BA Islamic Studies
Overview
The BA Islamic Studies 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, exploring 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 benefit from small class sizes, individual attention, personalised teaching support, and access to an extensive range of English and Arabic texts housed within our well-resourced Islamic library, 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.
Course structure
This is a three-year full-time course which offers the option of completion at three levels:
120 credits: Certificate in Higher Education
240 credits: Diploma in Higher Education
360 credits: BA (Hons) in Islamic Studies
Contact hours
Contact hours or guided learning hours are the number of hours a student will be taught and/or supported by their tutors during their studies. This includes direct teaching, guidance or supervision time. In addition, students are expected to spend additional time to attempt tutor set tasks and reading, completing their assessments, as well as independent study to learn the material covered in order to complete the qualification.
Each module is worth a certain number of credits. Each credit is estimated to be 10 hours of learning. For example, a 20-credit module requires 200 hours of learning, and this will include scheduled contact hours with your tutor(four hours/week online and/or in-person class attendance, and 48 hours over a 12 weeks semester). The remaining time is for the student to engage in tutor guided reading and tasks set for them, and also completing assessments.
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 coursework for each module..
Teaching staff
Students will be 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 the subject area.
Entry requirements
Typical A-Level offer: minimum 3 A-Levels (or equivalent)
GCSE’s: 5 GCSE’s (including pass in English) or equivalent
Other: qualifications from an established Dar al-ulum (Islamic seminaries) are also acceptable. You may gain exemptions from year one of the course through recognition of prior learning (RPL).
International: 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).Please use the following link to find UKVI approved test centres: UKVI approved test centres
Fees and funding
Career paths
The BA in Islamic Studies programme 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 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
All prospective students must complete an application form. To gain a place at the Markfield Institute you will need to meet our general entry requirements and the specific entry requirements of your chosen course. Your application will be reviewed by the Admissions Team for your course, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer. Specific entrance requirements for individual courses can be found on individual course pages on this website. Entry to our postgraduate programmes usually requires a good Honours degree, or equivalent if you were educated outside the UK. After considering your application and documents, MIHE will send the candidate an email about the outcome of his/her application. Successful candidates will be sent an offer letter by email informing them about fees and the level and exact title of the course. Unsuccessful candidates will be informed by email.All students must complete an application form. If you are unable to complete this form for any reason, please contact admissions@mihe.ac.uk
