Islamic Scholarship Programmes
AT THE FOREFRONT OF ISLAMIC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMMES IN THE UK
Our Islamic Scholarship Programmes ensure students are able to find a programme best suited to them.
Through part-time study (one day a week live attendance online) and a dynamic selection of modules, our courses provide the opportunity for students and working professionals to study Arabic and the Islamic sciences to an advanced level.
The programmes are primarily authorised by Shaykh Mohammad Akram Nadwi. Students can begin their studies on the Foundation Year, progress onto the Arabic Immersion Year and graduate from the Alimiyyah Programme as an ‘Alim or ‘Alimah, with a penetrating understanding of the fundamental Islamic sciences.
These pioneering programmes have already produced a number graduates, a number of whom now teach with us as Al-Salam Institute course instructors.
Confused about which course is right for you?
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Course Structure
The programme is delivered by a series of live-streamed lectures and tutorials, and students will also have access to a number of seminars and tutorials uploaded onto the ASI Portal to review and revise at their own convenience. This level consists of eight mandatory modules, covering Arabic language extensively, as well as Islamic law, hadith, Quranic studies, and the principle sciences underpinning these disciplines. Students will also have the opportunity to join us on two scheduled student retreats per year, an Arabic Summer School, day trips and SU events, during which students can benefit from the company of their peers, teachers and staff. We strongly encourage attendance at these events in order for students to not forget or become disconnected from the blessings of good company.
Teaching Delivery
Introduction
Our unique three-tier structure makes our Islamic Scholarship Programmes unlike any other. The Programmes are split into three distinct levels: Foundation Year, Arabic Immersion Year, and the Alimiyyah Programme. These three programmes together form the UK’s first part-time ‘Alimiyyah Degree taught exclusively in the English language.
Core Lectures
Students of the Islamic Scholarship Programme all gather for the compulsory lectures on ‘Study Sundays’. These are the core lectures that take place during term-time over 30 weeks. They provide the core information to be further applied in tutorials, essays, and examinations. Core lectures are streamed live to our students around the world. Thereafter, recordings are made available to all students via the ASI Portal.
Tutorials
Tutorials take place during a weekday evening – usually lasting no more than two hours. Tutorials allow students to review their answers or theories that have been developed over the duration of the course, and to explore ideas that arise in discussion with your peers and tutors.
Workshops
Workshops are arranged to provide the practical study experience that cannot always be assured in the classroom setting. Visits to graveyards to witness the Islamic funeral rites, or boot-camps in essential study skills are typical first-year workshops.
Seminars
Seminars develop your ability to think for yourself – an essential ability for academic success and perhaps the single most important skill that is developed by students at ASI. You will learn to present and defend your opinions, accept constructive criticism, and consolidate your lessons into a coherent and articulate perspective.
Term dates for the 2024-2025 Academic Year:
Term dates may be subject to change.
*Please note: There will be no live classes in Term 3 on 25th May and 1st June due to the Uzbekistan trip, and on 8th June due to Eid al-Adha.
Residentials are elective programmes and are priced separately
Where and when do the classes take place?
The classes are held live online on Sundays.
Are the programmes taught in English?
Yes. All of the programmes are taught in the English language. Many of the texts are studied in the original Arabic with translation, explanation, and tuition in English.
I have a very busy schedule and cannot always dedicate an entire Sunday to my studies. Are the classes mandatory to attend?
Yes and no. Due to recent events we have been able to successfully launch all our courses online, thereby becoming a worldwide course provider. Our students have some level of flexibility to allow for the differences in time zones. However, we strongly recommend for all students to attend all classes live.
Can I study entirely online?
Yes. Each of the programmes can be studied online from start to finish. Further, recorded access is available for all core lectures until the end of the academic year.
Does Shaykh Akram Nadwi teach the entire programme?
No. There are over 20 faculty members teaching the Islamic Scholarship Programmes who are experts in their respective fields. Shaykh Akram teaches certain modules in each programme and authorises graduation from ASI, but he does not teach everything!
