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Islamic Studies, BA

University of Leeds, the United Kingdom

University of Leeds

Study options for this course

The award How you will study Study duration Course start Domestic course fees International course fees
BAFull-time3 yearsSeptemberGBP 9250 per yearGBP 17500 per year

About Islamic Studies, BA - at University of Leeds

Islam is one of the most influential and widely practised religions in the world. This degree will give you the opportunity to understand and appreciate the way it has developed over time and how it continues to play a crucial role in the modern world.

Whether you're a native Arabic speaker or have never studied the language before, this course offers the chance to learn or improve your language skills. However, it puts this study in the context of the wider cultural, intellectual, political and social history of communities across the Islamic world.

You'll gain a good grounding in Islamic history, theology and law through core modules. A wide variety of optional modules mean you will also be able to focus on the areas that interest you, from the Qur'an and Hadith to Arab cinema and the complexities of Middle Eastern politics. This course will equip you with a genuine insight into Islam's evolution throughout history and into the future.

Year 1 can be studied part-time over two years through the Lifelong Learning Centre. The remaining years will be completed full-time through the School. For more information visit Arabic, Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies on the Lifelong Learning Centre website.

Leeds has a wealth of facilities for students of Middle Eastern studies. Our departmental archive contains 500 Arabic manuscripts, as well as 10,000 archaeological artefacts that ranging from Pharaonic to early Palestinian eras. It's a fantastic research resource - as is our library, which has extensive collections relating to Middle Eastern and Islamic studies.

If you choose to study Arabic or another Middle Eastern language during your degree, you'll find that Leeds has excellent language facilities too, including a fully equipped Language Centre with digital language labs, audio-visual booths and Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). There's also our Electronic Resource Information Centre, which features specialised computing facilities for translation studies and Interpreter Training Suites to help you explore your career options.

  • Course content

    Core modules in your first year will give you a sense of the diverse politics, history and civilisations that have shaped the Middle East today. You'll also begin to tailor your degree to your interests, with optional modules allowing you to explore areas such as the region's media, Islamic theology or even new languages.

    The following year you'll be able to build on this knowledge as you explore issues such as Zionism, the Arab-Israeli conflict and modern Middle Eastern society while choosing from a range of optional modules on topics from the Qur'an to Islamic legal theory.

    Throughout your studies, you'll develop critical and research skills alongside your subject knowledge. In your final year you will continue to strengthen these across your module choices, but you will also put them into practice in your final year project - an independent piece of research on a topic of your own choosing.

    Course structure

    These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

    Year 1

    Compulsory modules

    • Entry requirements, fees and applying

      Entry requirements

      A-level: ABB

      • Career opportunities

        A degree in Islamic Studies equips you with a wide range of skills for a variety of careers, as well as deep cultural understanding of one of the world's most influential religions.

        You'll be an independent researcher, who can think critically about information from different sources and then communicate your conclusions effectively. Given the economic importance of many Islamic and Arabic-speaking countries worldwide, there is also a growing demand for language skills and people with an insight into Islamic culture.

        Graduates have progressed to careers in areas such as teaching, journalism, law, the civil service, chaplaincy, academia and the charity sector.

        We're committed to helping you achieve your career ambitions. The Faculty of Arts offers a number of internships every year, and we work closely with the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies' Work Placements Officer to source internship and training opportunities.

        Careers support

        We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That's one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

        Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

        The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

      • Study abroad and work placements

        Study abroad

        On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. The University has partnerships with more than 400 universities worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

        Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

        Work placements

        Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

        Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.

  • Entry requirements for this course

    Contact University of Leeds to find course entry requirements.

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