The Islamic College is a London-based academic institution specialising in Islamic Studies at both graduate and undergraduate level. Its degree programmes are accredited by Middlesex University

Middlesex University

Middlesex University is a university in north London, England. It is located in the historic county boundaries of Middlesex from which it takes its name. It is one of the post-1992 universities and is a member of Million+ working group...

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Introduction

The Islamic College represents the fusion of the classical with the modern. It was founded in 1998 to promote a new approach to the study of Islam and Muslims by providing an 'insider's perspective' on Islam and fostering a non-sectarian outlook. The college offers degrees at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, has to date published more than twenty major texts in the field of Islamic Studies and now releases a quarterly academic journal. It is also a multi-faceted institution, offering certificates level courses in practical Islamic subjects, such as Qur'anic Arabic and Persian, not to mention having just launched a new programme to train Muslim scholars for the West.

History

The Islamic College Time Line
1998	The college was founded as Islamic College for Advanced Studies (ICAS).
1999	Publication department (ICAS Press) established, begins publishing translations of important Islamic texts).
2001	Traditional subjects offered as part of a Hawza syllabus.
2002	College begins partnership with Middlesex University to offer an accredited BA Islamic Studies.
2007	New Level of co-operation begins between the College and Middlesex University with the introduction of MA Islamic Studies.*
	College offers certificate courses in Islamic Banking and Qur'anic Arabic.
	Journal of Shi'a Islamic Studies (JSIS) launched to promote the study of Shi'a Islam as a unique discipline. Journal of Shi'a Islamic Studies (JSIS)
	Research Department was established to promote research projects and produce scholarly titles on Islam
2008	To reflect its growing course provision and its emergence as the centre for the study of Islam, ICAS was renamed simply: The Islamic College.
	MA Comparative Philosophy launched.*
	MA Islamic Studies (Distance Education) Launched.*
	Islam and Human Rights added to the College's certificate course provision.
	Construction begins on the new campus building.
2009	BA Muslim Culture and Civilisation launched.*
	MA Comparative Philosophy: Islam and the West (Distance Education) launched.*

^{* Accredited by Middlesex University}

Research and Publication

The research department is dedicated to promoting the study of Islam and Muslims in both historical and contemporary contexts. Its main activities include the translation of classical Islamic texts from Arabic and Persian into English and publishing works that express the thought, faith and history of Shi'a Islam. The emphasis in this department is on Shi'a literature which has received relatively less attention in the west. To date, more than twenty key works have been published on topics such as the Qur'an, Hadith studies, theology, philosophy, mysticism, jurisprudence, politics and history.

The research department is also overseeing the development of the college's library into one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Shi'a thought in Europe. The research department also produces the Journal of Shi'a Islamic Studies (JSIS), a quarterly publication containing academic articles and book reviews of relevance to the study of Shi'a Islam. It has also organised a number of important academic conferences, including Islamic Thought in 18th Century China (January 2009) and Islamic Philosophy: A Living Tradition (March 2009).

Undergraduate

Our undergraduate department was our first to offer a degree accredited by Middlesex University: BA Islamic Studies. Its aim is to introduce students to the salient features of Islam as a system of belief and intellectual tradition from its inception until the modern era; covering essential subjects such as Islamic Law, History, Philosophy and the Arabic Language.

Following on from their course, a new degree, BA Muslim Culture and Civilisation has been introduced. Its aims are to provide a broader perspective on Islam as a Civilisation and this is reflected in its course content.

Postgraduate

In 2007 the college expanded its relationship with Middlesex University to provide an accredited MA Islamic Studies, which provides as in-depth study of Islam and Muslims at postgraduate level and allows students to focus their attention on a particular field that interests them through a combination of taught classes and independent research. This course attracts a range of students, from those looking to enter academia, or seeking a professional qualification as well as to those who simply want a deeper understanding of Islam.

In 2008 postgraduate provision was further augmented by the launch of MA Comparative Philosophy (also accredited by Middlesex University), which examines the intellectual traditions of the Muslim world and Europe. By including subjects such as Christian Theology and Western Philosophy alongside their Islamic counterparts, it allows students to explore the interplay between the great intellectual traditions of the East and West, making it a unique postgraduate degree.

Certificate Courses

In addition to degree programmes, the Islamic College also offers a number of certificate courses for students looking to access a particular area of Knowledge.

These are run in the evenings in order to accommodate people who might work, study or have other commitments during the day. Courses presently offered include; Qur'anic Arabic, Persian, Islamic Banking, Islam and Human rights and Islamic Philosophy.

Distance Education (Openstudy)

The Islamic College offers course in Islamic Studies over the Internet in the form of Openstudy, a unique online learning environment that aims to give students all over the world access to Islamic Knowledge. Its slogan is "Knowledge without borders". The online nature of the learning environment gives students flexibility in how to pursue their studies.

Muslim Ministry Programme

As on of the college's aims has been to promote a sound understanding of Islam, we recognised very early that need to create a new generation of indigenous scholars of Islam in the West. To facilitate this, we began offering classical subjects such as Jurisprudence (Fiqh) and Qur'anic commentary (Tafsir) in 2001.

External links

• The Islamic College Website
• The Distance Education Website