The Hawza Programme taught at Al-Mahdi Institute continues the Shia heritage of teaching core Islamic sciences including Jurisprudence, Legal Theory, Arabic, Theology, Philosophy, Logic and more. Students enrolling on the Hawza Programme can opt to undertake the 4-year full-time study route, or alternatively study on a part-time basis by enrolling on a selection of modules each semester. The Institute’s online learning platform allows students to join classes live via virtual classrooms or by gaining on-demand access to lectures, seminars, and a wide range of learning materials at anytime and anywhere. On completion of the first three years of the programme, students are awarded a BA in Islamic Theological Studies by Mofid University with an additional MA in Islamic Studies awarded by the University of Birmingham in the fourth and final year of the programme. View the subjects taught as part of the Hawza Programme below.
Students enrolling on the Hawza Programme on a full or part-time basis can opt to study live via our virtual classrooms or by accessing class lectures on-demand at anytime and place. The Hawza Programme consists of two 17-week semesters each year from September to February and March to July with classes typically taught on Mondays to Thursdays between 9:00am – 4:30pm. At the end of each semester, students are assessed by a range of assessment methods including assignments, written exams, oral exams and class presentations.
Students who successfully complete the first three years of the Hawza Programme can now obtain a can now obtain a BA degree in Islamic Theologocial Studies awarded by Mofid University in Iran. Thereafter, students have the opportunity to also obtain an MA in Islamic Studies awarded by University of Birmingham.
With a thorough grounding in both traditional Islamic sciences and academia, students will be able to pursue careers in academia, teaching, public speaking, leadership, chaplaincy, consulting media and governmental and non-governmental organisations and more.
The Course structure below outlines the modules taught in each semester over the course of four years. Full-time students would be required to undertake all modules, whereas, part-time students may enrol on a maximum of five modules per semester.
Modules marked with an asterisk (*) below are beginner-level modules which are available for anyone to enrol on. All students entering the Hawza Programme must be able read basic Arabic. Students who wish to enrol on non beginner-level modules, must fulfill the Module Prerequisites.
For any further queries, please email [email protected]
YEAR ONE – SEMESTER ONE (SEPTEMBER TO FEBRUARY) | |||
Module Code | Module Name | Credits | Units |
USLINT* | Introduction to Shi’i Legal Theory (أصول الفقه: مبادئ الأصول) | 10 | 2 |
THEPHI* | Islamic Theology & Philosophy | 25 | 4 |
ULMQUR* | Qur’anic Sciences (علوم القرآن) | 30 | 2 |
HISONE* | Pre-Islamic History and History of Prophet Mohammad | 20 | 2 |
ARBONE* | Arabic Level One | 10 | 10 |
NAHINT | Introduction to Nahj al-Balaghah | 10 | 2 |
ILMTAF | Qur’anic Exegesis | 10 | 2 |
Total: 110 | Total: 24 |
YEAR ONE – SEMESTER TWO (MARCH TO JULY) | |||
Module Code | Module Name | Credits | Units |
ULMHAD* | Hadith & Rijal Studies (علوم الحديثو رجال) | 30 | 3 |
FIQTAH | Ritual Purity and its Juristic Evidence (فقه: الطهارة) | 5 | 2 |
USLHAL | Introduction to Baqir al Sadr’s Legal theory (علم الأصول: حلقة الإولى) | 10 | 3 |
LOGTAW | Logic: Conceptual Discussions (منطق: التصورات) | 20 | 2 |
HISTWO* | Post-Prophet and Ummayad History | 20 | 2 |
ARBTWO | Arabic Level Two | 10 | 8 |
IRFINT* | Introduction to Muslim Mysticism | 10 | 2 |
ETHINT | Islamic Ethics: Classical approaches and Contemporary Issues | 10 | 2 |
Total: 110 | Total: 24 |
YEAR TWO – SEMESTER ONE (SEPTEMBER TO FEBRUARY) | |||
Module Code | Module Name | Credits | Units |
LOGTAD | Logic: Syllogisms (منطق: التصديقات) | 20 | 2 |
HISTHR | Post-Umayyad & Otomon History | 20 | 2 |
FIQSAL | Prayer and its Juristic Evidence (فقه: الصلاة) | 5 | 2 |
FIQSZK | Fasting, Prescribed Alms & Taxes and their Juristic Evidence (الصوم، الزكاة والخمس) | 5 | 2 |
ARBTHR | Arabic Level Three | 10 | 8 |
USLALF | Linguistic discussions in Shi’i Legal theory (أصول الفقه: مباحث الألفاظ) | 5 | 4 |
PHICON | Issues in Contemporary Philosophy | 10 | 2 |
