SOAS, University of London (The School of Oriental and African Studies)

Structure

Students take four course units per year, consisting of thematic and language courses, as well as optional courses which allow students to develop specific interests.  In addition to a language course in Arabic in Year 1 (Elementary Qur'anic Arabic is recommended), students can choose language courses from a wide range of languages relevant to the study of Islam including Indonesian, Urdu, Bengali, Somali, Swahili and Hausa.

Core course: this means this unit must be passed before progression to the following year.
Compulsory course: this means this unit must be completed before progression to the following year.

Year 1

Core Course

• Introduction to the Study of the Qur'an - 155901343 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Compulsory Course

• The Muslim World: Unity in Diversity - 155901258 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Compulsory Language Course

Students choose an Arabic language unit at a suitable level. Qur'anic Arabic is recommended. See the language options list below.

Open Option

Choose a course from the list below or an open option.

Year 2

Core Course

• Biography and Traditions of the Prophet Mohammed - 155901337 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Compulsory Course

• Introduction to Sufism - 155901375 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Optional Course

Choose a course from the list below.

Open Option

Choose a course from the list below or an open option.

Year 3

Compulsory Courses

• Islamic Intellectual Tradition - 155901338 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Independent Study Project in Islamic Studies - 155901339 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Optional Course

Choose a course from the list below.

Open Option

Choose a course from the list below or an open option.

Language Options

Near and Middle East

Advanced Qur'anic Arabic (155901400) is currently being developed and will be available to students for the academic year 2012-13.

• Elementary Qur'anic Arabic - 155901365 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Intermediate Qur'anic Arabic - 155901374 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Arabic 100 - 155901202 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Arabic 200 - 155901203 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Arabic 300 - 155901204 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Elementary Written Persian - 155901053 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Elementary Written Turkish - 155901051 (1 Unit) - Full Year

South Asia

A language unit in Urdu, Bengali or Tamil at a suitable level. A suitable course on Indian or Pakistan culture is also an option.

Africa

A language unit in Hausa, Somali, Swahili or Yoruba at a suitable level.

South East Asia

An Indonesian language unit at a suitable level or one of the courses from the following list. Note: There are prerequisites for Traditional Malay Literature: Adventure Romances in Text and Film AND Traditional Malay Literature: History, Politics And Religion In Texts And Film.

• Pre-Modern Historical Texts of Java, Bali and the Malay World in English Translation - 155901313 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2013/2014
• Jawi and the Manuscript Tradition - 155901312 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Traditional Malay Literature: Adventure Romances in Texts and Film - 155901314 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2013/2014
• Traditional Malay Literature: History, Politics and Religion in Texts and Film - 155901315 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2013/2014

China and Inner Asia

A Chinese language unit taken at a suitable level.

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Before selecting a course, student's must first check that the course is at the correct level. They must also ensure that they meet any pre-requisites.

Study of Religions

• Introduction to the Study of Religions - 158000096 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Shi'a Islam: Religious Authority and Community Identity - 158000147 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2013/2014
• Messianic Movements in Islamic History - 158000149 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2013/2014
• Islam in Britain - 158000169 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Art

• Islamic Architecture - 154900107 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Islamic Painting - 154900009 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2013/2014
• The Decorative Arts of Islam - 154900109 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Art and Material Culture of the Islamic World: 7th to 14th Centuries - 154900138 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2013/2014

Music

• Music of the Middle East and North Africa - 155800068 (1 Unit) - Full Year

History

• H130 Introduction to the History of the Near and Middle East - 154800230 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• H241 The Middle East in the Period of the Crusades, 1050-1291 - 154800254 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• H253, Islam in Southeast Asia, 1760s-1960s - 154800212 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• H346 History of Iran: Qajars to the Islamic Republic (I) - 154800245 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Faculty of Law and Social Sciences

Before selecting a course, student's must first check that the course is at the correct level.

Politics

Students wishing to take Politics options have to take 153400001: Introduction to Political Study as an open option before taking any Politics options (it is a prerequisite for all Politics options).

• Government and politics of the Middle East - 153400060 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Islam and democracy - 153400065 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Government and politics of South Asia - 153400020 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Southeast Asian government and politics - 153400022 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Programme Specification

• BA Islamic Studies- Programme Specifications 2012/13 (pdf; 30kb)

Teaching & Learning

Destinations

As a student specialising in Islamic Studies, you will gain competency in language skills and intercultural awareness and understanding. Familiarity with the region will have been developed through a combination of the study of language, literature and culture (which can include literature, film, music, art and religion) of various parts of the Middle East.

Graduates leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise, but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers in both business and the public sector. These include written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to research, amass and order information from a variety of sources.

For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.

How to apply

How to apply

• How to Apply
• UCAS website
• Funding options
• English language requirements
• Tuition Fees
• Admissions Contacts

Scholarships

For further information visit the Scholarships section