Is the Alimiyyah Programme recognised by Nadwat al-‘Ulama or any national or international universities?
At the moment – no. The entire programme is authorised by Shaykh Akram Nadwi.
How will I be assessed?
Students are assessed by a mixture of written assignments and examinations, as well as an independent research project in the final year.
Do I have to sit the exams in the UK even if I live abroad?
No. All exams and assignments are conducted online via the ASI Portal. The final year (graduation) exams are required to be sat onsite. Students living outside of the UK are able to sit these exams at a designated test centre near to their location.
Are the Residential programmes included?
Yes and no. The Residential programmes, which includes two Student Retreats based in the UK, as well as international trips such as the Knowledge Retreat and Sacred Sciences Journey, exist in order to enable students to spend time together in good company, study together and on SSJ's to spend time visiting and gaining ijazah from some of the leading scholars of the Muslim world. However, they are elective programmes and are priced separately. Find out more.
What happens once I graduate?
Graduates of ASI are marked by their embodiment of religious knowledge and are encouraged to contribute to society through their writings, actions, and dealings with others. Graduates may also choose to pursue post-graduate study in order to specialise in legal verdicts, hadith classification, or Arabic language.
What are the tuition fees?
Can I enrol one year at a time, instead of the entire programme at once?
Yes.
How many teaching hours are there per week?
There are 7-8 hours of core lectures on a weekly basis, as well as an average of 4 hours per week of seminars and tutorials.
How many hours of independent study is recommended?
We recommend 4 hours of independent study per week, in addition to the core lectures on Sundays.
I live outside of London. Should I attend onsite or online?
Online; all of our classes are now being held live online.
What are the entry requirements to join my intended programme?
Entry requirements for each programme are detailed on their respective pages. Generally, the entry requirements for each programme is successful completion of the preceding programme (or equivalent).
I have been studying the Islamic sciences for quite a while on my own, do I have to start at the Foundation Year?
No. Students who have already graduated from an Islamic studies programme may be eligible to enter directly into a programme more suited to their educational history.
How can I determine which level I should enrol onto?
Contact admissions@alsalam.ac.uk or + 44 (0) 20 8090 1623.
Will I automatically be enrolled onto the following year?
No. Entry onto the next year of your chosen programme is subject to satisfactory results in the end of year examinations.
Where do I sign up?
Visit our Islamic Scholarship Programmes page to find the right programme for you and apply.
Tuition Fees for 2024-25 academic year
Over 3 consecutive months
*Ramadan Discount Ends: 5th May 2024
For a detailed breakdown of our fees, please see our fees page.
Why Study at ASI?
1 Day a Week Structure
For many it is not possible to spend years or even decades studying the Islamic Sciences full time. Our programmes are structured so that students are only required to dedicate one day a week to their studies, making the programme ideal for both full-time students and working professionals, as well as homemakers.
LIVE Online Attendance
Classes take place for live online attendance in the UK and around the world. The weekly classes are recorded and made available to all students throughout the entire academic year. This means that students from anywhere in the world can attend the course live as it takes place, as well as study any upcoming short courses from the comfort of their home. The opportunity to attend these classes live online means students can still benefit from a digital classroom environment and interact with teachers during classes.
ASI Portal
Using the ASI Portal, all students are able to:
• Watch classes live
• Access all your learning materials
• Contact your teachers outside of the classroom
• Interact with your teachers
• Re-watch recordings of all your core classes
• Submit assignments and examinations
Shaykh Mohammad Akram Nadwi
Shaykh Akram Nadwi is a Hadith scholar of the highest calibre as well as one of the leading Islamic thinkers of our time. The programme is primarily authorised by Shaykh Akram Nadwi. Graduates from the Institute do so under his tutelage, receiving their Shahādah ‘Ālimiyyah upon completion of the programme.
Progression
Students who go on to study the Alimiyyah Programme will receive their Shahādah ‘Ālimiyyah upon successful completion of the course.