Total: 75 | Total: 22 |
YEAR TWO – SEMESTER TWO (MARCH TO JULY) | |||
Module Code | Module Name | Credits | Units |
ARBFOR | Arabic Level Four | 10 | 8 |
FIQHJA | Pilgrimage, Religious Warfare & Enjoining Good and their Juristic Evidence (فقه: الحج، الجهاد والأمر بالمعروف) | 5 | 2 |
FIQBIJ | Financial Transactions & Leasing and their Juristic Evidence (فقه: البيع والإجارة) | 5 | 2 |
LOGFIV | Logic: Five Arts (منطق: الصناعات الخمسة) | 20 | 2 |
USLALF | Linguistic discussions in Shi’i Legal theory (أصول الفقه: مباحث الألفاظ) | 5 | 4 |
IRFISH | Philosophy of Mysticism | 10 | 2 |
FIQNKT | Marriage & Divorce and their Juristic Evidence (فقه: النكاح والطلاق) | 5 | 2 |
THEEXI | Theology: Existence & Attributes of God (كلام: إثبات واجب الوجود والصانع) | 15 | 2 |
Total: 75 | Total: 24 |
YEAR THREE – SEMESTER ONE (SEPTEMBER TO FEBRUARY) | |||
Module Code | Module Name | Credits | Units |
PHIBID | Sadrian Philosophy: Existence and its Properties (فلسفة: الوجود وأحكامه) | 10 | 2 |
IRFQAY | Theoretical Mysticism: The Unity of Existence and the Sufi Path of Knowledge (عرفان: الوجود ومراتب الكشف) | 10 | 2 |
FIQSMB | Equity Partnerships and Trustee Financed Partnerships ( فقه: الشركة والمضاربة) | 5 | 2 |
ARBFIV | Arabic Level Five | 10 | 4 |
USLHUJ | The Authority of Evidence in Shi’i Legal theory (أصول الفقه: مباحث الحجة) | 5 | 4 |
USLAQL | Rational Discussions in Shi’i Legal theory (أصول الفقه: الملازمة العقلية) | 5 | 4 |
FIQHUT | Criminal Law & Punishment and their Juristic Evidence (فقه: الحدود، القصاص والطذرات) | 5 | 2 |
FIQASI | Consumables & Inheritance & their Juristic Evidence (فقه: الأطعمة، الأشربة والإرث) | 5 | 2 |
THEPIM | Theology: Prophethood & Imamology (كلام: النبوة والإمامة) | 15 | 2 |
Total: 70 | Total: 24 |
YEAR THREE – SEMESTER TWO (MARCH TO JULY) | |||
Module Code | Module Name | Credits | Units |
ARBSIX | Arabic Level Six | 10 | 4 |
IRFQY2 | Theoretical Mysticism: The Five Divine Presences and the Perfect Human (عرفان: العوالم الخمسة والإنسان الكامل) | 20 | 4 |
PHIBD2 | Sadrian Philosophy: Quiddity and its Properties (فلسفة: الماهية وأحكامه) | 20 | 4 |
USLHUJ | The Authority of Evidence in Shi’i Legal theory (أصول الفقه: مباحث الحجة) | 5 | 4 |
USLAQL | Rational Discussions in Shi’i Legal theory (أصول الفقه: الملازمة العقلية) | 5 | 4 |
THEMAD | Theology: Eschatology (كلام: المعاد) | 15 | 2 |
FIQIJT | Legal Derivation & Emulation and their Juristic Evidence (فقه: الاجتهاد والتقليد) | 5 | 2 |
FIQMAK | Fiqh: Readings of Makasib al-Ansari (فقه: مكاسب الشيخ الأنصاري) | 5 | 2 |
Total: 85 | Total: 26 |
YEAR FOUR – SEMESTER ONE (SEPTEMBER TO FEBRUARY) | |||
Module Code | Module Name | Credits | Units |
PHIBD3 | Sadrian Philosophy: The Neccessary Existence and its Properties (فلسفة: واجب الوجود وأحكامه) | 20 | 4 |
USLAML | Procedural principles in Shi’i legal theory (الأصول العملية) | 10 | 2 |
METHOD | Methodological Issues in the study of Islam | 10 | 2 |
Total: 40 | Total: 8 |
YEAR FOUR – SEMESTER TWO (MARCH TO JULY) | |||
Module Code | Module Name | Credits | Units |
DISS | Dissertation | 30 | N/A |
Total: 30 | N/A |
Please note:
450 credits are required by the end of year 3 to progress on to the MA in Islamic Studies programme awarded by the University of Birmingham in the fourth year of the Hawza Programme.
540 credits are required by the end of year 4 to graduate from Hawza Programme with a BA in Islamic Theological Studies awarded by Mofid University.
520 credits are required by the end of year 4 to graduate from the Hawza Programme without a BA degree.
For more information on Fees and Finance for the Hawza programme, please click here.
For more information on the Hawza Programme and the different modes of studying available, please email [email protected]
The four-year Hawza Programme offered at AMI allows students to obtain both BA and MA degree qualifications by the end of the final year of the programme. These unique qualifications allow students to not only engage with classical Shi’i texts but also get to grips with material that is at the forefront of academic research in Islamic Studies mainly with a historical, sociological, contextual, legal, or philosophical emphasis. This allows students to develop the knowledge and skills needed for independent research, creating an ideal foundation for further study.

