BA Islamic Studies/ BA Islamic Studies with Arabic
This page provides details of the following two undergraduate degree courses:
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BA Islamic Studies
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BA Islamic Studies with Arabic (pathway)
What is this course about?
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 can opt for either the BA Islamic Studies or the BA Islamic Studies with Arabic pathway. The BA Islamic Studies with Arabic (pathway) offers an opportunity to develop a high level of competence in the Arabic language combined with an in-depth and critical understanding of Islam.
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.
“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)
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 course through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), thereby shortening the length of time spent on the degree 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 centres.
Course 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)
Year One Modules (Both pathways)
Classical Arabic
- Module Code: BISA 400
- Credits: 40
- Core
Assessment:
- 80% Examination
- 20% Coursework
•
Introduction to the Qur’an and its Sciences
- Module Code: BISA 401
- Credits: 20
- Core
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Introduction to Hadith and its Sciences
- Module Code: BISA 402
- Credits: 20
- Core
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Introduction to Islamic Jurisprudence
- Module Code: BISA 403
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Islamic History: Life of the Prophet(ﷺ) (Sirah)
- Module Code: BISA 404
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Fiqh Muamalat (Islamic Commercial Law)
- Module Code: BIFA 400
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 40% Coursework
- 60% Examination
•
Year Two Modules (BA Islamic Studies)
Research and Information Analysis Skills
- Module Code: BISA 500
- Credits: 20
- Core
Assessment:
- 50% Coursework
- 50% Examination
•
Introduction to Religious Studies
- Module Code: BISA 501
- Credits: 20
- Core
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence
- Module Code: BISA 502
- Credits: 20
- Core
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Islamic Philosophy and Tasawuff
- Module Code: BISA 503
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Muslims in Contemporary Europe
- Module Code: BISA 504
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Islam in the Modern World
- Module Code: BISA 505
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Early Islamic History: 632 – 680CE
- Module Code: BISA 506
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Principles of Islamic Economics and Finance
- Module Code: BIFA 500
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Year Two Modules (BA Islamic Studies with Arabic)
Research and Information Analysis Skills
- Module Code: BISA 500
- Credits: 20
- Core
Assessment:
- 50% Coursework
- 50% Examination
•
Introduction to Religious Studies
- Module Code: BISA 501
- Credits: 20
- Core
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Arabic Grammar and Translation Skills
- Module Code: BIFA 507
- Credits: 40
- Core
Assessment:
- 80% Examination
- 20% Coursework
•
Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence
- Module Code: BISA 502
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Islamic Philosophy and Tasawuff
- Module Code: BISA 503
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Muslims in Contemporary Europe
- Module Code: BISA 504
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Islam in the Modern World
- Module Code: BISA 505
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Year Three Modules (BA Islamic Studies)
Dissertation
- Module Code: BISA 600
- Credits: 40
- Core
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Maqasid al-Shariah (Objectives of Islamic Law)
- Module Code: BISA 601
- Credits: 20
- Core
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
The Muslim World in Literature and the Media
- Module Code: BIFA 603
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Sufism
- Module Code: BISA 604
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Study of Islamic History
- Module Code: BISA 605
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Islam, Gender, and Sexuality
- Module Code: BISA 606
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Islamic Revivalist Movement in the Modern Period
- Module Code: BISA 607
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Year Three Modules (BA Islamic Studies with Arabic)
Dissertation
- Module Code: BISA 600
- Credits: 40
- Core
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Maqasid al-Shariah (Objectives of Islamic Law)
- Module Code: BISA 601
- Credits: 20
- Core
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Advanced Skills in Arabic (Exegesis)
- Module Code: BIFA 602
- Credits: 20
- Core
Assessment:
- 50% Coursework
- 50% Examination
•
Sufism
- Module Code: BISA 604
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Study of Islamic History
- Module Code: BISA 605
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Islam, Gender, and Sexuality
- Module Code: BISA 606
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Islamic Revivalist Movement in the Modern Period
- Module Code: BISA 607
- Credits: 20
- Option
Assessment:
- 100% Coursework
•
Contact Hours
For 20 credit modules:
- Scheduled: 48 hours
- Independent: 152 hours
- Total: 200 hours
For the normal route, each 20 credit module will have 4 hours/ per week scheduled contact time for one semester (12 weeks), including 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 the subject area. For the full list of staff members, please click here.
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 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 courses, 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. 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: Fees and Financial Support.