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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
in a relevant subject
You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant subject.
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:
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.
Full-time
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
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:
Employers our Theology and Religion graduates have worked for include:
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.
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.