BA Islamic Theological Studies
(Mofid University)

MA ISLAMIC STUDIES
(University OF BIRMINGHAM)

BA Islamic Theological Studies
(Mofid University)
BA Course Structure:
By the end of year three of the Hawza Programme, students who successfully achieve 540 credits including the BA modules below are awarded a BA in Islamic Theological Studies by Mofid University in Iran.
Optional BA Modules by Mofid University | Units per Module | Year & Semester | Credits per Module |
Research methods in Islamic Sciences | 2 units in total (Seminar) | All years | 10 |
Nahj al-Balaghah | 2 units for 17 weeks | 1.1 | 10 |
Interpretation of Supplications | 2 units for 17 weeks | 2.1 | 10 |
Islam, Economy and Politics | 2 units for 17 weeks | 2.1 | 10 |
Islam and Human Rights | 2 units for 8 weeks | 2.2 | 10 |
Islamic Ethics, Islamic Education & Islamic Way of Life | 2 units for 8 weeks | 2.2 | 10 |
Legal Maxims (قواعد الفقهية) | 2 units for 17 weeks | 3.1 | 10 |
The etiquette of debate & propagation | 2 units in total (Seminar) | All years | 10 |
Comparative study of religions | 2 units for 8 weeks | 4.2 | 10 |
History and culture of Iran | 2 full day Fridays (12 units) | All years | 10 |
Total: 100 |
Course Duration & Assessment methods:
The BA Programme is taught over three years with two 17 week semesters in each year. Assessments for the modules within the Hawza Programme and the below BA modules vary between assignments, written exams, oral exams and class engagement/presentations.
Can I study part-time?
Yes! Students unable to commit to full-time studies can instead study at their own pace by enrolling on up to five modules per semester until the Hawza Programme is completed. Students can also study the full Hawza Programme on-campus or online and obtain a BA in Islamic Theological Studies on completion.

