Ranking
Top 50
Department in world (QS 2024)
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Course overview
Explore the study of Islam at Birmingham. You’ll work with our academic experts and the Al-Mahdi Institute to investigate contemporary research in Islamic Studies and explore a range of topics.
You don’t need any formal learning in Islamic Studies for this course. For students who do have a background in Islamic Studies, it provides an ideal foundation for further research. Pursue your individual interests through our flexible module choices. You'll cover topics like Islamic perspectives in psychology, and law and ethics in Islamic thought and practice.
Course structure
The course runs over 12 months full-time. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis.
September - December (11 weeks)
Full-time students normally take three modules per term in the first two terms.
There are two hours of seminar time per module per week, and an emphasis on guided independent learning.
One-third of your degree is your dissertation. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your dissertation during term one.
Course highlights
Take advantage of the expertise of both the Department of Theology and Religion and the Al-Mahdi Institute. This course will give you an in-depth understanding of Islamic Studies.
You'll study traditional and modern debates on Islam and Muslim societies, both pre-modern and contemporary, within a wider context of Philosophy, Theology, and Religion.
- Benefit from diversity of experts in the Department and at the Al-Mahdi Institute, which provides you with a platform for further research in Islamic Studies.
- Build your degree around your interests with flexible module choices ranging from focussed treatments of Islamic intellectual traditions to wider philosophical debates on politics and society.
- Resources include Birmingham's Cadbury Research Library that houses many texts with religious significance, including the Birmingham Qur'an: one of the earliest surviving fragments of the Qur’an.
- Immerse yourself in one of the most religiously and culturally diverse cities in Europe. Make the most of the Department's links with faith-based communities across the city.
Learn from experts in the Top 50 Theology and Religion department in the world (QS 2024).
Flexible choice of modules available.
Fantastic resources and collaboration with the Al-Mahdi Institute.
Exceptional resources to support your studies
You’ll have training from internationally renowned experts in a diverse range of approaches to the study of Islam. Benefit from a variety of historical and theological manuscripts at your fingertips. Birmingham's Cadbury Research Library houses many texts and books with religious significance, including the Birmingham Qur'an: one of the earliest surviving fragments of the Qur’an.
Course delivery
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in Theology and Religion.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Dissertation – you'll undertake either a 15,000-word dissertation in an area that interests you or a placement-based dissertation.
Module information
The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation. Modules run for one term, and each module involves a two-hour weekly seminar which you’ll need to attend.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
2025/26 Session
Modules offered every academic year will depend on staff availability and sufficient student numbers (minimum 5). All compulsory modules will run and students will be informed each year which optional modules will be available.
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| LM Approaches to the Study of Islam | 20 |
| LM Dissertation Preparation and Guided Reading | 20 |
| LM Research Methods | 20 |
One of the following dissertations MUST be taken
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| LM Dissertation | 60 |
| LM Placement-based Dissertation | 60 |
Students must select a further 60 credits. At least 40 credits must be taken across the specialist and relevant thematic module lists. 20 credits may be taken from the remaining list of modules in the School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion, or, with consultation from your programme leader, from the College of Arts and Law. Optional modules: Modules offered every academic year will depend on staff availability and sufficient student numbers (minimum 5). Optional modules: All compulsory modules will run and students will be informed each year which optional modules will be available.
Specialist Modules:
PTR Thematic Modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| LM Critical Thinkers of Modernity, Science, Society and Religion | 20 |
| LM Gender, Sexualities and Religion | 20 |
| LM Mediaeval Arabic Thought | 20 |
| LM Political Philosophy in Theological Ethics | 20 |
| LM Psychology and Religion: Islamic Perspectives | 20 |
| LM Thematic Study of Shi’ism: History, Doctrines and Religious Authority | 20 |
| Religion in Contemporary Global Politics 2 | 20 |
| Religion in Contemporary Global Politics I | 20 |
Students may take one LM module selected from others available in PTR or from other disciplines by prior agreement with module and programme leader.
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:1 Honours Degree
in a relevant subject
You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant subject.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
English Presessional Programmes
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
Fees and scholarships
- £10,900
Full-time
- £5,450
Part-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Paying your tuition fees
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
Postgraduate Masters Loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
How to apply to our taught courses
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
Career opportunities
By studying a postgraduate degree in Theology and Religion at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include the ability to research and organise information, written and verbal communication skills and the ability to write to tight deadlines.
Our Theology and Religion graduates enter many roles, including:
- Church Ministry
- Modern Day Slavery Officer
- Religious Minister
Employers our Theology and Religion graduates have worked for include:
- National and international places of worship
- Ministry of Justice
- Cambridge University Press
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report.
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.