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 403 |
Introduction to Islamic Jurisprudence |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 404 |
Islamic History: Life of the Prophet (Sirah) |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
|
BIFA 400 |
Fiqh al Muamalat: Islamic Commercial Law |
20 |
Option |
60% examination 40% coursework |
Level 5 (Year 2) Modules (BA Islamic Studies):
|
Module Code |
Title |
Credits |
Core /Option |
Assessment |
|
BISA 500 |
Research and Information Analysis Skills |
20 |
Core |
50% examination 50% coursework |
|
BISA 501 |
Introduction to Religious Studies |
20 |
Core |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 502 |
Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence |
20 |
Core |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 503 |
Islamic Philosophy and Tasawuff |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 504 |
Muslims in Contemporary Europe |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 505 |
Islam in the Modern World |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 506 |
Early Islamic History: 632 – 680CE |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
|
BIFA 500 |
Principles of Islamic Economics and Finance |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
Level 5 (Year 2) Modules (BA Islamic Studies with Arabic pathway):
|
Module Code |
Title |
Credits |
Core /Option |
Assessment |
|
BISA 500 |
Research and Information Analysis Skills |
20 |
Core |
50% examination 50% coursework |
|
BISA 501 |
Introduction to Religious Studies |
20 |
Core |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 507 |
Arabic Grammar and Translation Skills |
40 |
Core |
80% examination 20% coursework |
|
BISA 502 |
Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 503 |
Islamic Philosophy and Tasawuff |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 504 |
Muslims in Contemporary Europe |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 505 |
Islam in the Modern World |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
Level 6 (Year 3) Modules (BA Islamic Studies):
|
Module Code |
Title |
Credits |
Core /Option |
Assessment |
|
BISA 600 |
Dissertation |
40 |
Core |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 601 |
Maqasid al-Shariah (Objectives of Islamic Law) |
20 |
Core |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 603 |
The Muslim World in Literature and the Media |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 604 |
Sufism |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 605 |
Study of Islamic History |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 606 |
Islam, Gender and Sexuality |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 607 |
Islamic Revivalist Movement in the Modern Period |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
Level 6 (Year 3) Modules (BA Islamic Studies with Arabic pathway):
|
Module Code |
Title |
Credits |
Core /Option |
Assessment |
|
BISA 600 |
Dissertation |
40 |
Core |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 601 |
Maqasid al-Shariah (Objectives of Islamic Law) |
20 |
Core |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 602 |
Advanced Skills in Arabic (Exegesis) |
20 |
Core |
50% examination 50% coursework |
|
BISA 603 |
The Muslim World in Literature and the Media |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 604 |
Sufism |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 605 |
Study of Islamic History |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 606 |
Islam, Gender and Sexuality |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
|
BISA 607 |
Islamic Revivalist Movement in in the Modern Period |
20 |
Option |
100% coursework |
Contact Hours
For 20 credit module:
- Scheduled: 48 hours
- Independent: 152 hours
- Total: 200 hours
For the normal route, each taught 20 credit module will have 4 hours/ per week scheduled contact time for one semester (12 weeks) which includes blended learning activities. The modules will be delivered by blended learning, which employs multiple methods to deliver learning by combining face-to-face interactions with online activities. Face-to-face interactions include lectures, seminars/tutorials, student presentations, and one-to-one support. In addition, students will be expected to engage in independent study to prepare for weekly classes, formative assessments, and examinations/coursework for each module.
Our staff
You are taught by a highly qualified, enthusiastic team of academics with wide-ranging research interests. Their research is used in lectures and seminars so you learn about the latest issues impacting on the subject area.
Career Paths
The BA in Islamic Studies and BA in Islamic Studies with Arabic programmes may be beneficial for policy-makers, imams/religious ministers, chaplains, plus lecturers/teachers who are aspiring to further advance their careers.
Graduates may proceed onto taking a PGCE course (if they wish to go into teaching) or an MA programme. Career choices include a wide range of areas such as policy-making roles at local and national governmental level, and advisory/consultative positions in Civil services or NGOs; or working with Arabic and Muslim specialised journalism and media; translation vocations; Islamic education; chaplaincy (pastoral care); charitable sectors; community service; international corporation, interfaith relations, Shariah advisors; the public sector - including the civil service; banking/finance; legal studies and post-graduate studies and research.
How to Apply
If you wish to join any of our programmes, please complete an online application from the website www.mihe.ac.uk, mentioning details of your academic qualifications and outlining your motivation for applying for your chosen course. You will also need to include two references. Applications for the February intake should be received by mid-January, and for the September intake by the end of August. If you need any further advice or assistance please email us at info@mihe.ac.uk.
Fees and Funding
Please see details for the tuition fees for both UK and overseas students at: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS on this website
"The Markfield Institute is great for the way it challenges me to perceive beyond my comfort zone and it may just be possible for the Markfield Institute to be the making of me” (Sameeha Rafiq, BA Islamic Studies student)