MA ISLAMIC STUDIES
(University OF BIRMINGHAM)
Al-Mahdi Institute has partnered with the University of Birmingham (UoB) to offer a master’s degree in Islamic Studies as part of the Hawza Programme. Students who successfully complete the first three years of the Hawza Programme by achieving 450 credits have the opportunity to obtain a postgraduate degree, awarded by UoB, in the final year of the Hawza Programme.
The course offers a range of modules covering both historical and contemporary areas of Islamic Studies giving students the flexibility to pursue their own areas of interest. Taught primarily in small group-seminars, across both UoB and AMI campuses, students can get to grips with material that is at the forefront of academic research in Islamic Studies mainly with a historical, sociological, contextual, legal, or philosophical emphasis. This allows students to develop the knowledge and skills needed for independent research, creating an ideal foundation for further study.
MA Course Structure:
As part of the MA in Islamic Studies, students will be required to undertake three core modules (taught by UoB) in:
Approaches to Studying Islam (traditional)
Approaches to Studying Islam (modern)
Research Methods
Students will also be required to undertake three optional modules from a range which typically includes:
Medieval Arabic Thought (taught by AMI)
Thematic Study of Shi’ism: History, Doctrines and Religious Authority (taught by AMI)
Governance and Public law in Islamic Thought (taught by AMI)
Feminism in the Muslim World (taught by UoB)
Islam in Europe (taught by UoB)
Islamic Philosophy (taught by UoB)
Muslim Thinkers of the Western World (taught by UoB)
Political Islam (taught by UoB)
Please note: The MA programme is currently only available to study on-campus at AMI and the UoB’s Edgbaston campus. To view the full structure of the MA programme, click here.
Course Duration & Assessment Methods:
The MA in Islamic Studies programme (taught at UoB and AMI) consists of two 11-week semesters. Students must complete a total of six modules with each module being assessed by a 4000-word assignment due at the end of the semester. Students will also need to submit a 15,000-word supervised dissertation at the end of the year.
Can I study Part-time?
Yes, the MA in Islamic Studies programme can be studied part-time over two years.
AMI offers a range of tuition fee waivers and scholarships to support students during their studies on the Hawza Programme. Full-time students from the UK/EU who wish to study residentially can apply for a full scholarship to support their studies. Whilst, all other students can benefit from a range of tuition fee waivers available to all. Click below to see the funding support available.

TUITION FEES & WAIVERS

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

TUITION FEES & WAIVERS
Full-time Study:
Fees for full-time studies (On-campus and On-demand) are currently £5,000 per year. Students who cannot afford to pay the full fees, may choose from a selection of fee waivers available which include: 25%, 50%, 75% or 90%. There is also a one-off registration fee of £50 applicable for new students. Payment plans are also available upon request to help you spread the cost of your fees.
Fees per year: |
Subsidised Fee (25% waiver) |
Subsidised Fee (50% waiver) |
Subsidised Fee (75% waiver) |
Subsidised Fee (90% waiver) |
£5000 |
£3750 |
£2500 |
£1250 |
£500 |
Part-time Study:
Fees for part-time studies (On-campus and On-demand) are currently £650 per module, with a range of fee waivers also available for students who cannot pay their full fees. The fee waivers available include 25%, 50%, 75% and 90%. There is also a one-off registration fee of £50 applicable for new students. Payment plans for fees over £150 are also available upon request to help you spread the cost of your fees.
Per Module Fee |
Subsidised Fee (25% waiver) |
Subsidised Fee (50% waiver) |
Subsidised Fee (75% waiver) |
Subsidised Fee (90% waiver) |
£650 |
£487.50 |
£325 |
£162.50 |
£65 |
MA In Islamic Studies Programme (fourth year of the Hawza Programme):
Tuition fees for the MA Islamic Studies programme at the University of Birmingham for 2021/22 are as follows;
UK / EU: £9,500 full-time OR £4,750 part-time
International: £20,160 full-time

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
AMI Full-time Scholarship:
UK/EU students who wish to study residentially on campus as a full-time student, are eligible to apply for a scholarship to support their studies for the full duration of the four-year Hawza Programme. Scholarships include on-campus accommodation and/or monthly stipends of £200, a 90% waiver of your tuition fees for the full duration of the programme plus your Post-graduate MA fees in the final year (subject to achieving 450 credits by the end of Year 3).
To apply for a scholarship, applicants must supply certificates/transcripts of their highest qualification, their current CV, a copy of their passport and two academic references (not written by family members) at the time of their application. AMI awards up to three new full scholarships each year, which are awarded annually before the start of the academic year in September.
AMI Post-Graduate Scholarship:
UK/EU students who have completed equivalent hawza studies at other Islamic seminaries, are eligible to apply for a Post-graduate scholarship to fully fund their MA in Islamic Studies programme at University of Birmingham. The scholarship may also include on-campus accommodation and/or monthly stipends of £200.
Please note the MA in Islamic Studies programme at UoB is only available for study on-campus at AMI and UoB. It is not currently available to study via distance learning.
Students who are not awarded the Post-graduate scholarship can apply to the University of Birmingham directly for post-graduate loans and funding.
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